White Rose – Toby Keith

Introduction:

“White Rose” by Toby Keith is a poignant track from his 2017 album, The Bus Songs. This album features a mix of humorous and heartfelt tracks, showcasing Keith’s range as a songwriter and performer. The Bus Songs leaned heavily into Toby Keith’s trademark style of storytelling, blending country wit with moments of nostalgia and sincerity, and “White Rose” stands out as one of the more reflective pieces on the record.

The song delves into the decline of Americana, symbolized by the closing of an old White Rose gas station. Through its lyrics, Keith paints a vivid picture of small-town life and the passage of time, themes that resonate deeply with his fans. The track is emblematic of his ability to weave stories that balance personal reflection with broader cultural observations.

The album The Bus Songs was released under Show Dog Nashville and achieved notable success, reaching the top of the Billboard Comedy Albums chart. The project offered a mix of new material and previously unreleased tracks, adding a touch of variety to Keith’s extensive discography. “White Rose,” in particular, reflects his skill at capturing the emotional weight of seemingly simple moments, a hallmark of his storytelling.

Video:

Lyrics:

“White Rose”

And that big white rose upon that sign
Put innocence in all our lives
We could see its neon light
from half a mile out

Gas was .50 cents a gallon
They’d put it in for you
they’d bump your tires and check your oil,
And wash your windows too

And We’d shine those cars bright as bright
We’d go park underneath that light
Stare out at the prairie sky
There was nothing else to do

And now there’s plywood for glass
Where the windows all got smashed
And there’s just a chunk a’concrete
Where those old pumps used to stand

There’s a couple a’cars half outta the ground
And that old sign still spins ’round ‘n ’round
I guess the White Rose fillin’ station’s just a memory now

And the girls would spend a couple of bucks
Just to meet the boys workin’ at the pumps
And we’d pull up and fall in love
And they’ve all moved away

Strangers used to stop and ask
How far they’ve driven off the map
And then they built that overpass
And now they stay out on the highway

‘Cause there’s plywood for glass
Where the windows all got smashed
And there’s just a chunk a’concrete
Where those old pumps used to stand

There’s a couple a’cars half outta the ground
And that old sign still spins ’round ‘n ’round
I guess the White Rose fillin’ station’s just a memory now

And that neon sign was the heart and soul
of this ol’ one horse town
And it’s like it lost its will to live
The day they shut it down

And now there’s plywood for glass
Where the windows all got smashed
And there’s just a chunk a’concrete
Where those old pumps used to stand

There’s a couple a’cars half outta the ground
And that old sign still spins ’round ‘n ’round
I guess the White Rose fillin’ station’s just a memory now

Yea that ol’ White Rose fillin’ station’s just a memory now