I originally wrote this song in 2013 when my roommate from Richmond moved to LA. We took a road trip across the country and I flew home, and it was a formative experience.

Found it in an old journal and decided to revive it and play around with more full instrumentation

Sitting on a balcony in Studio City Drove across the county, sure was pretty I saw things I'd never seen before

In Louisville, Kentucky they make bats I stuck my fingers in sour mash and I listened to bluegrass

Down in Jackson, Tennessee I stayed with Bobby A real man who turned his life around

America's diverse and wide Full of people who take pride In all the great things they do

And if you ask me What makes this country That is what I would have to say

Got to Memphis in time to eat Barbecue on Beale Street And see where the music came from

And in Oklahoma City I felt hate But standing in between The Time Gates Showed me what hope can bring

America's got a checkered history And it's a mighty mystery How the good keeps coming after bad

And if you ask me What makes this country That is what I would have to say

New Mexico's red mesas Made quite a backdrop for a few cervezas And her people were so kind

In Durango, Colorado I saw a friend She took me up to the lion's den Where we could see a mile down below

The Grand Canyon filled me with awe Could hardly believe what I saw How could something be so huge

America's natural beauty Sends a feeling surging through me Reminds me that we are all so small

And if you ask me What makes this country That is what I would have to say

Sitting on a balcony in Studio City Drove across the county, sure was pretty I saw things I'd never seen before