I never really thought about this until I saw Whiskey Riff’s story about it.
The Turnpike Troubadours are the probably the biggest they’ve ever been from the Red Dirt country music arena. From landing massive opening spots on Cross Canadian Ragweed’s highly successful “Boys From Oklahoma” concert series, they also scored huge appearances at a couple of Zach Bryan’s concerts last summer. The guys were a part of his two sold-out shows at BST Hyde Park in London and the Golden Gate Park show in San Francisco.
Of course the Turnpike Troubadours don’t really need anyone’s help selling out shows…as they do pretty damn well on their own. Their music is solid country gold and their fan base is loyal as they come and rightfully so.
The fine people at Whiskey Riff decided to do a little deep dive to see how many of their songs start off with the word “well…and well…there’s quite a bit.
Back in May of 2025 TikTok user, NattyByNature, brought this to the attention of every Turnpike Troubadours fan by posting a compilation of different songs…all containing Felker’s iconic opening line…”well”…and there was a lot to say the least.
After going through all six of their albums, here are some of Turnpike songs that start with “well”…
“Every Girl”
Album: Diamonds & Gasoline
Lyric: “Well, she was born in the mornin’, late October, San Antone”
“Down on Washington”
Album: Diamonds & Gasoline
Lyric: “Well, you’re standing there. You said life ain’t fair”
“Kansas City Southern”
Album: Diamonds & Gasoline
Lyric: “Well, I was working on the KCS Rail Line. Katie was the girl down the street”
“Whole Damn Town”
Album: Diamonds & Gasoline
Lyric: “Well, I can go downtown and drink till dawn”
“The Funeral”
Album: Diamonds & Gasoline
Lyric: “Well, now stage right enter Jimmy, just a counterfeit James Dean”
“Long Hot Summer Day”
Album: Diamonds & Gasoline
Lyric: “Well, I’m gonna pick up some of these empties, Lord, as soon as I find where they lay”
“Gin, Smoke Lies”
Album: Goodbye Normal Street
Lyric: “Well, in the early autumn wind, a lonely dove is flyin’”
“Before The Devil Knows We’re Dead”
Album: Goodbye Normal Street
Lyric: “Well, he was pushing 80, but he acted 22”
“Southern Son”
Album: Goodbye Normal Street
Lyric: “Well, I guess I was born with a gun in my hand”
“Blue Star”
Album: Goodbye Normal Street
Lyric: “Well, you have been a fighting man. You’ve seen your share of war”
We’re only listing 10 of the songs, because there actually 29 songs start out with the word “well”. And Whiskey Riff did a damn fine job in line all of them. Their math also figured out that Turnpike has an impressive 42.6% of their 68 officially released songs have the word “well”…and I’m okay with that to be honest. You can checkout all of the 29 song titles here…as well.