The song "Where Corn Don't Grow" by Waylon Jennings tells the story of a conversation between a father and his son. They are sitting on the front porch of their old grey house, reminiscing about their lives on the dusty fields where the father had worked tirelessly. The son expresses his desire to escape the simple life and wonders if his father ever dreams of a life where corn doesn't grow. The father, feeling the weight of his son's words, becomes silent and looks introspectively into his coffee cup. His eyes reflect a mix of emotions as he contemplates his son's longing for something different. He tells his son that he understands how, at his age, the world may seem slow and full of unanswered questions. However, he warns his son that life can be challenging no matter where you go, just like the dusty fields they live in. The son, feeling guilty for questioning his father's way of life, recalls how he believed he knew more than he actually did when he was seventeen. He realizes that his dreams of leaving for the city have not turned out as he expected. He acknowledges that his father had warned him about the difficulties of city life and reflects on how dreams can change over time. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Hard times are real, there's dusty fields" to emphasize the challenges and hardships present in both rural and urban life. It suggests that there is no escape from difficulties, no matter where one goes. The phrase "where corn don't grow" symbolizes a place without struggles, but the song conveys that such a place doesn't exist. Throughout the song, Jennings portrays the longing for something different while highlighting the realities of life. It serves as a reflection on the choices we make and the importance of appreciating what we have, even in the midst of hardships.
