About The Song
After scoring five No. 1 singles in 1993, Garth slowed down a bit at country radio in 1994. Continuing to release singles from In Pieces, he went top five with “Standing Outside the Fire” and top ten with “One Night a Day.” He returned to the top with the album’s final country radio single, which was a cover of a New Grass Revival hit from the late eighties.
Garth Brooks has one big thing in common with Madonna. You can’t fully understand the phenomenon if you haven’t seen him live.
“Callin’ Baton Rouge” is the record that best captures the sheer exhilaration of a Garth Books show. It’s an explosion of joyous energy, and a pure adrenaline rush from start to finish.
Reuniting New Grass Revival to play on the track was a masterstroke, clearly inspiring Brooks to match their stellar musicianship with a powerhouse vocal performance.
I’m very well aware that the “best” Garth Brooks single of all time is “The Dance” or “Friends in Low Places” or “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”
But as far as my personal preferences go, this is the best damn record that he ever recorded.
“The Red Strokes” was a minor international hit and received plenty of stateside video play, but “Callin’ Baton Rouge” was Garth’s last official single sent to country radio until the latter half of 1995.
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16lW-NWqLTQ
Lyrics
I spent last night in the arms of a girl in Louisiana!
And though I’m out on the highway
My thoughts are still with her
Such a strange combination of a woman and a child
Strange situation stoppin’ every hundred miles
Callin’ Baton Rouge
A replay of last night’s events roll through my mind
Except a scene or two erased by sweet red wine
And I see a truck stop sign ahead, so I change lanes
I need a cup of coffee and a couple dollars change
Callin’ Baton Rouge
Here we go!
Operator, won’t you put me on through?
I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge
Hurry up, won’t you put her on the line?
I gotta talk to the girl just one more time
Hello, Samantha dear, I hope you’re feelin’ fine
And it won’t be long until I’m with you all the time
But until then, I’ll spend my money
Up right down to my last dime
Callin’ Baton Rouge
Yes come on!
Operator, won’t you put me on through?
I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge
Hurry up, won’t you put her on the line?
I gotta talk to the girl just one more time
Callin’ Baton Rouge
Sweet Baton Rouge
My Baton Rouge
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh