About the song
“East Bound and Down” is a 1977 song written by Jerry Reed and Dick Robbins, and first recorded by Reed for the soundtrack of the film Smokey and the Bandit. The song quickly became a hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Kenny Rogers, Alabama, and the Allman Brothers Band.
The song is a fast-paced, upbeat country tune that tells the story of a truck driver named Bandit who is on a mission to deliver 400 cases of Coors beer from Atlanta, Georgia, to Texarkana, Texas, in just 28 hours. Along the way, he is pursued by Sheriff Buford T. Justice, who is determined to stop him.
“East Bound and Down” is a classic country song that has been enjoyed by generations of listeners. It is a song about freedom, rebellion, and the open road. It is also a song that is quintessentially American, capturing the spirit of the country’s love of cars, beer, and truck driving.
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Lyrics
East bound and down, loaded up and truckin’
We gonna do what they say can’t be done
We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there
I’m east bound, just watch ol’ Bandit runKeep your foot hard on the pedal
Son, never mind them brakes
Let it all hang out ’cause we’ve got a run to make
The boys are thirsty in Atlanta
And there’s beer in Texarkana
And we’ll bring it back no matter what it takesEast bound and down, loaded up and truckin’
We gonna do what they say can’t be done
We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there
I’m east bound, just watch ol’ Bandit runEast bound and down, loaded up and truckin’
We gonna do what they say can’t be done
We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there
I’m east bound, just watch ol’ Bandit runOld Smokey’s got them ears on
He’s hot on your trail
And he ain’t gonna rest ’til you’re in jail
So you got to dodge him, you got to duck him
You’ve gotta keep that diesel truckin’
Just put that hammer down and give it hellEast bound and down, loaded up and truckin’
We gonna do what they say can’t be done
We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there
I’m east bound, just watch ol’ Bandit run