About The Song
“If You’re Gonna Walk, I’m Gonna Crawl” emerged as a spirited country single from Sammy Kershaw, hitting radio waves on March 18, 1995. It wrapped up the singles run from his third studio album, Feelin’ Good Train, which Mercury Records dropped on June 21, 1994. That record, produced by Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson, showcased Kershaw’s knack for blending upbeat honky-tonk vibes with heartfelt moments, earning gold certification from the RIAA. Clocking in at just over 34 minutes, the album featured 11 tracks, including covers like “Third Rate Romance” and a duet with George Jones on “Never Bit a Bullet Like This.” It climbed to No. 9 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart, No. 73 on the Billboard 200, and No. 2 on Canada’s RPM Country Albums. The song itself, penned by Buddy Cannon and Larry Bastian—two Nashville staples known for crafting relatable tales—landed as track nine, following hits like “National Working Woman’s Holiday” (No. 2) and “Third Rate Romance” (also No. 2). “Southbound” preceded it, peaking at No. 27, setting the stage for this tune’s No. 18 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Sammy Kershaw, hailing from Kaplan, Louisiana, where he was born on February 24, 1958, drew from a life rooted in Southern grit. As a third cousin to fiddlers Doug and Rusty Kershaw, music was family territory, but hardship shaped him early. Losing his dad at 11 meant juggling construction jobs by day and bar gigs by night to help his mom. Those smoky venues honed his voice, a twangy echo of his hero, George Jones. Kershaw often recounts a teenage brush with Jones at a local show, calling it a pivotal spark that fueled his drive. After stints as a DJ and in bands, he signed with Mercury in 1990, debuting with Don’t Go Near the Water in 1991. By the mid-90s, he’d notched over a dozen Top 40 country hits, with Feelin’ Good Train capturing his peak momentum amid personal storms like battling alcohol and financial woes.
The track spins a tale of a fun-loving guy hooked on Monday football and Friday pool halls, whose wild ways wear thin on his steadfast partner. She’s fed up, ready to bolt, but he pleads with raw humility: if she walks, he’ll crawl, grovel in the gravel to keep her. It’s a classic country plea for redemption, underscoring how love can humble even the rowdiest soul. Lyrics like “You’ll see how low a man can go when his back’s against the wall” hit home, mirroring Kershaw’s own reflections on relationships strained by the road life. In interviews, he’s shared how his multiple marriages—including one to Lorrie Morgan—echoed such dynamics, teaching him about compromise. Bastian, the co-writer, drew from real-life observations of mismatched couples in bars, aiming to flip the script on breakup songs with humor-laced desperation. Cannon, a frequent collaborator, recalled in a Nashville chat how they knocked it out in one session, laughing over the exaggerated begging.
Chart success aside, the song lingered in fans’ hearts through live sets. At a 1995 Texas rodeo, Kershaw dedicated it to a couple reconciling onstage, turning it into an impromptu vow renewal that made local news. Another fan story surfaced on forums: a trucker credited the tune for ditching his partying after his wife played it during a fight, saving their marriage. Kershaw, now past 60, has sold millions and ventured into politics, running for Louisiana lieutenant governor twice. He’s outspoken on issues like the 2010 oil spill, but music remains his core. This song, with its catchy plea, underscores his appeal—real, flawed, and relentlessly country. It didn’t top charts like “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” but it solidified his rep for songs that stick, reminding listeners that sometimes, crawling back is the bravest step.
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Lyric
I’m a monday night football, friday night pool hall guy
I ain’t never been one to let a good time pass me by
You’re standin’ there statin’ you’re tired of waitin’
My celebratin’s gratin’ on you
If you feel that way if it’ll make you stay
Well here’s what i’m gonna doIf you’re gonna walk, i’m gonna crawl
You’ll see how low a man can go
When his back’s against the wall
I’ll be grovelin’ in the gravel
If you make that taxi call
If you’re gonna walk, i’m gonna crawlYou’re a one man pure gold genuine good ol’ girl
You’ve been waitin’ on me to get tired of my neon world
Now the turn you’ve taken has got me shakin’
It’s a heart breakin’ wake up call
Now i’m seein’ how you see me
And i feel about shoe top tallIf you’re gonna walk, i’m gonna crawl
You’ll see how low a man can go
When his back’s against the wall
I’ll be grovelin’ in the gravel
If you make that taxi call
If you’re gonna walk, i’m gonna crawl