Screw You, We're From Texas

The Zoo Crew is spinning Screw You, We're From Texas by Ray Wylie Hubbard from his 2003 album Growl, a track that’s become an anthem for Texas pride. This song, with its raw, unapologetic swagger, celebrates Texas music and culture, name-dropping iconic venues like Gruene Hall and Antone’s, alongside legends like Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. But Hubbard has expressed mixed feelings about it. In a 2010 Music Fog interview, he admitted discomfort with the song’s brash tone, noting its irony was often misunderstood. He wrote it as a tongue-in-cheek nod to Texas music heritage, but some fans took the “screw you” attitude literally, which led to him hesitating to perform it at times. Despite this, the song caught fire, especially after a 2003 performance on Late Show with David Letterman, where Hubbard played a bonus online version of the track at Letterman’s personal request, boosting its cult status.

Another tidbit about Screw You, We're From Texas comes from a 2013 Artist Pictures Blog post describing a live show at Antone’s in Austin. Hubbard performed the full version of the song, unlike the truncated one on Letterman due to time constraints. The crowd, packed with Zoo Freak-like devotees, sang along word-for-word, proving its deep resonance with Texans. Hubbard’s dry humor and storytelling shone through, with the blog comparing his style to a mix of Bob Dylan’s wit and Johnny Cash’s grit. The song’s lyrics, like “I guess I look like some Port Aransas dope dealer,” paint a vivid, rebellious image that’s both self-deprecating and defiant, perfectly capturing the Texas spirit the Zoo Crew is channeling today.

Ray Wylie Hubbard was born on November 13, 1946, in Soper, Oklahoma, but his family moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1954, where he grew up in the Oak Cliff neighborhood. He attended W.H. Adamson High School alongside future music star Michael Martin Murphey, already showing a knack for creativity. By the mid-1960s, Hubbard was studying English at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) but spent his summers in Red River, New Mexico, playing folk music with a trio called Three Faces West. It was there he penned Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother, a song that became a hit after Jerry Jeff Walker recorded it in 1973. That success led to a deal with Warner Bros. Records, and in 1976, Hubbard released his debut album, Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Cowboy Twinkies. His early career was marked by a blend of folk, country, and outlaw spirit, though he battled alcoholism and addiction through his thirties, only getting sober in 1987, inspired by friend Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Hubbard’s journey from a folk-singing college kid to a Texas music icon wasn’t smooth, but his storytelling and gritty authenticity kept him going. His music evolved into a mix of Americana, blues, and outlaw country, with albums like Growl showcasing his sharp songwriting. Fans can dive deeper into his world through his official website, raywylie.com, where he shares tour dates, merch, and personal musings. On Facebook, he posts about gigs and life lessons, often warning fans about scam accounts pretending to be him. His Instagram is a visual scrapbook of live shows and Texas vibes, while his X account offers witty, candid takes on music and more. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with other fans, the Ray Wylie Hubbard Fans Facebook group is a lively spot to share stories, photos, and concert plans, keeping the spirit of songs like Screw You, We're From Texas alive.