Sometimes a song just hits at the exact moment the world feels like it's spinning way too fast. We've all been there. You're stuck in a digital loop, scrolling through arguments you didn't ask for, feeling your blood pressure climb for no reason. Then, a light, rhythmic acoustic guitar riff kicks in. Kenny Chesney starts singing. Suddenly, the get along song lyrics aren't just words on a screen; they’re a roadmap for not losing your mind in the 2020s.
Released in 2018 as the lead single from his Songs for the Saints album, "Get Along" wasn't just another summer anthem for the No Shoes Nation. It was a pivot. Written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, and Josh Osborne, the track arrived when the cultural climate was reaching a boiling point. It’s catchy. It’s breezy. But if you actually sit with the verses, there’s a gritty, practical philosophy underneath that blue-chair-bay aesthetic.
The Story Behind the Get Along Song Lyrics
It’s easy to dismiss country music as being just about trucks or heartbreak. That’s a mistake here. The writers—specifically Shane McAnally, who has a knack for finding the "everyman" pulse—wanted to capture the exhaustion of constant conflict. Chesney himself has mentioned in interviews that the song is about "finding the middle ground."
Think about that first verse. You’ve got a guy painting a "Stop" sign "Go." It’s such a simple, visual metaphor for someone who’s just tired of the rules and the friction. He’s looking for a way to move forward when everything tells him to wait or fight. The lyrics don't demand a political revolution. They don't ask you to change the world. They just ask you to change your immediate surroundings.
Chesney has always been the king of the "island vibe," but this felt different. It was less about escaping to the Virgin Islands and more about escaping the mental prison of being "right" all the time.
Why These Lyrics Are Harder to Follow Than They Sound
"Get along, guy, before you're gone, guy." It sounds like a bumper sticker, doesn't it? But honestly, have you tried it lately? It’s hard.
The chorus is basically a checklist of things we've forgotten how to do.
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- "Scarecrow a little more": This isn't about standing in a field. It’s about being still. Being okay with just existing without a "take" on everything.
- "Give a little credit": Recognizing that maybe, just maybe, the person you're arguing with has a point, or at least a reason for their madness.
- "Buy a boat": This is classic Chesney, sure, but it’s also a metaphor for finding your own vessel—your own way to navigate the mess.
The most poignant line, though, is "Always give love the upper hand." In a world built on "gotcha" moments and viral dunks, giving love the "upper hand" is an act of rebellion. It’s a choice to lose the argument to win the relationship.
Breaking Down the Second Verse
The second verse takes us to a nursing home. It’s a classic songwriting trope because it works. You have the contrast of someone with "nowhere to go" and "all the time in the world." It puts our petty 24-hour news cycle stresses into a brutal perspective.
When the lyrics mention "looking for a bridge to burn" or "a place to land," they hit on the human duality. We are constantly stuck between wanting to destroy things that annoy us and desperately searching for a safe place to settle. The song suggests that the "place to land" is actually found in the "getting along" part, not the "burning" part.
The Musicality of the Message
You can't talk about the lyrics without the music. If this were a slow, somber ballad, it would feel like a lecture. Nobody wants to be lectured about being nice. But because it’s an uptempo, major-key bop, the message feels like a suggestion from a friend over a beer rather than a sermon.
The production by Buddy Cannon and Chesney uses a driving beat that mirrors the "moving on" theme. It feels like driving down a highway with the windows down. That sense of forward motion is essential. You aren't "getting along" by standing still; you're doing it while you "keep on movin'."
Why the "Get Along" Philosophy Matters in 2026
We are living in an era of hyper-segmentation. Algorithms feed us exactly what we want to hear, which usually involves why everyone else is wrong. The get along song lyrics act as a pattern interrupt.
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I remember seeing a thread on a music forum where a listener mentioned they played this song after a heated family dinner. It didn't change their uncle's mind about anything, but it changed the listener's reaction to their uncle. That’s the power of a well-timed lyric. It’s about emotional regulation.
Real-World Application of the "Get Along" Mindset
- The Two-Second Pause: Before hitting "send" on that spicy comment, think of the line "give a little credit." Does this person actually deserve the vitriol, or are they just a scarecrow in your way?
- Find Your "Boat": Whether it’s an actual boat, a hobby, or just a 10-minute walk, find the thing that removes you from the friction.
- Prioritize the People, Not the Points: The song emphasizes "calling your mom" and "making a friend." These are tangible, local actions.
Misconceptions About the Song
Some critics at the time felt the song was a bit "middle of the road" or "too safe." They argued that "getting along" is a luxury for those who don't have real problems.
But I think that misses the point. The song isn't saying "ignore injustice." It’s saying "don't let the friction of the world grind your soul into dust." It’s a survival strategy for the individual. If you’re constantly at war with everyone around you, you have zero energy left to actually improve your life or anyone else's.
It’s also not a "Kumbaya" song. It’s more of a "Mind your own business and be decent" song. There’s a ruggedness to it. It’s very much in line with Chesney’s brand of "relaxed masculinity."
The Impact on Country Radio
"Get Along" flew up the charts. It became Chesney’s 30th Number One hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Why? Because it was a relief. Radio programmers knew that listeners were tired of the noise.
The song’s success proved that there is a massive market for "simple" wisdom. People don't always want a complex narrative or a heartbreaking story. Sometimes they just want a reminder that it's okay to let things go.
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Practical Steps to "Get Along" Today
If you find yourself humming these lyrics, don't just let them be background noise. Use them as a prompt.
- Audit your digital intake: If your social feed makes "getting along" impossible, unfollow the agitators.
- Look for the "Stop" signs you can paint: Is there a lingering grudge that’s just taking up mental real estate? Paint it "Go." Let it move on.
- Engage in "Scarecrowing": Spend twenty minutes a day without a screen. Just sit. Be. Notice the world that exists outside of the digital cloud.
The get along song lyrics are a reminder that life is incredibly short. As the song says, "We're all just walkin' each other home." When you view life through that lens—that we're all on the same inevitable trajectory—the reasons to fight start to look a lot smaller.
Go back and listen to the track again. Pay attention to the bridge where the music drops out slightly. It’s a moment of clarity before the final celebratory chorus. That’s where the magic is. It’s that small window of peace where you realize that you have the power to choose your reaction to the world. You can’t control the traffic, the weather, or the news, but you can control how much of it you let inside your "boat."
Keep movin'. Keep gettin' along. And maybe, just maybe, buy that boat if you can.
Actionable Next Steps
- Create a "Reset" Playlist: Add "Get Along" alongside other perspective-shifting tracks like "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley or "Hummingbird" by Maren Morris. Use it when you feel a "bridge burning" mood coming on.
- The "Call Your Mom" Challenge: The song specifically mentions calling your mother. Do it today. Don't talk about politics or stress. Just talk.
- Practice Radical Credit: Once a day, give someone "credit" for something you'd usually ignore or criticize. Watch how it changes the energy of the interaction immediately.