21 Great Songs About Tractors

Tractors hold a special place in the historical development of America.

Even many people who have never been on one or even seen one in person seem to like them.

Because although they make farm work easier they are still associated with hard work, clean living, and a connection to nature that many people have lost over the years. 

So for many people, the image of a tractor is symbolic.

And while “big agriculture” has taken over many parts of food production in the US, there are still plenty of small-time farmers who rely on good old-fashioned tractors such as the iconic John Deere brand. 

And these slow but steady vehicles are popular subjects in Country music songs for obvious reasons.

Even a few other genres have taken a stab at these iconic machines.

So grab yourself a pair of old jeans and a flannel shirt and let’s check out some cool songs about tractors. 

1. She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy – Kenny Chesney

A lot of Country music songs are written about life on a farm but for better or worse, this one takes things to a whole new level. 

There is obviously a bit of joking in this song with references to farmer’s tans and clouds of dust being attractive. 

Although I suspect the young lady in the song is more attracted to a man who isn’t afraid of hard work and getting his hands dirty than the actual tractor he is driving. 

And to be fair a lot of people are quirky and I guess there is someone out there for everyone if you’re patient enough. 

• Written by: Paul Overstreet and Jim Collins
• Year Released: 1999
• Album: Everywhere We Go

2. Tractor – Granger Smith

This song is from a different perspective of a son’s appreciation for his father and how it changed over time.

And the slow speed of a tractor is contrasted with life in the fast lane in an interesting way (“Things might be faster in the world, but big wheels rollin’ slow help you see what’s important”).

Because although the character in the song was too impatient to care much about his father’s tractor and living a simple life when he was young, the experience taught him a few things.

Because after his father passes away, he realizes that good old dad knew a few things about life.

For instance, instead of trying to force his son to follow in his footsteps, the father practiced the adage “if you love something, set it free”. 

And after going off to sow his wild oats and see the world, he eventually returns to tend the fields on his father’s tractor. 

• Written by: Granger Smith
• Year Released: 2016
• Album: Remington

3. Tractor – They Might Be Giants

If Country music isn’t your jam you can still enjoy some music about tractors. 

This song is built around a metaphor of having “the heart of a tractor”.

Um, what does that mean exactly? 

Well, there are some clues to be found within the lyrics such as “the soul of a treadmill” and “the eye of a Merchant Marine”.

So I interpret “the heart of a tractor” to mean some combination of slow, cold, and mechanical or not easily given to romance and love. 

And the verses detail three situations of a beautiful woman failing to woo someone, a Romeo in the same situation, and finally a bit of silliness about a kitten who doesn’t reciprocate any love for its owner. 

• Written by: They Might Be Giants
• Year Released: 2018
• Album: My Murdered Remains

4. A Man on a Tractor – Rodney Atkins

While still in the Country genre, this song makes She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy look pretty foolish. 

The song follows a man who has run out of energy and is feeling pretty blue about his future prospects: (“Like a stranger in my own life, tired and confused with too much to do”).

And after looking out his window and seeing a man on a tractor he wishes that he too could have such a simple task or purpose in life.

But his wife observes him and offers some Shakespearean wisdom in the style of  “to thine own self be true” from Hamlet.

She explains to him that “it’s not about living another man’s life (…) there’s more than one way

to be a man on a tractor”.

I think his wife is a pretty smart lady and it makes you wonder what your own version of paradise is… fishing, carpentry, cooking, making music, etc. The list is endless if you keep an open mind. 

• Written by: Kent Agee and Michael Lunn
• Year Released: 2006
• Album: If You’re Going Through Hell

5. It Came Out of the Sky – Creedence Clearwater Revival

If you’re not a big fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival and just know their classic hits, you may not believe that they did a Science Fiction song. 

But here it is and it’s a great tune off of a great album, one of three albums that they released in 1969. That’s impressive. 

The song kicks off with an Illinois farmer named Jody falling off of his tractor as something like a UFO comes out of the sky and lands in the countryside where he is working in the fields. 

And this setup provides a background for a little social commentary as both Republican and Democrat politicians (Ronald Reagan and Spiro Agnew), the Catholic Pope, and Hollywood all try to immediately exploit it. 

And while the bigwigs are all arguing and bickering over who should get it, the farmer proves that he is nobody’s fool: “and Jody said, ‘It’s mine, but you can have it for seventeen million’”.

So I have to give this song the blue ribbon for the most exciting, unexpected, and humorous turn of events that can happen to a farmer on his tractor. 

• Written by: John Fogerty
• Year Released: 1969
• Album: Willy and the Poor Boys

16 More Great Songs About Tractors

Title	Artist
Love Tractor	Widespread Panic
John Deere Tractor	The Judds
Tractor on the Motorway	Tom Rosenthal
Big Green Tractor	Jason Aldean
Tractor	Trent Tomlinson
My Town	Montgomery Gentry
Tractor	Combichrist
Tractors Don’t Roll	Drew Baldridge
Friends with Tractors	Rodney Atkins
All Tractor Ain’t Green	Jimmie Allen
She Cranks My Tractor	Dustin Lynch
Tractor	Monster Magnet
International Harvester	Craig Morgan
John Doe on a John Deere	Lonestar
I Want My Tractor Back	Lianna Rose
Farm Girl	Jason Meadows