I was recently at a food, wine, & beer festival in Texas where I saw a woman walking around in a “Team Riggins” t-shirt. I almost stopped her and asked her where she got it, if I could take a photo, and if she’d like to be my new best friend. Instead I just texted fellow Riggins fanatic, sea.e.o. Annie, and tried to get a creepy snapchat picture of her (I was unsuccessful).
Is it his face? The mop of long unwashed hair on his head? His carefree “Texas Forever” motto? His adolescent near-alcoholism? Whatever is, there’s a reason that a decade after being introduced to this brooding bad boy with a heart of gold women everywhere can’t help but swoon when they see good ol’ Timmy.
As an admirer of the Riggs, I find myself frequently wondering #WWRD (What Would Riggins Do) especially when it comes to his tunes of choice. As such, I took it upon my self to channel my inner #33 and figure it out. I put on my boots, cracked a Lone Star, had a threeway with the Stratton Sisters (jk), and proceeded to compile the definitive Tim Riggins Playlist – enjoy ya’ll.
1. Working on His Truck
Hillbilly Deluxe – Brooks & Dunn
Trucks, country girls, big timin’ in a small town; this song is Tim Riggins personified. Can’t you picture it now, Tim turning up the radio, cracking a beer, and replacing his carburetor?
“Stop please, I’m gonna need you to shut up. Cause I’m incredibly hung over right now.”
2. Trying to Woo a Lady
Dance Her Home – Cody Johnson
One of Tim’s four great loves is the ladies and, let’s be real, the ladies love him back. If a girl gives him even “half a chance at romance, [he’d] dance her home.”
“I’ll tell ya what, you know what’s good before a game? Getting laid…A LOT…know what I mean?”
3. Pre-game Pump Up Anthem
X Gon Give It to Ya – DMX
This may not be a country song, but can’t you picture it? Tim sitting in the Panthers locker room, headphones in, getting amped and barking along, “Riggs Gon Give It to Ya.”
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!”
4. Post Game Party
Small Town Throw Down – Brantley Gilbert ft. Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett
There’s no doubt this would be bumping at the post game party in the Riggins’ backyard as Smash sits around with some rally girls, Matt sits in the corner with Landry and Julie, and Tim does a keg stand.
Lyla: “You should try practice without a hangover. I hear it’s a entirely different game.”
Tim: “Yeah, that’s kind of what I’m afraid of.”
5. Driving Around Town and Hanging on the Field After Hours With Smash, Saracen, and Street
This is How We Roll – Florida Georgia Line ft. Luke Bryan
This FGL song perfectly encapsulates the feeling of a crew of young boys, rolling around town, having a good time, and feeling invincible. That’s exactly how these boys feel after years of hero worship for being Dillon Panters.
“Ladies and gentlemen… I present to you (… you …. you), the great… and noble men of Dillon Panthers Football!!!”
6. Missing Lyla
Missin’ You Crazy – John Pardi
They had their ups and downs and though they didn’t make much sense, Tim loved Lyla, possibly more than he loves beer. Though they had a few reunions, they ultimately split up when Lyla left for Vandy (Go Commodores!). It was probably for the better, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t miss her like crazy.
“I don’t hate you, Lyla. It’d be a lot easier if I did.”
7. Skipping School
Sun Daze – Florida Georgia Line
There may not be school on Sunday, but tell me you can’t picture Tim lazing around the pool on a Wednesday, beer in hand of course. Wednesdays are definitely Tim’s Sunday.
“I always skip Wednesdays.”
8. When He Finds Out He Has To Go To Jail For His Brother
God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash
A perfect example of Tim’s soft side. Tim and Billy both screwed up, but Tim took the fall for the sake of his nephew. Timmy took it as a wake up call; God took him down a few pegs and he realized he needed to get his life in order.
“We had a deal! I screw up my life, you fix yours!”
9. Breaking Up With Tyra
Crash and Burn – Thomas Rhett
Tim isn’t exactly the lovey dovey type but he does have a big heart. That being said, he’s not one to let a relationship gone sour bog him down too much… and who knows, maybe one day he’ll learn a lesson from that slamming door and he’ll be in a relationship that doesn’t Crash and Burn, but for now he’s gonna jam out to a fun song.
“Maybe one day our dreams can merge together.”
10. Drinking Alone/With Billy/Whenever Really
Drinking Class – Lee Brice
Riggins is a simple man with simple needs. He’s also kind of an alcoholic. He could be alone, he could be with Billy, or he could be hanging out with a 4th grader next door. Wherever he is, I guarantee you’d find him on a Friday drinking a cold one after busting his ass all week.
Lyla: “Yeah well, if you only did what you wanted to do, your life would be all about football, beer, and sex, wouldn’t it?”
Tim: “And what’s the problem with that?”
11. Building His House
Living the Dream – Sturgill Simpson
Tim loves his little piece of Texas more than anything. Once he decided he would stay in Dillon and work on his house (did anyone really buy the Alaska thing?), getting out of bed got a little easier for him.
“I have dreams too. I’m gonna build a house exactly where we’re sitting, I’ll get a job, and I’m never gonna do anything illegal for the rest of my life. Guaranteed.”
12. Texas Forever
Texas Kind of Way – Cody Johnson
Our boy Timmy would definitely blast this while driving down the big open road. This song is a perfect ode to his greatest love, Texas.
Here’s to God, and football, and ten years from now Street, good friends living large in Texas. Texas forever, Street.