Jewel wrote this with help from her boyfriend Ty Murray (they would get married in 2008 and divorce in 2014), who is a rodeo champion. The song describes the feeling of detachment that Murray's lifestyle entailed: he was constantly on the road and away from loved ones. This is a sentiment Jewel could relate to as well, as she had to give up some important aspects of her life when she became famous.
Ty Murray is credited as a songwriter on this track along with Jewel. She said that he came up with all the curse words and the line about beer.
The line, "The other day I talk to Lou, he quit back in '92," is about Lewis Field, a professional Bareback Rider in the PRCA circuit. (thanks, Mandi - Mesa, AZ)
