Each verse begins with two references to non-Southeastern areas (New York City; California; Chicago and Detroit which is referred as "Motown") followed by two references to Southeastern cities (Memphis, Tennessee;  Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi and Charlotte, North Carolina referred as "Caroline" in this song) and a final reference to Fort Payne, Alabama (the group's hometown).
The verses start with mentions of distant cities (New York City, California, Chicago, Detroit, known as "Motown") followed by references to regional cities within the Southeast (Memphis, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; and Charlotte, North Carolina, referred to as "Caroline" in this song) and conclude with a mention of their local roots, Fort Payne, Alabama.