 I wrote it about Marvin (Popcorn) Sutton who killed himself in 2009 rather than go to federal prison. He was diagnosed with cancer and most likely thought he'd die in there. Since then he has become immortalized.
  I never met Popcorn but I read a lot about him and watched the videos. I felt so sad for him and couldn't imagine the sadness and pain he must have felt having to leave behind everything and everyone he loved. His compelling stories lead me to think a lot about him which subsequently lead me to write the song. When I mention in the chorus about throwing away the key it's meaning is that Popcorn would have most likely end up dying in prison and the key would have no use in his release. His spirit lives on. God bless him.

Popcorn Sutton (Original)

cstmichael