Crystal Shawanda Lets Go Beautifully
I know Crystal Shawanda didn't write "You Can Let Go Now" for me. But it sure feels like she did.
As I blogged earlier, my dad died a week ago today. But it wasn't until yesterday, when I finally sat down and watched some CMT, that my tears finally came. Hearing her perfect country voice is one thing. Watching a little girl's relationship with her dad unfold is quite another. The video isn't breaking any new ground. It's just that the father-daughter imagery gets into your head the same way the lyrics do.
And when I listen to those lyrics, I think of the letting go that I've just done. Then I think of all the letting go my husband will have to do with our kids. All those times when he'll want to hold on, but he'll have to let go. Of a bike, of a hand, of the car keys. It feels like one day the kids are clinging to you, then the next day you to them. So when Shawanda sings, "You can let go now, Daddy/You can let go/Oh, I think I'm ready /To do this on my own /It's still a little bit scary /But I want you to know /I'll be OK now, Daddy /You can let go," all I want to do is hold on.
This, to me, is why a new artist's debut single is so essential to her success and to setting the stage for the kind of music she's capable of. With the legions of talent pouring into Nashville these days, it's hard as hell to break through. So when you do so in a way that really moves people, it's unlikely that your name will ever get lost in the shuffle.
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LeeAnn says:
Alison: So very sorry about your dad. This article is beautiful…..the very first time I heard it on radio, I had tears in my eyes. And every time it comes on, the emotions are the same…..you can’t help but feel the pain and emotions in this song. For ANYONE who has lost someone close to them. Hang in there and be strong! :)
Kim says:
Alison: Like LeeAnn so sorry about your dad! You’re gonna be fine!
I love Crystal’s song too.
This is kinda off topic, but does Crystal look like she could be Gretchen Wilson’s little sister to anyone but me?
just wondering….
CJ says:
Crystals singing blows me away. What a unique voice. I thought on the opry she was so good. Crystal blew Jessica away. She also has this personality that you just want to be around her. She dressed like she should. I reallly like her out of all the new stars……
Steph says:
I agree! Jessica is ok, but not great. wish her well though. i wish crystal and rissi palmer would get as much promotion as Carrie, Kellie, Taylor et al. they are my two new favorites.
jemarba says:
Efectivamente se trata de una gran canción que emociona a cualquier persona sensible que la escucha. Me alegra enormemente que está prometedora artista esté consiguiendo el éxito, realmente se lo merece justamente.
countryfan11 says:
Steph, our radio station has had Crystal on twice and she gets a lot of airplay. Wish I could say the same for Rissi. She was also a guest and her 1st song was played a lot, but not any others. I’d rather hear them than Jessica ANY day.
Steph says:
Countryfan11: where do you live? ‘Round here it seems like the radio stations have a policy of if it ain’t blond, we ain’t playin it. its really annoying. i can only stand so much blond ambition! i’ve never heard Crystal, or Rissi there’s very little Gretchen, and nobody like Danielle peck, terri, even red-head reba! i am a very proud brunette and would like a little equal treatment! all the female stars scream about the lack of women nominees at the CMA’s and such, but it seems like you have to be legally blond to get any attention at all!
(thats my soap box and i’m sticking to it)
Steph says:
To Kim:speaking (well, typing)of gretchen wilson looking like crystal, i agree. they should do a duet about sisters. that would be fun.
countryfan11 says:
Steph, I live in the NW and we have our share of the “blonde ambition” here too, but our station does play up the newbies and has a test track played at 5 pm every day. I think how much they are played afterwards depends on calls and website comments they receive from listeners, what the interest is. Reba and Kenny’s duet is played fairly often, I know I’ve heard the last few singles Gretchen had.
Kim, I agree, I think Crystal looks like a younger version of Gretchen. She seems very sweet & grounded from her radio interview.
Steph says:
Lucky Lucky Lucky. i live in just the opposite, the SW and we actually just lost one of our contemporary country stations. i thought that was weird.
i gotta stop posting now, i think i’m getting a little carried away! i’ve got a couple other rants on other blogs. i’d better call it a night.
thanks for the discussion Countryfan11!
Texas Guy says:
Crystal Shawanda is one of the most interesting newcomers in a while. It’s a beautiful song and I’m very much looking forward to hearing a lot more from her.
B.C.E says:
Me too! go Crystal!
Lolly says:
I absolutely love this song. It has touched my heart in so many ways and makes me see my dad in a whole new way. I dream of having this playing at my wedding. I love Crystal and I think she will do a wonderful job singing country!!!
Angela says:
I was surfing around on the CMT site and ran across this discussion. I think Crystal is an awesome singer and very beautiful to boot! I couldn’t help but laugh at the “blonde” comments by Steph a couple days ago. So many times I’ve complained to my husband that there are too many new “cookie cutter blonde” artists. No jealousy (seriously), but it has come to a point that they don’t stand out and are forgetable which is a shame because Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift happen to be two of my favorite country artists. I live in the Seattle area and it seems that country radio here is also partial to the blonde female artists.
Anyway, I really hope Crystal gets the publicity and play time she deserves. I can’t wait to hear more.
Lena Weber says:
I lost my dad a year ago to cancer, and this song really hits home. Cried this morning when I saw it. I think the hardest part is for me to let go now that I have let him. Great song, this is what I love about country music!!
Steph says:
Maybe because the industry is so keen on parading the peroxide patrol (and points for alliteration!)ladies like crystal and rissi have an opening in the grassroots followers because the glamed-out golden girls get (and one more!) all the “mainstream” attention. Maybe since there are so many out there as Angela said, they are hurting themselves because its just too much for anyone to care about anymore. i think kristy lee cook and possibly julianne hough are finding this out. they are both good vocalists with good albums, but they just blend in.
in all seriousness, i do have respect for the “peroxide patrol” as i called them. (and yes i realize most of them are natural, but look again, and some are having a little help) This post is all in good fun. i was on a role! You can’t stop me!
countryfan11 says:
Angela, did you catch Crystal on KMPS in Seattle. The morning crew loved her! She’s guested on there at least twice I think.
Steph says:
I’m moving to seattle! If i could stand the weather… Being from N. Texas I could most likely find a way drown in all the rain!
Ashley says:
My Grandpa died suddenly in March and my mom said that the song reminded her of her dad and how she felt. I think that Crystal is a good singer.
countryfan11 says:
Steph, we in the NW actually have a lot of good weather, but some of us start whining when it gets to be in high 80’s or low 90’s because we are used to the cooler temps. One of my sons and family moved back from 5 yrs in TX and they couldn’t wait to get back to the rain- ha! Anyway, I love it up here. I’m a weather-wuss and can’t handle heat either.
Steph says:
yeah, we think the red river is BIG!! people who live around the Mississippi think we’re crazy. weather is another matter of taste. glad to here your son and family are where they what to be. It was in the low 90’s, dry, partly cloudy here today and perfect convertible weather we thought. now if i only had one…Today was “cool”!
C-natural says:
Part of me wants to hate this song because in a way, it’s really typical. It connects that one phrase with different stages of life, some of the lyrics are so simple they’re almost cliche…
but they’re not cliche. And thinking about what the song actually means, it does make me tear up a little bit every time I hear it. So I can’t hate it. I might even love it.
darlene proctor says:
This song I love and my 14 year old daughter Tiffany loves this song the song reminded me of my dad and he was in a bed just like the song at the end LOVE IT KEEP IT UP
Steph says:
Maybe thats what makes Crystal a good artist, and a talented vocalist (not just your typical singer). That she can elevate the meaning and lyrics to have an almost clique be a tear-jerker.
Keep it up!
Rhonda says:
This song definitely hits home for me too. I lost my dad to lung cancer 11 years ago, and I still miss him as much if not more than I ever have. I now have a 4 year old daughter that never got the priviledge of knowing what a great man her grandfather was. I was a MAJOR daddys girl and still grieve for him. I bawl every time I hear this song!
Erin says:
I lost my Daddy back in July and when I heard this song, I broke down. Its beautifully sung by Crystal and I love this song!!! I’m sorry for your loss. It never gets any easier.
Ashley says:
I love this song it has helped me. i lost my dad on september 9,2007 it was so hard till one day i turn on the tv and i heard her song i could not get it out of my head so thank you Crystal for everything