How Keith Urban Ended Up With Tim McGraw's "Shirt"
"God bless Tim McGraw for not getting it," Keith Urban said about his recent No. 1 single, "You Look Good in My Shirt," during a party earlier this week in Nashville to celebrate his eighth No. 1 single.
As the story goes, back in 2002, Tim McGraw was looking for a song with a Tom Petty kind of feel. Hearing the news, well-known songwriters Tony Martin, Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro went to work and created the song, "You Look Good in My Shirt." However, McGraw decided to pass on the song, and it was soon picked up by Keith Urban, who recorded it for his Golden Road album but never released it as a single. Six years later, due to fans' overwhelming support of the song live in concert, Urban decided to re-record the song as a bonus track on his Greatest Hits album. It reached No. 1, but here's where the story gets even better. Urban had no idea this song was originally intended for Tim McGraw until the day of his No. 1 party.
"I didn't know that story," Urban admitted. He then added, "That's actually poetic, too, because I actually did the demo for ‘I Like It, I Love It,'" a song McGraw took to No.1 back in 1997. "True story," he laughed.
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Ashleigh says:
Keith has alot of rock in him and a little country in him as well you know.
JASON says:
That’s a good thing Ashleigh the way County Music is going these days. Keith has all music fields to add to. Most Country Singers don’t.
Kevin says:
I think it worked out just right. I think Keith is better for You Look Good In My Shirt. Also I think Tim is better for I Like It I Love It.
RedMaZ says:
I haven’t heard either song, but I may check them out and then comment on them.
Ms. Feathers says:
Red, I’m amazed that you haven’t heard “I like it, I love it” LOL Wasn’t it one of Tim’s biggest hits? Isn’t it used in cell phone or cereal commercials or something? LOL Well, I’m sure you’ll find that both songs fit the artists who recorded them.
I had read in an interview with Keith from ages ago that he had done the demo for “I Like It, I Love It” and it tickled me. (I would SERIOUSLY love to hear that demo!) Poetic, indeed!
RedMaZ says:
Maybe I have, but wasn’t impressed enough to remember it? Could be. I don’t watch enough tv to know if it was used as a commercial or not. I’d rather listen to, and research music. Believe me, after hearing what these two acts have to offer, checking out these two song out are not high on my list.
Kevin says:
good … dont check them out then. Nobody cares if you do or not
RedMaZ says:
You must care, otherwise you wouldn’t have taken the time to reply.
Kevin says:
Wrong
Zena says:
If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all
Sherrie says:
Yeah, I think the right artist got the right song! But then again, I think Keith could sing any song and make it sound good. I like Tim too, but Keith is just awesome! Blair Garner called Keith the human jukebox. Keith was on his show one night and he was throwing out different songs for Keith to sing and he nailed everyone of them. Just Keith and his guitar…what more do you need!!
Colleen says:
I’m an avid Keith Urban fan from Australia …
Keith first established himself in County Music circles here in Oz, from a young age until the release of his first album - Keith Urban 1991 … Keith was surrounded by a very strong Aussies group of Country Music stalwarts …
An unauthorised biography - “Fortunate Son - the unlikely rise of Keith Urban”, will be released in January 2009 …
Now, that should be interesting reading, as long as it isn’t more fiction than fact …
Keith has always openly admitted his music is not categorically one genre, saying his music swings between country, rock and pop … But, he was infact highly influenced by American Country Music of the 60’s and 70’s and without doubt, the Rock Music of the 1980’s …
Listening and watching Keith’s DVD, “Living Right Now”, it is obvious that Keith balances his style between beautiful classic country lyrics about love and loss, and the heavy country rock lyrics about pleasure, pain and freedom … With his guitar vertoso’s that are second to none … He also has the tenacity and self-belief to be able to perform covers, in a heart-beat, and he is never backward in coming forward, to include them on his albums …
The difference between Keith and any other musician, country or other is that he his not only versatile, he is quinessentially unique, because he backs his talent with entertainabily that is absolutely 1ST CLASS …
KEITH URBAN - ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR 2008
someone who knows says:
I don’t think that’s exactly how it happened but it makes a nice story anyway.
Kim says:
IMO…I think trying to pigeonhole any singer into one genre or the other is a dumb thing to do. If you like the music that they sing and perform, what difference does it make? There are several artists in the ‘country’ genre who do not have your everyday good ol’ boy sound, but Keith seems to get more than his share of criticism over his style. The man is good at what he does, and I for one am glad that his music is played on country music stations, as that is what I have listened to for years and where I first heard of him. Keith is a multi-talented artist. Let it be what it is!
Kevin says:
Amen Kim
Megan says:
keith is amazing. and funny. and amazing. did i mention he was amazing [;
sunkie says:
Great blog Whitney. I love to feel as if we the public are getting an inside story. Thanks for getting to the heart of the story.
roller derby girl says:
Keith is the best
BRAIN says:
As someone who has worked in country radio for 15 years now, a singer like Keith is what the format is all about right now. Sure, he rocks more than he twangs. But that’s what is getting so many more people to check out country music. There truly is something for everyone is this genre, whether you like it traditional or rock/pop. Keith blends country rock and pop seemlessly. And if the music sounds great, who the hell really cares what we call it??
RedMaZ says:
It seems the only people who care what they call it are the ones who know what it is. Urban is what the Pop Country format is all about, and that’s it. He’s not recognized in any other form of todays country music.
Kevin says:
Country is country….Keith is what country is all about.
Kevin says:
Actually.. music is music. No need to seperate it at all. Some songs you’ll like, some you wont. I like all of Keith’s songs.
Kim says:
Amen, Kevin!
Michelle says:
Keith was robbed last night at the CMAs. I continue to be in disbelief that he has not been honored with Entertainer of the Year. I’ve been to a Chesney concert and an Urban show. There’s no comparison. Urban is unbelievable. He captures the audience-you feel like you’re on stage with him-he has been blessed with God’s gift of being a true musician, songwriter and performer. He’s amazing–and nice to look at too! HE DESERVES MORE RECOGNITION FROM THE COUNTY MUSIC INDUSTRY!
dolores says:
I agree with Michelle–I think there is a lot of jealousy in Nashville, keith is by far the most talented.
Cody Alexander says:
Taylor Swift … Lyrics . I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine I got a love and I know that it\’s all …