I Don't Believe Kenny Chesney
When I worked in the advertising business, I always had to be really concerned about the believability factor. I couldn't just make grandiose claims, like "this baby food will make your baby get into Harvard," because nobody would believe it. But with country music, I've realized that I don't have to believe what the artist is claiming. I will love the songs regardless of how absurd the claims are.
Like in Kenny Chesney's "Ten With a Two." It's on his new album, and it's your basic guy-gets-drunk, guy-gets-girl, guy-wakes-up-and-realizes-girl-is-ugly story. Now, Kenny Chesney seems like a very nice guy. Even a little shy. And from the looks of his rock star body he surely must limit his alcohol intake. So he's hardly the picture of a boozing womanizer perched on a barstool sizing up the women for a potential one-night stand. Chesney, to me, actually seems like way more of a gentleman.
So when he's singing, "My whole head got light, I lost my eyesight, I ain't been that drunk in a while/Along about one, I spotted a queen, and I started to make my move./Aw, she was believing every line I was laying, Lord I was just too cool/Well, I thought I died and gone to heaven, but Lord did I look like a fool/Last night I came in at two with a ten, but at ten, I woke up with a two," we're supposed to believe this: that Chesney has his beer goggles on, but by the time the morning rolls around, he realizes the supermodel he brought home last night is actually not that attractive. He says, "I ain't never gone to bed with an ugly woman, but I sure woke up with a few." Please. There's no way Chesney is living that life. If he was, Oprah would've done an entire episode on "The Ugly Girls Who've Gone Home With Kenny Chesney."
So I don't believe one word of it, but here I am, singing along with every one. Loudly. And loving every minute of the funky little calypso beat. That's the power of country. That the music itself manages to transcend the believability factor.
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JMO! says:
You know I’ve thought about this song for a while now, Kenny said that 4 or 5 songs on this album were about Renee
so I’m thinking was Ten With A Two? LOL!!! Just a thought!
Sky says:
Willie Nelson first recorded this song many years ago. I’m not sure, but Willie may have written that song.
Shotgun says:
One day in the far off future, they’ll invent a machine that just pumps out melodies in scientifically precise ways…melodies that have been deemed to illicit pleasurable responses in all people, at all times.
Who needs an artist in such a world?
Is our culture so hapless that it can be represented by mindless machines?
I’ve said it before…and I’ll say it again…we can appreicate the gun that’s robbing us…but let’s not forget that we’re being robbed.
JOANNE says:
Lighten up people, it’s a fun song. Let’s face it we have
all got up the next morning with regrets. But this is a
fun way to look at it.
Marilyn Worley says:
Amen, sister!!
Joe says:
Most songs are like that. Do you think Johnny Cash shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die?
lighten up it’s a fun song :)
Sam Meisenhelder says:
I know kenny didn’t write this song and no he definatey doesn’t live that life style or he couldn’t perform the way he does.
Eric says:
Ok, really, just lighten up. It’s meant to be a fun and entertaining song. Not everything he does has to be a slow and meaningful song. It’s a song that is not meant to be taken seriously.
Yes, he did say that he was lived that out a couple times. And noticed my words “a couple times.” Kenny never said that’s how he lives his life all the time and that he gets drunk every night and wakes up with an ugly women every night. He just said that it has happened two or three times. That doesn’t mean he lives his life like that.
Sharla says:
Lucky Old Sun is my current music companion; I love it! I’m glad to hear that all of Kenny’s songs don’t necessarily reflect his lifestyle. He’s just too fine a character. Kudos on the 4th Entertainer of the Year award-it’s well-deserved!
Gladys says:
Well,mmmmmmmmmm… I think he got so drunk and so confused because he does live that life style. Maybe?
Anyway I sing along with that song too. In fact it took me a minute to figure out what he was singing about, and i wasn’t even drunk LOL
Gladys says:
Sorry edit to the above. He got so drunk and confused because he dose not live that life style. Oh and i am speaking about the character in the song.
Gert says:
You have no idea what kind of life he led before becoming famous it could obviously be something from when he was much younger. Why do people like you always have to try and tear apart a damn good song.
Shy says:
Uh, Kenny has said himself in interviews that he slept with quite a few women, I think his term was he was “raging”. He’s most likely slowed down some, but he hasn’t stopped having sex if that’s what you’re thinking. He also does drink quite enough, he has also said himself that him and his trainer count alcohol into his caloric intake and allow for it.
tricia moore says:
My bestfriend is dating Kennny Chesney. I have known her most by live and she is beautiful inside and out. They love the outdoors together and have a lots of fun at the beach. Kenny has to be an alright person for my friend to date such an “out there” person
Craig says:
Kenny has turned into a big disappointment. I think, he needs to get back to his country roots - if, in fact, he ever REALLY was into country. I can’t believe this latest CD genre is classified as Country - cuz it’s not.
Deb says:
Kenny is very much country, but he has a very diverse taste in music as do alot of people, I listen to AC/DC to George Jones, I don’t see anything wrong with Kenny’s last cd I love Be As You Are and Luckly Old Sun is a follow up to it. JMO!
As for ugly women I’m sure Kenny has had his share, maybe before he was famous. He did say he was “raging” for a while but now that he’s older not so much. But I’m sure he gets it as much as he wants. I do not believe Kennys a drunk I think he likes to have a good time. Some of what people think they see is image I’m sure he don’t lay around drunk or drinking or he couldn’t work as hard as he does.
Chad says:
If you read inside of the cd cover, he has a little of what each song means to him, the song itself is an old song that has been recorded a couple time by various artisits. He talks about how throughout his college nights everyone has a couple of those “ten with a two” nights. Which is true, also, just because he sings the song doesnt mean he had personally done what the song is about. Its more about the fans relating to the song than chesney himself, but on the other hand he has said the album is deeply personal, and i can related to literally every song on the cd, which itself is not a great cd, but if a song is about what you feel/ relate to the song is a good song.
S says:
Actually Kenny has admitted that this has happened to him. I don’t think he’s quite as shy and innocent as you think.
S says:
Tricia … so your best friend is Allison?
Joni says:
Why do all of you care who the man is or isn’t sleeping with? It’s just a song and what he actually does is none of any body’s business.
Ashley Chesney says:
Kenny Chesney is myboyfriend so don’t talk to him like that! You shouldn’t make fun of him when you aren’t famous!
S says:
So, it would be OK for me to make fun of him if I was famous?
S says:
Tricia … is your best friend Amy?
Noey says:
Kenny Chesney is a very talented singer and song writer. I am very happy that he found new love, however, shocked that she’s only twenty-four. Many people are very disappointed. I am certainly sure Amy Colley is a beautiful person inside and out, but everyone is leary of the age difference.
S says:
I know what you mean Noey. I’m sure he’s a really nice guy but would she still be interested in him if he was a 40-year old regular Joe who wasn’t rich and famous? I have my doubts. But, it’s his life and his business and if it gets more serious I guess that’s what pre-nups are for. I wish him well.
H says:
I love his music…most of it but I think he’s pretty full of himself & its pretty clear he ‘gets around’, I don’t think he’s the shy , innocent gentleman people think he is. Unfortunately he’s a womanizer or at least thats what it looks like. Theres a reason why hes 41 & still not had a lasting relationship! Many of his songs are about bedding beautiful woman ect., yawn…..