Three Country Artists Who Blessed My Decade
Yesterday (Dec. 29), I wrote about the three artists who made my last 10 years very traditionally country. But today I am thinking about the ones who made it meaningful, which pretty much comes down to the artists who made me cry. Sometimes my tears were tears of joy, the kind you cry when a song brings you to the epiphany that you are so blessed. And sometimes, they were just plain old tears. Like a lot of fans in the country demographic, I'm a woman and a mother and I am an emotional wreck from time to time. Especially when songs from Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and Kenny Chesney come on.
It was hard to top Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" as far as tear-jerkers go, but he followed that one up with a song for his father called "Drive." He just has a way of making me think about every move I make around my kids, hoping one day they'd look back on their time with me as fondly as Jackson does with his dad. And year after year, McBride brought out poignant singles that moved me: "Blessed," "God's Will" and "In My Daughter's Eyes" moved me to see the good and "Concrete Angel" to see the bad in a way that only McBride and her powerful voice could do.
Then there's Chesney. He started the decade with "I Lost It" and "Don't Happen Twice." Later on he got into messages about loving your spouse ("The Good Stuff") and your kids ("There Goes My Life"). Then he wondered "Who You'd Be Today" and warned us "Don't Blink." So while Chesney certainly spent a good chunk of the decade making songs about sun and sand and partying, to me, he was the artist who made a serious dent in my Kleenex supply.
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trink says:
Great Great songs Alison!!!!
OhSusannah says:
One of my absolute favourite country videos and songs is Alan Jackson’s “Remember When”_ even if you’re not a diehard country fan, that song will blow you away with its simplicity- lovley words and an amazing melody.Enjoy your writing very much,Alison!
OhSusannah says:
I like a great deal of Martina McBrides song- but my absolute favorite of hers is “Wrong Again”. Not one of her better known hits, it is just lovely.
8charlotte says:
In my opinion Alan is the greatest song writer of all time in country music.To be able to sit down one night after 9-11 happened and write a song like “Where were you when the world stopped turning” is unbelieveable.This song helped a country heal.I think it should have been the song of the decade,but of course it was not even on the list.I look forward to more great songs by Alan in the future and great videos.
Peacock Queen says:
8Charlotte,
I agree with you completely. Alan is one of the best songwriters of all time, in my opinion. I love everything he does. He is one of my top five country artists. I remember him singing “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning” at the Grammys and it brought the house down. I believe Alan earned a lot of respect from artists from all genres that night.
MiaT says:
Too many songs to name but Tim McGraw “Live Like you were Dying” comes to mind for me.
Brenda says:
Great choices! Alan’s “Where were you” - never has someone captured what an entire nation was feeling…everything we were feeling. I would add Brooks & Dunn’s ‘Believe’. The first time I heard it I was in my car and it took my breath away and I just kept playing it over and over. And, you’re right - Kenny has had so many that dig deep to the soul and tear the heart out.