Top Ten Songs by Tracy Lawrence
“Sticks And Stones” – the adage they don’t break bones is what one thinks of…but in Tracy’s song they build a house but not a home. A solid, memorable song giving an indication of things to come from the very beginning of signing in Nashville.
“If The World Had A Front Porch” is a reminder of the little things that matter. “It was where we made our own ice cream those sultry summer nights where the bulldog had her puppies and us brothers had our fights…” looks back then brings it present with “if the world had a front porch like we did back then we’d still have our problems but we’d all be friends – treatin’ your neighbor like he’s your next of kin wouldn’t be gone with the wind…” We can’t change the world but can make our little corner of it better.
“What A Memory” is an album cut but an awesome song of the power given when someone believes in you. It tells of a mother’s last request – “I’ll be going soon, I know it’s gonna hurt you both but promise me before I go you’ll do what I ask of you. In a big red Folger’s can, hid behind the pots and pans you’ll find some money that I’ve saved. And in the back of my dresser drawer I put away a little more for a rainy day. go to town and buy that new guitar ’cause he’s been working awful hard to get his own, to write his songs…” There is nothing that can be added to a lyric that stands on it’s own as solidly as this one does. It’s a song that carries a lot of meaning to many people and although there were bigger singles this one belongs in my top ten.
“If I Don’t Make It Back” has got to be among the top most ignored but deserving songs in country music when it was released. It’s the story of a group of friends and one’s going to serve his country. He asks for a promise in “have a beer for me, don’t waste no tears on me; on Friday nights sit on visitors side and cheer for the home team; drive my camaro 90 miles an hour down Red Rock Road with ‘Born To Run’ blasting on the radio…and find someone good enough for Amy who would love her like I would have…” It’s a song that means so much about going on despite the pain and loss. It’s a means of remembering. “Miller light ain’t my brand but I drink one every now and then in his honor… and we ain’t missed a home game yet, had that camaro at 110 on Red Rock Road when the speakers blowed..and I introduced Amy to a friend of mine from Monroe, he’s a good old boy but you know..” then he near whispers “…she just ain’t ready.” Awesome song – radio missed this but those with soldiers serving haven’t.
“Texas Tornado” starts slow then delivers the realization of knowing someone isn’t genuine but it’s better than nothing. “I swore it wouldn’t happen again but I looked at you and then I’m like a tumbleweed in a wild Texas wind…” and “you’re lying with me in Atlanta, such a beautiful lie..you play me like a piano…” brings up the torment when the emotion and the head collide. Awesome song and classic Tracy Lawrence.
“As Any Fool Can See” is more upbeat – but seeing that someone is about to leave. “She’s not here but she’s not gone I guess she must be waitin’ on the kind of man I promised her I’d be…” and reflects on personal mistakes made in a relationship and knowing you’ve messed up but not knowing if it’s too late to revive the relationship.
“I See It Now” looks back with regret at seeing things in someone who’s moved on. “I never saw that look in your eyes; and I never had you hold me that tight and I never saw you dance with your feet off the ground – oh but I see it now.” Sometimes we don’t know what we have until it’s gone and in this song it seems the writer is seeing a lot of things overlooked before and Tracy carries it off with conviction.
“Paint Me A Birmingham” landed Tracy in the charts after a too long absence, painting a word picture to an artist to preserve a scene forever. “A little house on the edge of town, porch going all the way around, put her there in the front yard swing cotton dress, make it early spring…for a while she’ll be mine again…” focuses on a good memory to preserve.
“Can’t Break It To My Heart” is another with an upbeat tempo but a conflicting center…the head knows it’s over but the heart isn’t convinced. “I never felt as helpless as I do tonight…cause my world just fell around me as I watched you drive away..” leads off a song that became a defining song in his career.
“Find Out Who Your Friends Are” – when things are down and you look around to see who the real friends are it speaks volumes “they just show on up with their big ol’ heart..” This song one that celebrates real friends…not those there when things are good and everything’s peachy…those who are there saying “how can I help” when there’s a downturn in life. “Everybody wants to slap your back, wants to shake your hand when you’re up on top of that mountain. Then one of those rocks give way and you slide back down and look around and see who’s around then…” Real friends don’t make excuses of “I’d do it but…” but it’s “what can I do..”. At this writing it’s his current single, although not getting played by radio at this writing which is a shame because it’s an awesome song. Especially with things the way they are today it applies in a lot of people’s lives.
And worth a mention –
“The Coast Is Clear” has been one of my favorite songs from Tracy since first hearing it. It just belongs here.
