Saving Amy

Album: Halfway To Heaven (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Brantley Gilbert penned this heartbreaking song with Bonnie Baker about a girl he knew at school. He recalled to KNUE 101.5 FM: "That song took me longer to write than any song I've ever written. I wrote it about a friend of mine from high school. Her name was not Amy, but her boyfriend had proposed to her and actually got in a car accident and died on the way home that night. And then about six months later I was still working on it, but I changed the title to 'Saving Amy,' I didn't want to put her name in it, and I played it for my cousin who had just come back from Iraq and he started tearing up, and I was like 'Dude, what is it?' He said, 'Number one, that's a sad song, but I've been waiting for somebody to write a song about Joseph for a long time.' And it clicked. I didn't know it, but a friend of mine, Joseph Hensley, proposed to a girl named Amy one night, and on his way home he was actually hit by a train and the only thing that was untouched in the whole entire accident was his Bible. So it turned out to be a pretty strong song, and I felt like I had a little bit of help writing that one."

Comments: 4

  • Onyx from Maun, BotswanaUndoubtedly one of the best songs ever written, It's still on repeat....my number one!
  • Amy Foster from 98801Parts of the story are not actually true. The story is about me. I asked Brantley to not bring up certain facts about the situation in public because it was such a tragic event for both he and I. He's written several songs for me since the situation and I'm happy he's been such a successful country music artist. I hope to one day inspire more people like him and possibly share our story so I don't have to hide and deal with the bullying.
  • Tlww from The Natural StateThank you for accepting me......!!
  • Robbie from Kingston Georgia I have loved that song from the time I heard it. I love all his music
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.