But for the Grace of God

Album: Keith Urban (1999)
Charted: 37
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The third single released from Keith Urban's self-titled debut American album, this became his first #1 country hit when it topped the chart on February 24, 2001. It was also Urban's first song to reach the Top 40 on the Hot 100.
  • Urban wrote the song with Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Gos, a collaboration that Urban was initially unenthusiastic about.

    Urban recalled in 2016: "From The Go-Go's session that I did with the two girls, I just thought it was a disastrous idea to begin with, theoretically it looks pretty bad. They had these ideas, and they were tossing out these ideas, and they were just so not me. It was so mismatched, and I was uncomfortable and squirming in my chair, and I was like, 'Oh, wow! (laughs) whatever.' And it was it. We decided this was a complete waste of time, let's go get something to eat, and then Charlotte said, 'Well, I've got this title called 'But For the Grace of God,' and boom, the song came out."

Comments: 3

  • John R Affayroux from Street MarylandWas the girl in the video "But for the grace of God" Keith's girl friend? Her fingers don't move on that guitar right.
  • Jim M from Austin , TexasWho is the female acoustic guitar player in the but for the grace of god video?
  • AnonymousWho us the female guitarist in but for tge grace of god video
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.