Number 37405

Album: Two Lanes of Freedom (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This sad, piano-based ballad is a regret-laden take on consequences that finds McGraw detailing the story of a singer-turned prison inmate. "It's a movie, that song," said McGraw to Billboard magazine. "'The ol' judge on the bench said son your life's got consequences.'" It had to have some gravitas. You just had to let that song talk. (Songwriter) Tom Douglas' voice had to come through on that."
  • McGraw told Billboard regarding the song's extended coda, "My whole process that one was after that last line I wanted people to have time to think and absorb the whole situation. Where does he go? What does he think about? What does the whole thing feel like?"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

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."

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.