Songwriters often turn to their craft to do deal with issues in their lives. Over the years, tragic moments, loss, grief, and heartache have inspired countless country songs. Sometimes, those songs become nearly universal with thousands of listeners relating to their lyrics. Other times, the songs are deeply personal and are a way for a singer/songwriter to share their feelings with the world.
Videos by American Songwriter
The songs below stemmed from tragic events experienced by the country singer/songwriters who recorded them. They all started as deeply personal songs and later became favorites among the artists’ fans.
[RELATED: 3 of the Saddest Country Songs of the 2010s]
1. “Stone” by Ashley McBryde
Modern country star Ashley McBryde wrote this song with Nicolette Hayford for her 2019 album Never Will after the tragic death of her brother. McBryde’s brother, Clay, was a veteran who died by suicide in 2018. The song sees her dealing with the anger and sadness attached to his passing. She also shares the joy that comes from realizing that she and her late brother were much alike.
2. “Live Forever” by Billy Joe Shaver
After Outlaw Country legend Billy Joe Shaver’s tragic death in 2020, many fans started using this song as a tribute to him. After all, the lyrics make it a perfect tribute to the late singer/songwriter. Nobody here will ever find me / But I’ll always be around. / Just like the songs I leave behind me / I’m gonna live forever now.
However, Shaver didn’t write it with his passing in mind. Instead, he wrote it after the death of his son, Eddy Shaver. Eddy actually wrote the music for the song. Then, after his death, the elder Shaver finished the lyrics. “His spirit’s still with me,” he said of his son. “I do believe that when people pass away, the goodness, the good things they did, it seems like they melt into your likeness…and you become a better person for it.”
3. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill
“Go Rest High on That Mountain” is a staple of funeral services for a reason. It’s a beautiful way to send a loved one off into the next life. At the same time, it’s a beautiful way to think about how they’ll spend eternity. However, Vince Gill didn’t write it for everyone. Instead, he started writing the song after the death of a fellow country star and finished it after the tragic passing of his half-brother.
He started writing “Go Rest High on That Mountain” after the 1989 death of Keith Whitley. Then, he finished it four years later when his brother passed away. He had no idea the song would be as popular as it is today.
4. “Show Me Around” by Carly Pearce
Carly Pearce poured the pain of her divorce and the tragic death of her friend and producer Busbee into the songs on her 2021 album 29: Written in Stone. She wrote “Show Me Around” with Ben West and Emily Shackelton as a tribute to Busbee and other loved ones she lost along the way.
“’Show Me Around’ has done more healing for me than I can probably explain,” Pearce said in a commentary track. “I think that Busbee was such a huge part of my journey, and I always hoped that I could write something that felt like it measured up to truly what he was to me and so many people,” she added.
Featured Image by Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.