"Carrying Your Love with Me" is a song written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in May 1997 as the second single and title track from his album of the same name. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The track was also voted by website Country Universe as number 200 of the top 400 greatest songs of the 1990s.[4] "Carrying Your Love with Me" was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 1998 Grammy Awards.
| "Carrying Your Love with Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by George Strait | ||||
| from the album Carrying Your Love with Me | ||||
| B-side | "I've Got a Funny Feeling" | |||
| Released | May 22, 1997 | |||
| Recorded | September 23, 1996[1] | |||
| Genre | Neotraditional country[2] | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | MCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Steve Bogard Jeff Stevens | |||
| Producer(s) | Tony Brown George Strait[3] | |||
| George Strait singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Content
editThe song is about a man who has to leave home for periods of time, though he carries the love of his significant other with him wherever he is. Memorable lyrics include the opening line, "Baby all I got is this beat up leather bag, and everything I own don't fill up half." Another notable line is in the chorus which includes the title of the song, "I'm carrying your love with me, West Virginia down to Tennessee."[5]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Christopher Cain, and premiered on CMT on May 26, 1997 as its "Hot Shot Video of the Week". The video begins in black-and-white, where Strait walks into an empty auditorium, with an old leather bag at his side. The scene switches from black-and-white to color, Strait puts the leather bag down, looks directly into the camera, and began to sing. The video has scenes that relate to the lyrics of the song and keeps with the context of Strait being away from home and missing his significant other. The scenes include Strait walking along a highway, hitching a ride with a truck driver, standing in the rain, and missing his significant other back home as a couple on a motorcycle ride by and it shows the clouds, the waters, and the sun, and it shows Strait walking with a truck, during the instrumental break, he drives the truck into the water, and shows him walking down the road, The video ends with Strait picking up the leather bag from the beginning of the video, and leaving an empty auditorium, as the scene switched back to black-and-white. The singer joined Vevo on May 11, 2009.[6]
Significance
edit"Carrying Your Love with Me" contributed to the overall success of Strait's album of the same name. It was Strait's 21st release with record company MCA Nashville. At the time the singer had been with the label for 15 years.[2] Although many critics argue that the track was nothing new from the country music album, it was still a success. Many reviewers stated that during a time of pop country and big revenue stars such as Shania Twain and Garth Brooks, Strait along with his album (and song) "Carrying Your Love with Me" kept country music relevant.[5] In April 1998 on All Things Considered, Jacki Lyden and country music DJ Tom Rivers discussed the appeal of country music. Using the track as an example, Rivers stated that country music is relatable because it speaks of common occurrences such as heartache and missing loved ones. The two deejays specifically mention the track "Carrying Your Love with Me" and use it as an ideal example.[7]
In July 2022, the song regained popularity through singer David Morris in his song "Carrying Your Love". It is a country rap song that contains an altered sample of the chorus, which was produced by Robert Deahl, professionally known as KayohBeats. This song went viral on TikTok that month.[8]
Critical reception
editThe overall views for the track are positive. Many reviewers approve of the traditional country sound of the track.[2] George Strait makes it very clear that he is not a songwriter,[9] and many critics praise his ability to choose hit songs such as "Carrying Your Love with Me". Music critic Tony Brown stated that it is "unlikely that anyone in country music has a better ear for songs.".[2] Miriam Longino, writing for the Atlantic Constitution, gave the track and the album as a whole an A minus.[5] Another notable review came from music critic Alexander Wiley. He stated that "Carrying Your Love with Me" was another "crown jewel from the king of country music".[3] Critic Chet Flippo, writing for Billboard, gave a positive review stating that the track and tone of Strait's voice is reminiscent of traditional country music.[10]
Chart positions
edit| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[11] | 1 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] | 1 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[13] | 12 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[14] | 3 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Latest Greatest Sraitest Hits (CD). George Strait. MCA Nashville. 2000.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c d Flippo, Chet. "Albums: Country."
- ^ a b Alexander, Wiley. "'Carrying Your Love' Another Hit, by George,"
- ^ "Country Universe – A Country Music Blog » 400 Greatest Singles of the Nineties: #200-#176." Accessed January 28, 2013. http://www.countryuniverse.net/2010/08/02/400-greatest-singles-of-the-nineties-200-176/.
- ^ a b c Longino, Miriam. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT; THE LATEST IN MUSIC, VIDEOS AND BOOKS; CD OF THE WEEK; NEW MUSIC; COUNTRY; Grade: A- 'Carrying Your Love with Me' George Strait. MCA. 10 Tracks." The Atlanta Constitution (April 18, 1997): 04G.
- ^ George Strait - Carrying Your Love with Me - YouTube. Accessed February 1, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH4YI1faPwU.
- ^ Lyden, Jacki, and Tom Rivers. All Things Considered Country DJ. National Public Radio, April 26, 1998.
- ^ "Why George Strait's 'Carrying Your Love With Me' is Going Viral". The Boot. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ George Strait Wins Album of the Year For "Carrying Your Love with Me" - ACM Awards 1998 - YouTube. Accessed February 1, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=449_-7UZFRs.
- ^ Flippo, Chet. " Strait Music: George Strait Carries on with Traditional Country, Top-notch Songs on `Carrying Your Love with Me'."
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3284." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 28, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ "George Strait Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1997". RPM. December 15, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1997: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ "American single certifications – George Strait – Carrying Your Love with Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
