Martina McBride’s Waking Up Laughing – Each Song Tells A Story Well

15 years of music career, 9 studio albums and a greatest hits compilation, country singer Martina McBride’s new album “Waking Up Laughing” is packed with songs that have beautiful lyrics showcasing her superb soprano voice. Some label her as the Celine Dion of country music and I like how she makes an effort in telling a story for every songs that she makes believe. If you pay attention on how she tackles each song vocally with a beginning, a middle, and an end, you may realize that her change in vocal register is smooth and well controlled – be it as just a whisper or at climax. Beautiful execution.

Part of the reason why I love country music is the subjects covered. In the song “Anyway”, she sings that even though whatever you build from scratch may crumble, dreams may never come true, hope may be lost, people whom you love dearly may walk away from you, prayers that may not be answered – just do it anyway. To me it is very motivating. As for “Love Land” – a poetic piece of work – the story begins with a girl having to marry a man because she was carrying his baby. It was not the fairy tale that she dreamt of but she really loves the guy. Then the baby did not make it to see the world and she kept blaming herself for all the mistakes she made in life …

For the longest time I blamed myself. Thought I was paying for my mistakes. But we tried again. Now we’re watchin’ him blow three candles out. He’s daddy’s little man. And only God could have planned. The steps I’ve taken. That led me to where I am. Love Land.

Another song “House Of A Thousand Dreams” spins the story from the wife’s perspective seeing her husband lost his job and the condition of their house has deteriorated since then. In her mind, she says …

My husband’s a good man. Gives all that he can. I know he thinks he’s let me down. I just want him and the children to be happy. It’s not always easy, but it’s all I dream about.

And from the little boy’s perspective …

My daddy’s a strong man. My momma, she loves him. And they love my brother and sister and me. Sometimes at night we lay out in the backyard. And take turns wishing on the first star we see.

Besides these three outstanding songs of my favorite, there are others that though painted with a grim situation (child sexual abuse), hope follows (“But when it rains, the past gets washed away, and then she smiles ’cause she knows in the end the world gets beautiful, beautiful again”). And of course, there are some that are so love overdosed (“Woke up in the middle of the night and saw you sleepin’. I was hoping that you were dreamin’ about me. Kissed your cheek and said I love you. You reached for me and then you mumbled, I love you too, is everything ok?”). Some have ideas that are just so obvious but yet with such an impact – if you are trying to find a reason to stay in a relationship, maybe it’s time to walk away.

Below is her live performance of the song “Anyway” at American Idol result show. Check out how her soprano voice rode the wave towards the end. I thought that sort of effort is only for live (especially that American Idol style of ending) but when I hear the recording, it is the exact same thing. Worth checking out if you don’t mind country music.