About the song
If you are a fan of country music, you have probably heard of George Strait, one of the most successful and influential artists in the genre. With more than 60 number-one hits and countless awards, Strait has earned the nickname “King of Country” for his remarkable career. But did you know that one of his most popular songs, “Give It Away”, was inspired by a real-life divorce story?
“Give It Away” is a song that tells the tale of a couple who are splitting up after years of marriage. The man asks his wife what she wants to take with her, but she tells him to “give it away”, because nothing in the house matters to her anymore. The song captures the pain and bitterness of a broken relationship, as well as the emptiness and loneliness that follow.
The song was co-written by three talented songwriters: Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, and Jamey Johnson. Anderson and Cannon are both veterans in the country music scene, having written hits for artists like Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, and Reba McEntire. Johnson is a newer but equally acclaimed songwriter and singer, who has collaborated with legends like Merle Haggard, Alison Krauss, and Lee Ann Womack.
The idea for the song came from Johnson’s own experience of going through a divorce. He told Anderson and Cannon about a conversation he had with his ex-wife, where she told him to “just give it away” when he asked her what she wanted from their house. Anderson thought that was a great hook for a song, and they started working on it together.
The song was recorded by George Strait for his 2006 album “It Just Comes Natural”. Strait loved the song when he heard it, and decided to make it the lead single from the album. The song was released on July 8, 2006, and quickly climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Strait’s 41st number-one hit. This broke the record for the most number-one singles on that chart, previously held by Conway Twitty with 40.
The song also received critical acclaim and several awards. It won both the Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards at the Academy of Country Music awards in 2007, as well as the Song of the Year award at the Country Music Association awards the same year. It also received a nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards.
“Give It Away” is a song that resonates with many people who have gone through or witnessed a divorce. It portrays the harsh reality of losing love and giving up on a shared life. But it also offers a glimpse of hope and healing, as the man realizes that he still has his heart, even if he can’t give it away.
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