Is This the Best-Written Song of All Time?
I believe I have stumbled across the best-written song of all time... Do you agree?
Before we dive into what I believe to be the best-written song ever, let me start by giving a little bit of my music background. I've never necessarily disliked any particular type of music. Sure, with my work I have been surrounded by current TOP-40 hits, whether it be on the radio or in the nightclubs. However, when I'm looking for music to listen too, I find myself listening to every genre of music except the genre I work with on a daily basis.
For instance, Queen is my favorite band and/or artist of all time. There's not a single Queen song I dislike.
Now, I will say that the genre of music I am least-familiar with, is country music. It's not that I don't like country music, it's just the one type of music I have listened to the least amount. However, usually thanks to my wedding DJ service, I often come across a country song that I simply can't get enough of.
Country music, true country music, is emotional and finds ways to pull at my heartstrings as no other genre can. This week, in preparing for an upcoming wedding, I had a request that I hadn't heard before. I downloaded the song, loaded it up, and fell in love within the first listen.
However, it wasn't until I completed a deep-dive on the song that I came to the conclusion that it's the best-written song I've ever heard.
The song on the request list "Cover me Up" by Morgan Wallen. Naturally, I had never heard the song before, but do enjoy Morgan Wallen, so I knew I would like the song. It wasn't until later that I learned the song was not Morgan Wallen's, instead, he was performing a cover. Granted, he did a phenomenal job covering the song, but once I found the originator, and the story behind it, the beauty of the song really came to light.
I had never heard of Jason Isbell before this week, but now, I can't stop listening to his music and learning more about him. Googling his name alone will conjure up results that include verbiage along the lines of "Best songwriter of his generation" and "the next Bob Dylan".
His song, "Cover Me Up", is the best-written song that I have personally ever heard. The powerful lyrics read:
A heart on the run keeps a hand on the gun
You can't trust anyone
I was so sure what I needed was more
Tried to shoot out the sun
Days when we raged, we flew off the page
Such damage was done
But I made it through, 'cause somebody knew
I was meant for someoneSo girl, leave your boots by the bed
We ain't leaving this room
Till someone needs medical help
Or the magnolias bloom
It's cold in this house and I ain't going out to chop wood
So cover me up and know you're enough
To use me for good