The first single off of Kenny Chesney’s newest studio album, Hemmingway’s Whiskey, is “The Boys Of Fall,” a song about a high school football team. It’s reminiscent of high school days and the feeling you get from being part of something that people idealize so much.
It is definitely a small town song because it best applies to towns where everybody knows everyone else and the “newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops.” It is a good song to choose as the first single because anyone can relate to it and it’s got that small town American life aspect to it.
“Where I Grew Up” is probably my favorite track on the album. It’s a song that addresses the situations Chesney faced in life that contributed to him growing up and becoming the person he is, not just the places where he was as he got older: his grandfather dying, a car accident that he almost died in, his first big fight with the woman he loves. I really liked this song because there is actually a story behind it and it makes you remember what matters in life, which is what essentially makes country music what it is.
Another one of my favorite tracks off Hemmingway’s Whiskey was “You and Tequila” which features Grace Porter. I’ve never heard of Grace Porter but I thought that her vocals were really pretty and I liked her addition to the song. “You and Tequila” is a song about not being able to give somebody up, even though it would probably be best for you if you did. My favorite line from the song is,”You and tequila make me crazy…one is one too many, one more is never enough.”
“Coastal” is the third song off of the album. It is a song about letting loose and forgetting responsibilities in order to have a good time and relax. “Coastal” was a cute song and I could see myself listening to it when I need a break from everything that is going on in my life.
“Everybody needs to break free from reality” is the message Chesney is relaying in the song “Reality.” This song is essentially just another song about leaving worries behind and doing what makes us feel good. It has a lot of the same concepts as “Coastal,” the idea that sometimes it’s more important to take care of yourself and be happy.
“Small Y’all” is a song on the album featuring George Jones. I loved that Chesney did a song with George Jones. There’s just something so country about Jones which is perfect when you want a song with the right amount of twang to it. The song isn’t really that deep meaning-wise, as it’s basically about how a couple arguing gets nothing out of their fighting except feeling ashamed and “small y’all.”
Overall, Hemmingway’s Whiskey is a lot better than I anticipated. I am not the biggest Kenny Chesney fan. I like a lot of his music, but it would not be an album that I would be dying to go out and buy. I’m glad that I gave it a listen though, because the album seems to touch on the “do what makes you happy” vibe, as well as the more sentimental sound that I’ve always loved about Chesney.