Carrying Your Love with Me (song)

"Carrying Your Love with Me" is a song written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens, and performed 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.[3] "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"
ReleasedMay 22, 1997
RecordedSeptember 23, 1996[1]
GenreCountry
Length3:50
LabelMCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)Steve Bogard
Jeff Stevens
Producer(s)Tony Brown
George Strait[2]
George Strait singles chronology
"One Night at a Time"
(1997)		 "Carrying Your Love with Me"
(1997)		 "Today My World Slipped Away"
(1997)

Content

The song is about a man who has to leave home for periods of time, though he a 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."[4]

Music video

The music video was directed by Christopher Cain and premiered in mid-1997. It was Strait's first music video since 1995's "Check Yes or No" and his last one until 1999's "Write This Down". The style of the video is simple and similar to Strait's other music videos of that time period and of his previous album "Blue Clear Sky". The video begins with Strait walking into an empty auditorium with an old leather bag at his side. He places the bag down and begins 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 the bag up and leaving the empty auditorium. The video is readily available online and has over four million views on YouTube. The singer joined Vevo on May 11, 2009.[5]

Significance

"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 with the label for fifteen years.[6] Though many critics argue that the track was nothing new from the country music alum, 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.[4] In April 1998 on NPR's program 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]

Reviews

The overall views for the track are positive. Many reviewers approve of the traditional country sound of the track.[6] George Strait makes it very clear that he is not a songwriter,[8] 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.".[6] Miriam Longino, writing for the Atlantic Constitution, gave the track and the album as a whole an A minus.[4] 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".[2] 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.[9]

Chart positions
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[10] 1
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1997) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[12] 12
US Country Songs (Billboard)[13] 3
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References
  1. Latest Greatest Sraitest Hits (CD). George Strait. MCA Nashville. 2000.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Alexander, Wiley. "'Carrying Your Love' Another Hit, by George,"
  3. "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/.
  4. 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.
  5. George Strait - Carrying Your Love with Me - YouTube. Accessed February 1, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH4YI1faPwU.
  6. Flippo, Chet. "Albums: Country."
  7. Lyden, Jacki, and Tom Rivers. All Things Considered Country DJ. National Public Radio, April 26, 1998.
  8. 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.
  9. Flippo, Chet. " Strait Music: George Strait Carries on with Traditional Country, Top-notch Songs on `Carrying Your Love with Me'."
  10. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3284." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 28, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  11. "George Strait Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  12. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1997". RPM. December 15, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  13. "Best of 1997: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
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