Single Review: ‘Still Rollin” – Gretchen Wilson
12 years ago Liv Carter 2
Songwriters: Gretchen Wilson, Vicky McGehee
Rebooting her career, and annoucning three album releases in 2013, Gretchen Wilson has released her new single, ‘Still Rollin’.’
Wilson’s career so far should be held up as an example in Music Business courses. It is not a good idea to go around marketing an artist as everything Music Row is not (read that as implying: too good for Music Row) while failing to realize that you are trying to reach that very same audience. Those who looked beyond the Wilson singles that were supposed to convince us of how badass of a rebel she was, could find a talented vocalist with some great songs.
‘Still Rollin” was written, appropriately, on the road in one of those ad-hoc writes that often erupt on the bus. Lyrically, the song works both literally, if you live your life on the road, or as a metaphor. If you are pursuing career goals or chasing a personal dream, you can relate. Wilson’s and McGehee’s writing talent is obvious here. Even in a spontaneous session they come up with poetic descriptions and the second verse wonders: ‘Maybe I’m a page / of words I can’t erase / a book of songs I sing from stage to stage.’
The production relies heavily on piano for its dynamics which is a nice break from the many guitar-driven songs in recent years. The texture of this song is almost identical to Jackson Browne‘s ‘Running on Empty’ or some Eagles songs. I didn’t realize the latter until after about ten spins I started imagining this with Don Henley’s voice.
If country radio, and its audience, can give this a chance it would be great to see Gretchen Wilson find success again with material of this quality.
Liv Carter
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
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