Single Review: ‘Give It All We’ve Got Tonight – George Strait

12 years ago Liv Carter 3
MCA Nashville

Songwriters: Tim James, Phil O’Donnell, Mark Bright

George Strait returns with his new single, ‘Give it All We’ve Got Tonight,’ the first track taken from his upcoming album.

To me, the value in this song is not that it’s a great song. It’s not. It’s average at best, and I’m sure there are better tracks hiding between the potential singles of the as-yet unnamed last album Strait will tour behind (the tour is called the Cowboy Rides Away Tour, and even though he says it’s his last, I’ll believe it when I see it. KISS ruined the “retirement tour” thing, so I’m cynical of anyone who says it’s their last tour unless they can show written proof that they have a terminal disease or have lost multiple limbs. Damn you KISS!)

No, the reason this is an excellent track is because it’s a textbook example of how an excellent singer can take a track with average lyrics and an average-to-decent melody and really bring it to life with a great vocal performance. Strait doesn’t make every track sound like an American Idol audition, he just sings the melody, well, straight, and with conviction. He holds back when it’s necessary, and pushes when it’s appropriate. It doesn’t hurt that he has an excellent vocal tone and that it’s aged well either. With so many newer singers trying to cram in R&B influenced vocal histrionics at every turn, it’s almost striking to hear a singer with Strait’s unadorned delivery just sing what’s there and sing it really, really well.

The rest of the track’s arrangement is pretty static. The build-ups to the chorus, don’t lead to any kind of greater dynamic, it’s the same volume as before but after a buildup. The pedal steel turns in an excellent performance, really spicing up the track, but most of the other instruments seem almost afraid to take the spotlight away from Strait and play it way too safe. As a track meant to be a straightforward romancer though, the tempo is perfect for slow dancing, a detail that seems to slip by many producers.

I’m curious to see what else is on this highly anticipated record, and I hope that the other songs are better than this one. While ‘Give It All We’ve Got Tonight’ isn’t a bad song, it makes me wonder what else is on the record that they decided this was the first single.

Listen: http://wyrk.com/listen-to-george-straits-new-song-give-it-all-we-got-tonight-audio/

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
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.
Liv Carter

Latest posts by Liv Carter (see all)