The Paris, IL, native was visiting Nashville for the first time early in his sophomore year at Chicago's Elmhurst College. He was at the Station Inn, an historic bluegrass/country venue where many of the greats of both worlds have played. His cousin Terry, a veteran of Dolly Parton's band and now a member of the Grascals, was playing with a band called the Sidemen, and a mesmerized Brett was in the crowd.
"There was something so real and truthful about the songs they were playing," he says. “What happened next came as a shock.”
"He asked me to come up on stage and told me to pick a song to play with the band," says Brett. I said, 'Amarillo By Morning,' and when I heard that fiddle intro, chills shot up my spine. I sang it for the crowd there and it was a magical experience. That was the point where I thought, 'This is it. This is something I've got to do.'"
By the start of the next school year, he had transferred to Middle Tennessee State University and begun the round of writers' nights and writing appointments that led him eventually to a record deal.
The talent that let him turn that dream into reality—the depth of his writing and the sheer power of his smoky and expressive baritone—are both apparent in his first single. "Raymond" is the poignant tale of a nursing home employee mistaken by a patient with Alzheimer's for her deceased son, who was killed at war. It is a song whose inspiring reaffirmation of their mutual humanity is affecting listeners deeply. The single rings true for Eldredge as his Grandmother currently struggles through the disease.
"There are a lot of things I'll play live where people will say, 'I like that,' or 'That's a really cool song,'" Brett says, "but when I do this one, I get the chance to tell people how special a thing it's been in my life, and it always touches someone. A lot of people know someone with Alzheimer's and people react in a really emotional way to it."
Brett has earned a reputation as much for the strength of his writing as for his world-class voice. He and co-writer Pat McLaughlin landed a song called "I Think I've Had Enough" on Gary Allan's latest album, Get Off On The Pain, and one of his frequent collaborators is Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry stalwart Bill Anderson.
"He's one of my favorite people to write with," says Brett. "I love the fact that he believes in country music so much, because it's something I really believe in. My dream, as I find my place in country music, is one day to be an Opry member."
Brett heard all kinds of music growing up, and became a particular fan of the classic pop singers he heard in his grandfather's car.
"I heard a lot of Frank Sinatra, who is still a favorite of mine, and Ray Charles and Bobby Darin," he says. "When my mother convinced me to sing 'Mack The Knife' at a talent show, I got hooked on singing in public."
That was in Paris, a town of 9,000 with "cornfields and factories and lake right in the middle." Brett, his older brother and his parents—a traveling grain salesman and a nurse—lived on the lake and, says Brett, "We were on the water every day, from the time I was so little they could pull me on water skis in a paddle boat until I left for college at 18." Sports were a big part of his life, and he played basketball, baseball and football in high school.
He also sang everywhere he could, often the Big Band music of Sinatra, earning spending money and learning to work a stage. His appreciation for country music became a passion when he turned 16 and he and a friend rode around listening to a Brooks & Dunn greatest hits album.
"There was something about it that just struck me," he says. "I couldn't get enough of it. Ronnie Dunn is one of my favorite singers of all time—I love the soul in his voice—and one of the main reasons I got into this in the first place."
Brett spent two years in Chicago, where his older brother lived, performing with a school jazz band and with a Big Band around the region.
"One of the coolest gigs," he says, "was at the Field Museum, I was singing in front of a 12-piece band under this huge Tyrannosaurus Rex statue near some mammoths. It was quite the experience."
Then came that fateful visit to Nashville and his transfer to MTSU. He studied classic country stylists like Ray Price and George Jones, and later Vince Gill, absorbing everything he could.
"I was driving back and forth Nashville every day from Murfreesboro, which is thirty miles away," he says. "I had a guitar Terry had given me, which was originally a gift from Dolly, and I'd pretty much lock myself in my room and make myself learn songs. I would play writers' nights all around Nashville. There might be two people, there might be 40 or 50. I'd go play my songs and see what people liked and what they didn't. I'd screw up royally in front of them, but I learned."
He earned a degree, which, he says, "made Mom and Dad happy, and then I moved on to what I really wanted to do.
A staff writer for hit producer/publisher Byron Gallimore heard him at a writers' night and introduced him to Byron, who signed him.
"I wrote for about two years, developing my craft and writing with everyone I could. In the beginning, Byron just let me kind of find myself, because that takes a while. As you write more you starting homing in on what you sound good on. Eventually, Byron said, 'You've got something here' and we went in and started cutting songs. We did a showcase, and Carole Ann Mobley from Warner Music Nashville said, 'We've gotta sign this kid'. Mobley and Craig Kallman then signed Brett to Atlantic Records, making him the first official signing for the new imprint.
As he worked with his band tightening his show, he was offered a particularly gratifying gig.
"I opened for Blake Shelton at The Ryman and it was the coolest experience. I flew back from this house gig and all of a sudden I'm thrown into playing the Mother Church of Country Music, something I always dreamed of doing. I was operating on almost no sleep, but stepping out on that stage where everybody who's anybody in country music has been meant the world to me."
He remains active in sports, playing basketball and volleyball and playing on an intramural softball team in Nashville, and rooting for the Cubs and Bears. Meanwhile, he is dedicated to improving his craft.
"As a songwriter," he says, "my aim is to portray a little bit of me and my life along with the stories of other people and turn them into something that can really touch somebody's heart and soul. We sit down on Music Row every day and write songs and every once in a while a song like ‘Raymond’ comes from such a real place. I hope it's that real to other people and that I can make them feel the way I felt when I wrote it and when I sing it."
Judging from audience reaction, that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Go On Without Me
Brett Eldredge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone has a love one that they leave behind
Even though I'm not where there with you
I'm watching from a distance, Just wishin' that you knew
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
Without me
I hope that it's my love that makes you feel
But you can get back on your feet yeah I swear you will
Oh you got so much of this life left to live
I'll be smiling at the thought of you like I always did
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you, and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me
Without me
Without me
Without me yeah
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you, and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me
Without me
Every breath of life is short and sweet
So glad that I'm up here that I got to see
You go on without me
The song "Go On Without Me" by Brett Eldredge is a heart-wrenching ballad about love, loss, and moving on. In the first verse, Eldredge acknowledges that every person has someone they leave behind at some point in their life. Even though he is not physically present with his loved one, he promises that he is watching from a distance and wishes she knew how much he still cares. The second verse expresses Eldredge's hope that his love will continue to help his loved one as she moves forward, and that she will pick herself back up again after his loss. He promises to always be with her in spirit and to smile at the thought of her.
The chorus is particularly poignant, as the singer tells his loved one to go on without him and to not cry over his memories. He wants her to know that he will always be with her in spirit, but that he doesn't want her to dwell on his loss. The final verse reinforces this message, encouraging the listener to appreciate every moment of life and to keep moving forward even when it hurts.
Overall, "Go On Without Me" is a powerful and emotional song about the pain of loss and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of living every day to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Every man has his place in time
Everyone has their own timeline of life to follow
Everyone has a love one that they leave behind
Whenever someone leaves this world, they leave behind a loved one
Even though I'm not where there with you
Although physically absent, my presence will still linger
I'm watching from a distance, Just wishin' that you knew
I'm looking over you from afar, hoping you realize I'm still with you
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'll be listening to your silent prayers during the lonely nights
I'm walkin' right beside you and nobody's by your side
I'm standing beside you as your constant companion
I don't want you to cry over my memories
I want you to move on with your life without any tears for me
So go on without me, Without me
Continue living and don't let my absence hold you back
I hope that it's my love that makes you feel
My love should be the strength that gets you through tough times
But you can get back on your feet yeah I swear you will
You will be able to stand again even though it seems impossible right now
Oh you got so much of this life left to live
Your life is far from over, you have endless possibilities
I'll be smiling at the thought of you like I always did
I will always be happy thinking of you and your accomplishments
Without me
It's time to let go of the past and move on without me by your side
Without me yeah
You're strong enough to keep going without me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT ELDREDGE, NATALIE HEMBY, ROSS COPPERMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Go On Without me
Lyrics
Every man has his place in time
Everyone has a love one that they leave behind
Even though I'm not where there with you
I'm watching from a distance, Just wishin' that you knew
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me,
Without me
I hope that it's my love that makes you feel
But you can get back on your feet yeah I swear you will
Oh you got so much of this life left to live
I'll be smiling at the thought of you like I always did
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you, and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me
Without me
Without me
Without me yeah
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you, and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me
Without me
Every breath of life is short and sweet
So glad that I'm up here that I got to see
You go on without me
****
Lost my grandma mariejaen didnt make it during surgery I miss you I wish you were here with me
Shehan Dane
Every man has his place in time
Everyone has a love one that they leave behind
Even though I'm not where there with you
I'm watching from a distance, Just wishin' that you knew
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me,
Without me
I hope that it's my love that makes you feel
But you can get back on your feet yeah I swear you will
Oh you got so much of this life left to live
I'll be smiling at the thought of you like I always did
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you, and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me
Without me
Without me
Without me yeah
I'll always hear the prayers in your head late at night
I'm walkin' right beside you, and nobody's by your side
I don't want you to cry over my memories
So go on without me
Without me
Every breath of life is short and sweet
So glad that I'm up here that I got to see
You go on without me
Natalie Cashour
Can’t say how hard I cry EVERY time I listen to this... Brett’s songs always can relate
Alex peterson
Awwn I also do feel the same way when listening to this music really love your impact on the song hope you are having a nice day over there hope to hear from you
Lisa Kehler
The first time I heard this song, I immediately fell in love with it. It has helped me with handling the losses in my life. Thank you, Brett Eldredge for such an amazing song!
Edward Smith
Brett is a super nice person and so are the band members that I met. He played at my daughter's school and it was just for the students and family/friends.
Julie Leibrock
❤you know I lost my husband in 2017, & the first time I heard this song 🎧 it’s like you wrote it just for me. That’s how ALL your music touches EVERYONE who hears it. True artist, my love
Loving life
😢 This song is heartfelt and beautiful Brett your such an inspiration to me God bless you
MICHELLE T
These lyrics were on my awesome Dad's memorial cards. Comforting words when missing someone you love SO much. Thank you.
Rachel Mac Naught
I found this song and fell in love with the words. I lost a man who was my childhood best friend. He worked with my mother and step father. I grew up around their job as a kid, I volunteer there now. I can't help but cry when I listen to this song. It makes me think of him and brings back the best memories. I lost him earlier this year to brain cancer, just a few weeks after my 17th birthday. I've known him since I was 4. I had my mom listen to this song and told her it was for him. We both cried. He was truly a blessing to everyone who knew him. I miss him so much. ❤️
Ash Breyer
2 years ago my Aunt lost her battle with cancer, It's hard when you lose someone you love, this song really hits home
Austin Black
It does I just lost my best friend yesterday we are both 14 she died in a hit and run it hurts like fucking hell.