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. βWhat happened next came as a shock.β
"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 realityβthe depth of his writing and the sheer power of his smoky and expressive baritoneβare 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 parentsβa traveling grain salesman and a nurseβlived 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 timeβI love the soul in his voiceβand 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 βRaymondβ 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, thatβs exactly what heβs doing.
No Stopping You
Brett Eldredge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daddy told you, you could run the world
I knew that when we met that day
When you were sitting in the corner sipping up gray
You had the sweetest dreams in your eyes
Burning with the fire chasing sunset skies
As much as I wanted to hold you I couldn't hold you back
Cause your mind set to
Where your heart says go
Go on go girl go
Hope you find me in a stranger's smile
Hope you hear me in the lonely miles
You gotta do what you were born to do
Cause their's no stopping you
As you're looking out the window of a boarded train
When you take a sip, do you say my name
When you get lost on the silver coast
Do you stop for a minute and dance with my ghost
In the flowers on the streets of Rome
Do you catch a scent of my cologne
Just when I think you might wanna come back home
Their's no stopping you
Cause your mind set to
Where your heart says go
Go on go girl go
Hope you find me in a stranger's smile
Hope you hear me in the lonely miles
You gotta do what you were born to do
Cause their's no stopping you
Sometimes I see you
When no one's there
And the wind blows through
Your golden hair
Whiskey burn
And the records spin
I pray that you'll come back again
But until then
Until then
Their's no stopping you
Cause your mind set to
Where your heart says go
Go on go girl go
Hope you find me in a stranger's smile
Hope you hear me in the lonely miles
You gotta do what you were born to do
Cause their's no stopping you,
No stopping you, no stopping you
The song "No Stopping You" by Brett Eldredge is about a woman who is determined to pursue her dreams and aspirations no matter what. The lyrics suggest that this woman has always had a strong sense of purpose and determination, instilled in her by her father since she was young. When the singer first meets her, he sees the fire in her eyes and the passion burning within her. He admires her strength and zeal, but knows that he will never be able to hold her back or stop her from pursuing her destiny.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the unstoppable nature of this woman's dreams and goals. Her mind is set on where she wants to go, and her heart is the compass leading her there. The singer recognizes that he cannot stand in her way, and instead wishes her well in her journey. He hopes that she will find him in the smile of a stranger or the lonely miles, and that she will continue to chase her dreams and do what she was born to do.
The lyrics are filled with imagery of places she may travel to and things she may encounter along the way. From the boarded train to the silver coast, the flowers on the streets of Rome to the whiskey burns and spinning records, the song paints a vivid picture of the woman's journey. The singer's hope that she will come back to him is bittersweet, knowing that he cannot be the one to hold her back.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since you were a little girl
From a young age, your father has been telling you that you can accomplish anything.
Daddy told you, you could run the world
Your father instilled in you great confidence, and told you that you have unlimited potential.
I knew that when we met that day
From the moment we met, I could see your determination and drive in your eyes.
When you were sitting in the corner sipping up gray
I can remember the moment like it was yesterday - you were sitting in the corner, quietly observing your surroundings.
You had the sweetest dreams in your eyes
Despite your quiet demeanor, your eyes were filled with ambition and the desire to achieve great things.
Burning with the fire chasing sunset skies
Your dreams were filled with such passion that they burned like a fiery sunset in the sky.
As much as I wanted to hold you I couldn't hold you back
Even though I cared deeply for you and wanted to protect you, I knew that your drive was too strong to hold you back.
Their's no stopping you
You are so determined and driven that nothing can stand in your way.
Cause your mind set to
Your mindset is focused on achieving your dreams, and you won't let anything deter you.
Where your heart says go
You have a passion for something, and you know deep down that it's the right path for you to take.
Go on go girl go
I urge you to follow your heart and go after your dreams with everything you have.
Hope you find me in a stranger's smile
I hope that even when I'm not around, you will find joy and comfort in the small things.
Hope you hear me in the lonely miles
I hope that when you're feeling alone, you'll remember my words and they will bring you comfort.
You gotta do what you were born to do
You have a purpose in this life, and it's important that you follow it with all your heart.
Cause their's no stopping you
Again, nothing can stand in the way of you achieving your dreams.
Sometimes I see you
Even when you're not with me, I still think about you often.
When no one's there
Even when you're alone, I know that you're still driven and determined to succeed.
And the wind blows through
Even when nature itself is against you, it won't stop you from achieving your dreams.
Your golden hair
I can still picture your face in my mind, and your beautiful golden hair.
Whiskey burn
The burning sensation of whiskey serves as a reminder of our shared memories.
And the records spin
As music plays in the background, I can't help but think about you and the time we spent together.
I pray that you'll come back again
I hope that someday you'll return to me, and we can pick up where we left off.
But until then
Until that day comes, all I can do is hold onto hope and memories of you.
No stopping you
Once again, nothing will stand in the way of you achieving your dreams.
No stopping you
Your determination and drive will propel you forward, no matter the obstacles.
No stopping you
You are meant for greatness, and nothing will hold you back from achieving it.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT ELDREDGE, TOM DOUGLAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Swift
Brett, you are the only singer, which has every single song as a masterpiece!! Thank you for your voice and dedication!
Nora
yes. to gorgeous for words too
Melinda Collins
This album and Sunday drive are my absolute favorites of his. This song makes me cry though
B DLC
ππjust love his music, his songs are amazing β₯οΈ
Victoria Spence
This reminds me of my Dad, I lost him when I was 17. Miss him soooo much π
Marshall Lancaster
Really dig the songβthe lyrics
VarietyMusicLover
Hope you find me in a stranger's smile
Hope you hear me in the lonely miles
Gotta do what you were born to do
Cause there's no stopping you - these lyrics got me hooked
Sam Sunshine
I am in love with this song..
π€©π΅π§πΌπ€πΆ
Marshall Lancaster
Man, every song is great. I havenβt given up on country, not if itβs sounding like this.
Jasmine Jacobson
Such an amazing song. His voice is so calming