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.
Waited To Long
Brett Eldredge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got my hands in my pockets 'cause it's been a long walk home
I'm still a little shocked that you don't want me
Anymore
I was so foolish thinkin' you'd be
Happy just sittin' round waitin' on me
It really put me in my place
When you closed the door in my face and I
Sure spent a lot of time
Oh makin' up my mind
And once I finally figured out where I belong
I waited too long
Yeah, I guess I waited too long
I could beg, I could cry but it wont change the circumstance
'Cause the truth is I should've pulled the trigger when I had the chance
I was looking for something I already had
When I came back for it it was somebody else's
You used to give me all your lovin'
But now you say you've had enough and I
Sure spent a lot of time
Oh makin' up my mind
Once I finally figured out where I belong
I waited too long
Yeah I guess I waited too long
Oh waited, I waited
Got my hands in my pockets 'cause it's been a cold walk home
I'm still a little shocked that you don't want me
Anymore
And I
Sure spent a lot of time
Oh makin' up my mind
And once I finally figured out where I belong
Yeah once I finally figured out where I belong
I waited too long
Yeah I guess I waited too long
Waited, waited
Oh waited, waited too long
The song "Waited Too Long" by Brett Eldredge tells the story of a man who realizes that he had taken his partner for granted and missed the opportunity to cherish and appreciate her. The singer of the song has his hands in his pockets, indicating that he is feeling down and defeated after a long walk home, possibly from his ex-partner's house. He is in disbelief that the woman who he thought would always love him, does not want to be with him anymore. He admits that he was foolish to have believed that she would always wait for him, and was shocked when she closed the door in his face. He sings: "It really put me in my place, When you closed the door in my face."
The chorus of the song is a sad realization that he waited too long to realize what he had, causing him to lose it. He sang, "I sure spent a lot of time Oh makin' up my mind. And once I finally figured out where I belong. I waited too long. Yeah, I guess I waited too long." He reflects on what he could have done differently, but now it is too late. Even if he begs or cries, it won't change the result. He should have pulled the trigger when he had the chance, but he missed his opportunity to retain her, and now she belongs to somebody else.
Overall, the song "Waited Too Long" is a lamentation of a man who failed to pay attention to the people he loved until it was too late. Eldredge's performance deserves praise for his delivery and the emotional depth of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I got my hands in my pockets 'cause it's been a long walk home
I am returning home after walking a long distance with my hands in my pockets.
I'm still a little shocked that you don't want me anymore
I am surprised that you no longer have feelings for me.
I was so foolish thinkin' you'd be happy just sittin' round waitin' on me
I made a mistake believing that you would be content waiting for me to take action.
It really put me in my place when you closed the door in my face
Your rejection made me realize my mistake and recognize my place in your life.
Sure spent a lot of time oh makin' up my mind
I took a considerable amount of time contemplating my feelings and what course of action to take.
And once I finally figured out where I belong I waited too long
After realizing what I needed to do, I still hesitated and waited too late to act on my feelings.
I could beg, I could cry but it wont change the circumstance
Attempting to persuade you through begging or tears will not alter the situation.
'Cause the truth is I should've pulled the trigger when I had the chance
I should have taken action when I had the opportunity and should not blame the current outcome on anyone else.
I was looking for something I already had
I was seeking something that was already present in my life.
When I came back for it it was somebody else's
When I returned, what I was looking for was already taken by someone else.
You used to give me all your lovin' but now you say you've had enough
You once showed me affection but you no longer feel the same way.
Got my hands in my pockets 'cause it's been a cold walk home
I am walking home from a cold place with my hands in my pockets.
Yeah once I finally figured out where I belong I waited too long
Even after realizing my true feelings, I still waited too late to act on them.
Oh waited, I waited
I waited too long to take action and missed out on the opportunity to be with you.
Waited, waited too long
I regret not taking action sooner and waiting too late to express my feelings.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRETT ELDREDGE, BRAD CRISLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
allison jenkins
I can never get enough of your music, I can say I have never had this experience, but this is the perfect song for the emotion. My one word; "Brilliant." I know I say it a lot but your vocals are SO AMAZING, it melts me!!
Jessica Catlett
Oh my god tears falling so much this song hits the heart on so many levels! BEAUTIFUL!
Keith Roberts
Brett eldredge has the purest sound I have heard in s long time. His voice trancends music to another place. There is nothing like it or book no-one like it today
Neight DaGreight
Keith Roberts Your are very correct my friend. I love his music.
Arthur Hughes
Me included !!
Arthur Hughes
Brett interpret s songs written by people who have felt the joy and the pain of life so well " Raymond " the best !!
Arthur Hughes
Like good wine ! gets better with age .
Arthur Hughes
+Keith Roberts Mucho munda Keith .. agreed !!
Heidi Gauck
brett I want to thank you for all your songs. hearing your voice sing every day helps my day to be the best it can be. absolutely love your music and can't get enough of it!!!
Alterprime Vids
i really believe this is one of his best songs! <3 love this song soo much!