His second album, 2009's Carolina, produced three more singles: "Smoke a Little Smoke" and his first top 10 hits, "Love Your Love the Most" and "Hell on the Heart". 2011's Chief, his first #1 album, gave him his first two #1 singles, "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen", and the hits "Homeboy", "Creepin'", and "Like Jesus Does". His third #1 single was "The Only Way I Know", which he, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan recorded for Aldean's album Night Train.
A fourth album, The Outsiders, was released in February 2014. It produced five new singles between 2013 and 2015 with the title track, "Give Me Back My Hometown", "Cold One", "Talladega" and "Like a Wrecking Ball". "Talladega" and "Give Me Back My Hometown" each reached #1 on the Country Airplay chart. Eric Church got his sixth #1 hit with Keith Urban in May 2015 with the single "Raise 'Em Up". His fifth studio album, Mr. Misunderstood, was released in November 2015 and went on to produce two #1 singles with "Record Year" and "Round Here Buzz".
On July 13, 2018, Church released the first single and title track of his album Desperate Man, which was released in October 2018.
In April 2021, Church released the double album set Heart & Soul.
What I Almost Was
Eric Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just turned eighteen
I was a Friday night hero, with Division 1 dreams
I had an offer on the table, a four year ride
'Til that fourth and two and twenty four dive
I left on a stretcher, wound up on a crutch
Walked on that next summer, wound up gettin' cut
For letting my dreams go bust
But I thank God I ain't what I almost was
Yeah, I moved on back home
And came awful close to being some son-in-law to some CEO
Coulda been a corner office, country club, suit and tie man
Answerin' to no one, but her and him
I ran out on his money, ran out on her love
At four in the morning I loaded my truck
I left my hometown in a big cloud of dust
I just had to follow my gut
And I thank God I ain't what I almost was
In guitar town I bought this old Epiphone
Started stringin' chords and words into songs
I've been putting in time on Sixteenth Avenue
Pouring out my heart for tips on a stool
I ain't making a killing, but then there's those nights
When the song comes together and hits 'em just right
The crowds on their feet 'cause they can't get enough
Of this music I make and I love
And I thank God I ain't
Yeah, I thank God I ain't
Man, I thank God I ain't what I almost was
In the song "What I Almost Was" by Eric Church, the lyrics tell a story of a person reflecting on the past decisions they made that could have changed the course of their life. The first verse speaks of a high school senior who was a promising football player with dreams of playing Division 1 football. He had an offer on the table, but during a key play, he wound up with an injury that derailed his chance at success. He goes on to thank God that he isn't what he almost was, meaning that he could have been a successful football player, but instead, things took a different turn.
In the second verse, he reflects on another path he could have taken: he could have been a son-in-law to a CEO, living a life of luxury, wealth and corporate success, but he left it all behind because his gut feeling led him to pursue music. He thanks God that he didn't end up as "some corner office, country club, suit-and-tie man." Instead, he found his calling in music and is now making a living as a singer-songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee.
The chorus of the song is a reminder of the different paths the person could have taken, and how things turned out for the better in the end. The lyrics "And I thank God I ain't what I almost was" are a reflection on how the person is grateful for their current life, despite the struggles they had to go through to get there. The song's message is about making choices and taking chances, even if it means leaving behind a life that seems perfect or secure, and trusting that the path you're on is the right one.
Line by Line Meaning
It was my senior year
The story begins in my final year of high school
I just turned eighteen
I had just celebrated my eighteenth birthday
I was a Friday night hero, with Division 1 dreams
I was a popular football player who had aspirations of playing in the top college league
I had an offer on the table, a four year ride
I had received a scholarship offer to play football for four years at a college
'Til that fourth and two and twenty four dive
However, during a critical moment in a game, I was injured while attempting to make a play
I left on a stretcher, wound up on a crutch
The injury I sustained was serious enough to require me to leave the field on a stretcher and then use crutches to walk
Walked on that next summer, wound up gettin' cut
Despite going through physical therapy to recover and trying out to join the team again the following summer, I was ultimately not selected for the team
I flipped off that coach, left that school in the dust
Feeling frustrated and angry with my coach and the school, I made a rude gesture and left for good
For letting my dreams go bust
I blamed them for ruining my chances of achieving my dreams
But I thank God I ain't what I almost was
However, I now realize that maybe not playing football was actually for the best and resulted in a more fulfilling life
Yeah, I moved on back home
I returned to my hometown
And came awful close to being some son-in-law to some CEO
I briefly considered marrying into a wealthy family and becoming a corporate executive
Coulda been a corner office, country club, suit and tie man
I could have had a high-paying job, wealthy lifestyle, and respected career
Answerin' to no one, but her and him
I would have had the freedom to make my own decisions, but would still be accountable to my significant other and in-laws
I ran out on his money, ran out on her love
In the end, I could not go through with it and left the relationship due to my feelings of being unfulfilled and trapped
At four in the morning I loaded my truck
I left town in the early hours of the morning
I left my hometown in a big cloud of dust
I left behind my old life and all its trappings in a hurry
I just had to follow my gut
I followed my instincts, even though it was risky and uncertain
And I thank God I ain't what I almost was
I am grateful that I did not end up living a life I didn't truly want
In guitar town I bought this old Epiphone
I moved to Nashville, renowned for its country music scene, and purchased a used guitar brand known as Epiphone
Started stringin' chords and words into songs
I began writing and composing my own songs
I've been putting in time on Sixteenth Avenue
I have been working hard on creating and performing music in Nashville's famed Music Row area, where many recording studios and music companies are located
Pouring out my heart for tips on a stool
I played at local bars and clubs, pouring my soul out to audiences for meager tips
I ain't making a killing, but then there's those nights
Although I wasn't making a lot of money, there were moments of success and recognition that made it all worth it
When the song comes together and hits 'em just right
When the music and the moment combine perfectly and the audience is captivated
The crowds on their feet 'cause they can't get enough
I am grateful for the love and support of my fans
Of this music I make and I love
I am able to do what I love and make music that both myself and others enjoy
And I thank God I ain't
Once again expressing my thankfulness
Yeah, I thank God I ain't
Repeating my gratitude
Man, I thank God I ain't what I almost was
Emphasizing and concluding my gratitude
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Michael Heeney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind