Gretchen was born in Pocahontas, Illinois to a 16-year-old mother. Her father left before she was two years old, and she and her mother lived in trailer parks and relative poverty. Gretchen's mother worked as a waitress, and Gretchen herself dropped out of the 8th grade at age 15 to work as a cook and bartender in rural Illinois.
After a failed marriage to former Baywolfe bandmate Larry Rolens, Gretchen moved to Nashville and began dating Mike Penner. They have a daughter, Grace Frances Penner, who was born November 9, 2000.
Gretchen, who had sung for Kmart as a child, sang in two bar bands by the age of 20. In 1996 she moved to Nashville to sing back-up and record sample songs. In 2000, she met John Rich, a former member of Lonestar, who invited her to become his song-writing partner. Wilson signed with Epic Records in 2003 and recorded Here for the Party within the year.
Her first single, "Redneck Woman", was released in early 2004 and reached the top of the Hot Country Songs charts and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of "Redneck Woman" prompted an earlier-than-planned release for Here for the Party -- May 11, 2004 -- and it debuted at #1 on the Billboard country chart. It also reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Internet album sales charts. She performed as a support artist for Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry.
She released the title track Here For The Party as the second single. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard country chart. Two other songs were released as singles, and both reached the top 10. Released in markets outside the U.S., the album hit #2 on the Australian country charts (behind Kasey Chambers) and the top 50 of the Australian charts. As of July 5, 2004, "Redneck Woman" was #1 on a world composite country chart (based on the U.S., UK, and Australia charts). The album went on sell more than 4 million copies in the U.S. and 5 million worldwide and was certified four times platinum.
On September 27, 2005, Gretchen released her second album, All Jacked Up, which peaked at #1 on both the Top 200 and Country album charts, but, after initial decent sales, the album quickly fell off the charts. It was certified Platinum and sold 1 million copies. The title track, All Jacked Up, peaked at a disappointing #8 on the Country singles chart and was the only song from the album to reach the top 10. The second single, I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today, peaked at #22. The third and the fourth singles were Politically Uncorrect and California Girls, which peaked respectively at #23 and #25 on the Country chart. Kid Rock appeared on "The Other Side of Me," an exclusive track that Target released with the album.
On February 28, 2006, Gretchen appeared on Kid Rock and The Twisted Brown Trucker Band's "Live" Trucker, as she performed "Picture" recorded at Detroit's Cobo Hall, 3/26/04. On November 2006, she released a new single called Come To Bed, a song produced by her friend John Rich, who also sings the background vocals. The song's suggestive video received a TV-14 S rating when aired on CMT.
Gretchen's "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today" was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and Best Country Song. In 2006, Wilson contributed a well-received cover of Kris Kristofferson's Sunday Mornin' Coming Down on the tribute CD The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson. In 2007, Wilson displayed her rock and roll vocals on the cable TV special VH1 Rock Honors, singing Heart's hit Barracuda, along with Alice in Chains and Heart member Nancy Wilson on guitars.,
On May 15, 2007, Gretchen released her third album, One of the Boys. The album debuted at #5 on the Top 200 and at #1 on the Country album chart. After 11 weeks, it exited the Billboard Top 200, having sold just 178,220 copies at that point. "Come To Bed" and "One Of The Boys", the first two singles released, both failed to enter the top 30 and missed the Hot 100 completely. The third single, "You Don't Have to Go Home", was even less successful, peaking at #53.
Barracuda
Gretchen Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had to turn my heart away
Smiled like the sun, kisses for everyone
And tales, it never fails!
You lying so low in the weeds
I bet you gonna ambush me
You'd have me down on my knees
Back over time we were all trying for free
Met up with porpoise and me
No right no wrong you're selling a song, a name
Whisper game
If the real thing don't do the trick
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn burn burn into the wick
Aren't you, Barracuda?
"Sell me sell you" the porpoise said
Dive down deep now save my head
You, I think you got the blues too
All that night and all the next
Swam without looking back
Made for the western pools, silly fools
If the real thing don't do the trick no!
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn burn burn into the wick
Barra-Barracuda
The lyrics to Gretchen Wilson's song Barracuda are a fascinating ode to a toxic relationship that the singer has finally let go of. The opening lines are particularly telling - the singer sees the object of her former affection and has to turn away from them, implying that she has moved on but is still affected by their presence. The next line talks about the person in question being charming and likable, with "smiles like the sun" and "kisses for everyone." However, the use of the word "tales" indicates that this charm may not be entirely genuine, and is perhaps used to deceive others.
The chorus is the most recognizable part of the song, with the titular Barracuda being used as a metaphor for this person who is lying "low in the weeds" and waiting for an opportunity to strike. The singer is aware of the danger this person poses, with the suggestion that they will bring her to her knees. The line "back over time we were all trying for free" implies that the relationship was flimsy from the start, with no real commitment or foundation to build on.
The second verse reinforces this idea of a relationship based on lies, with the person in question "selling a song, a name" that is not genuine. The mention of the "whisper game" is particularly telling, implying that there is a culture of gossip and deceit surrounding this person. The final chorus repeats the warning about the dangers of this person, with the singer even acknowledging that they have the "blues too." Overall, the song is a powerful warning about the dangers of toxic relationships, and a reminder to be wary of those who may not have our best interests at heart.
Line by Line Meaning
So this ain't the end, I saw you again today
It is not over yet. I saw you again today, and it stirred up emotions that we both have been trying to keep away.
I had to turn my heart away
Seeing you filled my heart with pain that I had to fight to keep hidden and to not let you break me.
Smiled like the sun, kisses for everyone
You were all smiles, emanating warmth like the sun, giving your love and attention to everyone except me.
And tales, it never fails!
Your stories and lies never cease to amaze - you always manage to captivate and deceive with your words.
You lying so low in the weeds
You are hiding deceptively and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I bet you gonna ambush me
I am sure you have something up your sleeve to manipulate or hurt me.
You'd have me down on my knees
You would do anything to have me beg and plea for your forgiveness or affection.
Now wouldn't you, Barracuda?
You are like a Barracuda, determined and crafty, always angling for your next catch or victory.
Back over time we were all trying for free
In the past, we were all searching for happiness and freedom, not realizing the cost of our choices.
Met up with porpoise and me
We crossed paths with a wise and playful dolphin, and it brought us a sense of joy.
No right no wrong you're selling a song, a name
You have no morals or principles, all you care about is selling your story and your brand, regardless of the truth or consequences.
Whisper game
You play games with people's minds, leading them down dark paths with your whispers of deceit and manipulation.
If the real thing don't do the trick
If the truth is not enough to sway someone, you will resort to lies and illusions to keep them under your spell.
You better make up something quick
You always have an alternative plan, a backup lie or fabrication, to cover your tracks or continue your scheme.
You gonna burn burn burn into the wick
Your lies and manipulations will eventually catch up to you, and you will burn yourself out of options and allies.
Sell me sell you the porpoise said
The dolphin urged us to be honest and genuine with ourselves and with others, instead of selling illusions or falsehoods.
Dive down deep now save my head
We should focus on what really matters, our conscience and integrity, rather than surface-level pleasantries and petty gains.
You, I think you got the blues too
You are also struggling with your own demons and fears, and that is why you resort to manipulation and deceit to cope.
All that night and all the next
We spent hours talking and reflecting on our past and our future, trying to make sense of the world around us.
Swam without looking back
We moved forward with a sense of purpose and determination, letting go of our regrets and past mistakes.
Made for the western pools, silly fools
We ventured into the unknown, taking risks and embracing new challenges, even if they seemed foolish or impossible.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Roger Douglas Fisher, Michael Joseph Derosier, Nancy Lamoureaux Wilson, Ann Wilson Dustin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@willkavanaugh
Gretchen does a virtually perfect vocal cover of this song.
@michaelachord1164
No boubt. That was so Bad Ass.
@rmrm1002
And then some
@antioch1975
Need to hear Pink do this. She hits every high note.
@headlibrarian1996
Quite aside from Gretchen's excellent vocals, I really love the extra-crunchy guitar tone in this rendition of the song.
@gfgranja
Agreed. So heavy
@lynneliggett2769
Who'd have thought Gretchen Wilson could sing like this? Not I. Phenomenal job, Gretchen. Thanks for sharing your voice with us rockers.
@Bmobetter
My thoughts exactly
@rjy8318
She's got the voice
She's got the Right Stuff
@garysneed124
Leslie here, she blew me away!! I still remember her Redneck Woman and this…
WOW!! 🎶🤘☮️💋