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.
Holdin
Gretchen Wilson Lyrics
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Or some old umbrella to hold off the rain
Don't have to cross over a river of tears
All that I need is right here
Holding you holds me together
When holding on gets just a little too hard
When this tight rope I travel
I'm falling apart
Holding you holds me together
You know life's a freight liner on
A runaway track
But I'll take the ride knowing
That you'll bring me back
No fate's too uncertain no distance too far
As long as you're here in my arms
Holding you holds me together
When holding on gets just a little too hard
When this tight rope I travel
Begins to unravel and I feel like
I'm falling apart
Holding you holds me together
Whenever I hold you tight
This crazy world of mine falls right in place
Whenever the trouble is
You find a way to give back what it takes
The lyrics of Gretchen Wilson's song "Holding In" are about finding comfort in a relationship during difficult times. The first two lines highlight the common coping mechanisms people use during trying times, such as alcohol and material possessions, but the singer asserts that all she needs is her partner. The lyrics also express the idea that life can be unpredictable and tumultuous, but the singer feels secure as long as she is holding on to her loved one. The chorus repeats the phrase "holding you holds me together," emphasizing the importance of human connection and support during challenging periods.
The second verse continues this theme of finding solace in a relationship, with the singer stating that even when life feels like a "runaway train," she feels safe because she knows her partner is there for her. The final lines of the song suggest that holding onto someone you love can help put everything in perspective and bring a sense of peace.
Overall, the lyrics of "Holding In" emphasize the power of human connection and support during difficult times. The singer finds strength in her relationship and suggests that love can be a steadying force that helps weather life's storms.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't need whiskey to drown out the pain
I can tolerate the suffering without resorting to alcohol
Or some old umbrella to hold off the rain
I don't have to rely on material things to shield me from difficulties
Don't have to cross over a river of tears
I don't have to face overwhelming emotional turmoil
All that I need is right here
Because I have you, I have all I need
You know life's a freight liner on
Life can feel like a heavy and fast-moving train
A runaway track
Unpredictable and out of control, like a train without a conductor
But I'll take the ride knowing
Despite the risks, I am willing to face life's challenges head-on
That you'll bring me back
Because I have you, I am confident I will make it through
No fate's too uncertain no distance too far
I have faith that we can handle anything that comes our way, no matter how difficult or far-reaching
As long as you're here in my arms
Because I have you, I am strong enough to endure anything
Whenever I hold you tight
Being close to you provides me with a sense of peace and stability
This crazy world of mine falls right in place
With you by my side, the chaos and confusion of the world seems to make sense
Whenever the trouble is
No matter what challenges come my way
You find a way to give back what it takes
You always have a solution to our problems and are willing to do whatever it takes to help us overcome them
Holding you holds me together
You are my anchor, providing me with the strength and support I need to keep going
When holding on gets just a little too hard
When I feel like giving up, being with you gives me the motivation to keep pushing forward
When this tight rope I travel
Life can feel like a high-wire act, full of uncertainty and danger
Begins to unravel and I feel like
When everything seems to be falling apart and I am overwhelmed with despair
I'm falling apart
I am struggling to keep myself together
Holding you holds me together
Being with you gives me the strength and stability I need to keep going, even when things get tough
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., OLE MM, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: THOM MCHUGH, WADE ALLEN KIRBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind