Messina debuted in 1996 with the single "Heads Carolina, Tails California". Her album was certifified Gold by the RIAA. Her second album, I'm Alright produced five Top 10 Country hits between 1998 in 1999 and sold over a million copies in America. Since her debut, six of her singles have peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country singles chart and five of her albums have received a certification by the RIAA or the CRIA.
She was raised in Holliston, Massachusetts, by Vincent and Mary Messina, and had two sisters, Terese and Marianne, as well as a brother named Vincent. Messina had a variety of Country music influences, which included Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, and The Judds. She soon started performing live, and by age 16 she was playing local clubs with a rhythm section made up of her brother and sister. The family band played up until Messina was in her late teens.
Realizing that living in the Northeast would limit her chances of achieving Country music stardom, Messina moved to Nashville at age 19. To support herself, Messina worked various temp jobs, including computer programming and accounting. In her spare time, she entered talent contests around Nashville.
One win led to a regular gig on the radio show Live at Libby's, which in turn caught the interest of producer Byron Gallimore, who helped her assemble a demo tape. Gallimore was also working with the young Tim McGraw around the same time, and Messina befriended him. Backstage at one of his concerts, Messina met an executive from his label, Curb, and jokingly suggested that they needed a redhead. With the help of fellow Curb producer James Stroud, Messina was then signed to the record label. Gallimore and McGraw would later become co-producers of Messina's studio albums under Curb.
In 2022, Cole Swindell had a major hit with a remake of "Heads Carolina, Tails California" entitled "She Had Me At Heads Carolina." In the music video, Jo Dee plays a small part as the bartender in a Karaoke bar.
It Gets Better
Jo Dee Messina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're looking for answers
You can't seem to find
No one understands what you're going through
Oh, I know it can get lonely out there
When you feel like nobody cares
Well, you look around thinking
Well I do
[Chorus:]
I've felt the chill of this world cut down to the bone
I've walked many a mile down this road on my own
I've been through hell on my knees
Come face to face with the devil
And I know that it's hard to believe
But it gets better
Time is a healer, but we can't see how
When you're caught in the moment
And the hurting is now
We don't want to see that maybe somethings
Weren't meant to figure out
[Chorus]
This old world can be cruel sometimes
When you're looking for answers
Well, just keep in mind
No, you're not alone
We're all trying to find our way through this life
[Chorus]
Jo Dee Messina's song "It Gets Better" is an uplifting and encouraging tune that speaks about the struggles and hardships of life. The opening lines of the song "This old world can be cruel sometimes, when you're looking for answers, you can't seem to find, no one understands what you're going through" set the tone for the song. The lyrics speak to the pain and loneliness that many feel when they are struggling and seeking answers.
The song talks about how lonely it can be when no one seems to care about your troubles. However, the chorus brings a message of hope as Jo Dee reveals that she has also experienced the same struggles and has come out on the other side. The lyrics "I've felt the chill of this world cut down to the bone, I've walked many a mile down this road on my own" make it clear that the artist has been through some tough times but has still managed to survive.
The song concludes with a message of solidarity, encouraging people to keep looking for answers and to know that they are not alone. The line "No, you're not alone, we're all trying to find our way through this life" is a message of hope and inspiration, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
This old world can be cruel sometimes
The world is not always a pleasant place
When you're looking for answers
Trying to find solutions to problems
You can't seem to find
You are not able to locate them
No one understands what you're going through
People cannot comprehend your situation
Oh, I know it can get lonely out there
It can be a lonesome journey
When you feel like nobody cares
Thinking that no one is interested in what you have to say or do
Well, you look around thinking
Observing the environment and feeling doubtful
If they only knew
If people only had an understanding of your reality
Well I do
But I have knowledge and experience of such a situation
I've felt the chill of this world cut down to the bone
I have personally felt the harshness of this reality
I've walked many a mile down this road on my own
I have walked down this lonely path for many miles
I've been through hell on my knees
I have undergone extreme difficulty and suffering
Come face to face with the devil
Encountering one's demons or fears
And I know that it's hard to believe
It may be difficult to accept or comprehend
But it gets better
However, things will improve over time
Time is a healer, but we can't see how
Time has a way of easing pain, although the process may not be clear or immediate
When you're caught in the moment
Being stuck in the present situation
And the hurting is now
And the pain is immediate
We don't want to see that maybe somethings
We may not want to realize that some things
Weren't meant to figure out
Are not meant to be understood
No, you're not alone
You are not the only one going through a difficult phase
We're all trying to find our way through this life
Everyone is trying to navigate their own life journey
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JO DEE MESSINA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Kreger
I love this song!! It's so true, and it helps sooth the pain off loss we all feel sometimes in this life.
01po01po
Probably the best album{c/d} Joe Dee put out. So Many good songs. Her last album was really good too. I don't know why radio isn't playing her songs. Its a shame. Joe Dee is so talented. Keep making music Joe Dee, I'm listening and lots of others too.
Jade Hendrix
This song reminds me of all my friends, I miss them all so very much!!!
Candace Leon
This song explains my life😥
Sihem Boulares
14/05/2021 remembering the old best memories ♥️♥️
Bernd Magdanz
Super. A very nice song!
Mitzi Gayle
4 years later and some things never change! BEEN THROUGH HELL ON MY KNEES AND COME.FACE TO FACE WITH THE DEVIL is so very true Every day of my life
Chris Harami
Go Jo Dee! We love ya!
Berita Banda
I hope it gets better. 😔 Lovely song
Jeffrey Marc
this song touches the heart . Jodee is very underrated she is a little rough around the edges but shes lived it. This tough lady is a great singer and songwriter