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.
That's God
Jo Dee Messina Lyrics
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Seen the waters of the ocean, reach so far they start to fade?
Have you ever seen a mountain top reach up and kiss the sky?
Have you ever seen the wonder in the eyes of a child?
Or felt the way the room lights up with that tiny little smile?
Witnessed their amazement at the simplest of things?
It's right here all around us, even when we're not aware.
It doesn't have to be a miracle,
It might just be the little things,
And even those who say they don't believe,
They may not know it but everyday they see...
Have you ever heard a song and reached inside your soul?
It says what you can't say - let's you know you're not alone.
You find the inspiration to keep on holdin' on.
If you take the time to look around,
you'll see it everywhere
It's right here all around us,
even when we're not aware.
It doesn't have to be a miracle,
It might just be the little things,
And even those who say they don't believe,
They may not know it but everyday they see...
Oh, when people make a difference just being who they are,
Or when someone wants to lend a helping hand,
Maybe it's somebody who just takes the time to listen to let you know that they understand.
Have you ever known a love that opens up your heart,
Selfless and encouraging to help you reach the stars,
Patient and forgiving and accepts you as you are?
The song "That's God" by Jo Dee Messina is a heartfelt ode to the wonders of the world and the people who make a difference in our lives. The lyrics ask listeners if they have ever experienced the majesty of nature, from feeling the warmth of the sun on their face to seeing miles of ocean stretch out to the horizon. The song also highlights the beauty of innocence and how children can be amazed by the simplest things.
Moreover, the song talks about the power of music to heal and inspire, showing how a song can touch our souls and remind us that we are not alone. Additionally, the song celebrates the kindness of strangers and the love of others, including those who accept us flaws and all.
Overall, "That's God" encourages listeners to appreciate the beauty and goodness around them, even in the smallest and seemingly insignificant things.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever stepped outside, felt the sun on your face?
Have you ever taken the time to appreciate the beauty and warmth of the sun?
Seen the waters of the ocean, reach so far they start to fade?
Have you ever observed the vastness of the ocean and how it extends beyond what you can see?
Have you ever seen a mountain top reach up and kiss the sky?
Have you ever witnessed the grandeur of a mountain peak and how it almost touches the sky?
Have you ever seen the wonder in the eyes of a child?
Have you ever experienced the joy and fascination that a child displays when exploring the world?
Or felt the way the room lights up with that tiny little smile?
Have you ever noticed how a simple smile can brighten up a room and bring people together?
Witnessed their amazement at the simplest of things?
Have you ever seen how children can be fascinated by the simplest of things, and how it inspires us to appreciate the little things in life?
If you take the time to look around, you'll see it everywhere.
If you take a moment to appreciate your surroundings, you'll see that beauty is all around us.
It's right here all around us, even when we're not aware.
Even when we're not paying attention, there is beauty and goodness all around us.
It doesn't have to be a miracle,
We don't have to witness extraordinary events to find beauty and goodness in the world.
It might just be the little things,
Small acts of kindness and everyday wonders can bring joy and appreciation to our lives.
And even those who say they don't believe,
Even those who claim not to believe in a higher power can find inspiration and beauty in life.
They may not know it but everyday they see...
Without realizing it, people can witness and appreciate the beauty and goodness in the world.
Have you ever heard a song and reached inside your soul?
Have you ever been moved by a song that speaks to your heart and soul?
It says what you can't say - let's you know you're not alone.
Sometimes a song can express feelings that we can't put into words, and remind us that we're not alone in our struggles.
You find the inspiration to keep on holdin' on.
Music can inspire us and give us the strength to keep going through difficult times.
Oh, when people make a difference just being who they are,
People can make a positive impact on the world simply by being themselves and living their values.
Or when someone wants to lend a helping hand,
Acts of kindness and generosity, such as offering to help others, can make a big difference in people's lives.
Maybe it's somebody who just takes the time to listen to let you know that they understand.
Simply listening to others and showing empathy can make a profound impact on people.
Have you ever known a love that opens up your heart,
Have you ever experienced a love that is selfless, genuine and has the power to bring out the best in you?
Selfless and encouraging to help you reach the stars,
True love inspires and motivates us to be the best version of ourselves, and to reach for our dreams and aspirations.
Patient and forgiving and accepts you as you are?
A love that is patient, forgiving and accepting of our flaws can help us grow, mature and become better people.
Contributed by Nathaniel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.