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.
Wishing Well
Jo Dee Messina Lyrics
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A hug and a kiss, we're on our way
A cup of coffee for the road
Baby I can't wait to get back home
We juggle all our hopes and dreams
With a million responsibilities
And now and then we drop the ball
We lean sometimes but we never fall
Look at me, look at you
Look at all that we've been through
With a lot of love and a little luck
So far it's been so good
Cross your fingers, knock on wood and pray
And if it helps I'll throw a dollar in the wishing well
It ain't always laughs and smiles
But the carousel just ain't our style
The roller coaster suits us fine
Boy the ups and downs livin' up the ride
Look at me, look at you
Look at all that we've been through
With a lot of love and a little luck
So far it's been so good
Cross your fingers, knock on wood and pray
And if it helps I'll throw a dollar in the wishing well
The song "Wishing Well" by Jo Dee Messina is a beautiful love song that talks about the challenges and joys of being in a committed relationship. The first verse speaks of how the couple starts their days with a hug and a kiss before heading out to take on the responsibilities of the day. The line "We juggle all our hopes and dreams with a million responsibilities" perfectly portrays the reality of having to balance personal goals and dreams with the demands of everyday life. The second verse highlights the fact that life is not always easy, but this couple has learned to ride the ups and downs together. They have weathered many storms and come out on the other side with a lot of love and a little luck.
The chorus of "Wishing Well" emphasizes the theme of hope and faith that things will continue to go well for this couple. They acknowledge that they have been fortunate so far, but they do not take it for granted. They cross their fingers, knock on wood, and even throw a dollar in the wishing well to bolster their chances of continued happiness. This chorus is a testament to the power of positive thinking in a loving relationship.
In conclusion, "Wishing Well" by Jo Dee Messina is a beautiful tribute to the joys and trials of being in a committed relationship. The song acknowledges that life is not always easy, but hope, faith, and love can help weather the storms. The message is conveyed through a catchy melody and lyrics that are easy to relate to, making it a popular love song.
Line by Line Meaning
Here goes another day
Just another day in our life together.
A hug and a kiss, we're on our way
We start each day with love and affection for each other.
A cup of coffee for the road
We fuel our day with caffeine to keep us going.
Baby I can't wait to get back home
We look forward to coming home to each other at the end of the day.
We juggle all our hopes and dreams
We balance our personal aspirations and desires with our responsibilities.
With a million responsibilities
We have a lot on our plates and need to manage our time and priorities wisely.
And now and then we drop the ball
Sometimes we make mistakes or overlook something important.
We lean sometimes but we never fall
We may struggle at times, but we always persevere and never give up.
Look at me, look at you
We recognize and appreciate each other.
Look at all that we've been through
We reflect on our experiences and challenges, and how we've overcome them together.
With a lot of love and a little luck
Our relationship is built on love and we acknowledge that some things are beyond our control.
So far it's been so good
Overall, our life together has been positive and fulfilling.
Cross your fingers, knock on wood and pray
We are superstitious and hope for good luck and blessings.
And if it helps I'll throw a dollar in the wishing well
We are willing to take any extra measure to ensure our continued happiness and success.
It ain't always laughs and smiles
We acknowledge that life can be tough and we face challenges that make us sad or angry.
But the carousel just ain't our style
We don't want to live life without any variation or meaning.
The roller coaster suits us fine
We are okay with the ups and downs of life, as long as we face them together.
Boy the ups and downs livin' up the ride
We embrace the excitement and unpredictability that life offers us.
And if it helps I'll throw a dollar in the wishing well
We are willing to take any extra measure to ensure our continued happiness and success.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANNIE ROBOFF, PHIL VASSAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind