Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me", "Be My Baby Tonight", "If You've Got Love", "I Can Love You Like That", and "The Little Girl", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album.
John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records signed him.
A Great Memory
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've always played it safe
But girl I've been out on a limb
Since I saw your smiling face
I feel like I'm walking a tightrope
When I'm out walking with you
It's a dangerous liaison
I've got my heart into
'Cause we're not a sure thing
Too soon to tell if we're the real thing
But this time it's worth taking a chance
On you and me
But if doesn't work out
Should you decide to walk out
Well that's all right with me
'Cause girl I know you'd be
A great memory
Some folks would die for this moment
But I've lived for this moment in time
The love you bring may be a fleeting thing
But oh right now it's mine
If I should wind up lonely
Well I won't mind being alone
'Cause if it works out that you leave me
Least I'll have you to look back on
'Cause we're not a sure thing
Too soon to tell if we're the real thing
But this time it's worth taking a chance
On you and me
But if doesn't work out
Should you decide to walk out
Well that's all right with me
'Cause girl I know you'd be
A great memory
Yeah that's all right with me
'Cause girl I know you'd be
A great memory
The song "A Great Memory" by John Michael Montgomery tells the story of a man who has always played it safe in love. However, he is willing to take a risk and put his heart on the line for a woman he has fallen for. He compares the situation to walking on a tightrope, acknowledging that it is a dangerous proposition, but he is willing to take the chance nonetheless.
The lyrics also explore the theme of impermanence in love, acknowledging that the relationship may not work out. However, even if it doesn't, the man is okay with it because he knows that the woman will always have a special place in his heart as a great memory. He values the present moment and the love he shares with the woman, seeing it as something to cherish even if it doesn't last forever.
Overall, "A Great Memory" is a song about taking risks in love and valuing the present moment even if it doesn't lead to a long-term relationship. It celebrates the beauty of falling in love and the memories that are created, whether the relationship lasts or not.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not one to take chances
I usually avoid taking risks
I've always played it safe
I'm risk-averse by nature
But girl I've been out on a limb
But now I'm taking a huge risk by pursuing you
Since I saw your smiling face
Ever since I saw you, I can't stop thinking about you
I feel like I'm walking a tightrope
Being with you feels very precarious
When I'm out walking with you
Whenever I'm with you, I feel like I'm in danger
It's a dangerous liaison
Our relationship is fraught with risk
I've got my heart into
But I've invested everything into it
'Cause we're not a sure thing
This relationship has no guarantee of success
Too soon to tell if we're the real thing
It's too early to know if we're going to work out
But this time it's worth taking a chance
But I believe this risk is worthwhile
On you and me
On this relationship between you and me
But if doesn't work out
But if we fail to make it work
Should you decide to walk out
If you decide to leave me
Well that's all right with me
I'll be fine with that
'Cause girl I know you'd be
Because I know a relationship with you, even a failed one, will be worth it
A great memory
I'll be glad to have had a meaningful time with you
Some folks would die for this moment
Some people would go to great lengths to experience this moment
But I've lived for this moment in time
This moment is what I've been waiting for my entire life
The love you bring may be a fleeting thing
Our love might not last forever
But oh right now it's mine
But I'll cherish it as long as it lasts
If I should wind up lonely
If things don't work out between us
Well I won't mind being alone
I won't be too unhappy to be by myself
'Cause if it works out that you leave me
Because even if you leave me,
Least I'll have you to look back on
I'll still have the memories of you
Yeah that's all right with me
And I'll be okay with that
'Cause girl I know you'd be
Because I know you'll always be special to me
A great memory
A wonderful memory that I'll treasure always
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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