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.
Break This Chain
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From my grandpa to my dad, on to me
All my life I've been shackled to a bottom
I never knew what it was like to be free
But it's time to break this chain that's been holding me down
Leave it laying on the ground
It's time to make a change, I've caused enough pain
I give You thanks for giving me a reason
And a wife with forgiveness in her smile
Oh, I want this two hands to be rock steady
As she's handing me our new born baby child
It's time to break this chain that's been holding me down
Leave it laying on the ground
It's time to make a change, I've caused enough pain
Lord, won't You help me break this chain
It's time to make a change, I'm tired of this pain
Lord, won't You help me break this chain?
You made the sunshine and rain
And You can wash away this pain
Lord, won't You help me break this chain
In John Michael Montgomery's song "Break This Chain," the singer is describing a powerful feeling of being held down by a negative family legacy that has been passed down from generation to generation. He talks about how his grandfather passed it down to his father, who in turn passed it down to the singer. As a result, the singer has never experienced true freedom, and he wants to break the cycle of pain and dysfunction. He feels a sense of urgency to change his ways and make a fresh start.
The singer expresses his gratitude for his wife, who has forgiven him in the past and stands by his side as they welcome their newborn child. He wants to be a good father and husband, providing for his family and breaking the chains of his past. Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges his mistakes and is humbly asking for help to change his ways. He believes that with God's help, he can overcome his family's history and create a brighter future for his loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been handed down for generations
This chain has been passed down from generation to generation.
From my grandpa to my dad, on to me
The chain was passed down from the singer's grandfather, to their father, and now to them.
All my life I've been shackled to a bottom
The singer has been chained to a difficult life and has never experienced true freedom.
I never knew what it was like to be free
The artist has never experienced true freedom in their life because of the chain.
But it's time to break this chain that's been holding me down
The artist is ready to break free from the chain that has been holding them back.
Leave it laying on the ground
The singer plans to leave the chain behind and move forward without it.
It's time to make a change, I've caused enough pain
The singer acknowledges that their past actions have caused pain and is ready to make a change for the better.
Lord, won't You help me break this chain
The artist is asking for divine help in breaking free from the chain.
I give You thanks for giving me a reason
The artist is grateful for having a reason to break free from the chain.
And a wife with forgiveness in her smile
The artist's wife is forgiving and supportive, which gives the artist strength to break free.
Oh, I want this two hands to be rock steady
The singer wants to be confident and strong in their decision to break free from the chain.
As she's handing me our new born baby child
The artist is welcoming a new child into the world, which is another motivation to break free from the chain.
It's time to make a change, I'm tired of this pain
The singer is tired of the pain caused by the chain and is ready to make a change.
You made the sunshine and rain
The singer acknowledges that the Lord has control over both good and bad times in life.
And You can wash away this pain
The singer believes that divine help can wash away the pain caused by the chain.
Lord, won't You help me break this chain
The artist reiterates their request for divine help in breaking free from the chain.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group
Written by: BILLY WAYNE YATES, JIM COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind