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.
With My Shirt On
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were twenty one, in perfect shape
We stayed oiled up and half naked all week long
But that was ten years and twenty pounds ago
Girl, you're still a ten, but I'm somewhere below
So tonight, can I make love with my shirt on?
And you tell me that you think I'm irresistible
The truth is I've been workin' out but I've still got a little ways to go
So tonight, can I make love with my shirt on?
Call it ego, insecurity
But you remember the man I used to be
Fearless, young and chiseled like a stone
The kids are sleepin', the blinds are open
Ooh, that moonlight sure is strong
So tonight, can I make love with my shirt on?
Now you say our love has grown beyond the physical
And you tell me that you think I'm irresistible
Today I had a salad but I gave in and ate a roll
So tonight, can I make love with my shirt on?
Yeah, you know forty, sure has come fast
And my metabolism is gettin' slow
So tonight, can I make love with my shirt on?
Go and turn the lights out
The lyrics of the song "With My Shirt On" by John Michael Montgomery speak about a man who is feeling insecure about his physical appearance and seeks reassurance from his partner. The song starts with the nostalgic memory of a spring break vacation in Key West, where they were in perfect shape, feeling confident and carefree, and spent the week half-naked and oiled up. However, fast forward ten years and twenty pounds later, the man is no longer the same confident, young, and fearless person he used to be. He still finds his partner gorgeous but is now insecure about revealing his body during lovemaking.
He seeks comfort in the fact that their love has grown beyond the physical, and his partner thinks he is irresistible, but he is still not completely comfortable with his body. The insecurity stems from the fact that he has been working out but has not achieved his desired physique yet. He links his insecurity to his ego and remembers the man he used to be, chiseled like a stone. The second verse continues in a similar vein, with the man giving into carbs and his metabolism slowing down due to age.
The song's lyrics are relatable, as many people experience insecurities related to their bodies and age. The singer portrays vulnerability and accepts his imperfections, and his partner reassures him that he is still attractive. The lyrics show that love can grow beyond physical appearances, but insecurities still exist, and seeking reassurance from a loved one can go a long way.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember Key West, spring break
Let's reminisce about when we were young and carefree on our spring break in Key West.
We were twenty one, in perfect shape
We were young and in great physical condition back then.
We stayed oiled up and half naked all week long
We spent the entire week in skimpy outfits and covered in tanning oil.
But that was ten years and twenty pounds ago
However, time has passed, and we have gained some weight since then.
Girl, you're still a ten, but I'm somewhere below
You still look beautiful, but I don't feel like I'm in the same physical shape anymore.
So tonight, can I make love with my shirt on?
I'm feeling a little insecure about my current physical state, can we keep my shirt on during intimacy?
You say our love has grown beyond the physical
You remind me that our relationship is more than just physical attraction.
And you tell me that you think I'm irresistible
You still find me attractive, despite my recent weight gain.
The truth is I've been workin' out but I've still got a little ways to go
I've been exercising, but I still haven't reached my desired level of fitness.
Call it ego, insecurity
I know it might sound like I'm being vain or insecure, but it's just how I feel.
But you remember the man I used to be
You reminisce about the younger, more fit version of me.
Fearless, young and chiseled like a stone
I was once fearless and in great physical shape.
The kids are sleepin', the blinds are open
Our children are asleep, and our bedroom blinds are open.
Ooh, that moonlight sure is strong
The moonlight is particularly bright and illuminating the room.
Today I had a salad but I gave in and ate a roll
I had a healthy meal today, but I gave into temptation and had a roll.
Yeah, you know forty, sure has come fast
We're both surprised by how quickly we've reached the age of forty.
And my metabolism is gettin' slow
My metabolism is slowing down with age.
So tonight, can I make love with my shirt on?
I'm still feeling a little insecure about my body, can we keep my shirt on during intimacy?
Go and turn the lights out
Let's turn off the lights now.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUKE BRYAN, KELLEY LOVELACE, LEE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind