Urban was born in Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand (on 26 October, 1967). Before he turned two years old his family moved to Australia. By age seven, Urban was already thinking about emigrating to America and making his mark in Nashville. Urban began to learn the guitar at age six and began winning talent contests at age eight. By twelve he was booking his band in local clubs, and at fifteen he quit school to hit the road. In 1990, Urban signed with EMI in Australia and recorded his first solo album, which charted four No. 1 country hits in Australia. In 1992, he moved to Nashville to pursue the largest country music market in the world. Originally the front man for The Ranch, a three-piece group that released one album in 1997 to critical acclaim, Urban disbanded the group to pursue a solo career.
In the late 90's Urban battled an addiction to cocaine. After reaching a personal rock bottom in 1998, he became determined to give up the habit and checked into Cumberland Heights, a treatment center in Nashville. After cleaning up, Urban released his self-titled American debut in 2000, achieving three top 5 hits and securing the title of Top New Male Vocalist Award at the 2001 Academy of Country Music Awards. Urban, openly regarded as a modern day guitar virtuoso, has performed as a session musician on albums such as Garth Brooks' Double Live and the Dixie Chicks' Fly.
In an attempt to gain more exposure, Keith then appeared semi-nude in an interview for Playgirl magazine's April 2001 issue. The publicity attempt worked as Keith was on the cover of the magazine's readers' most requested issue.
Keith Urban released Golden Road in 2002, and the success of the single "Somebody Like You" sent his career into high gear. The single spent eight consecutive weeks at the top of the charts, remaining at No. 1 longer than any other country artist in 2002. Three other singles were released, two went to No. 1 and the third was No. 3. The album went platinum in every country where it has been released and is triple platinum in the United States. In 2004 Be Here was released and nominated for best country album at the Grammy Awards and at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Out of the five singles released from Be Here, three went No. 1, and two fell just shy of that mark to land at No. 2. In 2006 the album went triple platinum in the U.S. Urban has also released Days Go By, a greatest hits collection, in Europe. With a career total of 13 singles released, seven singles went to No. 1, two went to No.2, two went to No.3, one went to No. 4, and one went to No.18.
Touring as a supporting act for renowned country acts Brooks & Dunn and Kenny Chesney honed Urban's skills and stage-craft. Country video channel CMT signed on as the title sponsor of Keith Urban's first headlining arena tour titled Keith Urban Be Here '04. Urban continued his meteoric rise to fame in 2005 with the very successful Alive in '05 tour. He performed in the Live 8 Philadelphia concert on July 2, 2005 and had been chosen by The Gap to appear alongside seven other musical stars in their "Favorites" campaign. In 2005 he was named CMA's Entertainer of the Year. He released a DVD in late September entitled Livin' Right Now, recorded in California on December 2004. Urban performed "Better Life" on the CMA Awards and "You'll Think of Me" on the American Music Awards. He also performed at the Grammys playing "You'll Think of Me" and "The Lucky One" with Faith Hill. At the 2006 ACM Awards Urban gave two performances when he performed "Tonight I Wanna Cry" and played guitar for Brooks & Dunn's song "Believe."
Personal life
On arriving in Nashville, Tennessee in 1992, Urban quickly fell for veterinary technician Laura Sigler. The pair shared an on-off relationship from 1992, and lived together between 1998 and 2002. Urban paid tribute to Sigler in the sleeve notes to his self-titled first hit album, and dedicated love song "You're The Only One" to Sigler, writing "For Laura" at the bottom of the lyrics. After proposing to Sigler in 2001, the pair broke up in 2002.
In 2002, after his painful breakup with Sigler, Urban met supermodel Niki Taylor, who played his love interest in his music video for "Somebody Like You." Taylor had told her hair/makeup person, Debra Wingo, that she might be interested in being in a country music video. Wingo also does hair/makeup for Urban, and she mentioned that he was getting ready to do a video. Urban and Taylor dated on and off for three years until their split was officially announced July 2005.
Urban met actress Nicole Kidman at an event in Hollywood in January of 2005. In May of 2006, Urban and Kidman announced their engagement, and their plans to wed in Australia. They got married in Australia on 25 June 2006 at the Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel in the grounds of St Patrick's Estate, Manly, Sydney.
For You
Keith Urban Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't feel a thing
But suddenly I was rising higher
And I felt like I just made
The biggest mistake
When I thought about my unborn child
When I thought about my wife
And the answer rang out clear
No greater gift has man
Than to lay down his life for love
And I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice (sacrifice)
If it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would, for you, mm-mm
And maybe you don't understand
I don't understand it all myself
But there's a brother on my left and another on my right
And in his pocket just like mine
He's got a photograph
And they're waiting for him back home
And it's weighing on my mind
I'm not trying to be a hero
I don't wanna die
But right now in this moment
You don't think twice
I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice (sacrifice)
If it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would
You don't think about right (oh-oh oh)
You don't think about wrong (oh-oh oh)
You just do what you gotta do
To defend your own (oh-oh oh)
And I'd do the same (oh-oh oh), for you
Yes, I would
Oh
Yes, I would
And I would give my life
I would make that sacrifice
'Cause if it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh)
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
Take the bullet (oh-oh), yeah (oh-oh)
Yes, I would (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
Oh-oh oh-oh
The lyrics to Keith Urban's "For You" express a soldier's inner turmoil in the face of danger, reflecting on his loved ones and purpose. The singer, amid the chaos of war, sees only smoke and fire and doesn't feel anything. He, however, realizes the gravity of his situation when he begins to rise, even as he thinks of his wife and unborn child waiting for him at home. Suddenly, an answer rings out clear from somewhere above, revealing that there is no greater gift than laying down his life. This realization leads the soldier to question himself about his willingness to make that sacrifice, to take the bullet, for the ones he loves.
In the second verse, the soldier ponders his fellow soldiers, with their photographs of loved ones back home weighing heavy in their pockets. He doesn't claim to be a hero or wish for death, but he recognizes that in the moment, defending his own, he wouldn't think twice. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the soldier's conviction to sacrifice himself for those he loves.
The lyrics of "For You" are reminiscent of the struggles and sacrifices that soldiers face every day. They convey the emotional toll that comes with fighting for one's country and reveal the inner workings of a soldier's heart. The song's poignant lyrics have made it popular among those who appreciate the brave sacrifices that soldiers make every day.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, all I saw was smoke and fire
The singer was caught in a dangerous situation without any warning.
I didn't feel a thing
Despite the danger, the singer remained calm and physically unharmed.
But suddenly I was rising higher
The danger escalated quickly, and the singer's situation became more dire.
And I felt like I just made
The biggest mistake
The artist had a moment of doubt or regret about their choices.
When I thought about my unborn child
When I thought about my wife
The artist's thoughts turned to their loved ones and the potential consequences of their actions.
And the answer rang out clear
From somewhere up above
No greater gift has man
Than to lay down his life for love
The singer hears a message that reinforces the value of sacrificing oneself for love and family.
And I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice (sacrifice)
If it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would, for you, mm-mm
The singer questions their ability to make the ultimate sacrifice, but ultimately concludes that they would do it for their loved ones.
And maybe you don't understand
I don't understand it all myself
The topic of sacrifice is complex and difficult for the artist to fully comprehend or explain.
But there's a brother on my left and another on my right
And in his pocket just like mine
He's got a photograph
And they're waiting for him back home
And it's weighing on my mind
The artist is surrounded by others in the same situation, who also have loved ones at home waiting for them.
I'm not trying to be a hero
I don't wanna die
But right now in this moment
You don't think twice
The artist is not seeking glory or death, but is simply doing what is necessary to protect their loved ones and themselves.
You don't think about right (oh-oh oh)
You don't think about wrong (oh-oh oh)
You just do what you gotta do
To defend your own (oh-oh oh)
And I'd do the same (oh-oh oh), for you
Yes, I would
In a moment of danger, moral considerations become less important than the need to protect one's own family and loved ones.
And I would give my life
I would make that sacrifice
'Cause if it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would
The artist reiterates their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect their loved ones.
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh)
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
Take the bullet (oh-oh), yeah (oh-oh)
Yes, I would (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
The singer specifically identifies their motivation for making this sacrifice as their love for their family and loved ones.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: Keith Lionel Urban, Monty Powell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@larrymclain2733
i lost my son back in 2010 in Afghanistan him and 5 of his brothers were attacked by a undercover Taliban operative . this song really touches my heart , my son tried to warn his superiors but they wouldn't listen to a private just in country 3 months . less than 10 days later they were all killed . so yes my son would take a bullet for you and me , god bless his soul, i just got gold star plates that say FOR YOU, on them and i love them a very greatful GOLD STAR DAD
@chexiest1924
Im sorry fo your loss Larry. Much respect to all who served. #aNavyWife here
@mtodd501
My condolences and thank you to your son for his ultimate sacrifice..: I too lost my only son as he went to the aid of 12 soldiers on 8-20-08 Afghan. US Army KIA 8-20-08
@kimtreadway8543
So sorry Larry, God bless you and many thanks to your son.
@jacobkooistra5143
Much respect and sorry about your loss. I’m sure he gave em hell before he passed. Long live the brother hood!
@prestonpierce7494
I'm sorry to hear that. Too often higher -ups ignore info from those below them. God bless your son.
@countrycrazy92
i love the fact Keith didn't make a single dime off this song. Every penny went back to our men and women to serve and protect this country.
@nikolaszuraff1234
You got that right.
@Astrophysix1
+Lauren Sikkema he's a good man
@julesservantofjesus972
Keith is awesome!