The daughter of singer George Morgan, she made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry at age thirteen, performing Marie Osmond's "Paper Roses." Her father died when she was sixteen.
When her father died in 1975, she took over his band and began leading the group through various club gigs. Within a few years she disbanded the group, and in 1977 she went on to play with the Little Roy Wiggins band. She then became a receptionist and demo singer at Acuff-Rose, where she also wrote songs.
In 1978, she had one minor hit single; the following year another minor hit with "I'm Completely Satisfied", an electronically dubbed duet with her late father. She began touring Nashville nightclubs and opened for a number of acts, including Jack Greene, Billy Thunderkloud, and Jeannie Seely. She toured as a duet partner with George Jones and spent two years as part of the Opryland USA bluegrass show and as a regular singer on TNN's Nashville Now.
In 1983, TNN was launched as the first cable network devoted to country music. Morgan was a regular on the show Nashville Now, singing towards the end of each show.
In 1984, Morgan scored a minor hit with "Don't Go Changing". That year she became the youngest singer ever to join the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1988, Morgan was signed with RCA Records, her first major label.
In 1989, Morgan's first album Leave the Light On was released; "Trainwreck of Emotion" became her first Top 20 hit, followed by her first major hit with "Dear Me".
In 1990, Morgan had her first number one single, "Five Minutes". That song was also featured in her album Leave the Light On, which went gold.
In 1991, Morgan's second album Something in Red went platinum. Morgan married her third husband Brad Thompson, bus driver of Clint Black.
In 1992, Morgan's third album Watch Me was released on RCA's newest label, BNA Records, spawning the number one single "What Part of No".
In 1993, Morgan was the first female country artist to have three albums in a row to be certified platinum. Morgan's romantic life gained tabloid attention with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman following her third divorce.
In 1994, Morgan was voted Female Vocalist of the Year by the fans in TNN's Music City News awards. She would earn this honor again in 1996, 1997 and 1998. She also appeared on Frank Sinatra's Duets II album, singing a version of "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" intertwined with Sinatra's "My Funny Valentine".
In 1995, Morgan had another number one song on the Country Charts called "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" from her Greatest Hits CD.
In 1996, Morgan was featured on the Beach Boys' now out-of-print album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 performing a cover of their 1964 hit "Don't Worry Baby". The Beach Boys provided the harmonies and backing vocals.
Personal life
======================
Morgan is known for her turbulent personal life -- she told Larry King in an interview that "drama is something that lets you know you're still alive." As of 2006, she is married to singer Sammy Kershaw; they were separated at one point but apparently have since reconciled. Kershaw is her fifth husband; she was married to country singer Keith Whitley from 1986 until his death in 1989. They had one child together, a son, Jesse Keith Whitley, born in 1987. She also has a daughter Morgan from her first marriage. Prior to Kershaw she was involved in a lengthy relationship with Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Troy Aikman.
[edit] U.S. Senator Fred Thompson and Lorrie Morgan (1994-1996)
Morgan was also romantically linked from 1994 to 1996 with actor, lobbyist, former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (and former Hendersonville, Tennessee resident), and possible 2008 Republican Presidential candidate Fred Dalton Thompson.
In her book Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story, Morgan states that:
It was great to go out with an older man [Fred Thompson] who was very successful on his own. I felt very secure with him, and he became a wonderful friend, a caring, inspirational man who would encourage me not to doubt myself (which, maybe you can tell by now, is one of my best things).
Fred is an extremely generous man. He wined and dined me and bought me presents --- furs, earrings, Chanel shoes with real high heels.
For a while, I enjoyed my first exposure to politics. It was interesting to hear about political conversations, and people even began talking about Fred as a potential president. It was inevitable that I would be sitting at a glamorous party and would have the flickering thought, So, this is what it's like to be a First Lady. Hell, I could handle that. Then I would say, "Oops, better drop the 'hell'"
I put myself to the task of being a great companion to a stimulating and important man, and as a result I become boring. I lost my spunk, my spontaneity, I had to stop and think about the political implications of everything before I uttered a word in public. Was this a Democratic issue? Was this a Republican issue? I could not trust my best asset, my gut instincts. In other words, I could not be myself.
Fred let me know that it was important how I dressed. Sedate was in. Even if I felt like a little flair that night, forget it --- we might be with men who had big wallets and insecure wives, wives who were a little older than I was. So get that basic black dress out of the closet. And no cleavage, baby.
Fred's senator buddies loved me, and some of my friends said that they never seen me happier. For a while, I wanted to marry Fred, but I knew he could not accept me as I am.
Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story. pp. 262-263. Lorrie Morgan with George Vecsey. 1997. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-41297-4
Bombshell
Lorrie Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a whole lot of money but that don't matter
'Cause spring has sprung and we all know what that means
Yeah, bathing suit season's creepin' up like an assassin
Can't help but wonder how I'm gonna fit my
Ask me not what I'm gonna do
It appears to be goin' downhill
Yeah, it used to be fun layin' in the sun
In that little bikini of mine
But now my idea of letting it all hang out
Sure has changed with time
And that's hard on a bombshell
They say real beauty comes from within
But I'm stuck with no lovers and a whole lot of friends
Who say my personality is a perfect ten
I used to get up and just wash my face
But now it's 75 bucks for a dermabrasion
Oh, woe is me it's hard on a bombshell
It's hard on a bombshell
I used to look cool perched up on a stool
With all the boys flockin' around
But now I'm a sucker for a honk from a trucker
Lord, I've learned to love that sound
And that's hard on a bombshell
Hard on a bombshell
Ooh, it's hard on a bombshell
The song "Bombshell" by Lorrie Morgan is a humorous take on the pressures that women face to maintain their beauty and appearance, particularly during bathing suit season. The lyrics describe the singer's struggle to fit into her bikini and keep up with the demands of beauty standards, including expensive skincare treatments and the constant need to be attractive to men. Despite these pressures, the singer feels both empowered and limited by her physical appearance, grappling with the idea that she is valued primarily for her beauty rather than her personality.
At the center of the song is the tension between the singer's outer beauty and her desires for a more substantive, fulfilling life. She jokes about the high cost of her skincare routine but also suggests that this expense is unavoidable if she wants to maintain her bombshell status. Similarly, she acknowledges that men are drawn to her looks, but laments that she lacks meaningful romantic connections as a result. By pairing these humorous observations with the song's catchy, upbeat melody, Morgan delivers a critique of beauty standards that is both poignant and enjoyable.
Overall, "Bombshell" invites listeners to reflect on the tradeoffs between outer beauty and inner fulfillment, and to consider the ways in which societal pressures can limit women's experiences and aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I finally worked my way up the ladder
After an immense amount of hard work, I finally achieved my goal.
Got a whole lot of money but that don't matter
Despite having an abundance of wealth, it does not fulfill my happiness.
'Cause spring has sprung and we all know what that means
Now that spring is here, it is time to face the challenge of fitting into swimwear.
Yeah, bathing suit season's creepin' up like an assassin
Like an unexpected hit, the anxiety of wearing swimwear is approaching.
Can't help but wonder how I'm gonna fit my
I am unable to think of how I will manage to fit into my swimwear.
Ask me not what I'm gonna do
I do not have a plan for how to deal with this issue.
It appears to be goin' downhill
The situation seems to be worsening.
And that's hard on a bombshell
'Bombshell' women face a lot of pressure with regards to their appearance, and this situation is particularly difficult for them.
Yeah, it used to be fun layin' in the sun
Sunbathing was once a pleasurable activity for me.
In that little bikini of mine
When I had a body size that allowed me to wear tiny swimwear.
But now my idea of letting it all hang out
My definition of being comfortable in swimwear has altered with time.
Sure has changed with time
As time has passed, my perception of being comfortable has drastically changed.
And that's hard on a bombshell
This transition is particularly hard for women who face high societal pressure to look their best.
They say real beauty comes from within
Many believe that true beauty stems from one's personality.
But I'm stuck with no lovers and a whole lot of friends
Sadly, I am deprived of romantic relationships and only have platonic friendships.
Who say my personality is a perfect ten
But my friends often compliment me on my good personality.
I used to get up and just wash my face
I had no trouble with my appearance earlier and only needed to wash my face.
But now it's 75 bucks for a dermabrasion
Now I require professional skincare and need to pay a considerable amount to maintain my appearance.
Oh, woe is me it's hard on a bombshell
This is particularly hard for women seen as 'bombshells,' and the pressure is even higher on them.
I used to look cool perched up on a stool
I was fashionable and looked good perched on a stool.
With all the boys flockin' around
My charm made boys flock towards me.
But now I'm a sucker for a honk from a trucker
My standards and perception of attractiveness have drastically changed. I now feel happy with unexpected attention from strangers.
Lord, I've learned to love that sound
In fact, I have come to love the sound of honks from passersby.
And that's hard on a bombshell
This change is particularly hard for women who face societal pressure to maintain an attractive appearance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUFFY (BUF) LAWSON, LOUISE DORSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind