Mark Chesnutt’s stature is easily gauged. He has 14 #1 hits, 23 Top 10 singles, four platinum albums and five gold records to his credit; he maintains a front-and-center presence with a hefty tour schedule year after year. Country music critics and fans alike need look no further when it comes to Country music basics. If you ask Chesnutt, he’ll tell you, “It’s the music and the fans that have kept me around this long.” In a creative forum that sometimes confuses style with substance, Mark Chesnutt possesses both.
Remaining true to himself as a traditional country artist, while keeping the pace with the ever-changing country recording landscape, Mark Chesnutt has a knack for picking great songs, delivering them with world-class style and a heart-felt emotion that’s lived-in. With a trademarked voice, Chesnutt has set the bar for his generation and those that follow in his footsteps shaping the music of today’s country music newcomers and the new country music format. Mark Chesnutt’s personal integrity combined with his principal to record a genuine country song has made him a fixture on radio and in honky tonks across the globe.
Chesnutt got his start in the honky-tonks of Beaumont, Texas, learning from his father, Bob Chesnutt, a singer, record collector and major fan of classic country music. Playing alongside his dad, Mark embraced his father’s influence one set at a time and to begin making a name for himself. Mark sang covers by Lefty, Merle, George and Waylon to develop his unmatched crowd-pleasing rapport and his authentic country style.
Bob Chesnutt often traveled to Nashville to record and to broaden his exposure. He began taking Mark along to record when he was just 17. After nearly a decade of recording on regional labels, word got out about this young country vocalist. Music Row executives came to hear Mark on his own Texas turf and recognized the depth of Mark Chesnutt’s raw talent.
In 1989, he was signed to MCA Nashville and his list of accolades tells the rest of his story. With the release of his first single“ Too Cold At Home,” Mark established himself as one of country’s most authentic and talented vocalists. He won the CMA Horizon Award attracting the attention of country legend [and Mark’s greatest mentor] George Jones who introduced him as “A boy from Beaumont, Texas who is the real deal.” That recognition and initial success opened the door to offer Mark his chance of a lifetime, to do what he loved most—sing country music for country fans; this time, on a national level. “The first couple years it was non-stop.” Mark says.
“I can remember one time during a tour, I didn’t step foot on the front porch for ten months, with exception of a day or a day-and-a- half, then, it was right back out again.” Mark’s dedication paid off. He developed a true blue fan base. Fans, he confides, “are the reason for my success.”
His fans helped his records to climb the charts one right after the other making him one of Billboard’s Ten Most-Played Radio Artists of the ‘90’s. Mark’s singles were some the decade’s most memorable; from the fun tempo “Bubba Shot The Jukebox” to emotional ballad “I’ll Think Of Something.” Mark is easily identified for his string of hits including “Brother Jukebox,” “Blame It On Texas,” “Old Flames Have New Names,” “Old Country,” “It Sure Is Monday,” “Almost Goodbye,” “I Just Wanted You To Know,” “Going Through The Big D,” “It’s A Little Too Late,” “Gonna Get A Life,” and one of his biggest, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing;” a song that held its position at the top of the charts for four consecutive weeks.
Of all the recorded highlights Chesnutt has enjoyed, they take a back seat to his first love; Mark Chesnutt lives to perform on stage. “I just make records because want people to come see my show,” he says with a grin. “Recording music for folks to just listen to music is great,” he says, “but I’ve got to be out there on stage making it.” Fans who have seen him perform agree. Known as one of the industry’s hardest-working concert performers, maintaining a hefty tour schedule and steady presence in front of his fans, Mark’s dedication to deliver live music is unsurpassed. Mark has been on the road since 1990. Whether you hear Mark Chesnutt with a new release on the radio, or see his face on the cover of a new CD, folks can always find Mark doing what he was born to do playing. “The clubs and honky tonks are home for me; it’s comfortable and I’m always with friends,” says Chesnutt.
Married since 1992, Mark and Tracie Chesnutt are the loving parents of three boys, Waylon, Casey & Cameron.
I'm a Saint
Mark Chesnutt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna tell you even if you don't
I come from the country, I still been to town
An' I like dogs but just not in the house
But I might skip church one Sunday
To catch the football game
But I'll give twice as much next week
When they pass the offerin' plate
[Chorus:]
I'm just ordinary on most days
Extraordinary on my best
I got a good job, but the way I spend money
I never have any left
Hey, I drink too much coffee
An' I'm always runnin' late
I was born a sinner
But my Momma thinks I'm a saint
I've had my share of heartaches, bounced a couple chairs
I had a wife, but now I've got an ex
No, I won't never be the President, hell,l I barely finished school
But I know Justin sings lead for N'Sync, so my kids think I'm cool
[Chorus]
I know there are some who live life differently
But there's a lot more people who are just like me
[Chorus]
Yeah, I was born a sinner
But my Momma thinks I'm a saint
In Mark Chesnutt's song "I'm A Saint," the artist shares some personal details about himself that listeners might find surprising. He explains that he comes from a rural background but has also spent time in cities, and that he likes dogs but not necessarily as house pets. Chesnutt admits that he might skip church to watch a football game, but he will make up for it by giving generously during the next week's offering. He also acknowledges that he's had some difficult moments, including a failed marriage and struggles in school, but still finds pride in being a father figure to his children.
The chorus of "I'm A Saint" reflects the central message of the song, which is that Chesnutt sees himself as an ordinary person who sometimes makes mistakes, but who still strives to be decent and moral. He acknowledges that he drinks too much coffee and often runs behind schedule, but he doesn't let these minor flaws define him. Instead, he sees himself as a complex and flawed human being who can still be viewed as a good person by those who know him well, especially his mother.
Overall, "I'm A Saint" is an autobiographical song that celebrates the contradictions and messiness of everyday life. It highlights the idea that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and that it's possible to find value and meaning in the midst of imperfection.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's some things about me you might want to know
I am willing to share all about myself with you.
I'm gonna tell you even if you don't
Even if you don't want to know, I will tell you.
I come from the country, I still been to town
I have roots in the country but have also visited the city.
An' I like dogs but just not in the house
I like dogs, but I prefer not to keep them inside the house.
But I might skip church one Sunday
Sometimes, I might not attend church on Sundays.
To catch the football game
So that I can watch a football game.
But I'll give twice as much next week
However, I will make up for it by contributing twice as much next week during the offering.
When they pass the offerin' plate
During the time when the offering plate is passed around.
I'm just ordinary on most days
Usually, I am just an ordinary person.
Extraordinary on my best
Sometimes, however, I can be extraordinary.
I got a good job, but the way I spend money
Although I have a good job, I tend to spend a lot of money.
I never have any left
As a result, I often have no money left.
Hey, I drink too much coffee
I tend to drink a lot of coffee.
An' I'm always runnin' late
I am often late for appointments, meetings, and other events.
I was born a sinner
I was born with original sin.
But my Momma thinks I'm a saint
Despite this fact, my mother thinks I am a good person.
I've had my share of heartaches, bounced a couple chairs
I have experienced heartbreak and even anger in my life.
I had a wife, but now I've got an ex
I was previously married but now divorced.
No, I won't never be the President, hell,l I barely finished school
It is highly unlikely that I will ever become the President of the United States, given that I barely finished school.
But I know Justin sings lead for N'Sync, so my kids think I'm cool
However, I am aware that Justin Timberlake used to be the lead singer of *NSYNC, and my kids think that makes me cool.
I know there are some who live life differently
I understand that there are people out there who live life differently from me.
But there's a lot more people who are just like me
However, I believe that there are many more people out there who are just like me in many ways.
Yeah, I was born a sinner
In summary, I was born a sinner.
But my Momma thinks I'm a saint
Despite my flaws, my mother still believes that I am a good person.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARTIN, RITCHEY, SELLERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind