Martina McBride released her honky tonk-flavored debut album The Time Has Come in 1992. Her first big hit was the single "My Baby Loves Me" from her more pop-oriented second album, 1993's The Way That I Am. She became even more visible in 1994 with the crossover success of her anti-domestic violence anthem "Independence Day", also from this album.
In 1995 McBride released the album Wild Angels; "Safe in the Arms of Love" and the title track were country hits, later being her first #1 hit. Her 1997 album Evolution sold over two million units, and included an adult contemporary crossover hit in "Valentine" as well as four number one or number two country hits. The album Emotion came out in 1999; "I Love You" was a big hit in both country and adult contemporary circles. So was the socially conscious "Love's the Only House", a trend that would continue with 2003's "This One's for the Girls", which would become the theme song for the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball championship tournament. [1] This was followed by the hit singles "How Far" (written by fellow country singer Jamie O'Neal) and "God's Will".
The Long Distance Lullaby Songfacts states that Eleven was Martina's first album for Republic Nashville, ending a 20 year association with RCA. Label head Scott Borchetta encouraged her to write more songs for the record than she had on any of her previous 10 albums, and she ended up co-writing six of the 11 tracks. Eleven was released October 11, 2011.
As of 2005 McBride is generally recognized as one of the top female singers in popular music; with her strong and pure soprano voice she has been labelled "the Céline Dion of country music." Also in 2005 she released a 18-track CD of classic country music standards, which landed at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart in its opening week and received much critical acclaim for its authenticity towards traditional country.
She is a four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year winner (a record she holds with Reba McEntire), three-time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year winner and a Grammy Award winner. This left-hander performed The Star-Spangled Banner at Game 3 of the 2004 World Series.
"Independence Day" is used as the introductory music for Sean Hannity's popular talk radio show. McBride has appeared at benefit events organized by Hannity, but has declined to take an active political stance. [2] McBride has performed free for fans, such as in a July 3, 2004 show in Owensboro, Kentucky to celebrate the grand opening of the new Independence Bank headquarters.
Recently she helped out contestants on the Canadian version of "American Idol". The winner worked on a song with McBride as well as went on tour with her across Canada.
Martina has sold over 13 million albums in USA alone.
The Rope
Martina McBride Lyrics
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To see what I might see
And having never sailed before
I drifted aimlessly
A warm breeze rocked my boat until
In slumber I fell sound
But woke to find the light grown dim
And dark clouds gathering 'round
In haste I worked at turning back
But now the wind blew wrong
And when the night came cold and black
My strength was almost gone
But with one last small thread of hope
I bowed my head to pray
Then through the dark I saw a rope
And heard a calm voice say
Grab the rope
Hold it tight
In the distance
Shines a light
Neither fear
Nor feel alone
There is One
Who'll lead you home
I heard my heart beat loud and fast
But did as I was told
And with the rosey dawn at last
Dry land I did behold
I kissed the sandy banks and swore
My sailing days were through
But should I ever stray from shore
I know now what to do
Grab the rope
Hold it tight
In the distance
Shines a light
Neither fear
Nor feel alone
There is One
Who'll lead you home
Grab the rope
Hold it tight
In the distance
Shines a light
Neither fear
Nor feel alone
There is One
Who'll lead you home
"The Rope" by Martina McBride talks about a person who sets out to sea without any prior experience of sailing. With the wind taking them wherever it pleases, the singer soon finds themselves in trouble as dark clouds gather around them in the middle of the sea. They try to turn the boat back towards the land, but the wind is no longer favorable. The singer starts losing their strength, and with hope almost lost, they pray for help. At this moment, they see a rope being thrown to them with nobody in sight, and they hear an encouraging voice telling them to hold on tight.
The rope represents a hope, a lifeline that the singer can hold onto and guide them back to safety. The voice assures them that they are not alone, and they will be guided home. This song talks about the power of faith, and how the belief in something beyond ourselves can be a source of strength and guidance in the most challenging of situations.
Overall, "The Rope" is a song that encourages people to have faith in themselves and their beliefs, even in hard times. It is a reminder that we all need a little help at times, and there is always a rope to grab onto when we feel lost and afraid.
Line by Line Meaning
In waters calm I sailed from shore
I embarked on a journey to explore, when everything seemed peaceful and serene
To see what I might see
To discover what lies beyond the known horizon
And having never sailed before, I drifted aimlessly
As a novice, I lacked guidance and direction, lost in the vast sea
A warm breeze rocked my boat until, in slumber, I fell sound
The soothing winds lulled me to sleep, as I trusted the journey
But woke to find the light grown dim, and dark clouds gathering 'round
The tranquility was shattered by an incoming storm, with no hope in sight
In haste I worked at turning back, but now the wind blew wrong
With the realization of impending danger, I tried to retreat but faced an opposing force
And when the night came cold and black, my strength was almost gone
As the darkness engulfed me, I felt helpless and weak to carry on
But with one last small thread of hope, I bowed my head to pray
As a last resort, I turned to faith, hoping for divine intervention
Then through the dark I saw a rope, and heard a calm voice say
A glimmer of hope appeared in the form of a rope, with a voice of assurance
Grab the rope, hold it tight, in the distance shines a light
Seize the opportunity for salvation, and cling to it steadfastly, as a guiding light illuminates the path
Neither fear, nor feel alone, there is One who'll lead you home
Banish all apprehension and loneliness, since there is a savior who will guide you to safety
I heard my heart beat loud and fast, but did as I was told
I was filled with trepidation and anxiety, but followed the instructions since it was my only hope
And with the rosy dawn at last, dry land I did behold
As the ordeal came to an end, I eventually reached solid ground, relieved and grateful
I kissed the sandy banks and swore, my sailing days were through
Overwhelmed by the experience, I promised never to venture into the sea again
But should I ever stray from shore, I know now what to do
In case I face a similar challenge in the future, I am now better equipped to trust and seek help
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHANIE DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind