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.
What Do I Have To Do
Martina McBride Lyrics
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Gotta let it be the last one
Start a new job Monday
I need a little time not to run
Just when I think it's over
Startin' over you get closer
It ain't over
Where do I have to go
To get you off my mind
Leave you behind
Give me a sign
What do I have to do
To make me stop loving you
I even met somebody
Who I thought would be the one to
Turn me down a new road
Far enough to finally lose you
This losing game I'm playin'
Smile I'm fakin'
Road I'm takin
You'll be waitin'
Heart still breakin '
Just keep on prayin'
What do I have to do
Where do I have to go
To get you off my mind
Leave you behind
Give me a sign
What do I have to do
To make me stop loving you
Yeah
I want my life back
I want to move on
Cause I ain't the first one to lose someone
What do I have to do
Where do I have to go
What do I have to do
Yeah
To make me stop lovin', lovin' you
What do I have to do
Where do I have to go
What do I have to do
Yeah
Will I ever stop lovin' you
The song "What Do I Have to Do" by Martina McBride describes a woman who has moved to her third town, hoping that this would be her last one. She is starting a new job and wants to take some time not to run away from her past. However, every time she thinks she has finally gotten over her past relationship, the memories come back, making it harder for her to move on. She has even met someone new who she thought was going to help her move on, but it seems like she is still stuck in the past. She is lost, confused, and exhausted from trying to forget about her past lover. The song ends with her questioning if she will ever be able to stop loving this person or if she has to keep moving to escape her feelings.
These lyrics can be interpreted as a representation of the struggle that many people go through when trying to move on from a past relationship. It's not always easy to forget someone who had a significant impact on our lives. Even when we think we have moved on, the memories and feelings can come back, making it harder for us to let go. The lyric, "Just when I think it's over, starting over, you get closer" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the feeling of taking one step forward and two steps back.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my third town
I've moved around a lot and I'm tired of it.
Gotta let it be the last one
This move needs to be permanent.
Start a new job Monday
I have a fresh start and a reason to stay.
I need a little time not to run
I want to try and settle down for a change.
Just when I think it's over
When I'm ready to move on from you...
Startin' over you get closer
...I end up thinking of you again.
It ain't over
I can't seem to escape your hold on me.
What do I have to do
What can I possibly do...
Where do I have to go
...or where can I go...
To get you off my mind
...to stop thinking about you?
Leave you behind
I want to move on from you.
Give me a sign
I need a sign or some guidance.
To make me stop loving you
I don't know how to stop loving you.
I even met somebody
I tried to move on with someone else.
Who I thought would be the one to
I thought they would help me forget you.
Turn me down a new road
To start a new chapter in my life.
Far enough to finally lose you
To distance myself enough to forget you.
This losing game I'm playin'
Trying to forget you is a losing battle.
Smile I'm fakin'
I pretend to be happy without you.
Road I'm takin
I'm trying to move on in a new direction.
You'll be waitin'
But it seems like you're always on my mind.
Heart still breakin '
My heart is still hurting.
Just keep on prayin'
I can only hope and pray for some peace.
I want my life back
I want to live without the pain of loving you.
I want to move on
I want to leave my love for you in the past.
Cause I ain't the first one to lose someone
I know I'm not the only one who has lost love.
Will I ever stop lovin' you
I wonder if I'll ever get over you?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL DULANEY, TOM SHAPIRO, NEIL THRASHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind