When she was 18, she moved to Nashville, where she was signed by BNA Records (a label of Sony BMG Music Entertainment). Her debut album, Ten Thousand Angels, was released on April 30, 1996, and was certified gold six months later. The album gave her international fame and produced her two biggest hits, “Ten Thousand Angels” and “Guys Do It All The Time”. McCready also appears with Lorrie Morgan, Sara Evans, and Martina McBride on CMT's Girl’s Night Out special. Mindy then released the next year "If I Don't Stay The Night." It spawned 3 singles, "What If I Do", Other Side Of This Kiss", and "You'll Never Know." Overseas "O Romeo" was released. None were very successful. Still the album sold over 500,000 copies, and went Gold. In 1999 McCready released "I'm Not So Tough." The first single released was "All I Want Is Everything." When it failed to break the top 50, BNA Records and Mindy went separate ways, said to be over creative differences. After the split the album received little promotion and became a commercial failure.
In April of 2000, she was signed by Capitol Records. She released a self-titled album with Capitol in 2002 to disappointing sales, and was dropped by Capitol later that year.
McCready was once engaged to actor Dean Cain. In 2005 she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and spoke of her problems with domestic abuse, depression, and drug abuse. Mindy McCready admitted her ex-boyfriend Billy McKnight had beat her frequently and they had a tumultuous relationship, and that she had tried to commit suicide. She also revealed that she had seen her ex-boyfriend Billy McKnight recently and that she needs help. Her father was on the show and said that she is often in denial about her problems and that he wanted her to get help and supported her. She also spoke of how growing up her mother wasn't very loving and encouraging and as a result McCready suffers from poor self-esteem. She is now known mostly for her trouble with the law. Talking to Oprah Winfrey, McCready hoped that her story would encourage and help others, even if it's only one girl in the world. "You know what we're all hoping?" Oprah said to Mindy. "That you are that girl."
Mindy gave birth to son Zander Ryan McCready on March 25, 2006. On April 9, 2012, McCready gave birth to her second child, a son named Zayne. The child's father, record producer David Wilson, was found dead in his home on January 13, 2013, of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Following Wilson's death, McCready released a statement in which she referred to him as her "soulmate" and "life partner". A little over a month later, on February 17, Mindy committed suicide by the same means.
Breakin' It
Mindy McCready Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If there was any way out, where I could slip away and make my mind at ease
'Cause if my head was on right, I wouldn't be sitting tonight watchin' me
shakin' it
But if my heart was intact, you know I'd let you have the first crack at
breakin' it
If you were anything less than what you are to me, I would have a reason then
If the love that you stole wasn't still the best I've known, I wouldn't be
takin' it
And if my heart was intact, you know I'd let you have the first crack at
breakin' it
If my body didn't burn every time my head didn't turn, I wouldn't be fakin' it,
Oh, no
And if my heart was intact, you know I'd let you have the first crack at
breakin' it
Oh, if my head was on right, I wouldn't be sitting all night watchin' me
shakin' it, Oh, no
And if my heart was intact, you know I'd let you have the first crack at
breakin' it
In Mindy McCready's song "Breakin' It," the singer is struggling through the pain of a rocky relationship. She laments the fact that despite her better judgment, she cannot seem to let go of this person who has hurt her so much. She acknowledges that if she were in a better mental state, she would have found a way out by now, but unfortunately, she is too emotionally invested. She continues to cling to the hope that this person will return her love in a way that is healing, despite being repeatedly broken by them. The singer finishes the song by stating that if her heart were still whole, she would be willing to let this person try again to break it, but unfortunately for them, it has already been shattered.
One of the key themes of this song is the struggle to let go of a toxic relationship. The relationship has clearly caused the singer a great deal of pain and uncertainty, but she is still drawn to her partner despite their flaws. She blames herself for being unable to take control of her emotions and remove herself from this situation. The singer also seems to be questioning whether the relationship is truly worth the emotional cost, but she cannot seem to find an answer. The song leaves the listener with a sense of heartbreak and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
If there was any way out, where I could slip away and take my heart with me
If I could escape this situation and not be emotionally affected
If there was any way out, where I could slip away and make my mind at ease
If I could escape this situation and have peace of mind
'Cause if my head was on right, I wouldn't be sitting tonight watchin' me shakin' it
If I weren't so emotionally unstable, I wouldn't be feeling and acting this way
But if my heart was intact, you know I'd let you have the first crack at breakin' it
If I were emotionally stable and unguarded, I would let you have my heart
If you were anything less than what you are to me, I would have a reason then
If you weren't as important to me, I would have a reason to leave
Callin' it quits instead of havin' these fits over where you've been
I would end the relationship instead of getting upset about your actions
If the love that you stole wasn't still the best I've known, I wouldn't be takin' it
If I didn't still love you so much, I wouldn't be tolerating your behavior
If my body didn't burn every time my head didn't turn, I wouldn't be fakin' it, Oh, no
If I didn't have such strong physical and emotional reactions to you, I wouldn't be pretending
And if my heart was intact, you know I'd let you have the first crack at breakin' it
If I weren't so emotionally unstable, I would let you have my heart
Oh, if my head was on right, I wouldn't be sitting all night watchin' me shakin' it, Oh, no
If I were emotionally stable, I wouldn't be obsessing and acting out like this
And if my heart was intact, you know I'd let you have the first crack at breakin' it
If I weren't so emotionally unstable, I would let you have my heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK GERMINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cindypickler1172
Thank you for making this video. I love Mindy McCready's voice. She will be greatly missed.
@willtat123
I have a huge collection of over 10.000 songs and this is my top notch favorite of them all. Beautifully sung by a great country singer. I also have this song sung by Loretta Lynn but this version even beats that, I hope Mindy's life gets better for herself and family.
@mitchkaram2663
When I heard her, I just knew she will be a star in no time. This is my favorite song on this album and I play it at least a dozen times a day.
@TheGlrickett
I believe this may be my favorite song of hers! Heard it for the first time today! WOW!!!!
@JediKnightLar
One of my favorites off that cd. Thanks for uploading it. I'm always wishing Mindy well. She has such a sweet voice. I wish her label put out a music video for this song.
@garytroy3937
Beautiful song!! speaks for the heart.. God bless
@cagekicker18
Thank you so much for posting this beautiful song. I've been looking for it for years now and you've sloved that problem for me. Thanks again!
@conniebrown6155
I knew her, I tried to help her, she was just too far gone, nothing could I do or say would get her back to us, my <3 still breaks
@Poppysmomma
@Connie BROWN It's so sad. :(
@Poppysmomma
I always hoped the best for Mindy and was so inspired by much of her music... today I am just so sad to know that she gave up the fight. :(