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.
I'm Still Here
Mindy McCready Lyrics
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Hurricanes and train wrecks only last one night
Would you believe all I've been through?
Had the hands of tempted fate, oh, if you only knew
What it costs, how I wait, what I got, what I gave
I'm still here, after the heartache
After the storm blew through, I kept me and it saved me
On a cold dark cloud with nowhere to fall but down
Like a single, naked, unrelenting tear, I'm still here
There was darkness all around me
There were times that I was sure I was drowning
There were people, who tried to reach me
But no matter how they loved me, I kept sinking
I got tired on my own hand, I reached inside and I saved myself
I'm still here, after the heartache
After the storm blew through, I kept me and it saved me
I'm still standin' right where you left me
On a cold dark cloud with nowhere to fall but down
Like a single, naked, unrelenting tear, I'm still here
This time I can survive
I ain't dying on nobody else's cross
I ain't sufferin' on more unforgivin' loss, oh, no
I'm still here, after the heartache
After the storm blew through, I kept me and it saved me
I'm still standin' right where you left me
On a cold dark cloud with nowhere to fall but down
Like a single, naked, unrelenting tear, I'm still here, I'm still here
The lyrics of "I'm Still Here" by Mindy McCready convey a powerful message about resilience and self-preservation. The beginning of the song establishes a sense of positivity and strength despite the struggles experienced by the singer, as they acknowledge that terrible events such as hurricanes and train wrecks only last for a limited amount of time. However, the lyrics also hint at the hidden toll that these hardships have taken on the singer, with references to the "hands of tempted fate" and the unknown cost of enduring difficult experiences. Despite this pain, the singer is determined to keep going and is grateful for the strength and perseverance that has allowed them to survive.
As the song continues, the lyrics become more introspective and reveal the depth of the singer's struggles. They admit that they have been in a dark place, feeling as though they were drowning and unable to be saved by others' love and support. Despite this, the singer finds the strength within themselves to pull themselves out of their despair and continue fighting. The final lines of the song emphasize this self-determination, with the singer proclaiming that they will no longer suffer on anyone else's behalf and that they are still here, unbroken and unbowed.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm okay, I'm alright
I'm doing fine despite all the challenges that have come my way.
Hurricanes and train wrecks only last one night
Bad things happen, but they eventually pass.
Would you believe all I've been through?
I've been through a lot, and it's hard for others to fully comprehend.
Had the hands of tempted fate, oh, if you only knew
I've had to face my share of risky situations, which only I know the extent of.
What it costs, how I wait, what I got, what I gave
I've had to pay a steep price, endure a lot of waiting, and make sacrifices to get where I am now.
I'm still here, after the heartache
I'm still standing strong despite going through heartbreak.
After the storm blew through, I kept me and it saved me
I managed to hold onto myself during the difficult times and it helped me survive.
I'm still standin' right where you left me
I haven't moved on from where things ended, but I haven't fallen apart either.
On a cold dark cloud with nowhere to fall but down
I'm in a precarious position where things could get worse, but I'm holding on.
Like a single, naked, unrelenting tear, I'm still here
I'm vulnerable, but I'm not backing down.
There was darkness all around me
I faced a lot of darkness and negativity.
There were times that I was sure I was drowning
I felt overwhelmed and like I was about to give up.
There were people, who tried to reach me
People tried to help me, but I still had to do the work myself.
But no matter how they loved me, I kept sinking
Despite the love and support of others, I still struggled.
I got tired on my own hand, I reached inside and I saved myself
I eventually took matters into my own hands and dug deep to find the strength to save myself.
This time I can survive
I'm confident that I can make it through this.
I ain't dying on nobody else's cross
I'm not going to let others' problems weigh me down.
I ain't sufferin' on more unforgivin' loss, oh, no
I won't let myself suffer any more painful losses that I can't forgive myself for.
I'm still here, after the heartache
Despite everything, I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere.
Like a single, naked, unrelenting tear, I'm still here, I'm still here
I'm still vulnerable, but I refuse to give up.
Contributed by Ruby B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.