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.
The Fire
Mindy McCready Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Says "She ain't nothin' like me"
There's fire and there's water
And all I can offer is a temperament that he don't need
So he's makin' his rounds with the well bred in town
Safe and out of harm
He can say what he likes, water is nice
Maybe you're rough around the edges and stubborn to a fault
Maybe I'm just a little too blond-headed, stiff-backboned and all
Maybe I'm passionate about being passionate
Say what you like boy, water is nice
But it's fire that keeps you warm
If you know me, you know it's true
You can quote me if you want to
Oh whoa
Maybe you're rough around the edges and stubborn to a fault
Maybe I'm just a little too blond-headed, stiff-backboned and all
Maybe I'm passionate about being passionate
Say what you like boy, water is nice
But it's fire that keeps you warm
Say what you like it may all turn to ice
It's the fire that you're gonna want
I was datin' a doctor with a gentleman nature
Says "She ain't nothin' like me"
There's fire and there's water
And all I can offer is a temperament that he don't need
In Mindy McCready's song "The Fire," she talks about her failed relationships with two different men - a lawyer and a doctor. The lawyer, who had a "gentleman nature," didn't see McCready as compatible with him because of her fiery temperament. While he dates well-bred women in the town, McCready realizes that while water may be nice, it's fire that keeps you warm. She knows that she may be rough around the edges and stubborn, but she is passionate about being passionate.
McCready's relationships continue to fail even when she meets the gentleman doctor. Although he at first seems different from the lawyer, ultimately, he does not desire the fire that McCready possesses. She has accepted that water can't keep her warm, and that she will always be the kind of person who desires the fire.
This song is about accepting and embracing one's own unique personality and qualities, even if they don't fit the norm or societal expectations. It's about recognizing that not everyone will appreciate or want what you have to offer, but that it's important to stay true to yourself regardless.
Line by Line Meaning
Was datin' a lawyer with a gentleman nature
I was dating a lawyer who was polite and courteous.
Says "She ain't nothin' like me"
"He acknowledged that I was different from him."
There's fire and there's water
"There are two kinds of people - fiery and calm."
And all I can offer is a temperament that he don't need
"I know that he doesn't require my passionate personality."
So he's makin' his rounds with the well bred in town
"He prefers to be with people of a certain status."
Safe and out of harm
"He wants a safe and secure relationship."
He can say what he likes, water is nice
"He may say that he prefers calm and composed people."
But it's fire that keeps you warm
"But deep inside, he knows that he needs someone who is passionate."
Maybe you're rough around the edges and stubborn to a fault
"Perhaps I'm not everyone's cup of tea, and I can be stubborn at times."
Maybe I'm just a little too blond-headed, stiff-backboned and all
"I could be seen as simple-minded, foolish, or rigid."
Maybe I'm passionate about being passionate
"Maybe I'm a passionate person who loves feeling emotions intensely."
Say what you like boy, water is nice
"He can talk about preferring calm people all he wants."
But it's fire that keeps you warm
"But he knows that he needs someone with a passionate personality in reality."
If you know me, you know it's true
"If he knows anything about me, it's my fiery personality."
You can quote me if you want to
"Feel free to tell others what I'm really like."
Oh whoa
N/A
Say what you like it may all turn to ice
"Despite talk of preferring calm people, that may not last."
It's the fire that you're gonna want
"Eventually, he'll realize that he wants someone as passionate as me."
I was datin' a doctor with a gentleman nature
"I was also seeing a physician who was polite and courteous."
Says "She ain't nothin' like me"
"He recognizes that I am different from him."
There's fire and there's water
"There are two kinds of people - fiery and calm."
And all I can offer is a temperament that he don't need
"I realize he doesn't require a woman with a passionate personality."
Lyrics © COPYRIGHT SOLUTIONS
Written by: LESLIE WINN SATCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind