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.
Without Love
Mindy McCready Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He slipped that ring up on her hand
She ran home to show her mom, said "Look here what I've got on"
That diamond sparkled on the band
She looked her daughter in the eye, said "Girl you are so young
I just pray that in your heart you know that he's the one
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing
You could take it down to an old pawn shop or toss it in the sea
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing"
Five years down a rocky road, Bobby had some doubts you know
He said "I'm not sure I feel the same"
She packed up her old suit case, note said "Bobby, here's your space
I can't stay if your heart's really changed"
He found the ring beside the pen and tears illed up his eyes
It read "P.S., Don't you realize
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing
It's just a rock on a golden ring
You could take it down to an old pawn shop or toss it in the sea
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing"
He found her at her mama's house, said "Girl you gotta change your mind
You were talking about your ring, but I'm talking about my life
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing
You're my rock, here's your golden ring
I'm begging you to take it back, baby now I see
That without love it don't mean a thing
Oh, now without love it don't mean a thing"
The song "Without Love" by Mindy McCready explores the power and importance of love in a relationship, specifically through the metaphor of a diamond engagement ring. The opening verse describes the proposal of the character Bobby to his girlfriend Becky, and the subsequent approval she seeks from her mother. The mother, in turn, emphasizes the significance of love in a marriage and hopes that Becky has chosen the right man.
However, the song quickly takes a turn as five years later, Bobby has doubts about their relationship and Becky decides to leave him. Bobby discovers the engagement ring, but instead of pawning it or throwing it away, he realizes the weight of its meaning without love. He then goes to Becky's mother's house to urge her to reconsider, ultimately recognizing that the ring without love is meaningless, just as their relationship would be.
The song thus underscores the idea that a relationship is not just about the physical symbol of love, but rather the emotional bond and commitment that it represents. McCready's soulful vocals and the country-infused melody add to the melancholy tone of the song, which reaches its climax with the denouement emphasizing the power and importance of love in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Bobby got down on his knees, said "Becky would you marry me"
Bobby proposed to Becky and asked her to marry him
He slipped that ring up on her hand
Bobby put the engagement ring on Becky's finger
She ran home to show her mom, said "Look here what I've got on"
That diamond sparkled on the band
Becky showed her mom the ring and how beautiful it was
She looked her daughter in the eye, said "Girl you are so young
I just pray that in your heart you know that he's the one"
Becky's mother warned her that she was young and inexperienced and advised her to be sure that Bobby was right for her
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing
It's just a rock on a golden ring
You could take it down to an old pawn shop or toss it in the sea
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing"
The engagement ring is just a symbol, without love it is worthless
Five years down a rocky road, Bobby had some doubts you know
He said "I'm not sure I feel the same"
After five years, Bobby began to have doubts about his feelings for Becky
She packed up her old suit case, note said "Bobby, here's your space
I can't stay if your heart's really changed"
Becky packed her bags and left Bobby a note saying she couldn't stay if he didn't love her anymore
He found the ring beside the pen and tears illed up his eyes
It read "P.S., Don't you realize
Bobby found the ring and a note from Becky explaining how she felt about their relationship
He found her at her mama's house, said "Girl you gotta change your mind
You were talking about your ring, but I'm talking about my life
Bobby went to Becky's mother's house to try and convince her to come back to him
'Cause without love it don't mean a thing
You're my rock, here's your golden ring
I'm begging you to take it back, baby now I see
That without love it don't mean a thing
Oh, now without love it don't mean a thing"
Bobby realized that the ring was nothing without love and begged Becky to come back to him because she was the most important thing in his life
Lyrics © WRITE! ON MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SKIP EWING, TIMOTHY JON JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind