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.
You Get to Me
Mindy McCready Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The hold that I had so strong is starting to slip
I'm trying so hard to hold up my guard
To paint a picture like I'm so tough
But you take me in your arms
And I fall completely apart
All my defenses, all my pretenses
Through every resistance with stubborn persistence
Baby you get to me
I can't believe that it's me that spoke like this
To let my emotions run free is so dangerous
I somehow feel so safe
Then you take my breath away
With all my defenses, all my pretenses
Baby you get to me
Through every resistance with stubborn persistence
Baby you get to me
Oh yeah, Oh yeah yeah yeah
Like a light into the dark
Like an arrow to my heart
And all my defenses, all my pretenses
Baby you get to me
Through every resistance with stubborn persistence
Baby you get to me
Through kickin' and screamin', reckless and reelin'
Baby you get to me
With only one kiss, a moment like this
Baby you get to me
Oh yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah
Oh yeah, baby you get to me
Oh yeah, baby you get to me
Oh yeah yeah yeah, baby you get to me
The lyrics to Mindy McCready's "You Get to Me" describe someone who is struggling to keep their walls up and maintain their tough exterior. The singer seems to be someone who is used to being in control and putting on a brave face, but when they are with the person they love, all their defenses crumble. The first verse describes how the singer is "losing their grip" and can't hold on to their tough exterior anymore. They try to hold up their guard and appear strong, but when they are in the arms of their partner, they fall apart.
The second verse continues this theme of the singer being surprised by their own vulnerability. They describe how they never thought they would be someone who let their emotions run free, but they feel safe with their partner. They describe how their partner takes their breath away and breaks down all their defenses.
The chorus reinforces the idea that the singer's partner is able to get through to them and break down their walls. They use phrases like "stubborn persistence" to describe how their partner never gives up on them, even when they're fighting or being difficult. The bridge adds an element of romance to the song, with the singer describing how their partner is like a light in the dark and an arrow to their heart. Throughout the song, the singer seems both grateful for and surprised by their partner's ability to get through to them and make them feel vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm barely hanging on, losing my grip
I am struggling to cope with my problems and I feel like I am losing control.
The hold that I had so strong is starting to slip
My ability to keep everything together is slipping away.
I'm trying so hard to hold up my guard
I am putting in a lot of effort to maintain my defenses and keep others from seeing my vulnerability.
To paint a picture like I'm so tough
I am putting on a facade of strength to hide my true feelings.
But you take me in your arms
When you hold me, I feel safe and vulnerable.
And I fall completely apart
I let my guard down and all of my emotions come flooding out.
All my defenses, all my pretenses
All of the things I do to protect myself and hide my emotions.
Baby you get to me
You have the ability to break down all of my defenses and get to the real me.
Through every resistance with stubborn persistence
You keep trying even when I push you away or try to keep you out.
I can't believe that it's me that spoke like this
I am surprised by how vulnerable and honest I am being with you.
To let my emotions run free is so dangerous
I feel like showing my emotions is a risk because it makes me vulnerable and open to being hurt.
I somehow feel so safe
Even though I am being emotionally vulnerable with you, I feel safe and protected.
Then you take my breath away
I am overwhelmed by my feelings for you.
Like a light into the dark
You bring light into my life and help me see clearly.
Like an arrow to my heart
Your love hits me deeply and makes a big impact on me.
Through kickin' and screamin', reckless and reelin'
Even when I am not making it easy, even when I am acting recklessly or without direction, you still have a strong effect on me.
With only one kiss, a moment like this
Even a small gesture from you, like a kiss, can have a big impact and change the way I feel.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TROY VERGES, BRETT JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind