Pitney began playing drums at 6 and guitar at 12. He played in a bluegrass band with his brother and a friend. Pitney moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he signed to Curb Records and began working with record producer Tony Brown.
Pitney released his single "Country", in December 2014. He co-wrote the song with Bill Anderson and Bobby Tomberlin. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country reviewed the single positively, saying that "Mo isn't making a statement, and he's not the sign of some traditional country revolution in 2015. But he's a reminder of how good a simple country song sung by a man who believes in God and George Strait can feel." Johnny Nevin of Huffington Post also reviewed Pitney's music favorably, saying that "Mo Pitney knows a couple of really important things about being Country, real Country. One of them is that he knows who he is, and that's always going to be important, because it's the only way anyone can keep becoming the person they really want to be. Just as important though, it seems like Mo Pitney never forgets about everybody else, and how important they are too." It was the third most-added country song its first week at radio. The song entered Top 40 on Country Airplay on the chart dated for the week ending June 20, 2015, its 19th week on that chart.
His second single, "Boy & a Girl Thing", released to country radio on August 31, 2015. It reached #50 on Hot Country Songs in October 2016. His debut album is Behind This Guitar. The album's third single, "Everywhere", was released to country radio in December 2016. The song went for adds at country radio on February 13, 2017.
Pitney's debut album, Behind This Guitar, was released on October 7, 2016 and featured collaborations with Morgane Stapleton and Mac McAnally. It charted at #10 on Billboard's Top Country Albums in its first week.
When I'm With You
Mo Pitney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A show about all the places you should see before you die
I was thinking maybe someday it′d be
Nice if I could take a trip like that
But sitting in these lawn chairs out here in your backyard
Surrounded by corn fields underneath the stars
I can't imagine any place out there that beats sitting where you′re at
'Cause when you smile, I'm on vacation
In these wild and crazy places
When I could sit right here and feel like I′m somewhere
When I′m with you
I spend most my time working just like everybody else
But baby all I work for is to have you to myself
And when I need a getaway, I drop everything and I go straight to you
'Cause when you smile, I′m on vacation
In these wild and crazy places
When I could sit right here and feel like I'm somewhere
When I′m with you
Someday we'll go
But girl, ′til I can take ya there
I just want you to know
When you smile, I'm on vacation
But who needs wild and crazy places
When I could sit right here and feel like I'm somewhere
When I′m with you
Yea when I′m with you
In Mo Pitney's song, "When I'm With You," he expresses his love and admiration for his significant other. The song begins with a description of a scenario where they spend quality time together in the backyard, surrounded by cornfields underneath the stars. Pitney notes that his partner's company is more valuable to him than any experience of travelling and sightseeing. He explains that he had always dreamed of a vacation where he could explore new places, but now he realizes that spending time with his partner is the ultimate "vacation." Her smile and her presence are all he needs to feel like he's in paradise.
In the second verse, Pitney talks about how he spends most of his time working and making a living. But the motivation behind his efforts and all his hard work is to have his partner all to himself. He notes that when he needs to get away from the daily grind, he turns to her, and everything else ceases to matter. The chorus repeats, emphasizing that when he is with her, he feels like he is on vacation, and he is content with just being with her.
Overall, the song is all about the power of love and the joy it brings. While traveling and exploring new places can be fulfilling, sometimes being with the person you love is all you need to feel complete. Mo Pitney beautifully captures this feeling through nostalgic imagery and heartfelt lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Your folks were watching TV before we went outside
Before we stepped out into your backyard, your parents were watching TV inside the house.
A show about all the places you should see before you die
The TV show your parents were watching was about famous tourist attractions that one should visit in their lifetime.
I was thinking maybe someday it′d be
Nice if I could take a trip like that
Listening to the show made me think about how it would be great to travel and see those places someday.
But sitting in these lawn chairs out here in your backyard
Surrounded by corn fields underneath the stars
However, enjoying the peaceful serenity of being seated outside in your backyard surrounded by cornfields beneath the starry night sky is also something wonderful and picturesque.
I can't imagine any place out there that beats sitting where you’re at
In fact, I cannot fathom any location more beautiful or serene than sitting right here with you.
'Cause when you smile, I'm on vacation
In these wild and crazy places
When I could sit right here and feel like I′m somewhere
When I′m with you
Your smile is powerful enough to transport me to wild and exotic locales. However, even when we are in the simple comfort of each other’s company, it feels like we are in a wonderful, far off land.
I spend most my time working just like everybody else
But baby all I work for is to have you to myself
Although I work hard like everyone else, the reason behind it all is so that I can have you with me and keep you close.
And when I need a getaway, I drop everything and I go straight to you
If I ever need to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, I know that I can come to you, and you will provide a sanctuary.
Someday we'll go
But girl, ′til I can take ya there
I just want you to know
One day we will travel to exotic places together. Until then, I want you to know that being with you is more than enough.
When you smile, I'm on vacation
But who needs wild and crazy places
When I could sit right here and feel like I'm somewhere
When I′m with you
Yea when I′m with you
When you smile, it feels like I’m on vacation. Who needs to go to wild and crazy locations when sitting here with you is enough to make me feel like I’m somewhere extraordinary? Yes, I feel like I’m somewhere special when I’m with you.
Writer(s): Pitney Mo, David Lee Murphy
Contributed by Hannah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.