In a review of his debut single, ''Say Anything,'' Billboard magazine praised the newcomer citing, ''It's a strong debut that displays McAnally's gifts as both a writer and vocalist.'' Billboard calls ''Are Your Eyes Still Blue,'' an appealing uptempo number... production is crisp and flatters McAnally's energetic performance... his voice perfectly conveys the sense of longing and resignation in the lyric.'' Of the most recent single, ''Run Away,'' radio veteran Tim Closson claims, ''Shane has created his own category.'' Now, with his long anticipated debut album, SHANE McANALLY due in stores October 24, he is ready to do just that.
McAnally began performing at the age of 12 and started writing songs when he was 6. By age 15, he was a featured performer at the Texans Theater in Branson, Missouri. After his run at the theater, he went back to Texas where he performed at the Johnny High Music Review, as well as at various festivals. ''It's hard to imagine a time when music didn't encompass some part of my day. As a kid, I was always singing,'' he remembers.
As Shane began to prepare for the future, it was hard for him to foresee music being a tangible career choice. However, he realized while studying accounting at the University of Texas at Austin that music was his passion, and he had to give it his all. ''One day at the end of my second semester I was in a chemistry class and, instead of taking notes, I found myself writing a song,'' he admits. ''Music is always something I have had a knack for and have truly enjoyed.''
Soon after his arrival in Nashville and a lucky break on the famed Bluebird stage, Shane met with Curb Music Publishing. There, he was provided with the encouragement to work on the craft of songwriting and introduced to Rich Herring, a singer/songwriter who wanted to produce. Herring and McAnally collaborated on the demo of Shane's song, ''Just One Touch.'' It was an unforgettable experience for him. ''Rich would put a guitar track down, I sang to it, then he produced around it. When he came to me with the finished song, I could not believe what I heard! It was exactly what I had dreamed of.''
Ultimately, a year later, that demo landed Shane a producer, a publishing deal and a recording contract. He began co-writing with Herring, as well as other songwriters. Shane found that collaborating allowed him to really stretch himself as a songwriter and to hone in on his musical style. McAnally prides himself on writing detailed songs about real situations. He is influenced by the vocals of Marty Robbins, Ronnie Milsap, and The Judds, as well as the entertaining style of Barbara Mandrell. ''The way the crowd would respond to those artists and the connection they had with their audiences
'' I want to do what they did,'' says McAnally. ''It's an extremely dramatic process,'' McAnally says of his musical evolution.
Along with Rich Herring, famed producer Brian Ahern (Emmylou Harris, Anne Murray) and Mark Bright are also part of Shane's musical team. ''He's a musical genius,'' says Shane of Ahern. ''He's very earthy and raw, just what I wanted. He took the time to say 'What do you want to do?' The sides we cut with Brian and Rich are amazing! It's not because of my vocals or because of the songs. It's because of the combination we all brought to the record.''
# # #
If It's Over
Shane McAnally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you're really gone this time
If you left to go and live your life
Then why can't I live mine
If it's really over
If your mind is really made
Then why won't these memories fade
And why do I still feel your arms around me
Every night as I try to sleep
And why do I still hear you voice calling out my name
And why do I feel the same
If it's over
Then why is my love still so true
If it's over
Why can't I get over you
(Instrumental)
If it's really over
Where do I go from here
And will this get easier
When will I be over you
And why do I still feel your arms around me
Every night as I try to sleep
And why do I still hear you voice calling out my name
And why do I feel the same
If it's over
then why is my love still so true
And if it's over
Why can't I get over you
If it's over
Why can't I get over you
[4:16-4:31 silence, then Instrumental for One Touch plays till the end when you hear Shane say "That was fun"]
The lyrics of "If It's Over" by Shane McAnally speak of the lingering emotions that come with the end of a relationship. The singer is grappling with the fact that their love has ended, but they cannot seem to let go of their feelings or memories of their former partner. The opening lines of the song express the singer's disbelief that their partner has really left, and questioning why they cannot move on if that is indeed the case. There is a sense of longing and confusion that runs throughout the lyrics, as the singer tries to understand why they are still so affected by the end of the relationship.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the memories they have of the relationship and the way in which they still feel their partner's presence. Despite wanting to let go, it is clear that the emotions are still very raw, and that the singer is struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The final lines of the song express the singer's desperation to move on and find closure, but also acknowledge that this may take some time.
Overall, "If It's Over" is a poignant and heartfelt reflection on love and loss. The lyrics are filled with emotion and vulnerability, and speak to the universal experience of grappling with the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's over
Asking if the relationship has ended.
If you're really gone this time
Wondering if the person has truly left for good.
If you left to go and live your life
Recognizing that the other person may have needed to move on for personal growth.
Then why can't I live mine
Questioning why the artist cannot seem to move on as well.
If it's really over
Repeating the opening question for emphasis.
If your mind is really made
Acknowledging that the other person may have made up their mind to end things.
Then why won't these memories fade
Wondering why the memories still linger on.
Why can't I get over you
Expressing frustration and longing to move on from the other person.
And why do I still feel your arms around me
Acknowledging the visceral nature of memories and the pain of missing someone.
Every night as I try to sleep
Highlighting the difficulty in letting go and how it impacts daily life.
And why do I still hear you voice calling out my name
Further emphasizing how memories are not easily forgotten.
And why do I feel the same
Feeling trapped in the emotional aftermath of the relationship despite the physical separation.
If it's over
Repeating the opening question for emphasis.
Then why is my love still so true
Expressing confusion over still having love for the other person despite the end of the relationship.
If it's over
Repeating the opening question yet again.
Why can't I get over you
Restating the desire to move on and highlighting the ongoing difficulty of doing so.
If it's really over
Repeated once more for emphasis.
Where do I go from here
Questioning what the next steps are in moving on from the relationship.
And will this get easier
Asking whether or not time will heal the singer's heart.
When will I be over you
Expressing longing for the day when the artist will finally be over the other person.
If it's over
Repeating the opening question yet again.
Then why is my love still so true
Reiterating the conundrum of still feeling love for the other person despite the end of the relationship.
And if it's over
Adding an additional layer of doubt to the perceived end of the relationship.
Why can't I get over you
Asking the same question a third time for emphasis.
If it's over
Repeating the opening question one final time.
Why can't I get over you
A final plea to move on from the other person and find closure.
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Seth Mosley
I had such a blast with Shane! What a wealth of insight. Friends, never forget how long it takes to make it in the music biz
Ty F
Woah, I was just looking up song writing sessions and you popped up! It's been about 20 years, Seth.
Glad to see your success through out the years.
MosleyProperties TN
This was a great interview! Super interesting to know more about Shane and his journey to success. Love the videography too- looking a lot better than previous videos.
AMH Staff
Thanks for the mention of Johnny High's Country Music Review, now Arlington Music Hall. Shane was a big part of the group of stars launched from our stage. Wow! We are celebrating 70 of entertainment this year.
Full Circle Music
Congrats on that!! Thanks for watching!! Keep it up
Christine Bacon
Listened to this 3 times! đđ and now Iâm going to read the lyrics of his songs)) thank you thank you
Full Circle Music
Thanks for watching ! Yea, they are definetely worth studying. Lots to learn. SETH
travishunterbrown
I love this video! Whenever I need an extra boost of inspiration I watch this with a beer and a blunt and soak it all in.
Full Circle Music
It was an inspiring one to do indeed!! Seth
KES đ
Is that a prescription bottle in front of the plant ? đ
Seriously, great interview. Love Shane and Barbara Mandrell đ