[edit] Career
Wariner began performing as a youth in his father's band and in local clubs. In 1971, he was hired as a bassist for Dottie West's band. He also worked heavily with Chet Atkins (one of his childhood influences) and he played with Bob Luman's band.
His first major recording contract was with RCA Records in 1978. His first single releases failed to chart in the top 40 of Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart, although the song "I'm Already Taken" was re-released in 1999, peaking at #3 that year. His first No. 1 hit came in December, 1981, with "All Roads Lead to You."
However, his real popularity didn't take off until the mid-1980s, when he began recording for MCA Records. During his six-year stint with MCA, he scored 19 consecutive top 10 hits, eight of them going to No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart. The most successful of those songs included "Some Fools Never Learn" (1985, his second No. 1 hit), "What I Didn't Do" (1985), "You Can Dream of Me" (1986), "Lynda" (1987) and "I Got Dreams" (1989).
In the early 1990s, Wariner continued his success with Arista Records, with several of his songs reaching the top 10. But his success soon tapered off, as radio programmers became more interested in newer performers.
Wariner, however, continued to maintain his popularity through his instrumental talents. One example was 1991's "Restless," a collaboration with Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Mark O'Connor (from O'Connor's album The New Nashville Cats). "Restless" won Wariner (as well as Skaggs and Gill) his first Grammy Award in 1991 for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. In 1996, Wariner released an album of all instrumental tracks called No More Mr. Nice Guy. Though well-received by critics, it proved to be Wariner's last album for Arista.
Wariner also remained in the public eye with his songwriting talents. His composition, "Longneck Bottle" (a No. 1 hit by Garth Brooks), along with a No. 1 duet from early 1998 with singer Anita Cochran called "What If I Said" (his first No. 1 in more than eight years) reinvigorated Wariner's career.
The highlight of Wariner's career came in the spring of 1998. Now recording for Capitol Records, his song "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" - a song about dealing with grief of close friends and relatives - promptly shot to No. 2 and won the Country Music Association awards for Single of the Year and Song of the Year.
Wariner also collaborated with other well-known singers and songwriters, including Clint Black and Bill Anderson; he also scored several more hits, most notably 1999's "Two Teardrops" and "I'm Already Taken" (the latter a re-recording of his 1978 debut release).
[edit] Discography
Main article: Steve Wariner discography
[edit] External links
The Official Fan Club Website
Grand Ole Opry Bio
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wariner"
Small Town Girl
Steve Wariner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's ten stories to my desk in the smoggy sky
But after five, I'm headed home to heaven
To an easy world
There ain't nothin' like the love of a small town girl
Hot coffee and the sound of her sweet voice callin
Country station on the kitchen radio
That's how I know
In this crazy world...
There ain't nothin' like the love of a small town girl
She makes love to me in real close two part harmony
She makes the city feel like walks in the cool country rain
No traffic and the sound of the street is quiet
Fifth avenue is dressed in a foot of snow
No where to go but underneath the covers
Lovers while the snowflakes swirl
There ain't nothin' like the love of a small town girl
There ain't nothin' like the love of a small town girl
The opening lyrics in Steve Wariner’s song “Small Town Girl” presents a contrast of harsh city life versus the comfort of a small town. The cold city environment is likened to the eyes in a subway station, indicating a lack of humanity, and the singer’s workplace is ten stories high in the polluted sky. However, the singer has a pleasant respite waiting at home. At the end of the workday, he’s going back to “heaven” – a small town with a “love of a small town girl” waiting for him. The second verse continues with the image of the small town girl providing solace from the city. She brews hot coffee and calls out to him. The sound of a country radio station playing in the background helps to highlight the country versus city contrast. The chorus is a repetitive reminder of the comfort and love the small-town girl provides.
The bridge then highlights how the small-town girl’s love extends to the bedroom, where she can make the city feel like a walk in the country rain. The final verse brings the contrast home again, describing a winter wonderland in the city that has no appeal without the small town girl to share it with. There is no destination, but only the lovers’ bed, where they can be together, away from the hustle and bustle. These lyrics are evocative of the warm, cozy feelings that the small town girl brings to the singer, making him feel loved and accepted.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold city like the eyes in the subway station
The city is unwelcoming and unfriendly, much like the cold and aloof eyes of the commuters in the subway station.
It's ten stories to my desk in the smoggy sky
The singer works in a high-rise building in a polluted area of the city.
But after five, I'm headed home to heaven
Despite the challenges of his work environment, the singer values his home life.
To an easy world
The artist finds solace and comfort in his home and the love of his partner.
There ain't nothin' like the love of a small town girl
The artist highly values the love and companionship of someone from a small town.
Hot coffee and the sound of her sweet voice callin
The singer describes the simple pleasures of his partner making coffee while he enjoys the sound of her voice.
Country station on the kitchen radio
The singer and his partner share a love for country music, which they listen to on the radio in their home.
That's how I know
These simple moments signify the artist's happiness and contentment in his relationship.
There's still a little magic
The artist believes that despite the chaos and turmoil of the world, there is still love and happiness to be found.
In this crazy world...
The world is full of challenges and hardships, but the artist takes comfort in his love and relationship with his partner.
She makes love to me in real close two part harmony
The singer feels a deep connection and harmony with his partner when they are intimate.
She makes the city feel like walks in the cool country rain
The artist's partner brings a sense of peace amidst the busyness and chaos of the city.
No traffic and the sound of the street is quiet
The singer and his partner are able to enjoy the temporary silence of the city during a snowfall.
Fifth avenue is dressed in a foot of snow
The singer describes a winter scene in the city where the snow has piled up high.
No where to go but underneath the covers
The snow has forced the singer and his partner to stay inside and spend time together.
Lovers while the snowflakes swirl
The artist and his partner are able to enjoy each other's company and intimacy while snow falls outside.
There ain't nothin' like the love of a small town girl
The artist reiterates that he highly values the love and companionship of someone from a small town.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON COOK, JOHN JARVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith Sage
This song never gets old..
michael czrx
Amen to that. And something very special when you find someone with that kind of heart in a big town.
Debbie King
Just a real nice song from an under-rated artist. He should have been way more successful than he was.
bananacowgirl
Was blessed to see him live in Carthage Mississippi one night and he was by far my favorite concert. He sounds even better in person. Most can't pull that off.
Erika Mccranie
Absolutely adore this man and his music. He never received the recognition he deserved 😔
Steve Wariner
@Rhonda Bland not yet dear💕
Rhonda Bland
@Steve Wariner accepted
Steve Wariner
@Rhonda Bland I just sent you a request. Kindly accept
Marie Williams
This is probably one of my all time favorite country music song. "She makes the city feel
like walks in the cool country rain".......love it!
Appalachian Gunman
Nothing like putting some earbuds in and laying in bed in the dark while this plays, it didn’t put me to sleep but it got me more relaxed than I’ve been in a long time.