<… Read Full Bio ↴Tracy Lawrence (born 27 January 1968) is an American country musician.
Tracy Lawrence was born in Atlanta, Texas, and raised in Foreman, Ark., Lawrence played in his first band at the age of 16. He attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, where he was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. In 1990 Lawrence left Arkansas and went to Nashville.
Lawrence took jobs as an ironworker and in phone sales while he tried to break into the Nashville music scene. He began participating in talent shows and earned enough money to live on. In 1991 he had a gig at the Bluebird Cafe and met Wayne Edwards who became his manager.
With Edwards assistance Lawrence signed with Atlantic Records and released his first album "Sticks and Stones." On 31 May 1991 Lawrence walked his former girlfriend to the door of her hotel room and was confronted by three armed men. The men robbed them and attempted to force Lawrence and his friend into her motel room. Lawrence resisted and was shot four times, allowing his friend to escape. Two of the wounds were major and necessitated surgery. One of the bullets remains imbedded in Lawrence's pelvis.
Lawrence's album shot up the charts to number one on the back of publicity from the shooting and spawned several Top 10 singles. Lawrence's second album Alibis went Platinum and generated three straight Number One singles.
Lawrence was Billboard's Top New Male Vocalist in 1992 and received the Academy of Country Music's Best New Artist and Top New Male Vocalist in 1993.
In 1994 Lawrence released his third album, I See It Now was also a Platinum album. Lawrence released a Live album in 1995 and another studio album entitled Time Marches On in 1996. In 1997 Lawrence released another album entitled Coast is Clear which he co-produced. All told, Lawrence generated 7 Number One singles by this time and every one of his albums at this point in his career had gone Platinum.
In 2005, he released the album "Then & Now: The Hits Collection" that had him singing new vocals on the majority of his hit songs, as well as two new songs, "Used to the Pain" and "If I Don't Make it Back." both of which charted on the Billboard Country Charts. The new recordings sounded very similar to the previous ones, although on some tracks, such as "I See It Now" and "If The World Had a Front Porch" Lawrence's maturity may have improved the vocals, giving them a little more depth. The main reason for re-recording the songs instead of just making a run of the mill greatest hits collection was that Lawrence had switched record labels and Universal Music Group, who he currently records for, does not hold the rights to the old recordings. The new album was very well received and is leaving fans wanting even more out of the unique country star.
In 2006, Lawrence launched Rocky Comfort Records (RCR), a partnership with his manager Laney Lawrence. The label will operate as a joint venture with CO5 Nashville (a division of CO5 Music). His new single "Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” will be released to radio August 21, 2006 with his first studio album on the RCR/CO5 Nashville imprint scheduled for release in early 2007.
Lawrence is known to have a wide range with sounds ranging from neotraditional country to songs with a definite southern rock feel.
Lawrence has visited US troops involved in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and annually participates in a golf tournament to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research. Lawrence has also purchased equipment for his hometown high school in Arkansas.
Lawrence has been inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame.
Unforgiven
Tracy Lawrence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the land of the free and the home of the brave
I read about him in the seventh grade
He's forgiven
JFK he loved to run around, he and Norma Jean painted that town
But we know him as a hero now
He's forgiven
Baby I know I did you wrong
That's why I'm here
That's why you're gone
But I don't know just what I've done
To be one of the unforgiven
I had an uncle he dodged the draft
They said step forward and he stepped back
But we all cut him some slack
He's forgiven
Judas betrayed the Christ with a kiss
Cartel kings get a slap on the wrist
Jesse James and Billy the Kid
They're all forgiven
Baby I know I did you wrong
That's why I'm here
That's why you're gone
But I don't know just what I've done
To be one of the unforgiven
I've made mistakes that's what life is
But there ain't a thing I can't live with
And even though you can't forgive
You're forgiven
Tracy Lawrence's song "Unforgiven" speaks to the concept of forgiveness, as well as the subjectivity and complexity of the concept. The lyrics highlight famous individuals throughout history who have made mistakes and yet have been forgiven by society. The song begins with a reference to Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States who famously owned slaves. Despite this, he is still remembered as a hero for his contributions to the country's independence. Similarly, JFK's infidelity is overlooked and he is remembered as a great leader. Each of these individuals made mistakes but have been forgiven, and the singer cites his own mistakes as well.
The singer expresses remorse for his actions, yet feels frustrated that he is still not forgiven by the person he wronged. He highlights his mistakes as a human being and suggests that everyone has made mistakes in their lives. The song suggests that forgiveness is subjective and that some individuals are more easily forgiven than others. The mention of Judas betraying Christ with a kiss suggests that even those who commit the ultimate betrayal can be forgiven.
The song's emphasis on the subjectivity and complexity of forgiveness is a powerful message that rings true for many. The singer seeks forgiveness but acknowledges that it may not come, yet he also recognizes that forgiveness is not always needed and that people can learn to live with their mistakes. The song reminds us that forgiveness is a process and a choice that should not be taken lightly.
Line by Line Meaning
Thomas Jefferson he had slaves
Even though Thomas Jefferson is known as one of the founding fathers of the United States, he owned slaves which is contradicting the land of the free and the home of the brave. However, society has been able to look past this and forgive him.
In the land of the free and the home of the brave
This line is referencing the United States, where people are supposed to be free to live their life without fear and protect their rights.
I read about him in the seventh grade
The singer learned about Thomas Jefferson in school when they were in the seventh grade.
He's forgiven
Although Thomas Jefferson did own slaves, society has been able to forgive him for that mistake.
JFK he loved to run around, he and Norma Jean painted that town
John F. Kennedy (JFK) was known for being involved in many affairs with different women, including Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean).
But we know him as a hero now
Despite JFK's extramarital affairs, he is still remembered and celebrated as a hero for his accomplishments as President of the United States.
He's forgiven
Even though JFK was unfaithful to his wife, society forgave him and still views him as a hero.
Baby I know I did you wrong
The artist is acknowledging that they hurt their partner in some way.
That's why I'm here
The artist is trying to make amends for the wrong they did to their partner by being present and showing that they care.
That's why you're gone
The artist's partner left them because of the mistake the artist made.
But I don't know just what I've done
The singer is expressing confusion about the exact reason why their partner left them.
To be one of the unforgiven
The artist feels like they are being punished for their mistake and being unforgiven by their partner.
I had an uncle he dodged the draft
The singer's uncle avoided serving in the military during a time when it was required.
They said step forward and he stepped back
When told to join the military, the singer's uncle chose to avoid it by stepping back instead of stepping forward to go to war.
But we all cut him some slack
Despite his choice to avoid serving in the military, the singer's uncle was forgiven and not judged too harshly by society.
He's forgiven
Even though the artist's uncle avoided serving in the military, society was able to forgive him for that choice.
Judas betrayed the Christ with a kiss
Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus' disciples who led the Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus by kissing him on the cheek as a way of identifying him.
Cartel kings get a slap on the wrist
Drug lords who are responsible for criminal activities, like cartel leaders, often receive very little punishment for their crimes.
Jesse James and Billy the Kid
Jesse James and Billy the Kid were well-known outlaws in the 1800s who committed many crimes including robbery and murder.
They're all forgiven
Even though these famous criminals committed crimes that would be considered unforgivable, over time society has been able to forgive them and in some cases glorify them.
I've made mistakes that's what life is
The artist is acknowledging that making mistakes is a natural part of life.
But there ain't a thing I can't live with
The artist is saying that even with their mistakes, they can still live with themselves.
And even though you can't forgive
The singer's partner is not willing to forgive them for their mistake.
You're forgiven
Despite their partner not forgiving them, the artist is able to move on and forgive themselves for their mistake.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Larry Eugene Boone, Paul Norris Nelson, Bobby O. Pinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pondy Hsu
Thomas Jefferson he had slaves
In the land of the free and the home of the brave
I read about him in the seventh grade
he's forgiven JFK he loved to run around
he and Norma Jean painted that town
But we know him as a hero now he's forgiven
Baby I know I did you wrong
that's why I'm here that's why you're gone
I don't know just what I've done
to be one of the unforgiven
---------
I had an uncle he dodged the draft
they said step forward and he stepped back
But we all cut him some slack, he's forgiven
Judas betrayed the Christ with a kiss
cartel kings get a slap on the wrist
Jesse James and Billy the Kid, they're all forgiven
Baby I know I did you wrong
that's why I'm here that's why you're gone
I don't know just what I've done
to be one of the unforgiven
----------
I've made mistakes that's what life is
but there ain't a thing I can't live with
And even though you can't forgive
you're forgiven....
*******
Felipe Arreola
The young cats in country music now can't even come close to writing much less singing a good real country song like this this song never gets old no matter how many times u hear it! Hurry and put some new stuff out Tracy!
Musicfan Hawk
I'm sure I had this album/ CD but do not remember this song. Dang good! Love Tracy.
Joshua Brooks
It was the last song on his "Lessons Learned" album.
JustCallMeLoathesome
This is perfect. His best song, by miles and miles. And the musicians should have won awards for the outro. If it went 10 minutes longer, I would only beg for ten more.
Pondy Hsu
Thomas Jefferson he had slaves
In the land of the free and the home of the brave
I read about him in the seventh grade
he's forgiven JFK he loved to run around
he and Norma Jean painted that town
But we know him as a hero now he's forgiven
Baby I know I did you wrong
that's why I'm here that's why you're gone
I don't know just what I've done
to be one of the unforgiven
---------
I had an uncle he dodged the draft
they said step forward and he stepped back
But we all cut him some slack, he's forgiven
Judas betrayed the Christ with a kiss
cartel kings get a slap on the wrist
Jesse James and Billy the Kid, they're all forgiven
Baby I know I did you wrong
that's why I'm here that's why you're gone
I don't know just what I've done
to be one of the unforgiven
----------
I've made mistakes that's what life is
but there ain't a thing I can't live with
And even though you can't forgive
you're forgiven....
*******
Joshua Brooks
When I first saw this song's title, I thought it was Tracy's attempt at covering Metallica. Boy, was I wrong?
Teresa Farr
Awesome Song !! Love this one ! too my Ex !! lol !!
Bonnie Christoff
I love this song Tracy Lawrence your fan always Bonnie Christoff Va.Beach Va. ❤❤U forever and ever. My favorite country singer and songwriter too hes so handsome and talented and sexxy too
Flip Wilson
Breaonna Danielle...even though You can't forgive...Your forgiven...
David Atwood
😪💔