Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma, the home of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and learned to play several instruments, including banjo and guitar before he started high school at Oklahoma City's Northwest Classen High School. After he graduated, he played in a number of bluegrass bands. He debuted on the national scene with the country-rock band Pure Prairie League in 1979, appearing on that band's album Can't Hold Back. Gill is the lead singer on their hit song, "Let Me Love You Tonight" (1980), which he was still performing in concert years later - thus, he said, confusing many fans who knew him only from his subsequent solo work. Gill appeared on two subsequent albums along with his then-wife Janis Oliver.
Departing Pure Prairie League in 1981, Gill joined Rodney Crowell’s backing band The Notorious Cherry Bombs, where he met and worked with Tony Brown and Emory Gordy Jr., both of whom would later produce many of his future solo albums.
Signing as a solo artist with RCA Records in 1983, he first charted while on that label. In 1989 he switched to MCA Records where he recorded his breakthrough hit "When I Call Your Name." His 1998 album The Key received great critical acclaim. His other albums include Next Big Thing (2003) and Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye (2000). The Guitar Slinger Songfacts says that Gill released his twelfth studio album, Guitar Slinger, on October 25, 2011 via MCA Nashville. It was his manager, Larry Fitzgerald, who came up with the title, as he felt there was something different the way Gill was playing the guitar on the record.
Gill hosted the CMA Awards every year from 1992 to 2003. In 2004 he received a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In 1997, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He married country singer Janis Oliver (of Sweethearts of the Rodeo fame) in 1980. The couple have one daughter, Jennifer Jerene Gill, born 5 May 1982. Vince and Janis separated in the mid-1990s and eventually divorced in June 1998. Vince later began dating and eventually married Christian/pop singer Amy Grant in March of 2000. They have one daughter, Corrina Grant Gill born 12 March 2001.
Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler was a fan of Gill's, and had asked Gill to join the band full time. Gill turned down the invitation but did sing backup on one song ("The Bug") from Dire Straits' album On Every Street.
Gill has also sung duets with numerous artists, including Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"), Reba McEntire ("Oklahoma Swing," "The Heart Won't Lie," "It Just Has to Be That Way"), Amy Grant ("House of Love"), and Barbra Streisand ("If You Ever Leave Me"); his other credits as a backup vocalist have included "Girls With Guitars" by Wynonna Judd (written by Mary-Chapin Carpenter, who, coincidentally, had a country hit with her cover of "The Bug") and "Nothing Left Behind Us" by Richard Marx.
The Reason Why
Vince Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do I, always find some lame excuse,
Why do I, not realize what I could do,
Oh, I wish I knew the reason why,
Why do you, get that sad look on your face,
Why do you, pull away from my embrace,
Why do you, see all my faults and my mistakesOh, I wish you knew the reason why,
Why do we, treat each other like we do,
It's like we never even try,
Why can't we, get back to the love we knew,
Oh why oh baby why,
Why do we, have to play those same old games,
Why do we, run away from who's to blame,
Can't they see, to lose this love would be ashame,
Oh I wish we knew the reason why,
Oh I wish we knew the reason why.
The lyrics of Vince Gill's song, The Reason Why, express the frustration and confusion of a relationship that seems to be falling apart. The singer is questioning why he and his partner continue to make the same mistakes and hurt each other, and why they can't seem to find their way back to the love they once had. He wonders why he himself can't seem to do what he knows is right, and why his partner sees only his faults and not his love.
The song is a poignant reflection on the often-complicated nature of human relationships, especially when they don't go as planned. The repeated question of "why" throughout the song highlights the confusion and helplessness that can come with trying to navigate the ups and downs of love.
The emotional power of the song is matched by its simple, catchy melody and Vince Gill's smooth, expressive vocals. Together, the lyrics and music create a moving portrait of a relationship on the brink, with no clear answers in sight.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I, choose the things I choose,
Expressing confusion and frustration about one's decision-making process and the motives behind it.
Why do I, always find some lame excuse,
Acknowledging a pattern of avoiding responsibility and failing to take ownership of one's actions.
Why do I, not realize what I could do,
Feeling regretful about missed opportunities and recognizing a lack of self-awareness or perspective.
Oh, I wish I knew the reason why,
Expressing a desire for understanding and insight into one's own behavior and thought processes.
Why do you, get that sad look on your face,
Expressing confusion and concern about a partner's emotional state and behavior.
Why do you, pull away from my embrace,
Acknowledging distance and tension in a romantic relationship, and questioning the motives behind it.
Why do you, see all my faults and my mistakes
Feeling vulnerable and self-conscious about one's perceived flaws and shortcomings, and questioning a partner's perception of them.
Oh, I wish you knew the reason why,
Expressing a desire for increased communication and empathy in a romantic relationship.
Why do we, treat each other like we do,
Acknowledging a pattern of negative communication and behavior between two partners.
It's like we never even try,
Expressing frustration and apathy about the state of a romantic relationship and a perceived lack of effort from both partners.
Why can't we, get back to the love we knew,
Expressing a desire for a return to a more positive and loving relationship dynamic.
Oh why oh baby why,
Expressing desperation and confusion about the challenges facing a romantic relationship.
Why do we, have to play those same old games,
Acknowledging a pattern of negative communication and behavior between two partners, and recognizing a lack of change or progress.
Why do we, run away from who's to blame,
Expressing frustration and defensiveness about a tendency to avoid responsibility and accountability for one's actions and communication.
Can't they see, to lose this love would be ashame,
Acknowledging the importance of the relationship and the need to prioritize communication and growth in order to prevent its dissolution.
Oh I wish we knew the reason why,
Expressing a desire for increased understanding and insight into the challenges facing a romantic relationship.
Oh I wish we knew the reason why.
Reiteration of the desire for understanding and clarity in a romantic relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY NICHOLSON, VINCE GILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@myrnanisenbaum7753
Love this song by Vince Gill. It’s got such a beautiful melody.💗
@katydidmccarthy1278
Love this song and nobody could sing it better than Vince Gill. His voice always has so much emotion and you can relate to it as it applies to your own life.
@genetmeghann5284
This song has always been my favorite, Vince is an awesome musician I’m so lucky to meet with him last year. Have you been to his concert before ?
@dariwhite3630
agree its one i play alot
@VinceGill.
Hello, how are you doing today? Thanks for your love and support❤️
@Tropicalbliss45
Ohh the sweetness of Vince Gill's songs and his soothing, romantic, voice! These are so precious! They really touch deep in the heart. Keep up the good work.
@vincegill7837
Thanks for the great love and support you show me as a special fan of mine,I hope you won't stop listening to my music and this is my private text number (716)-296-4954 that’s my private text number you can text me
@MrStargazer1701a
great song... melancholic and romantic longing. we also see frustration and depression through the windows of the neighbors while feeling helpless and lonely ourselves.
@calindesmoines1
One of the best efforts from Vince and he had a-hundred of them. Should have gone to the top of the country charts and crossed over to the pop charts.
@vincegill6707
I appreciate your love, guidance and companionship ..Your love and support has been the greatest gift. Stay Safe