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.
You Better Think Twice
Vince Gill Lyrics
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When it comes to the affairs of your heart
It's really hard for me to say this
But you trouble's gettin' ready to start
Well I've heard you say how much you love him
You think someday you'll be his bride
Baby, you just can't trust him
'Cause I've known the boy all of my life
So you better think twice before you roll the dice
You better think twice before you give you heart away
You really must think I'm something
Talkin' trash about my best friend
I just hate to se eyou wind up with nothing
'Cause you're way too good for him
And I know that you don't believe me
But I've been with him when he's runnin' around
He don't mean to hurt nobody
He ain't never gonna settle down
So you better think twice before you roll the dice
You better think twice before you give you heart away
You better think twice
You better think twice
You better think twice
You better think twice
The song "You Better Think Twice" by Vince Gill centers around the theme of cautionary advice given by the singer to the subject of the song who is about to embark on a relationship with someone who the singer knows will only bring heartache and disappointment. The singer acknowledges that it is not his place to meddle in the affairs of the heart, however, he feels compelled to speak up because he cares for the well-being of the subject of the song. He warns that trouble is imminent if the subject proceeds with this relationship. Furthermore, the singer establishes his credibility by letting the subject know that he has known the individual in question all of his life and hence knows what he is talking about.
The refrain "You better think twice before you roll the dice, you better think twice before you give your heart away" delivers the central message of the song, urging the subject to use caution and think carefully before proceeding with this relationship. The singer is not dismissive of the subject's feelings but rather wants to prevent potential heartache and regrets.
In conclusion, "You Better Think Twice" by Vince Gill is a cautionary tale that warns people to think carefully about their relationships and not give their heart away too easily. The use of a relatable theme, an engaging tune, and simple yet impactful lyrics make this song stand out and have continued to appeal to audiences over time.
Line by Line Meaning
I know it ain't none of my business
While I understand that it is not my place to intervene with your love life,
When it comes to the affairs of your heart
When it concerns the matters of your heart,
It's really hard for me to say this
It is difficult for me to express this to you,
But your troubles are getting ready to start
However, I fear that you will soon encounter difficulties,
Well I've heard you say how much you love him
I have heard you express your strong feelings toward him,
You think someday you'll be his bride
You believe that one day you will marry him,
Baby, you just can't trust him
Unfortunately, you cannot rely on his trustworthiness,
'Cause I've known the boy all of my life
As I have known him for my entire life,
So you better think twice before you roll the dice
It would be wise for you to reconsider your actions before taking a chance,
You better think twice before you give your heart away
You should reconsider before giving your heart to him,
You really must think I'm something
I understand that you may not believe me,
Talkin' trash about my best friend
Even though I may appear to be speaking poorly about my closest companion,
I just hate to see you wind up with nothing
I cannot bear the thought of you ending up with no happiness or benefits,
'Cause you're way too good for him
You deserve far better than him,
And I know that you don't believe me
Although I realize you may disregard my words,
But I've been with him when he's runnin' around
I have witnessed him cheating on numerous occasions,
He don't mean to hurt nobody
Although he does not intend to harm anyone,
He ain't never gonna settle down
He will never settle down for a committed relationship with you,
You better think twice
You should seriously reconsider your situation,
You better think twice
It is important for you to rethink your current stance,
You better think twice
Think twice before making any irrevocable decisions,
You better think twice
It can be highly beneficial for you to take heed of this advice.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: VINCENT GRANT GILL, REED NIELSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind