Released May 22, 1997 Recorded September 23, 1996 Length 3:50 | Format CD Single, 7" single Genre Country | |
B-side "I've Got a Funny Feeling" | ||
"Carrying Your Love with Me" is a song written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens, and performed by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in May 1997 as the second single and title track from his album of the same name. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The track was also voted by website Country Universe as number 200 of the top 400 greatest songs of the 1990s.
Contents
Content
The song is about a man who has to leave home for periods of time, though he a carries the love of his significant other with him wherever he is. Memorable lyrics include the opening line, "Baby all I got is this beat up leather bag, and everything I own don't fill up half." Another notable line is in the chorus which includes the title of the song, "I'm carrying your love with me, West Virginia down to Tennessee."
Music video
The music video was directed by Christopher Cain and premiered in mid-1997. It was Strait's first music video since 1995's "Check Yes or No" and his last one until 1999's "Write This Down". The style of the video is simple and similar to Strait's other music videos of that time period and of his previous album "Blue Clear Sky". The video begins with Strait walking into an empty auditorium with an old leather bag at his side. He places the bag down and begins to sing. The video has scenes that relate to the lyrics of the song and keeps with the context of Strait being away from home and missing his significant other. The scenes include Strait walking along a highway, hitching a ride with a truck driver, standing in the rain, and missing his significant other back home as a couple on a motorcycle ride by and it shows the clouds, the waters, and the sun, and it shows Strait walking with a truck, during the instrumental break, he drives the truck into the water, and shows him walking down the road, The video ends with Strait placing the bag up and leaving an empty auditorium. The video is readily available online and has over four million views on YouTube. The singer joined Vevo on May 11, 2009.
Significance
"Carrying Your Love with Me" contributed to the overall success of Strait's album of the same name. It was Strait's 21st release with record company MCA Nashville. At the time the singer had with the label for fifteen years. Though many critics argue that the track was nothing new from the country music alum, it was still a success. Many reviewers stated that during a time of pop country and big revenue stars such as Shania Twain and Garth Brooks, Strait along with his album (and song) "Carrying Your Love with Me" kept country music relevant. In April 1998 on NPR's program All Things Considered, Jacki Lyden and Country music DJ Tom Rivers discussed the appeal of country music. Using the track as an example, Rivers stated that country music is relatable because it speaks of common occurrences such as heartache and missing loved ones. The two deejays specifically mention the track "Carrying Your Love with Me" and use it as an ideal example.
Reviews
The overall views for the track are positive. Many reviewers approve of the traditional country sound of the track. George Strait makes it very clear that he is not a songwriter, and many critics praise his ability to choose hit songs such as "Carrying Your Love with Me". Music critic Tony Brown stated that it is "unlikely that anyone in country music has a better ear for songs.". Miriam Longino, writing for the Atlantic Constitution, gave the track and the album as a whole an A minus. Another notable review came from music critic Alexander Wiley. He stated that "Carrying Your Love with Me" was another "crown jewel from the king of country music". Critic Chet Flippo, writing for Billboard, gave a positive review stating that the track and tone of Strait's voice is reminiscent of traditional country music.