Released February 1, 1990 Genre Country | Recorded 1989 Length 3:20 | |
B-side "It's a Good Thing I Don't Love You Anymore" Format CD Single, Cassingle, 7" single | ||
"I'd Be Better Off (In a Pine Box)" is the title of a debut single written by Johnny MacRae and Steve Clark, and recorded by American country music artist Doug Stone. It was released in February 1990 as the first single from his self titled debut album. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and #5 on The Canadian RPM Tracks chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
Contents
Content
In this song, the narrator says he would rather be dead or imprisoned than live without his lover.
Music video
The music video was directed by directing duo Deaton-Flanigen. The video features Stone singing the song in a motel room, with him hitchhiking for a ride. At the end of the video, it shows his former lover getting married to another man. As Stone walks away, the woman takes a glance at him as the limo that she and her new husband is in leaves the church.
Critical reception
Brian Mansfield of Allmusic praised the song by calling it "a towering expression of self-pity that most singers could spend a career trying to top".