George Strait - "The Breath You Take"
By: Bobby Peacock
The oft-quoted "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but moreover by the number of breaths that take your life away" traces back to a greeting card issued by Carlton Cards in the 1970s. As oft-quoted as it is, and as sappy as it sounds on the surface, it's hard to disagree with that sentiment. In fact, it sounds like it could be used in a country song, and that's exactly what songwriters Casey Beathard and Dean Dillon (along with Dean's daughter, Jessie Jo) came up with. As is often the case with Dean Dillon songs, this one went to George Strait (and is a track on the Twang album).
In a fairly straightforward fashion, "The Breath You Take" connects three momentous occassions with its hook of great importance. First comes the dad missing his plane just to watch his son hit the winning run, then the dad coming over to his now-adult son's house to meet the new child, and then perhaps the song's strongest point — the bridge, where the son witnesses his new child's first breath and his dad's last. Indeed, such moments are the ones that will take one's breath away, but with the lyric "You might just miss the point / Trying to win the race," the implication is there that we shouldn't overlook the small things either. At times, the production starts to get a little schmaltzy with its overdone string section, but Strait's consistently no-nonsense delivery works wonders to keep the song from falling into Martina McSchlock territory.
"The Breath You Take" has a rock-solid message that fits in nicely alongside Strait's other fatherly-themed songs such as "Love Without End, Amen," "The Best Day" or one of my personal favorites, "So Much Like My Dad." Even if it means that "Beautiful Day for Goodbye" (my second-favorite off the album, after "Living for the Night") will never get released, "Breath" may be just what it takes for Strait to get that forty-fifth Billboard Number One after a couple of unfortunate near-misses.
You can support George Strait by purchasing this single at Amazon | iTunes.
READER'S COMMENTS
erika says:
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010
i truelly love this song i know all the lyrics and i will keep singing this song until my voice goes out.:) keep making music like this george its the best just like you!!:)
says:
Posted: Friday, October 29, 2010
bob says:
Posted: Friday, July 23, 2010
Right on Ben! Martina over George. You've become ubiquitous on the country music blog scene but I find myself agreeing with you much of the time despite the fact that I'm probably 45 years older than you.
Ben Foster says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
I don't think "The Breath You Take" is anywhere near as good as even the schlockiest Martina McBride song. At least Martina never stooped so low as to record a song so clumsily written as this. First of all, it's built around an old adage that everyone's heard countless times - I can't see any way to make that work. Secondly, it would be more touching if the father spoke from the heart instead of constantly quoting an old saying. All things considered, I'd say "The Breath You Take" is a flop. I'd take "Concrete Angel" over this any day.
Derek says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Alicia, Taylor is awesome! I just don't want to listen to old people sing! Also, My Mom listens to George Strait all of the time. That's why he's too old, because my mom likes his music. haha.
alicia says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
I admire your stomach Dereks. It takes a strong one to not throw up listening to Taylor. Were you born rude or or is it an acquired trait.?
Bobby P. says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Bob: I'm criticizing Martina's song choices, not her talent.
Shynese says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Completely accurate use of the phrase "Martina McSchlock." She's one of the worst artists ever.
bob says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
That's pretty harsh calling Martina "McSchlock". While I would agree with those who say her best music was in the 90's, there are still a lot of us who think that she's a far better vocalist than George Strait.
Derek says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
I don't like it. George Strait is too old for my country music. I want more Taylor, more Lee Brice, More Carrie and less George, Reba and old people.
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