Clint Black – “The Strong One”
On April 24th, The 9513 reported that Clint Black was back in the studio working on a new, untitled album. We still don’t have a title (or a release date) for that project–however, the first single is now at radio. “The Strong One”, a well crafted mid-tempo about the sacrifices made by women (and the shortcomings of men), is charming in a way, although, as is the case with most of Black’s music since 1999’s D’Lectrified, it lacks the grittiness found on early #1s like “Killin’ Time” and “Where Are You Now”. Still, Black manages, for the first time in a long time, to find a song that balances the sentimental turn his recent music has taken with a certain level of the bittersweet sensibility that helped make him a star. “The Strong One” is convincingly authentic; lyrics like, from the chorus, “There she is on her own two feet/He walked out but she’s still got dreams,” are simple, but right on-point in addressing the day-to-day situations of women who do whatever it takes to make sure their kids are safe and taken care of.
The song has one major problem, however, in terms of commercial viability–it simply does not fit a current radio format which has, as a standard, songs jam-packed with fast-paced, hard hitting lyrical imagery. “The Strong One” is vivid, but relies heavily on melody, and there just is not a lot of melody on country radio these days. If there’s one thing that radio PDs will avoid like a plague, it’s a song that sounds awkward in the rotation.
Even though this is probably not a radio hit, it still gets a “Thumbs Up” from me for being an unexpectedly strong return effort.
Listen: Clint Black – “The Strong One”
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Current Discussion
- Ben Foster: I strongly disagree with this review's claim that Kellie Pickler lacks true talent. She is a vocal powerhouse! ...
- Ty: The lyrics in this song are no worse than a lot of other songs in country and pop. I like ...
- CMW: So, about that picture of Pickler above: Just my imagination, or is she playing up her femininity... with a giant ...
- Leeann Ward: No, Rick, I don't like that song at all.
- Rick: So Leeann, you didn't even like "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind"? That was my favorite K.P. single thus ...
- Tony: What is a Dixie Chick?
- Pierce: This dude was getting huge buzz at CRS and his acoustic performance at the UMG luncheon was legit. Unfortunately, ...
- Josh: I agree that hitting those high notes can be a tough ditty for anyone to fill in Dunn's shoes, but ...
- Gianluca: I once was lucky enough to spend a morning talking to Guy Clark about songwriting. Here's a link to it ...
- Leeann Ward: Kellie's one of those singers that I think has real potential, but I haven't liked even one of her singles, ...
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Trackback URI for this postFebruary 17, 2008
[...] in his review of Black’s first single, “The Strong One,” from his upcoming, untitled album, Jim Malec stated that it “has one major problem, however, [...]
May 30, 2008
[...] June 12th, 2007 Review of Clint Black’s “The Strong One” (from the9513.com) [...]
June 18, 2008
[...] Clint Black – “The Strong One” — The 9513 Clint Black On April 24th, The 9513 reported that Clint Black was back in the studio working on a new, untitled album. We still don’t have a title (or a [...]
24 Comments
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June 13, 2007 at 12:12 pm Permalink
The fact that it doesn’t fit the country radio play list homogeny probably gives it more longevity than the shelf life of most of that dreck. Good on Clint!
June 13, 2007 at 5:09 pm Permalink
What I like about Clint Black is that he knows exactly what his strengths are as an artist and he doesn’t waver from them too much. “The Strong One” plays right into his strengths and I’m glad he hasn’t tried to change who he is to fit in with today’s mold.
June 14, 2007 at 8:31 pm Permalink
Crazy, I just read that this is the first single he has released that he didn’t write himself.
June 14, 2007 at 8:56 pm Permalink
Brady–thanks for the head’s up! I’ve edited the review to reflect this.
June 14, 2007 at 9:19 pm Permalink
Wow, I wouldn’t have guessed that. Still, I think that has a lot to do with the course of Black’s career. Go back to the Garth vs. Clint debate in the early nineties; the point at which their careers diverge can be traced to the time when Garth started making wide use of the Nashville songwriting community and Black just kept releasing the same old stuff.
June 14, 2007 at 9:31 pm Permalink
Here’s the short article on CMT if anyone is interested.
June 19, 2007 at 2:53 pm Permalink
The strong one from Clint Black is great you really need to listen to this one. And DON”T CRY when you think about your mom or if you are a mom yourself.
July 13, 2007 at 8:47 pm Permalink
When my best friend Dennis heard The Strong one he thought of me and called me and the way my life was going i needed to hear this song. It made me feel better about my self because i have also been threw what they are talking about. I hope everyone enjoys this song as much as i have.
August 3, 2007 at 5:55 pm Permalink
I would like to read the lyrics to “The Strong One”.
Can you let me know how to find that on the internet?
My sister just recommended I read it.
August 3, 2007 at 6:28 pm Permalink
Cindy, We don’t post lyrics here for copyright reasons, but if you listen to the audi file you can hear the lyrics.
August 15, 2007 at 12:02 pm Permalink
This song “The Strong One” reflects my life so much right now. It’s almost like it was written for me. It helped so much to just listen to the words and believe that “I am strong”. And with God leading the way, I’ll get through this. I hope the radios play it more often, it’s a hit!
August 21, 2007 at 7:35 pm Permalink
My sister told me about this song, and that it reminded her of me. As I listened to it, I couldn’t help but cry. Like others, I know that I am the “Strong one”. I just have to look at my little girl to know that I’m doing alright with her.
August 28, 2007 at 12:56 pm Permalink
Please Please Please Clint release this song on CD i have been looking everywhere for it and can’t find it. This song was my life exactly until i ment my fiance. It is tough being a single mom but I just kept thinking of my mom and how strong she was. My own mother is dead now I think of her and cry every time I hear this song I love it.
September 18, 2007 at 8:26 pm Permalink
My friend Tammy told me about this song and it fits my life to a tee right now. My husband just left me and my one year old daughter and we’re starting over on our own. I moved out to AZ. to start my life over with him and now here I am 2 years later bringing up a baby on my own. I have to be strong for my daughter and hearing this song just proves that I can! Keep up the great work Clint….it’s a beautiful song! I love it.
October 11, 2007 at 4:43 pm Permalink
This is an incredible song of strength, courage, love and dignity. I am a mother of three and can totally relate to this song. Thank you so much for the wonderful lyrics. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, grandmas, sisters, aunts, nieces, etc. 24/7!
November 11, 2007 at 9:50 am Permalink
If you just listen to the song it will make you think! Clint Black thank you so much for the song dedication in Charlottesville VA on 11-10-07 to me this song means alot to me! Thank you for this song!
November 21, 2007 at 6:31 pm Permalink
i like your songs
November 27, 2007 at 6:59 pm Permalink
i love your songs!!!
keep your good work up!!!
December 8, 2007 at 8:06 pm Permalink
wow.. this sure brought me to tears.. my two boys and i have been abandoned financially and emotionaqlly by my x husband the core of what a mother is and does is measured in actions.. i am here always here alone but i stand strong thank u clint black for acknowledging strength…
the coward that left is weak
December 13, 2007 at 5:39 am Permalink
This is my Daughter 110%
February 19, 2008 at 9:20 pm Permalink
The song by Clint Black, THE STRONG ONE, is ME-and my daughter-in-law! I made my dreams come true-now I hope to show her the way…
July 27, 2008 at 5:54 pm Permalink
Very underrated song from Clint. The lyrics aren’t overly impressive, but the vocals are done just like you’d expect from him. It’ll be sad to see Black gone from mainstream country, but definitely a good one here.
October 17, 2008 at 6:11 am Permalink
Dear Clint
I love your music
Great , wonderful songs.
Much love from Veronique
And best regards from Holland
November 21, 2008 at 7:12 pm Permalink
I can’t believe I found this. When my daughter was born this year, I heard this on a cable music station in the wee hours of the morning. I thought maybe I just didn’t hear it right until I found this. Being a single mom is hard but rewarding. The song gave me inspiration at a time that seemed pretty bleak and gave me the courage to live my life as a strong single mother.
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