LeAnn Rimes – “What I Cannot Change”
Songwriters: Darrell Brown and LeAnn Rimes
When LeAnn Rimes enters a recording studio, she carries with her the most impressive instrument in the room. Indeed, Rimes’ voice is extraordinary, a stunning combination of natural talent and technical precision, bathed in character and a timbre that is instantly identifiable.
But Rimes’ has a tendency to favor tempo, to chase radio trends, and to embrace the bombastic. And so her albums are typically ripe with predictably crescendoing power ballads and overproduced, pointlessly busy tracks that leave her magnificent voice buried in the mix.
“What I Cannot Change” is one of the rare instances, as was 2005’s “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way,” when Rimes’ immense talent shines through the Nashville slickness that clutters her catalog. Here, producer Dann Huff smartly keeps the song’s piano and strings-driven arrangement sparse, allowing the track to serve as a backdrop for the real show–a tremendously sensitive vocal performance that is easily one of the most nuanced of Rimes’ career.
And then there is the song itself, an exercise in a smart, fresh songwriting.
A hook built around the phrase, “I will learn to live with what I cannot change…But I will change whatever I can,” could have easily, even in the hands of Nashville’s most talented writers, ended up as a mishmash of sugary clichés and syrupy power-of-positive-thinking mentality.
Instead, “What I Cannot Change,” with a chorus that resolves into what sounds like a whispered prayer, features Rimes’ surprisingly unique narrative voice, and lines like, “I Don’t know my father, or my mother well enough/Seems like every time we talk, we can’t get past the little stuff,” are starkly honest, slightly dark, and sometimes gut-wrenching in their poignancy.
Listen on MySpace: LeAnn Rimes – “What I Cannot Change”
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48 Comments
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July 1, 2008 at 4:57 am Permalink
This Is why I listen to country, not because of “save a horse ride a cowboy” and not If you’re readin’ this and definitely not “bob your head” LOL
July 1, 2008 at 6:01 am Permalink
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. LeAnn’s voice is stunning and the lyrics bring comfort at the end of a long day.
July 1, 2008 at 7:50 am Permalink
This has to be one of my favorite songs off of her new album — and “probably wouldnt be that way” was one of the songs that brought me back to her — this song makes to think of my motto in life – to live each day to the fullest because tomorrow never comes because when tomorrow gets here it is today –
July 1, 2008 at 7:52 am Permalink
It’s hard to even classify this song, really. I could almost see a pop diva singing it, though it would have to be a fairly deep, tasteful pop diva (which may or may not be an oxymoron, I guess). Either way, it’s great. I pumped my fist when I saw the review up here on the site, since this is the first I’ve heard about it being released as a single.
On another note, Jim, I think this review is a great example of your ability to generate excitement (positive or negative) about your chosen subject from the very first line. I give props.
July 1, 2008 at 8:32 am Permalink
Great review and wonderful point brought out. LeAnn Rimes has such a wonderful voice, and add me to those who only gave her a second listen due to “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way.” This single is also really good and does showcase her strengths and mostly avoids one of her pitfalls, poor annunciation.
July 1, 2008 at 8:38 am Permalink
This whole album is pretty underrated.
July 1, 2008 at 10:26 am Permalink
I have to agree with Chris, this is a very good album.
July 1, 2008 at 10:34 am Permalink
This, along with “This Woman” are my favourite albums by her. It’s a shame that “Good Friend & A Glass Of Wine” bombed, it’s really one of my all time favourites.
This song is incredibly moving, understated, and plain beautiful.
July 2, 2008 at 8:57 am Permalink
Glade to hear this homegirl is (occasionally) finding her way back to her strengths.
July 3, 2008 at 6:14 am Permalink
Thanks for all the great feedback. Dan, that’s a hefty compliment and I appreciate it very much.
I agree with Chris that Family is an underrated album, but I still think it’s tragically overproduced.
July 3, 2008 at 9:08 am Permalink
LeAnn continues to grow as a songwriter.
What I Cannot Change is one of the best songs she has recorded to date. Her catalog of songs for someone who is only 25 is impressive.
July 3, 2008 at 10:46 am Permalink
Am I the only one who thinks this song is simply average and boring? It just does not do it for me…
July 5, 2008 at 12:59 pm Permalink
No Brad you’re not,and I typically like Leann’s music. There is not a single thing that is memorable about this song to me. It’s just another female country singer performing a mediocre pop power ballad in my honest opinion.But I could be missing something because this isn’t typically the type of song I’m drawn to.
July 5, 2008 at 2:59 pm Permalink
Jim, I have to disagree with you on the fact that “Family” is tragically overproduced. I think it’s well balanced, and the songs got the production that was right for them.
GF&AGOW is perhaps a bit overproduced, but still awesome.
July 5, 2008 at 5:42 pm Permalink
Leann’s record is a great step up from her previous output, but still lacking a little of that organic feel that many of the songs suggest.
This one is a gem, though. If she’s nominated for CMA female vocalist, she deserves to grace the stage with this ballad. Their differences duly noted, but funny how Carrie Underwood and Leann are the same age and yet Carrie would be unable to pull off this type of song.
July 5, 2008 at 5:51 pm Permalink
But you have to remember that Leann has been making music for much longer than Carrie.
I love this song, it’s one of my favorites on the album. Just how you can really feel what Leann is singing blows me away. I think “Fight” is a great song too, as well as “One Day Too Long” and the previous singles.
July 5, 2008 at 5:54 pm Permalink
LeAnn is simply a better vocalist and interpreter than Carrie, so the fact that Carrie can’t pull of a song like this isn’t surprising.
July 5, 2008 at 7:00 pm Permalink
“but funny how Carrie Underwood and Leann are the same age and yet Carrie would be unable to pull off this type of song”
They may be the same age but experience wise there’s no comparison. Carrie has only been performing for three years while LeAnn has been around since recording “Blue” in 1996. LeAnn may be the better vocalist now but Carrie will learn and evolve.
July 5, 2008 at 8:43 pm Permalink
I agree that Carrie’s interpretive skills will only improve, and yes, Leann has been in the business longer. It’s just interesting to note their arcs of success lately, especially when Leann is as convincing as on this song.
July 6, 2008 at 2:02 am Permalink
I am sorry leann a better vocalist. people are very easy to wash away such crap as her pop stuff…such as “life goes on” and the other song in which she is naked in her video and when on the cmt awards nobody could understand a syllable of what she was saying… slurring her words. better vocalist? not so sure. she has put out her fair share of crap.
jonathan arcs of success?
seriously… they are the same.. both new artist grammy winners. carrie i believe has sold more records in relative to the time in the business and albums. and has more number one singles.
oh and rimes has never been top vocalist. carrie has and is. i dont know… seems to answer the question.
July 6, 2008 at 6:09 am Permalink
Carrie had the enormous advantage of AI. LeAnn had no such thing, she broke into country without any TV shows to help her. At age 13 I might add.
And her pop songs, which aren’t great, still shows off what a fantastic vocalist she is.
July 6, 2008 at 6:53 am Permalink
Wait, there’s a video where LeAnn is naked?! How did I miss that?
July 6, 2008 at 8:14 am Permalink
Perhaps Anna is referring to the “Life Goes On” video, where she is half naked for a part of the video.
July 6, 2008 at 1:46 pm Permalink
I adore this song. I adore the singer behind the song.
Are you guys here at the 9513 going to review Trisha’s new single, which is “They Call It Falling For A Reason” anytime soon by any chance?
July 6, 2008 at 6:31 pm Permalink
Gonna have to disagree with Jim here. This song just doesn’t do it for me. I thought ‘Family’ would be the next single – it’s a great country story song. LeAnn reserves her most passionate singing for the title track of the new album and it shines through brilliantly.
Oh, and ‘Life Goes On’ is the video where LeAnn wears evening gowns (one of them is kinda sheer I guess) though the whole thing with extra-dark eye makeup. That couldn’t be her nudie video, but I want to know which one is …
July 6, 2008 at 6:33 pm Permalink
Roxy, the new Trisha Yearwood single was reviewed by Kevin over at Country Universe …
July 6, 2008 at 7:11 pm Permalink
Thanks for the info, J.R. Journey
July 6, 2008 at 7:50 pm Permalink
Carrie is a better vocalist with more range. and diction. overall charisma and stage presence. and leann, i might add was famous when people bought cds. carrie isnt to that extent.
July 7, 2008 at 7:43 pm Permalink
Uh Rainbow, didn’t leanne get discovered on a talent show? You so funny, might want to get your facts straight before you insert your foot in your mouth next time. And furthermore Carrie blows Leanne away vocally, you can at least understand what Carrie is singing about, with Leanne its a strain on the ears to hear what she is singing. Her diction is atrocious. And she fugly to boot
July 8, 2008 at 4:05 am Permalink
Did that talent show have millions of viewers?
July 8, 2008 at 9:19 am Permalink
I haven’t read all of the comments on this thread, but how did this turn itno a fight about LeAnn versus Carrie? As far as I know, Carrie doesn’t have anything to do with this single.
July 8, 2008 at 9:22 am Permalink
Leeann, I have no idea…but let me settle the fight:
Vocalist: Rimes > Underwood.
July 8, 2008 at 9:30 am Permalink
All I have to say is that this is a great song that is sung very well. This is not to undermine all of Carrie Underwood’s achievements or talent. Are we allowed to appreciate both?
July 8, 2008 at 9:57 am Permalink
I like them both but it’s amazing how that little blond from Oklahoma has become such a lightning rod.
Jim,
Are you going to be writing a review for “Just A Dream”? I’m anxious to see what issues (mentioned in another thread) you have with this song.
July 8, 2008 at 10:11 am Permalink
Hey LeeAnn,
I think I started the “fight”, but had no intentions of doing so. (See: B. Jonathan
July 5, 2008 at 5:42 pm). I just think the comparison is one that is very interesting in the realm of popular country music. For the record, I think both women are incredibly talented vocalists (and at times, artists) and deserve their mainstream success. The current imbalance in this success is the interesting part.
July 8, 2008 at 10:26 am Permalink
You are of course right, we should not be arguing about that, because no one will ever convince me that Carrie is a better vocalist than LeAnn. And I doubt that I’ll convince anyone that LeAnn is far superior to Carrie.
July 8, 2008 at 3:20 pm Permalink
NorthTexas–no, I will not be reviewing “Just A Dream”–Matt C. got the assignment, but thanks for asking. Matt’s going to do a killer job, I’m sure (as always).
I’ve got some cool things in the pipeline for you, though, so stay tuned.
July 8, 2008 at 3:53 pm Permalink
Since when does every artist have to be directly compared to Carrie Underwood?
July 8, 2008 at 4:05 pm Permalink
This is all my fault!
July 8, 2008 at 4:48 pm Permalink
Hey, maybe we should be comparing both of them to Shenia Twain?!:)
July 8, 2008 at 4:49 pm Permalink
Sorry, I meant Shania, of course.
July 8, 2008 at 5:22 pm Permalink
Shania is cool. ;)
July 8, 2008 at 7:29 pm Permalink
leann rhimes doesn’t ennunciate very well, but she has a great voice. i think i would appreciate it much much more if i could understand what she was saying
July 9, 2008 at 4:21 pm Permalink
Now that I think about it, I’d rather see “Nothing Wrong” with Marc Broussard released than this one. It’s more of a fun, radio friendly song. But then again, so was “Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine”, and that bombed.
July 9, 2008 at 4:39 pm Permalink
I don’t know about you, Rainbow, but I’ve had enough “fun, radio friendly” songs to last me a lifetime.
July 9, 2008 at 4:43 pm Permalink
It’d be interesting if Marc Broussard had a song on the country charts…
July 9, 2008 at 5:05 pm Permalink
Purely for the sake of LeAnn, I’d love for her to reign at the top of the charts again, so “Family” could get some boosted sales. That’s why I’d like her to release that one, not because it’s necessarily better than “What I Cannot Change”.
And I tend like ballads, waltzes, slow songs and such better than uptempo numbers, but when great songs like “Nothing Wrong” and “Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine” oome along, I’m sold.
August 4, 2008 at 2:38 pm Permalink
I love this song. It is my fav. song on the cd.
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