Tim McGraw – “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You”
Songwriters: Chad Kroeger and Brett James
After wringing no fewer than seven singles from McGraw’s 2007 set Let It Go, Curb is finally releasing the lead single from the long-delayed follow-up, Southern Voice. “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You” feels like a bit of a throwback, thanks in part to the punny inversion that serves as its title.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as McGraw’s wordplay songs are often also his most resolutely country. “Back When” and “Do You Want Fries With That” are only the most recent instances of a pattern that extends all the way back to his earliest albums, which included such pleasantly puntastic ditties as “What Room Was the Holiday In,” “Give It to Me Strait,” and the 1995 hit single “Refried Dreams.” (Seriously, we made that a hit single? Wow.)
Hearkening back to those earlier performances, “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You” finds McGraw turning up the twang and unabashedly playing the pawn to a woman who has worked her way into his heart and pocketbook. Over an insistent beat and some crunchy roadhouse guitar, he complains: “You’ve got me walking past the fellas holding drinks with pink umbrellas on some island that I can’t even spell/Then we slide over to Gucci right before we go for sushi, that’s a version of my personal hell.” The performance leaves no doubt that, all griping aside, he couldn’t be happier to be stuck under her thumb. Being driven into debt by a high-class woman (or an aspiring high-class woman) has seldom sounded like this much fun.
Sure, it’s disposable, but it’s ’90s disposable instead of new millennium disposable (see: “Bobbi With an I”)–which turns out to be a refreshing change for a man whose recent singles have too often succumbed to advice column preachiness. When he’s not trying to impart wisdom, McGraw excels at cutting loose in his own overproduced way, which is just what he does here. Although it’s unlikely to win over any of his naysayers, it’s nevertheless the sort of classic McGraw barn-burner that bodes well for his upcoming album–should Curb ever see fit to release it.
Listen: Tim McGraw – “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You”
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July 3, 2009 at 6:40 am Permalink
Although it’s unlikely to win over any of his naysayers
Partularly when those naysayers see it is co-written by the lead singer of Nickleback.
July 3, 2009 at 10:47 am Permalink
The name Chad Kroeger is the only reason I’ve avoided the song so far. Not so much that I hate Nickelback (I do, profusely), but I’m sick of carpetbagging stars from other genres getting songwriting cuts because of name recognition. That said, I’ll probably check out the song anyway because of the thumbs up.
July 3, 2009 at 11:17 am Permalink
Trailer,
In Canada, Kroeger is the owner of a record label that has mostly country artists. Jesse Farrell, Aaron Pritchett and George Canyon being the ’stars’ he’s signed. While All 3 of those artists signed to 604 Records write most of their material, I know Kroeger wrote with them for a few tracks. I’m sure his name being on this song didn’t hurt it but I think, particularly given McGraw’s feelings about his label, that the song title is what hooked Tim at first, not the fact that some Rockstar co-wrote it. It still does have Brett James’ name on it. It’s not quite the “Here Comes Goodbye” thing.
July 3, 2009 at 12:06 pm Permalink
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t even read this. In my mind there are only a few artists that are infallible, and darn-it anyway if Tim McGraw isn’t one of the people on the top of that list. I’ve sang Tim McGraw songs WAY too many times to dislike any of them. I CAN’T WAIT until he gets out of the Curb deal.
July 3, 2009 at 2:52 pm Permalink
It’s so nice not to hear Tim preaching. He’s got the swagger back.
July 3, 2009 at 3:26 pm Permalink
It’s definitely overproduced, but otherwise not too bad.
July 3, 2009 at 4:40 pm Permalink
This is quite possibly one of the greatest lyrical masterpieces of all-time.
July 3, 2009 at 5:45 pm Permalink
Don’t like it at all. The lyrics leave a lot.
July 3, 2009 at 8:25 pm Permalink
Wouldn’t say it was a lyrical masterpiece, but its a fun song to listen to. Its catchy and funny, something Tim showed nothing of on his Let it go album with no songs pertaining to this nature. But it’s a great song, not a grammy winner really but just a fun summerry song that people are surely to enjoy!
July 3, 2009 at 9:46 pm Permalink
I may have exaggerated a tad, but how much I love this song can’t be explained with my heart – it’s something greater than that. This is a… a true gem.
July 3, 2009 at 10:56 pm Permalink
I’m not a huge fan of Nickelback and Chad Kroeger but I really like this song a lot. The lyrics are amusing!
July 3, 2009 at 11:41 pm Permalink
I changed my mind again… it really is a masterpiece.
Playfully cheesy in a lot of country songs is on purpose and it’s enjoyable. If you don’t believe that, go listen to some cheap pop rock.
July 4, 2009 at 12:50 am Permalink
I have to say, I like it…
(I can’t believe I just said that)
July 5, 2009 at 10:35 am Permalink
It’s okay. I like it better than about half the singles from Let It Go. I certainly wouldn’t call it a masterpiece of any sort though.
I’m glad Tim finally has a new album coming out. I guess that means Greatest Hits 4 is next?
July 5, 2009 at 8:00 pm Permalink
Great writeup.
I really hope Curb gets this album released soon. I really hate going to bat for a knucklehead like Tim McGraw. But wrong is wrong, and Curb needs to stop jacking around it’s artists and start releasing their music in a timely manner.
July 6, 2009 at 9:32 am Permalink
Refried Dreams is a great TM song!
July 8, 2009 at 2:55 am Permalink
I’ve been a Tim McGraw mark since I was a young kid (I’m in my mid-20s), so I know my opinion for all things McGraw are biased. That said, I love this song. It’s different than the songs he’s released as radio singles as of late. Although, it doesn’t have a fun and polished chorus for everyone to repeat, so I’m a bit worried that it won’t be a #1 hit.
I heard “Still” on Youtube and read rumors that that was suppose to be included on the album and was to be his first single. I wonder if that song made the cut. I hope so, because I like it.
July 29, 2009 at 5:13 am Permalink
I am a big fan of Nickelback so when i heard that Chad Kroeger had written a song with Tim who i am also i huge fan of i had to check it out…the song is great i love it! Actually i just found out this song even existed today the first time i heard it i fell in love with it!! i dont do that with a lot of songs…i have to say, Tim, Chad, and Brett did a great job on this song!
July 31, 2009 at 12:52 pm Permalink
Love Tim, Big fan of Nickelback, and LOVE this song,from the first time I heard it!!! It’s fun and cheerful, also many guys and us gals can relate to it. I know my husband could!!!
August 7, 2009 at 4:54 pm Permalink
I finally realized what song this one reminds me of… Mind you it’s not the tune or the lyrics but rather the phrasing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Abk1wqHz4
September 2, 2009 at 10:20 pm Permalink
Why the hell are you admitting to being a “Big fan of Nickelback?”
I can’t think of a more embarrassing thing to say. Nickelback is the most generic, bland rock band in all known universes and dimensions. Every song uses a similar riff, chords, and lame chorus with cliche lyrics. The whole thing is way too safe… no risks, no gambles, just bland predictable noise. And what the %^&* is with Kroeger’s voice? It has some kind of digital rasp that annoys the hell out of me.
Have a nice day :)
September 2, 2009 at 10:36 pm Permalink
So what if she likes nickleback? If she likes them then good. What a stupid response.
September 2, 2009 at 10:39 pm Permalink
but I’m sick of carpetbagging
Carpetbagging. LOL. Haven’t heard that term in a while
September 3, 2009 at 12:08 am Permalink
Nickelback is the devil in Canadian form.
September 3, 2009 at 9:41 am Permalink
I love Nickelback. Been a fan of them for years.
This song is pretty sweet.
September 7, 2009 at 4:10 am Permalink
Why not go ahead and release “You Had To Be There”? Tim has been doing it for over a year and people love the song. Best song on the album & maybe his best ever!
September 12, 2009 at 11:14 am Permalink
The Song is great.It had to hit home to alot of people.
September 19, 2009 at 10:55 am Permalink
I think it’s a fabulous song. Lyrically, it’s clever and creative and I laughed the first time I heard it on the radio. And I adore Tim’s unique voice. His delivery is endearing. I’m unfamiliar with Nickelback’s music, but remember this: Ian Fleming wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang…along with the James Bond novels. So for those of you who can’t imagine an artist crossing over (and doing it really well), please open your mind.
September 21, 2009 at 7:51 pm Permalink
I GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH SOMEONE WHEN I SAID TIM HAS THE BEST COUNTRY VOICE SINGING…..I THINK THE OTHER GUY WAS A ALLEN JACKSON FAN…BUT……..BIG F—-ING DEAL…I WON THE ARGUMENT…………LOUISIANA
September 21, 2009 at 8:21 pm Permalink
That’s a great story, Steve.
September 21, 2009 at 8:27 pm Permalink
Steve: How did you win the arguement when Tim auto-tunes?
September 21, 2009 at 10:22 pm Permalink
Ha, CMW.
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