Every Song I Write Is for You

Dale Watson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B00005LN4B
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,811 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Long inspired by country legends who endured tragedy and heartache, Dale Watson received a double dose of both in 2000. Devastated after his fiancée died in a car crash in September, Watson attempted suicide by drug overdose after Christmas and wound up committing himself to a mental health institution. After his release, he wrote songs to confront his pain, resulting in Every Song I Write Is for You, a moving, inspiring journey through past joys, present pain, and, ultimately, healing. Emotions of bereavement run through every number: sorrow ("I Can't Let You Go"), anger ("Our First Times and Our Last Times"), sacrifice ("I'd Deal with the Devil"), and acceptance ("I See Your Face in Every Face I See" and "These Things We'll Never Do"). Misty, atmospheric arrangements, occasional jazzy rhythms, and (synthesized) strings in the Billy Sherrill tradition frame each number to perfection. As mainstream Nashville leans on cotton-candy kid stuff to maintain eroding audiences, Watson has not only regained his personal bearings, he's created a classic of staggering proportion, a powerful reminder of what this music is really about. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Mix of Heartache and Strength, September 18, 2001

By 

Jef Fazekas (Newport Beach, California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Every Song I Write Is for You (Audio CD)

I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up EVERY SONG I WRITE IS FOR YOU, my first purchase from Dale Watson's catalog; I'd heard good things about his live show, but that was it. But with it being a slow summer for decent new music, I thought "What the heck?" With his pompadour and tattoos, the wide leather biker watchbands and tight black tee shirts, I was expecting someone along the rockabilly lines of Brian Setzer or Eric Heatherly or, at the very least, someone with the rockabilly leanings of Billy Burnette or Chris Isaak. Imagine my surprise when, upon my first listen, I realized Watson is much closer to Merle Haggard, George Jones and, yes, even George Strait, with a touch of Asleep At The Wheel tossed in. But there is even more to this CD than it's many genre-crossing mysteries - EVERY SONG.... is quite possibly the most nakedly honest CD about the loss of a loved one since Cindy Bullens' brilliant SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH two years ago. And therein lies the CD's key strength.....very few men are willing to open up the way Watson does, and it's this equal blend of virility and vulnerability that makes this CD such a winner. The CD has a number of stand-out tracks, the first of which is "You're The Best Part of Me." With it's silky swing vibe and soulful steel guitar, this is the word "romantic" at it's best. Just listen to that piano! Hard to believe such a great toe-tapper could be wrapped around such searing lyrics. Next up is "I'd Deal With The Devil." If there was ever any doubt as to Watson's songwriting ability, this one track would clear it all up. "Raw" is the only way to describe it....the emotion, the anger, the desperation. Mix that with an instrumental arrangement that always enhances but never overpowers and you have a true country classic. "Your Love I'm Gonna Miss" is also a classic, but for an entirely different reason. With it's gentle gate and narrative vocal, the listener almost feels like a fly on the wall, observing just what a powerfully entwined relationship these lovers had. I also love "Money Can't Buy Her Love", simply because of it's wise philosophy: True love is given, never bought (O.K., the classic honky tonk attitude doesn't hurt either!). Up next is the poignant "I See My Future." This understated ballad is both beautiful and chilling in it's simplicity. It also shows that one person is not that different from the next, that our paths can all be the same.....if you choose to let them be, for better or for worse. "I See My Future" would be a great candidate for the centerpiece tune on EVERY SONG I WRITE IS FOR YOU ......if it wasn't for the CD's closing track, the wistful "These Things We'll Never Do." Equal parts resignation and acceptance, pain and thoughtfulness, the track shows how vital it is to appreciate what you have, cuz it can be snatched out from under you at a moment's notice and, though it has to be done, it's tough to move on. This is from-the-heart songwriting at it's best! Also worth mentioning is the bare-bones honesty of the title track, the slightly sultry yet oh-so-jazzy "One More For Her (MAN, this guy's voice is smooth!)", the south of the boarder flavor of "Hey Chico" and the lovely "Angel In My Dreams." As I said earlier, this is probably the best album centered around loss since 1999's SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH, Cindy Bullens heartbreaking, yet redemptive, ode about the loss of her daughter. It's rare when artists are so honest, emotional and soul-baring. What more could we, as the listening public, ask for? Not a whole lot.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to write, looking through tears!, October 13, 2001

By 

"oldhipy" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Song I Write Is for You (Audio CD)

Just happened upon this disk. I was fooling around in Wal-Mart and the image on the disk caught my eye. Believe it or not, one of those listening stations was actually working, so I listened to the samples. I bought the disk, and have just finished the first listen. 14 songs and not a cull in the bunch. I've listened to a lot of music and made a lot of music over many years. This disk ranks among the absolulte best. Good songs, super music, and one of the best voices ever. Do yourself a favor, get this quick!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An astonishing work, August 6, 2001

By 

Dino (Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Song I Write Is for You (Audio CD)

Dale Watson's fiancee died asleep at the wheel in her car in September 2000. The loss sent Watson into a terrible depression, which resulted in a failed suicide attempt on the final day of the year. The next few months led him to write the 14 songs that make up this CD. I have all of Watson's previous albums. None of them, great as they are, can approach this CD. I have never heard such emotion in a set of songs. It is not maudlin, but serves as a tremendous tribute to his soul-mate (his words) from whose loss he will never fully get over. It's difficult to select stand-out songs, as they are all so painfully great, but These Things We'll Never Do and I See Your Face In Every Face I See are the best two songs Watson has ever recorded and the greatest hurting country songs since George Jones' He Stopped Loving Her Today. This album stands alongside Sinatra's In The Wee Small Hours and Only The Lonely. When Watson tours Europe in October, I won't be alone in wanting to shake his hand and give him my thanks and support.