LeAnn Rimes – ‘Give’ (CD Single Review)
Original Release Date: June 14, 2011
Label – Curb Records
Time – 4:06
Writer – Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary, Connie Harrington, LeAnn Rimes
Rating (Out of 10): 8/10
The 29-year-old singer makes a fine return to form with a powerhouse performance on this her third single from the soon to be released album LADY AND GENTLEMEN. Her last single “Crazy Women” was a poor attempt at radio success peaking at #40 following on from the first single a John Anderson cover “Swingin’”
faring even worse which debuting at #60 on the Hot Country Songs and after four weeks peaked at #57.
‘Give’ is more like the golden years of Rimes. She sings with deep feeling and the execution is believable as she squeezes every ounce of emotion from the lyrics. The song, a 4-way co-write with Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary and Connie Harrington initally maps out a selfish attitude and hurt that we can all, at times, feel inside. In the first verse with its plaintive but effective piano arrangement and wispy steel Rimes sings:
“Everybody’s reachin’ for something ,Every day a pullin’ and tuggin’, And always wantin’ a little more, Holdin’ on to hurt like an anchor, Treatin’ those we love like strangers, Takin’ names who keepin’ score, We all know, what we’re really after Somewhere along the road, we got it backwards”
The song bursts into life in the searing chorus with crunchy guitar riffs and dramatic percussion releasing those frustrations and constrained energies. The underlying message portrayed is that if we want love, kindness and happiness to enter our lives, then we need to reciprocate those very sentiments.
“If you want to give love then give it, If you want to feel some forgiveness, Then you’ve gotta let go and do some forgiving of your own, If you want a friend then be one, A little bit of kindness show some, You’ll be surprised of how much finds it’s way back home, It don’t matter what it is, If you want it, give“sings Rimes.
The pop-country arrangement showcases Rimes vocal well. Casting aside stubbornness and leaning on another she’s now happy to play the role of the stronger woman reaching out to another –“She has felt the power and seen what it can do It’s seemed so simple, so simple that it’s true”
The song sadly peaked at #47 on Billboard Country songs chart. If only country radio would themselves be a bit more forgiving and have put their “weight” behind it rather than the media concern themselves with her alleged and speculative personal health issues. Instead they should focus on the quality on what Rimes offers here.
Much has been written about her well-publicized extramarital affair and then marriage to Northern Lights co-star Eddie Cibrian. If fans and radio could forgive her personal matters then maybe she could once again be in good company on the charts with the big hitters in what is currently a very male dominated scene.
“If we want love, kindness and happiness in our lives, then we need to give some of that back,” LeAnn says – “I believe that message needs to be shared with the world.”
A new video of ‘Give’ has appeared which was filmed in Chicago while her husband was busy filming on TV commitments. In the city which has an estimated 25,000 homeless children Rimes gets to met some of them who share their traumatic experiences as she helps to bring public awareness of their plight. “My life is forever changed from this experience,” shares LeAnn. “One thing they all said to me is no one looks them in the eye when they see them on the streets, so there’s a deep loneliness there and a feeling of almost not existing. I will now always look anyone who’s homeless in the eye and smile. That smile could make their whole day”
The song will be available as a bonus track on LADY AND GENTLEMEN, an album co-produced with Vince Gill. It will feature covers of country classics sung from a women’s angle. An anniversary edition of her smash hit “Blue” is also included. It is due to drop on 27 September 2011.
Livewire (Sept 20, 2011)