Lady A – What A Song Can Do

CD Review: Lady A – What A Song Can Do

By Antony Bailey for Country Music News International Magazine

1. Talk of This Town
2. What A Song Can Do
3. Like A Lady
4. Things He Handed Down
5. Fire
6. A Chance of Rain
7. Worship What I Hate
8. Where Would I be
9. Friends Don’t Let Friends
10. In Waves
11. You Keep Thinking That
12. Be That For You
13. Workin’ On This Love
14. Swore I Was Leaving

Lady Antebellum, or Lady A, as they are known to most worldwide, is a Nashville-based country trio formed in 2006. The band is comprised of Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood, and Charles Kelley. Their ninth studio album, titled ‘What A Song Can Do’ was released on March 12^th, 2021, and continues to be played by country lovers located around the world.

The first song on the album is called ‘Talk of This Town’. The song begins with the opening line ‘’I wish somebody would get married, maybe even have a baby’’ sets the tone for a song about escapism and divert prying eyes from oneself. The song contains an interlude to piece the song together before the song gently fades into the musical mist.

‘What A Song Can Do’ is the next to follow. The tempo is increased slightly, and the drums certainly pack more of a punch to drive the track forward.  The soaring melody in the chorus is sure to raise the hairs on the back of listeners’ necks. The chorus ‘’Can make you dance and make you cry/make it you wanna give it one more try’’ followed by the rhetorical question in the refrain ‘’Ain’t it crazy what a song can do?’’ 

‘Like A Lady’ continues to push the tempo and dynamics of the overall album by including a powerful, empowering, and defiant song that many people of all ages will resonate with. ‘Things He Handed Down’ brings things down a touch with a tune combining country roots, religion, and emancipation. ‘’Don’t burn a bridge that maybe one day you’ll have to cross’’ is perhaps the most poignant line by reminding its audience about the importance of love, friendship, and unity.

Other songs on the album include ‘Fire’ which is a song about recovering from the turbulence of a broken relationship or missed opportunities. This track serves as a reminder that one will truly find themselves in the aftermath of a difficult and chaotic period in their life.  ‘A Chance of Rain’ continues to bring the same energy and intensity to the music and the dynamic range compliments the music even more so.

The last song on the album ‘Swore I was Leaving’ sees the transition from a 4/4 to a 6/8 meter which is common in country music. The change in tempo and meter adds more emotion and elegance to a track about heartbreak, defiance, and hope that better days are well on their way. The sobering refrain in the song ‘’I swore I was leaving / But with us, it’s never goodbye’’ is guaranteed to be a tearjerker for many.

The emotionally charged album continues to be heard by country listeners around the world and is well worth adding to the playlist for those who haven’t already done so.