From Tom T. Hall to Taylor Swift, from honky Bob Wills to Brandy Clark, Rolling Stone shares their list for The 100 Greatest Country Albums of All Time.
At #40 - Lee Ann Womack, "I Hope You Dance."
Lee Ann Womack has said that the success of her signature hit “has been both blessing and curse.” The blessing came in the way people welcomed “I Hope You Dance” as a sunny anthem for graduations and births. But optimism was only half its story. Womack’s hopes are sincere enough, but the brooding cellos, cautious pace, and melancholy vocal remind that no one gets through life without pain. The rest of the album explores heartache with versions of depressed, yearning, and angry songs by Americana masters: Buddy and Julie Miller, Rodney Crowell (“Ashes by Now” still leaves blisters), and Bruce Robison. Womack ends the album with another hopeful song, a cover of the Don Williams hit “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.” The rhythm is almost buoyant, but Womack’s voice makes it plain that she feels “empty and misunderstood.” She’s hopeful but not very optimistic. —D.C
Read the full article and see who else made the list HERE.