McGraw affirms his woman’s value on “Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way.” The country chart-topper “Don’t Take the Girl” speaks of a man’s self-sacrifice when faced with losing his love to outside forces. The title track alludes to the saving power of love.
On “Refried Dreams,” the artist admits to being “sick as a dog” and “shootin’ tequila, wantin’ to kill” the woman who left him. “Ain’t That Just Like a Dream” recalls a wild young romance. Although not explicit, “Down on the Farm” alludes to drinking and sexual situations in the context of a rowdy tailgate party. A clever tribute to the blues tunes of George Strait is spoiled by dependence on a bottle in a bar (“Give It to Me Strait”). “It Doesn’t Get Any Countrier Than This” winks approvingly at immodesty and premarital sex.
This disc spent its first three months as a number-one country album, and several weeks atop the pop chart. Musically sound, but lyrically McGraw lives on the wild side, retreating into alcohol when times get hard.
