Lyrics; Song choice "Joey" by Sugarland.

"JOEY"

‘JOEY’ was written by Sugarland’s “Jennifer Nettles”, Kristian Bush and the Legendary “Bill Anderson”. Sugarland has gained world wide notoriety and fame with the stories behind their music, they’re well admired in the country music industry and well admired by me. The reason why I chose to do my analysis on the song “Joey”, is do too the sadness that is felt when you listen to it. The lyrics of the song and the strumming patterns of the guitar gives the blending of the instruments and the voice a deep feel of sadness and remembrance of a bad experience in one’s life.

Joey is a song about a teen tragedy that most people can relate too, whether it be the loss of a loved one, an ended relationship, or just a wrong choice that effected someone’s life forever. Every time I plug my ipod on my docking station, or hear it on the radio, this song gives me instant chills and an immediate sense of sadness. The sadness is brought up by the several tragedies that I have experienced in my life. I have loss many friends to gang violence, in battle during war times, and tragic traffic accidents. From all the loses, the one that brings back memories is when I was a teenager and one of my good friends and his girlfriend had just left a house party in Fullerton, only to be crushed and killed by a speeding train. After leaving the party and after consuming several alcohol beverages, they drove off and headed down Raymond Ave. As they attempted to cross the railroads off Raymond Ave, between commonwealth and Orangethorpe Ave in city of Fullerton, state of California, they were struck and killed by the powerful speeding train instantly. The scene still hunts my mind till this day.

Sugarland sings this song to inform the listeners that tragedies can happen in a blink of an eye. In the lyrics, “What if I" is what this song really means. What if I said NO, or what if I said YES, would the out come had been differently? This song gives you that feeling, the feel and the sense of sadness because of the choice’s made that would ultimately change your life. In this song, she addressed the issue of taking the keys of the teen driver, but made the choice of not do so, which the outcome of her choice was the loss of a friend in a driving accident. The lyric’s stated that if she would of spoke up by saying, “NO” and not allowed the teen to drive, would the tragedy still occurred?

Out of all the songs that Sugarland has recorded, this particular song is my favorite. The instruments that are used in this song are simple. Drums, classical guitar, and an electric 5 string guitar all accompanied with her beautiful voice, creates a soft tone and a sad feel. The song is nearly 4 and half minutes long and while listening to it, you can hear the changes in up tone and the changes of the soft tone. The up tone blends well with the instruments, which shows the true anger she had for the loss of the friend. The sadness of the soft tone you can hear, shows her remorse for the choice she made, by not taking the keys and allowing her friend to drive off from the party.

The writing of lyrics can be a difficult task, reason being is that when you write a song, your goal is to express your feelings, thoughts, and emotions thru the song. All these factors have to be perfect so others can relate to it. In the song,“Joey”Sugarland blends everything together to show feeling, awareness, and emotion, she does such an awesome job by it, that I don’t think anyone can change her lyrics to make it a better song.

                                                                Lyrics by Sugarland:

                                                                       Lyrics to Joey :

What if I said yes?
What if I'd gone out that night?
What if you turned left, and everything would of turned out alright.
What if I spoke up?
What if I took the keys?
What if I would of tried a little harder, instead of always trying to please.

[Chorus]

Joey, I'm so sorry.
Oh can you hear me?
Joey, I'm so sorry.

What if I said no?
What if we never fell in love?
What if we'd gone slow, or a little faster and broken up.
Would I know this hurt?
Would I feel this pain?
Do you know with all I have left in my very last breath will call your name?

[Chorus]

Joey, I'm so sorry.
Oh can you hear me?
Joey, I'm so sorry.

Were you sad, were you scared, did you whisper a prayer to be free?
Was it quiet and cold was it light or too dark to see?
And did you reach for me?

Joey, I'm so sorry.
Oh can you hear me?
Joey, I'm so sorry.
Oh can you hear me?
Joey, I'm sooooooooo- Joey, I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry.

Lyrics by me; Song,”Joey”

what if I said No?

what if you haven’t gone out that night?

what if you stayed home with me that night?

would you love me more instead of always trying to leave?

what if we spoke more?

what if we tried alittle harder, instead of always trying to please

[ Chorus ]

Joey, I don’t want to be sorry

So you can stay with me tonight

Joey, I don’t want to be sorry

What if I said YES?

what if you haven’t gone out that night?

what if you turned left, and everything would of turned out alright

what if I spoke up?

what if I took the keys?

what if I tried alittle harder,instead of always trying to please

[Chorus]