If I Could Make a Living
| If I Could Make a Living | ||||||||||
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| Studio album by Clay Walker | ||||||||||
| Released | September 27, 1994 | |||||||||
| Recorded | 1994; Nashville TN, Loud Recording[1] | |||||||||
| Genre | Country | |||||||||
| Length | 36:19 | |||||||||
| Label | Giant | |||||||||
| Producer | James Stroud | |||||||||
| Clay Walker chronology | ||||||||||
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If I Could Make a Living is the title of American country music singer Clay Walker's second album, released in 1994 on Giant Records. Like his self-titled debut album, this album was certified platinum by the RIAA. It produced the singles "If I Could Make a Living", "This Woman and This Man", and "My Heart Will Never Know", which respectively reached #1, #1, and #16 on the Hot Country Songs charts.
Background
In a telephone interview with Tulsa World Walker said, "I approached the second [album] a little bit differently from the first one, because it's kind of like scuba diving, the first time, you're down there at the bottom, and it's a little bit dirty, so you have to feel around a lot before you can find the treasure. For the second one, the water was a little more clear." He also said, "The only thing I try to do is just look for good songs, and not worry about what kind they are. I think if you do that, it does two things: It gets you some hits on radio, and it gives the listener a little variety." [2]
In an interview with The Plain Dealer Walker said, "Speaking of the `sophomore jinx,' I've got the `sophomore jitters.' I hope my second album does as well as the first album. I think I've progressed some as a singer and performer since the first one, but they (the buying public) have to like what's on the album itself if they're going to buy it." He also stated, " On the first album, I'd been writing for years and had all my best work to pick from ... That's one thing I've missed, not being able to write on the road. I went home for two weeks and wrote three songs for this album."[3] Walker told the Boca Raton News, about his success of his albums and said, "It's really because of radio. They'll play music they think is good. I'm flattered to be considered one of the artists they like."[4]
After the album's release, Walker stated, "I'll be honest, the second album could have been stronger, but with the success we've had, I know we avoided the sophomore jinx. I just felt really pressed when selecting songs for the entire album."[5] In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Walker said, "In the early '80s and maybe even the late '80s it was an artist-driven business. You probably weren't taken seriously if you weren't over 35 years old. Now, it's a song-driven format. You still have to go out there and hit a home run with every single you release. There are so many artists out there that do mediocre material but can sing. And it doesn't matter how good you sing, how many notes you can hit, how high or how low you can go, you have to make people believe what you're singing. You can't fool the public all the time. It makes me buckle down and try to find the best music I can find. I don't take any chances. I'm not looking for one-hit wonders or that gimmick record. I want growth. I want it to take a steady climb."[6]
In an interview with Bankrate when asked about if the lyrics to the song "Money Ain't Everything" represent a longing for a more simple life Walker responded "Well, I feel blessed everyday for what God has given me. I think I appreciate every show more than I used to because I know it could be taken from me. But part of the song -- "What good is first place when you're in a rat race ... money ain't everything," means I have tried to remain true to myself and be completely honest as a recording artist and a man. Everything that has happened to me over the last several years gave me a newfound courage."[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "If I Could Make a Living" | Keith Stegall, Roger Murrah, Alan Jackson | 2:12 |
| 2. | "The Melrose Avenue Cinema Two" | Reese Wilson | 3:01 |
| 3. | "My Heart Will Never Know" | Steve Dorff, Billy Kirsch | 3:24 |
| 4. | "What Do You Want for Nothin'" | Keith Follesé, Michael Woody | 3:28 |
| 5. | "This Woman and This Man" | Jeff Pennig, Michael Lunn | 4:23 |
| 6. | "Boogie Till the Cows Come Home" | Clay Blaker, Roger Brown | 3:27 |
| 7. | "Heartache Highway" | Kim Williams, Clay Walker, Kent Blazy | 3:19 |
| 8. | "You Make It Look So Easy" | Tom Shapiro, Chris Waters | 3:10 |
| 9. | "Lose Your Memory" | Walker | 2:48 |
| 10. | "Money Ain't Everything" | Williams, Walker, Blazy | 3:47 |
| 11. | "Down by the Riverside" | Williams, Walker, Blazy | 3:40 |
Critical reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   link |
| Dallas Morning News | (favorable)[6] |
| Ottawa Citizen | (mixed)[8] |
| Rocky Mountain News | B+[9] |
Chris Rimlinger of Rocky Mountain News gave the album a B+ rating and wrote "This sophomore project, while not quite as satisfying as his first one, reinforces his credibility as an up-and-coming major player. Walker has written and chosen material that treat old themes in new ways. And his vocal intensity carries them all off.[9] Susan Beyer of The Ottawa Citizen gave the album a mixed review and wrote, " At times, he sounds a little too congested, especially when he sings ballads written by others. But when he gets into a Texas swing on his own he's fine. What Do You Want For Nothing stands out for its tougher sentiments and sound. Occasionally, he heads for Garth Brooks territory in story songs that try to make a mountain out of a molehill of emotion.[8] Mario Tarradell of The Dallas Morning News wrote, "If I Could Make A Living, offers a slightly more inventive batch of tunes (excluding the by-the-numbers title cut) than his first record."[6]
Personnel
As listed in liner notes.[1]
- Eddie Bayers – drums1
- Larry Byrom – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Glen Duncan – fiddle
- Stuart Duncan – fiddle, mandolin
- Paul Franklin – steel guitar, Dobro
- Sonny Garrish – steel guitar
- Jim Horn – saxophone
- Dann Huff – electric guitar
- Mark Ivey – background vocals
- Paul Leim – drums2
- Brent Mason – electric guitar
- Terry McMillan – harmonica
- Steve Nathan – keyboards
- Michael Rhodes – bass guitar2
- Matt Rollings – piano
- Brent Rowan – electric guitar2
- Clay Walker – lead vocals
- Dennis Wilson – background vocals
- Glenn Worf – bass guitar1
- Curtis Young – background vocals
- Notes
- 1Performed on all tracks except for "Lose Your Memory"
- 2Performed only on "Lose Your Memory"
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Singles
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Certifications
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| Preceded by The Hits by Garth Brooks The Hits by Garth Brooks |
RPM Country Albums number-one album March 20–26, 1995 April 3–9, 1995 |
Succeeded by The Hits by Garth Brooks The Hits by Garth Brooks |
References
- 1 2 If I Could Make a Living (Media notes). Clay Walker. Giant Records. 1994. 9 24582-2.
- ↑ Wooley, John. Tulsa World The Second Coming of CLAY WALKER // Country Star Dives Into Clearer Waters With New Album (October 2, 1994)
- ↑ Jinkins, Shirley The Plain Dealer WALKER COMPLETES YEAR OF SUCCESSES (9 September 1994).
- ↑ Dickerson, James. Boca Raton News Down to Earth Clay Walker counts his blessings (May 31, 1995)
- ↑ Gonzalez, John D. The Grand Rapids Press Walker is no stroller in fast rise to the top (11 June 1995)
- 1 2 3 Tarradell, Mario. The Dallas Morning News Honky-tonk rigors prepared Texas singer for trek to the top. (March 24, 1995)
- ↑ Siegler, Bonnie. Bankrate Fame & Fortune: Clay Walker (August 28, 2007)
- 1 2 Beyer, Susan The Ottawa Citizen Dancehall duo flogs old horse skillfully (November 12, 1994)
- 1 2 Rimlinger, Chris Rocky Mountain News R.E.M.'s latest is a `Monster' (R.E.M. Monster Warner Brothers Grade A-) (14 October 1994)
- ↑ "Gold & Platinum - May 4, 1995". RIAA. Retrieved 2011-07-07.