Cheer Up Little Darling

Album: Wrangled (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Guy Clark helped Angaleena Presley write this song. It was Clark's final track that he completed before his death in May of 2016. Presley told Billboard magazine that the pair was particularly close.

    "Guy and I had become really great friends. We had a standing writing appointment every Wednesday for about five years. Sometimes I would go over, and he wouldn't be feeling good, but that day, he was on fire. He was hopping around, and it was like hanging out with the Heartworn Highways guy. I had never gotten to see that side of his personality before because his health wasn't that great.

    But, on this day, he had the idea already. It was kind of a takeaway from the gospel song 'Farther Along.' We wrote that song so quick. I know that the universe and the stars aligned for me to be there that day. I lean on that song so much, and it's such a gift that he gave to me - and to anyone else who is struggling with just how overwhelming it is to just be and to survive, to navigate your career and your home life. Sometimes you just have to take a breath, and tell yourself that you can't fix the world. Just sit down, make a list of what you need to do. It's such great advice. I can't tell you how many times I look at my calendar and think 'There's no way. It's too much for one human to do.' Then, I think about that song, and sometimes, I even have to play that song. I am just so thankful that he shared that insight with me, which I know came from a way bigger place."
  • Guy Clark also contributes a spoken part at the beginning of this track.
  • This features musician Shawn Camp who won a Grammy Award for his production of Guy Clark's 2013 album My Favorite Picture Of You. Camp plays Clark's No. 10 guitar, which was used to write this song as well as the late singer's mandola.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.