Over

Album: Red River Blue (2011)
Charted: 43
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The fourth single from Blake Shelton's sixth studio album, Red River Blue, "Over" is a mid-tempo tune penned by Paul Jenkins and David Elliott Johnson. Born and raised in Southeast Texas, country songwriter Paul Jenkins has lived in Nashville since 1994. His other credits include the Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson duet "Don't You Wanna Stay" and Thompson Square's single "I Got You." St. Augustine drummer/producer David Elliot Johnson was working with major label artists by the age of 17 and has performed live with such names as Don Henley, Bruce Springsteen, Glenn Frey and Sheryl Crow.
  • Johnson's father was a jazz drummer on Miami Beach who carved out a successful career playing with such greats as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. It was a tough act to follow, and for years David sought to meet his dad's approval. Johnson explained to Saint Augustine magazine Old City Life that he wrote this song for his father in homage. "I wrote the song in an effort to reach my father through the medium we were both cursed by, music," he explained. "It is in our blood, our hearts, in our breath, in everything we do. The song's opening line, If I could, I would dare, feed your dreams and starve your fears, was the most personal line I'd ever written. It was the truth. The chorus, Tell me what I have to do to win you over, was one of the more painful I'd every written. Since then, I've recognized my ability to know when I am writing from my heart and when I am just putting pen to paper to take up space. Writing from the heart is frightening, painful, even humiliating; much, much worse than a really bad hair cut."
  • The single was released on May 21, 2012, three weeks after Shelton performed the song live on The Voice.
  • The song was Blake Shelton's seventh successive single to top the country chart following "Hillbilly Bone," "All About Tonight," "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking," "Honey Bee," "God Gave Me You" and "Drink On It."
  • The visual was voted the Best Video of 2012 by GAC viewers. A couple of Carrie Underwood's clips came in second and third place with "Blown Away" runner-up followed by "Good Girl."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.