Martina McBride is a country music singer and songwriter who is best known for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range. She joins Faith Hill and Shania Twain in their own pop-country style.
Beginning her singing career in 1992, McBride has recorded 11 studio albums, one greatest hits album, one live album, a Christmas music album and two other compilation alums.
McBride has been nominated for many major music awards, including 14 Grammy award nominations, and walked away with over 15 wins, including several Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year awards.
McBride married her husband John in 1988 and they had three daughters - Delaney Katharine, Emma Justine and Ava Rose Kathleen.
In honor of her 47th birthday today, here is a list of her top ten songs.
10) "Valentine" - Evolution
McBride joined contemporary artist Jim Brickman to write and record this timeless romance song. The music video features McBride singing while Brickman plays the piano, cutting between them and various other characters. The song and video suggest that through kids or old age, their love remains. Through anything, whether it be the sun refusing to shine or romance ran out of rhyme, love endures forever. Also a part of Brickman's 1997 album Picture This, the song peaked at Number Three on the country music charts.
9) "Happy Girl" - Evolution
This song suggests that by discovering who you are and accepting it, you will find true happiness. This song is great for a girl who is in need of a little confidence in their life, a reminder that being happy makes everyone even more beautiful. Its peppy tune and lyrics make you want to get up and dance silly to McBride's encouragement. Written by Beth Nielsen Chapman and Annie Roboff and released in 1998, the song peaked at Number Two on the charts.
8) "In My Daughter's Eyes" - Martina
A song that reminds mothers of their own daughters and likewise, "In My Daughter's Eyes" was written by James T. Slater and released in 2003. The song is about a mom's baby girl and how she sees the world. In a baby's eyes, you can see the truth, light and goodness of the world. The world would be a different place if we all looked through the eyes of a child. This song, which is a popular mother-daughter dance at weddings, peaked at Number Three on the charts.
7) "This One's For the Girls" - Martina
This upbeat song speaks to girls of all ages, whether they be 13, 25, 42, or anywhere in between or beyond. Whatever age we are, McBride tells us we are beautiful the way we are. Teenagers have to deal with peer pressure and fitting in, young women struggle to make it on their own and older women deal with aging. But every woman, no matter where they are in life, is beautiful. Skillfully written by Chris Lindsey, Hillary Lindsey and Aimee Mayo, the song was released in 2003. Back up vocals are provided by McBride's daughters Delaney and Emma, as well as country singers Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Faith Hill.
6) "Independence Day" - The Way that I Am
Another song dealing with abuse, this song written by Gretchen Peters was released in 1994. The song is about a woman dealing with domestic abuse from her husband and her daughter who tries to escape it all. The music video presents a graphic representation of the lyrics, in which the mother actually started their house on fire with the father inside. The girl is taken away in a police car while the local Independence Day fair carries on. The song's title has a double meaning, as the events in the song take place on Independence day, but it is also the story of the mother gaining freedom from an abusive husband. Although the song was first presented to Reba McEntire, she turned it down. McBride successfully picked it up and it became one of her most powerful hits. Independence Day was nominated for two Grammy Awards and an Academy Award and won two Country Music Association Awards.
5) "Wrong Again" - Evolution
Written by Cynthia Weil and Tommy Lee James and released in 1998, this song was the fourth single off McBride's Evolution album. It peaked at Number One on Billboard's Hot Country list. McBride sings about a woman who is so sure that her love will end, but she is wrong and her heart is broken. However, she also believes that she will never get over him, but she is "wrong again," and her heart is ultimately able to heal. Many girls can identify with the lyrics, as a lot of times it seems like when it comes to love, you just can't get it right. Instead of a discouraging song about a broken heart, McBride leaves us with a promising ending.
4) "Concrete Angel"
Released in 2002 and written by Stephanie Bentley and Rob Crosby, McBride brings out her passion with this power ballad. As an activist against domestic violence, she educates her followers on the dangers of abuse. The song is about a girl who falls victim to domestic violence. Although people can see the signs, they ignore them and the mother ends up beating the girl to death. Through all of the bad, the little girl had made friends with an angel, and she joins him by the end of the song. The music video vividly brings this song to life and tears to our eyes. At the end of the video, the number for the National Child Abuse Hotline is listed in an effort to bring attention to the tragic issue.
3) "Wrong Baby Wrong" - Shine
McBride brings a new level of sass and edginess with this up-tempo and uplifting song released in 2010. The narrator sings to a friend, telling her not to worry about her man walking out on her. Everyone goes through it, and everyone is eventually able to pull themselves back up. It's not the end of the world, and things will get better. The music video features a woman picking up her friends, who all seem to be upset over the boys in their lives. Instead of sitting around by themselves, the girls go out to a bar and have fun, forgetting all about their boy issues. The inspirational lyrics are great for any girl trying to make themselves feel better after a rough breakup.
2) "Anyway" - Waking Up Laughing
This encouraging song is based off a poem written by Dr. Kent M. Keith and promotted by Mother Teresa titled "The Paradoxical Commandments." McBride wrote the song with the Warren Brothers and first performed it in 2006. "Anyway" is a song that everyone is able to relate to. If things don't work out for you the way you wanted, whether it be with a relationship, a career or a dream, things will still turn out okay. McBride reminds us to keep trying and keep dreaming, no matter what. In the music video, McBride sings while pedestrians on a busy street blur past her. Several of their dreams are written across the screen. Even in a world crowded with people, people should strive to make a difference. Peaking at Number Five on the charts, the song was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2007 Country Music Association Awards.
1) "I'm Gonna Love you Through It" - Eleven
This inspirational song tells the story of a woman who discovers she has breast cancer, and her husband who stands by her throughout her battle. Her loving husband is ready to love his wife through anything that comes at them. The song climbed the country music charts, becomming McBride's first Top Ten hit since "Anyway" in 2007 and peaking at Number four. The music video includes dialog from several cancer survivors, including Sheryl Crow, Robin Roberts and Hoda Kotb and also features cancer activist Katie Couric. Released in 2011 and written by Ben Hayslip, Sonya Isaacs and Jimmy Yeary, this song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance. It's moving love story touched the hearts of so many families and friends of those affected by cancer.
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