'A Real Fine Place To Start'---Sara Evans

[WhySoSerious?]

I like the full thing less than I liked the clip. Her voice is fine as always, but it's kinda lifeless. I don't think it sounds overly pop, though something more organic and less produced would have been preferable. I'm sorta disappointed.

[Zazie]

Over-produced, there's a negative term I missed. Thanks for supplying it.

I'm sure the song will grow on me and I will see its good points over the 30 or so weeks that it gets big airplay. And I do recognize that I used very strong negative terms -- I didn't expect people to agree with me, and most don't. (Thanks for having disagreed politely.)

Still, I am surprised to see so many people describing it as "great" and "awesome." At best, it's a substantial step backwards from Suds, but it will be followed by something less pop and less generic. At worst, it's a major retreat from the strong move that Suds represented, and that the radio audience responded so well to.

I would like to see a couple of the stars show some leadership in reclaiming territory that country radio shouldn't give up. Sure, I recognize there's always been a pop presence on country radio. And I know this is about money and fame and catering to the perceived desires of the fans. But it's discouraging to hear the current group of female stars (except Womack, who appears to have come back from the bad place she went off to) and their idea, or their labels' idea, of good music. I can live with 75% pop generic stuff. I hate to see that move towards 90%.

If the stars don't provide leadership, how are the newcomers supposed to? They have no weight to throw around. And, a hint to the labels, the fans actually liked Suds.

[musicfan_84]

I understand what you're saying, but you have to realize that it will be REALLY hard to top "Suds," even with a more organic sounding song. Suds was just such a unique song, that even another "more" country sounding song would be hard to top.

[automyskin89]

I think this song could go top 10.

[Jim King]

Zazie said:

I can live with 75% pop generic stuff. I hate to see that move towards 90%.

And, a hint to the labels, the fans actually liked Suds.

I liked "Suds," too, but my point is that radio would rapidly become pretty tedious to listen to if all the songs were like "Suds" or "What's A Guy Gotta Do." That's what I mean by a country ditty. A little variety is always good.

I just resent the implication that if it doesn't sound like Patsy Cline or George Jones or Loretta Lynn, then it's not "country," and furthermore, therefore it sucks. I can't tell if that's what you're saying, but if it is, I disagree.

~ Jim

[gcook]

It's okay. Nothing standoutish! I could see this one going to the top or failing to hit top 30. I don't find it to be the gem some are proclaiming.

[automyskin89]

The music to this song reminds me of Martina McBride's "This One's For The Girls!" Doesn't anyone else agree, especially at the beginning, maybe not after she starts singing, but the beginning it does IMO.

[WhySoSerious?]

Hear said:

The music to this song reminds me of Martina McBride's "This One's For The Girls!"  Doesn't anyone else agree, especially at the beginning, maybe not after she starts singing, but the beginning it does IMO.

I didn't notice it, but that would certainly explain why I don't love this.

[automyskin89]

TCorey said:

I didn't notice it, but that would certainly explain why I don't love this.

after I listened to more of it, it sounds more like it just at the beginning but this is quickly becoming a favorite, of mine.

[Zazie]

jimking said:

I just resent the implication that if it doesn't sound like Patsy Cline or George Jones or Loretta Lynn, then it's not "country," and furthermore, therefore it sucks.  I can't tell if that's what you're saying, but if it is, I disagree.

~ Jim

No, I don't have a strict definition of country. And I sometimes like a big, pop-sounding power ballad. Usually not, but if the lyrics are good... anyway, I think country has room for plenty of sub-genres.

Thing is, I got my hopes up when Suds not only appeared, but went #1. And #1 songs like Nothin' On But the Radio, Awful Beautiful Life, and the potential #1 by Kix and Ronnie have continued to prop up my hopes. Not because they are "country" and other songs aren't. But because they have good lyrics, good vocals, and they aren't over-produced.

So I got a little bent out of shape when Sara went in a different direction and nobody else seemed bothered by it. She's entitled to do whatever she wants, and after she got burned on her first album I understand why she records a lot of the pop-sounding stuff -- she wants success. Good for her. But I was hoping somebody else would notice that this song wasn't even close to the standard of Suds, not in its lyrics, its arrangement, its anything; and that is a step backwards.

And to whoever thinks radio would be dull if everything sounded like Suds: I agree. We're not in imminent danger of that happening. As I said before, I'll take 25% good songs and the rest can be over-produced pop stuff.

Let me give you an example of the leadership I'm looking for. Brad Paisley didn't have to send Whiskey Lullaby out to radio. He could have played it safe. There must have been people who thought that was a crazy decision. I don't need everybody to do that, but it's nice when a star takes a strong set of lyrics, a solid and understated production, and good interpretive vocals and turns it into a successful radio release. Alan Jackson does this too. Is it so wrong to be disappointed that Sara's follow-up represents a 180 degree shift away from that?

I have plenty of CD's but I still like listening to the radio. But the radio doesn't give me much of what I like....

[sevansfan]

I agree that this song isn't as good as Suds In The Bucket, but then again I didn't like suds the first few times I listened to it. I am a HUGE fan of Sara's but even her music has to grow on me. But I am sure she is heading in a more "country" direction for the most part of her new album. I mean how could she not!? Suds did awesome and that is the kind of music she loves, so I am expecting this next cd to be a great mix of "traditional" sounding country and "country-pop". I wonder if she has another Diane Warren song on her hands? I Could Not Ask For More, is arguably one of her biggest hits, but then again Need To Be Next To You was one of the weaker tracks on Restless. I think she needs to take Cupid from her 2nd cd and re-release it! That has been my favorite song of hers ever since I got that cd! I think a duet with George Jones would do her tons of good!

[countrymusicfan6]

I'm not that impressed by this song. I was excpecting a totally diferent sound to come off this next record. With everyone going in a more tradional direction, I am confused to why the record label has Sara going the opposite way. It isn't a bad song, but I just don't see it in the top ten. I have liked sara's music in the past but don't think this is going to help her career any.

Hopefully I'm wrong but I just don't see today's radio backing this. I'm sure this would have went #1 back in 2000. But alot has changed since then...

[countrymusicfan6]

Does anyone know when it goes for adds? I'm sure it hasn't had its impact date yet, as its barely getting any spins.

[benmcd2000]

:(

I love Sara Evans to death but I think this is one of the weakest tracks I have heard from her. In fact, I didn't even get through the whole song...it bored me. I'm hoping the album has better songs...I wasn't happy with the first single from Restless, however the rest of the album was incredible. I hope this happens again!

[automyskin89]

I'm shocked, I thought everyone would love this!! It's amazing.

[jimmy74747]

I really like this after a couple listens. It has an amazing chorus

[CompletelyRestless]

I am not sure how I feel about it now that I have had a chance to listen to it. I think that Best Days is ma much stronger song, yes I have heard it. Would have been a much better first single who knows what RCA is thinking.

[Hunter]

About all of this "over-the-top pop" talk... Look at "Perfect." Went to #2 on Billboard, and #5 on R&R. And I dont get why yall are hammering Sara on all of that stuff about how "Suds" is a better song, because Sara has no control over what her new single is, obviously stated by WakeUpOlder.

[automyskin89]

*replay*

[automyskin89]

This is literally my 2nd favorite (edit: country) song of 2005.

[Jim King]

Hear said:

This is literally my 2nd favorite (edit: country) song of 2005.

Me, too. That chorus rocks!

One last thing, I normally give the songwriter's version props for their interpretation, but as much as I love Radney Foster's other efforts ("Nobody Wins," "Makin' It Up," etc.), Sara has handed him his hat on this one, the worst "hat handing" since Natalie Maines handed Bruce Robison his hat on "Travelin' Soldier."

I hope radio is not able to bury this fine recording.

~ Jim, okay, now I'll shut up

[automyskin89]

Dustin said:

Full length stream from All Access:

mms://66.186.0.101/allaccess/sarareal.wma

bump4link

[automyskin89]

The lyrics in this song remind of of some songs from Jessica Simpson's "In This Skin" era!

[sevansfan]

I really do like this song a lot, but it kind of sounds like a theme song to a "chick flick" or for one of those shows like Dawsons Creek or something. lol Maybe they should look for a soundtrack to include it on.

[automyskin89]

sevansfan said:

I really do like this song a lot, but it kind of sounds like a theme song to a "chick flick" or for one of those shows like Dawsons Creek or something. lol Maybe they should look for a soundtrack to include it on.

more promotion!

[musicfan_84]

This song is not taking off very well. Hopefully they can get a video filmed for it soon, otherwise, it may be a dud... I hope not though. I love this song!

[automyskin89]

Still Lovin' this track! 
I need more new tracks from Miss. Evans

musicfan_84 said:

This song is not taking off very well. Hopefully they can get a video filmed for it soon, otherwise, it may be a dud... I hope not though. I love this song!

is this even a single?

[WhySoSerious?]

Maybe this'll flop and they'll cancel it.

[dcowboy77]

TW LW
54 65
SPINS:
TW LW
236 127 +109
Off to a slow chart start though.

[sevansfan]

You have to keep in mind that it was officially released only 2 weeks ago. She is no Toby, Kenny, Tim, or Gretchen, so naturally all her songs have slow starts, even Suds in the Bucket took a REALLY long time to take off! Just give it time.

Devin