Don't Take the Girl
Tim McGraw
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Johnny's daddy was taking him fishin' When he was eight years old Little girl came through the front gate Holdin' a fishin' pole His dad looked down and smiled He said, "We can't leave her behind" "Son, I know you don't want her to go But someday you'll change your mind" And Johnny said "Take Jimmy Johnson Take Tommy Thompson Take my best friend, Bo Take anybody that you want as Long as she don't go Take any boy in the world Daddy please, don't take the girl" Same old boy, same sweet girl Ten years down the road He held her tight and kissed her lips in Front of the picture show Stranger came and pulled a gun Grabbed her by the arm said "If you do what I tell you to There won't be any harm" And Johnny said "Take my money Take my wallet Take my credit cards Here's the watch that my Grandpa gave me Here's the key to my car Mister give it a whirl But please don't take the girl" Same old boy Same sweet girl Five years down the road There's gonna be a little one and she Says it's time to go Doctor says the baby's fine But you'll have to leave 'Cause his momma's fading fast and Johnny hit his knees and there he prayed "Take the very breath you gave me Take the heart from my chest I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me Make this my last request Take me out of this world God, please don't take the girl" Johnny's daddy Was taking him fishin' When he was eight years old
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Written by: Larry Johnson, Craig Martin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Background"Don't Take The Girl" is a country song by Tim McGraw. It was released on March 28, 1994, as the second single from his second studio album "Not A Moment Too Soon."
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Chart PerformanceThe song was a commercial success. It became Tim McGraw's first number one single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart where it stayed for two weeks.
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Songwriters and ProductionThe song was written by Craig Martin and Larry W. Johnson. The music production was handled by Byron Gallimore and James Stroud.
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Song StoryThe lyrics of "Don't Take the Girl" tell a story in three verses, each ten years apart, about a boy named Johnny whose love interest is a girl named Mary. He initially does not want her to join him and his dad on a fishing trip (narrative of childhood), then he begs a robber not to harm her (teenage narrative), and finally, he prays to God not to take her away when she is giving birth (adult narrative).
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Music VideoThe music video, directed by Julian Chojnacki, was released in 1994. It chronicles the events of the song through flashbacks, as a grown-up Johnny remembers his past with Mary.
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Impact and RecognitionThis song was critically acclaimed and Tim McGraw received praise for his emotional delivery. According to Billboard, the song "helped cement McGraw's image as a ruggedly sensitive country heartthrob".
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Cover Versions and PerformancesSeveral artists have covered the song since its original release. Melinda Schneider and Beccy Cole recorded a version for their collaborative album "Great Women of Country" 2014.
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Song Interpretation"Don't Take The Girl" is seen as an example of the "bro-country" sub-genre, featuring storylines and lyrics focused on young, attractive, and rural people experiencing typical human scenarios.
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Certifications and SalesThe song was certified Platinum by the RIAA, indicating sales of over a million copies in the United States.
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LegacyDespite being released in the 1990s, the song continues to be one of Tim McGraw's most popular and recognizable songs, with live performances still earning ovations from audiences.
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Citation
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"Don't Take the Girl Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/22167268/Tim+McGraw/Don%27t+Take+the+Girl>.
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