‘In My Wildest Dreams’

This song came about when Donny Kees and I were changing the brakes on his wife’s car. Before we got finished fixing the car and writing the song, we had grease and new parts, a guitar and pencil marks and wadded up paper on the car. It took us three days just to get it all sorted out.

‘I’ve Got A Good Memory’

You can burn their pictures. You can clean out their closet. You can hock their jewelry, but sometimes you just can’t forget ‘em.

‘You’ve Got To Stand For Something’

It’s no wonder that we chose this song for the first single off of the album and that it is the title cut. I can’t think of many songs with a stronger message. It truly reflects the raising and beliefs of co-writer, Buddy Brock and myself.

‘I Wonder Just How Far It Is Over You’

Buddy and I had this idea for a couple of weeks before we got started on it. We couldn’t quite find the opening line that we wanted. But, one afternoon I was driving home from the gym in my old faithful car, Daisy, and I noticed an abandoned car on the side of the road. As I was passing by it, I petted old daisy on the dash and said, “I wouldn’t ever do you like that Daisy.” That’s when it hit me. “I parked my car beside the highway and I didn’t lock the door, left a note there with the keys, if it cranks well fiend she’s yours.”

‘Ain’t That A Hell Of A Note’

When Terry Brown brought in this idea, I don’t think either one of us realized how great this little song was gonna turn out. But, let me tell you something – if you think it’s bad to get a dear John letter, well, that’s because you’ve never had a good-bye list.

‘The Man That Came Between Us’

This song didn’t really hit me until the demo was finished and we started pitching it around town. When Butch and I started out, we meant to write a good strong “honey I’m sorry song,” but I had no idea it was going to be about me.

‘She Made A Memory Out Of Me’

Now if you want to hear the Aaron Tippin heart of me music, this is it. Just good ‘ole country blues with a 1990 bottom end. This song will tell you right quick who my heroes are.

‘Up Against You’

Well, from our hillbilly, red-neck background, Buddy and I wanted a little up-beat song with some tough guy lyrics about falling in love. I think this song sums it up pretty good.

‘The Sky’s Got The Blues’

It might be a bright sunny day to most folks, but if your baby’s done gone and left ya, you just don’t look at things the same way. When I brought this idea to Ronnie Rogers, we were just gonna get together and see if we could find something to write about. The next thing we knew, it was written.

‘Many, Many, Many Beers Ago’

Philip Douglas and I were back at the office after having lunch at our favorite little place, Brown’s Diner, and I asked Philip, “What was that idea we were talking about at lunch?” and he said, “Hey, Man don’t ask me, that was many beers ago.” And there you have it.

RCA/BMG
10/90