| 16 Biggest Hits - Joe Diffie | |
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Reviewed by Trisha Huenke
After the success of albums like Extremes, and I Think About You, you'd have thought Joe Diffie could sing no wrong. To his most devoted fans, one of which I am, he can't. The critics however, haven't agreed the last few years. I've heard him described as too much country, not enough country, mediocre... the list of incongruous descriptions just go on and on. What the critics don't realize is that you won't find anyone in country music more honest or sincere, both in himself and in his music. Perhaps Collin's latest effort, titled "16 Biggest Hits," will open a few more eyes.
The CD starts out with fast number called "Gypsy Honeymoon." It's one of those songs with a catchy chorus that you learn with the first listen, and can't help but sing along to.
Some of Collin's best songs are break up songs. The ones on this CD sort of tell a story in chapters. They don't appear on the CD in this order, but this is how I interpret them:
"Dancing With No Music Playing" is one of my favorites from the CD. It starts out talking about a couple at a school dance, holding on to each other even after the music stops. The next verse is that same couple, and how they continued to dance after the reception. The last verse is that same couple again; in the kitchen of the home they made "dancing with no music playing."
Collin contributed his talent for song writing to the CD with "Young As We're Ever Gonna Be." The underlying message in this one is simple. If you put off what you want to do in life, you may never achieve it because right now is as young as you'll ever be.
The most unique song on the CD is "Dear Life," where he talks to his own existence as if it were a second party. It's a hard song to simply describe to you, but I will say the best line from the song says, "for once I'm gonna rest in the arms of the unknown, and wait to watch you unfold." It's definately one of the best on the CD.
"Ain't Nobody Gonna Take That From Me," while not embraced by country radio last August, really is an awesome song. It's the story of an average man who lives his life honestly and cherishes the small things that really count. His father's pride in him, his own pride in himself and the love of his child; those are the things that matter most to him. Imagine if everyone felt that way...
Every fan of Joe Diffie has come to expect at least one serious message song on his albums. One that deals with a major social issue like child abuse in "The Eleventh Commandment," or alcoholism in "Little Rock," or a song that has a deeper spiritual meaning as in "She's Gonna Fly." Don't worry because he didn't disappoint us. The song is called "What I Need." It has quickly become my new theme song. For those of you who don't know what a theme song is, it's one that fits your own life so perfectly that you immediately think they are singing about you. The chorus on this one fits better than any I've ever come across. "I prayed for strength and I got pain that made me strong. I prayed for courage and got fear to overcome. When I prayed for faith my empty heart brought me to my knees. I don't always get what I want, I get what I need."
In my opinion, 16 Biggest Hits is one of the best albums Joe Diffie has ever released. There is so much on it to feel, to identify with, and to simply enjoy listening to. Perhaps, as in the past, the critics won't agree with me, but that's ok. They will continue to have their opinion, and I'll have mine. And I for one love this album and everything it has to say.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Sony Nashville.
Chapter One: "End Of The World," describes what a breakup would mean to him. I love the chorus on this one. "Turn off the sun, take down the moon, eliminate the words I love you. There would be no point, no reason to live without you girl. Losing you would mean the end of the world."
Chapter Two: "It Could Be That Easy" is about the ease with which she walked out of his life.
Chapter Three: "I Can Let Go Now" is about the aftermath of the break up, the picking yourself up and starting over.
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