Bless the Broken Road: This Is Why You Should Start Listening to Rascal Flatts
A wonderful lyric, wonderful melody and the perfect vocals–these are what makes a truly great feel-good song. This is also a track that will instantly catch your attention. The moment you listen to it, the music will play on and on in your mind. A perfect example of this is Rascal Flatts’ cover of a 1994 classic Bless the Broken Road.
When I first heard the song four years ago, it was during the finale of American Idol season 4. Carrie Underwood performed with a country music group called Rascal Flatts. The song they sang, although it was alien to my ears and only ran for more than a couple minutes, instantly perked my ear up. Whatever the reason was, I started to look for the song online.
I am a Carrie Underwood fan so I got hold of a copy of their studio performance. Though the band was still stranger to me, I was beginning to love the song, which I knew the moment I heard it, was a Rascal Flatt hit. I soon was playing it daily on my iPod and laptop. Since then, I’ve heard about three versions of the song. Though all had different interpretations, they all had the same effect: infectious.
The song was originally written for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1994. After that, three more singers have recorded it but it was Rascal Flatts that made it a huge hit.
The song was included in their 2005 album, Feels Like Today. Despite the fact that it has been around for quite a while, Rascal Flatts made it a sensation. It took the charts by storm. As a matter of fact, it stayed at the number one spot in the Hot Country Singles and Tracks for five weeks. It even won a Grammy for Best Country Song.
This song, clearly, is a very nice lyrical song. One does not need to hear it twice to see the beautiful message it conveys. It gives hope and assures everyone that there is something better at the end of a rough, tough, and broken road. I’ve heard an acoustic version of the song, a more serious and slower version (Idol performance), and the original Rascal Flatts version.
The song was initially intended as a mid-tempo song. And though the lyrics are wonderful, it is suited to a slower-paced rendition, not mid-tempo version Rascal Flatts included in their album. It is different from the slower and more serious performance at the Idol finale. It’s more emotional and powerful at that tempo.
Rascal Flatts’ rendition was similar to the original version. It was mid-tempo. You can also hear a wonderful piano accompaniment that added to the effect of the superb arrangement. Gary LeVox was able to sing every note right and drop every word at the right spot. His vocals were relaxed and packed with emotions. He was on the right key. It was flawless. When the song builds up in the second verse to the chorus, you will really feel how strong the song was. This is enough of a reason for you to start listening to Rascal Flatts.
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