About the song
There are certain songs that have a way of transporting us back in time, evoking memories so vivid they feel like they just happened yesterday. “Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter is one of those rare gems—an evocative, deeply nostalgic ballad that captures the essence of youthful love, heartbreak, and the passage of time with remarkable sincerity.
Released in 1996 as the lead single from her debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, “Strawberry Wine” quickly became a defining song of ‘90s country music. The song was an unexpected hit, climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and winning the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Song of the Year in 1997. But beyond its commercial success, this song resonated deeply with listeners because of its hauntingly beautiful storytelling and melancholic charm.
At its core, “Strawberry Wine” is a coming-of-age tale told through the eyes of a woman looking back on her first love. The lyrics, penned by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison, are rich with imagery and emotion. The song tells the story of a young girl who spends summers on her grandparents’ farm, where she experiences her first taste of romance with a boy who’s “a few years older than” her. The metaphor of strawberry wine—sweet yet fleeting—perfectly encapsulates the feeling of young love: intoxicating in the moment but ultimately impossible to hold onto.
One of the most striking aspects of Deana Carter’s performance is the vulnerability in her voice. Her soft, wistful delivery gives the song an air of authenticity, making it feel less like a structured piece of music and more like a personal memory shared with the listener. There’s an aching honesty in lines like:
“The hot July moon saw everything / My first taste of love, oh bittersweet.”
These lyrics don’t just describe a love story—they paint an entire picture, complete with the warmth of summer nights, the innocence of youth, and the inevitable heartache of growing up. The song’s gentle instrumentation, led by acoustic guitar and soft pedal steel, further enhances this sense of longing and nostalgia.
“Strawberry Wine” stands apart from many other country love songs because it doesn’t dwell in sentimentality or sugarcoat the past. Instead, it embraces the bittersweet nature of life and love—how time moves forward, leaving us with only memories of what once was. This depth and realism are what make the song timeless.
Even nearly three decades after its release, “Strawberry Wine” continues to hold a special place in the hearts of country music fans. It remains a staple of ‘90s country playlists and a song that, for many, instantly brings back memories of their own first love. Whether you first heard it as a teenager dreaming of romance or as an adult reminiscing about days gone by, its impact is undeniable.
In a genre that often celebrates youthful infatuation or everlasting devotion, Deana Carter gave us something different—a song about love that was real, fleeting, and formative. And that, perhaps, is why “Strawberry Wine” will always endure.
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Lyrics
He was working through collegeOn my grandpa’s farmI was thirsting for knowledgeAnd he had a carYeah, I was caught somewhere between a woman and a childOne restless summer we found love growing wildOn the banks of the river on a well beaten pathIt’s funny how those memories they lastLike strawberry wine and seventeenThe hot July moon saw everythingMy first taste of love, oh bittersweetGreen on the vineLike strawberry wineI still rememberWhen thirty was oldAnd my biggest fear was Septemberwhen he had to goA few cards and letters and one long distance callWe drifted away like the leaves in the fallBut year after year I come back to this placeJust to remember the tasteOf strawberry wine and seventeenThe hot July moon saw everythingMy first taste of love, whoa-oh, bittersweetGreen on the vineLike strawberry wineThe fields have grown over nowYears since they’ve seen the plowThere’s nothing time hasn’t touchedIs it really him or the loss of my innocence?I’ve been missing so muchYeahStrawberry wine and seventeenThe hot July moon saw everythingMy first taste of love, whoa-oh bittersweetAnd green on the vineLike strawberry wine and seventeenThe hot July moon saw everythingMy first taste of love, oh, bittersweetAnd green on the vineLike strawberry wineStrawberry wineOohStrawberry wine