About the song
Alright, let’s dissect Trace Adkins’ “I Wanna Feel Something.” Adkins, with his deep, resonant baritone, has always occupied a space in country music that blends traditional grit with a modern edge. This song, released in the mid-2000s, is a prime example of that.
Context and Positioning:
- By the time “I Wanna Feel Something” hit the airwaves, Trace Adkins had established himself as a powerful figure in country music. He’s known for his strong, masculine presence and his ability to deliver songs with both raw emotion and a sense of rugged authenticity.
- The mid-2000s saw country music continuing its evolution, with a mix of traditional sounds and more contemporary production styles. Adkins, while maintaining his traditional roots, wasn’t afraid to embrace elements of this modern sound.
Musical Analysis:
- Instrumentation: The song features a blend of traditional country instruments, like guitars, with a more modern, driving rhythm section. There’s a sense of urgency in the music, which complements the song’s emotional intensity.
- Melody and Harmony: The melody is powerful and memorable, designed to showcase Adkins’ vocal range and emotional delivery. The harmonies are rich and full, adding depth to the song’s overall sound.
- Production: The production is polished and contemporary, with a focus on creating a big, impactful sound. This helps to elevate the song’s emotional weight.
Lyrical Analysis:
- Theme: The song explores the theme of emotional numbness and the desire to reconnect with genuine feelings. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of the struggle to maintain emotional vitality in a world that can often feel emotionally draining.
- Emotional Honesty: Adkins delivers the lyrics with a sense of vulnerability, which makes the song’s message all the more powerful. The lyrics speak to a universal human experience, the longing to feel something real.
- Storytelling: The song tells a story of a person who has become emotionally dulled, and the desire to break free from that state.
Significance and Impact:
- “I Wanna Feel Something” resonated with audiences because of its emotional honesty and relatability. It speaks to the human desire for genuine connection and feeling.
- It showcases Adkins’ ability to deliver powerful, emotionally charged performances.
- The song’s blend of traditional country elements with a modern production style helped to broaden its appeal.
In the Broader Context:
- Trace Adkins, with “I Wanna Feel Something,” delivers a song that is both personal and universal. It’s a testament to his ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level.
- It is a strong example of how country music can tackle complex emotional themes, while still remaining musically engaging.
- The song holds up well, and shows Adkins ability to deliver a song that is both relevant for its time, and timeless.
Video
Lyrics
If you’re tellin’ me I’m not on fireYou’re just preachin’ to the choirI’ve gotten dull as old barbed wire from livin’Last night I watched the evening newsIt was the same ol’ nothin’ newIt should have cut me right in twoBut it didn’tI don’t know why it didn’tBut I wanna feel somethin’Somethin’ that’s a real somethin’That moves me, that proves to me I’m still aliveI wanna heart that beats and bleedsA heart that’s bustin’ at the seamsI wanna care, I wanna cry, I wanna screamI just wanna feel somethin’If you’re tellin’ me that’s just how it isI don’t buy it ’cause once I was kissedBy a red-headed girl with cherry lipsOn her porch when I was sixteenAnd I felt it somewhere in my soul, and time stood still, and I couldn’t let goI can’t tell you ’cause I don’t know how I got so coldWhen did I get so cold?I just wanna feel somethin’Somethin’ that’s a real somethin’That moves me, that proves to me I’m still aliveRun my fingers through your fingersAcross your face and through your hairAnd close my eyes and breathe you in like airI just wanna feel somethin’I hate that I’m jaded and I make you cryBut still you stick around me, only God knows whyDamn it all to hell, I’m done‘Cause I don’t like what I’ve becomeSo come here, babyCome here, babyI just wanna feel somethin’Somethin’ that’s a real somethin’That moves me, that proves to me I’m still aliveRun my fingers through your fingersAcross your face and through your hairAnd close my eyes and breathe you in like airI just wanna feel somethin’Come here, baby