Vince Gill was one of Nashville's great prototypes for country in the 80s and 90s. His songwriting chops were his bread and butter. The hit records were huge, perfect displays of sweet, thoughtful radio jams and well versed in his instrumentation. These are the things that caused his contemporaries to respect him so much. There's a reason he's been representing the Eagles since 2017. Everything Vince did was deeply intentional, a sincere love of the craft that's contagious in his work.
Videos by Wide Open Country
This craftsmanship is representative in his steep resume. The industry shows Gill an abundance of love when it comes to hand out hardware. The CMAs and the Grammys alike have given him dozens of hardware over the years. Additionally, Vince joined The Grand Ole Opry in 1991, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012, and nabbed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Clearly, both fans and the industry alike adore Vince Gill. But for the uninitiated, where do you even start? Out of his 20 albums and copious amount of singles, what are the best songs to understand him? Wide Open Country has you covered on that end with four songs that can get you started on the journey.
Four Vince Gill Songs That Will Play Forever
"Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away"
Really, what makes the best country music so great is that tremendous sense of warmth emanating from it. The pedal steel guitars, the fiddles, harmonicas, so many components recall that distinct Southern humidity. The right record can help you recall hot summer days, fighting off mosquitos, hanging out with friends over good food and brews.
Gill thrives in that department with "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away." A pretty straightforward country radio standard, his homely vocals and sweet guitar solo recalls cowboy hats and denim. I'd be hard pressed not to see people hit the dance floor like it shows in the music video. Clearly, it's stayed with people all these years later. "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away" sits comfortably as Gill's most streamed song on Spotify at nearly 72 million streams. For context, there's a gap of about 20 million separating this from his second biggest record. Frankly, I reckon it's for good reason. I'd argue this Vince Gill record stands out the most from the pack.
"Go Rest High On That Mountain"
It's hard to pull off a great ballad. A lot of artists strip too much away, as if the musicality doesn't matter just as much as the voice. This isn't an acapella, songs aren't American Idol auditions. Leave those stock pianos at home, bring out the soul!
On "Go Rest High On That Mountain," Vince Gill aids this issue by channeling his church influences. It's not quite gospel, those vocals don't stack in swell in the same way. Rather, it's a lot more intimate, playing out closer to a moment of quiet prayer. He didn't start writing the record until Keith Whitley passed in 1989. However, the song never fully comes to completion until the tragic death of his brother Bob in 1993. That personal touch is what makes this record really shine, tackling death with touching poetry and firm faith.
"One More Last Chance"
This is a great example of Gill and his sly, funny songwriting. Everyone knows those songs where the artist begs and pleads for their significant other to forgive them. They just need "one last chance" until they inevitably screw up all over again. Well, Vince plays around with that concept, clearly nodding to the fact that he's done this same act and routine dozens of times. Consequently, he just needs one MORE of those last chances. As you might expect, he goes through great lengths to continue hanging out with the boys and getting absolutely plastered. The fact there's no real resolution is what cracks me up the most. Gill just won't call it quits even if it loses his lady.
"When I Call Your Name"
The record that got Vince Gill 'Song of The Year' at the CMAs in 1990. It's reminiscent of Brooks & Dunn's "Neon Moon" in that they both deeply yearn for the loves in their lives. However, "Neon Moon" thrives as a singalong at the top of the night. "When I Call Your Name" acts as like the last calls for drinks at the bar and the loneliness starts to set in.
No matter how much he longs for this woman though, she doesn't respond to his call. It's that sobering realization that she's gone for good. That aforementioned "One More Last Chance" doesn't exist here. Gill has to sit with his tears and loneliness. It reminds me a lot of the best Keith Whitley records, these howls into the night, love unrequited. It's not hard to tell what made fans and awards shows adore this one.
