Songful Style: “Need You Now”

It’s been a month, friends. I only have one more class left for my docent training. We received the information for our “graduation tour.” Now, I need to get started on that and find my audience. I get to have 6-10 people come for my tour. I almost would rather have 6-10 complete strangers watching me! Nigel has had lots of pain in his left leg. At his last appointment with the surgeon, we decided to move it from late this fall to the 22nd of next month! I’m a titch apprehensive about it. I know you’re all tired of hearing about it, but, gosh, it’s hard seeing him struggle. Anyway, welcome to the last Monday in April and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of Suzy Turner, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Suzy chose this month’s song. Last time, Shelbee selected “Wish I Knew You” by The Revivalists. Oh, and there’s a link party, too!

The band…

Lady A, once known as Lady Antebellum, was formed in 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee.  The band’s members are Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals), Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals, guitar), and Dave Haywood (lead and background vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin).  Kelly and Haywood went to middle school together in Georgia.  They went their separate ways for years before Kelley moved to Nashville to become a solo country singer.  He then convinced Heywood to join him in order to write music.  Now, this part made me chuckle.  Scott recognized Kelley from, of all places, Myspace, and the two began talking.  Apparently, the talk turned to music at some point, and Kelley asked Scott to join him and Haywood.  The group’s original name supposedly came from a photo shoot at antebellum houses.  The trio were dressed in historical costumes and began talking about how beautiful the homes were.  Someone suggested putting Lady in front of Antebellum, and the name came together. 

A little more…

In 2007, Lady A performed on Jim Brickman’s “Never Alone.”  After that, they signed to Capitol Nashville and released six albums for that company.  Lady Antebellum (2008), Need You Now (2009), and Own the Night (2011) were certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  Between all the albums, the band produced sixteen singles on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.  Nine of them reached number one.  “Need You Now” spent five weeks at number one for five weeks in 2009.  Both “Need You Now” and “Just a Kiss” reached number one on the Adult Contemporary charts.  Scott had tried out for American Idol and was rejected twice.  Ironically, the trio would go on to perform on the results show for American Idol on April 28, 2010, and sang “Need You Now.”  Four weeks after its release, Need You Now (the album) was certified platinum by the RIAA.  On September 28, 2010, Lady A began their first headlining tour, “Need You Now 2010” in Orlando, Florida.  On October 28^th, they performed the National Anthem before Game 2 at the 2010 World Series and appeared on the 44^th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10^th, 2010.

Still more…

In 2008, Lady A was named Top New Duo or Group by the Academy of Country Music and New Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association.  They were nominated for two Grammy Awards at the 51^st Annual Grammy Awards and two more at the 52^nd.  They won Best Country Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals for “I Run to You” in 2010.  In 2011, they were nominated for and won five Grammy Awards for Best Country Album, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Country Song.  Lady A also received a Grammy for Best Country Album for “Own the Night” at the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards. 

Even more…

The band continued to record and release albums as well as tour from 2010 until October 2015 when they announced they were taking a break.  Kelley was going to work on his solo career while Scott, her mother, father and sister released a gospel album.  In 2018, Lady A left Capitol Nashville and signed with Big Machine Records.  The band headlined a residency at the Palms Casino Resort’s Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas in 2019.  Our Kind of Vegas residency began in February 2019 and included fifteen dates.  Lady A continues to produce music and perform.  The band became members of the Grand Ole Opry on January 21, 2021 after Darius Rucker invited them. 

Controversy…

Most of you probably remember the band as Lady Antebellum.  Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, the group decided to drop the Antebellum and just go with their nickname, Lady A.  As they explain it, the name, Lady Antebellum, was just one of those thrown together things.  They just liked the sound of the word, antebellum, and began talking about the possible presence of a ghost at the mansion in which they’d been doing that photo shoot.  Given they had a “lady” in the group, and the hint of a lady ghost at the mansion, they put together Lady Antebellum.  Following the change of name, the group faced quite a bit of controversy.  One critic in Ms. Magazine wrote in 2011 (way before the 2020 change) “that the band’s name ‘seems to me an example of the way we still — nearly 150 years after the end of the Civil War, nearly 50 years after the Civil Rights Act; and in a supposedly post-racial country led by a biracial president — glorify a culture that was based on the violent oppression of people of color'”.   American Songwriger said, “Given that the world knows what that A stands for, to many this change does little more than add extra insult to this ongoing injury.”

A little more…

The band faced bigger trouble when they learned Lady A had been used by the African American activist and blues, soul, funk, and gospel singer, Anita White.  There was a lot of back and forth between the band and White regarding the use of the name.  The band wanted to collaborate with White, but they also wanted to retain the name.  Eventually, White counteroffered with the band renaming themselves, or she would rename herself for a $5 million fee plus a $5 million donation to split between Seattle charities, a nationwide legal defense fund for independent artists, and Black Lives Matter.  Needless to say, a lawsuit was filed by the band on July 8, 2020  White countersued on September 15, 2020, seeking damages for lost sales, a weakened brand, along with royalties from any income the band received under the Lady A moniker.  The suit was dismissed by both the band and White in 2022. 

Charitable work…

Lady A is involved in several charitable projects.  One is myLIFEspeaks which raises awareness of and provides facilities for disabled orphans in Haiti.  They have partnered with this organization since January 2012.  In 2013, the members of the group created a fund called LadyAID.  Their hope is to bring awareness to children who suffer and cannot help themselves locally, nationally, and around the world with a main focus on children in hospitals, mainly in the US and Canada.

What it means…

Let me put this out there right now. I’m not a fan of country music. But, I have always liked this song. I don’t think it sounds country at all. I think it’s because Hillary Scott doesn’t sing vibrato which just grates on my nerves. Anyway, this song is pretty much what you think. It’s about a couple who have broken up, maybe just for a bit, maybe permanently. Each is lamenting the break up and wondering what is going on with the other…like do they ever think about them, do they miss them…you know the story. This song was written in just a few hours and seemed to have just organically happened. You can read about it here.

The video…

Interesting covers…

I didn’t really like this one at first. I think it’s the vibrato of the young woman’s voice. But, when they harmonize, I like it better. It kinda lacks the passion of the song, though.

This is a different one. I guess I’d say it’s R & B. It’s OK, but, again, the passion is lacking.

Now I love me some Adele, but Darius Rucker totally steals this one! This was at the 2010 CMT Awards honoring Lady A. You can see the looks of delight on the member’s faces.

OK, here’s the passion! Kelly Clarkson sings an abbreviated version on Kellyoke.

This band is based in the Maldives or Manila, Philippines; the information for the band, Antidote, gives both. The female singer is Yanna Sessions (I think). She definitely has the voice and the passion. The guy…a little lackluster, but he gets better singing in harmony with her.

My interpretation…

This is one of those times when I wish I had a tight black leather dress! OK, maybe not really. I don’t have anything at all that looks like her dress, but I do have this Soiree dress from April Cornell. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. This dress has a high low hemline. It also has band under the bosom and features a jacquard weave. I bought it years ago, outgrew it, and can now wear it again. While it isn’t as tight and sexy as the one Hillary Scott wears, I think it’s just as sexy for what it doesn’t show!

The Lewk!

I think a pair of black sheer hose would have been pretty sexy with my suede heels. I, however, did not feel like messing with a pair of hose when we took the photos. I thought these strappy black leather sandals from Franco Sarto were a good option. I then added this really cool necklace I bought at the gift shop at the art museum. I can’t remember, but it’s made from either guitar strings or piano wires! It feels a lot like a bunch of really skinny Slinkys! I didn’t really have anything that would go with it so I opted for these white topaz earrings and bracelet.

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I do remember when the band changed their name from Lady Antebellum to Lady A. But, I don’t remember the controversy surrounding it. I think their hearts were in the right place, but maybe they could have googled “Lady A.” It’s funny how I don’t like country music. My dad loved it. He really liked bluegrass, and we watched “HeeHaw!” every Saturday night. Nigel also loves country music. He’s introduced me to the musicians who are considered the Outlaws…guys like Willie Nelson (even saw him in concert), Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Jr., and Merle Haggard. But, I can only take them in small doses. So, can we talk? What do you think of the controversy around Lady A’s name change? Do you have a different meaning for the song? Which cover do you like best? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.

Thank you!

Thank you so very much for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. I also very much appreciate those of you who comment, email and/or subscribe. It’s what keeps me going! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

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Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style,  Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

And, now, it’s your turn!

Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!

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