What Hurts The Most Is Your Version of This Song

Recently, a cover was done of the popular Rascal Flatts song "What Hurts The Most" by the female artist Cascada. Her music is known for its techno beat and pumped-up sound, with the same steady rhythms beating in the background. I am rather disgusted by her attempt to take a song of such emotion and sadness and try to put a dance beat to it. According to the Flatts' video, the lyrics are about a girl losing the man she loves in a car accident. Is this the kind of song we need to apply techno-stylings to so we can dance to it at parties? I think not. At least when the Rascal Flatts did their covers they stayed true to the original songs; their "changes" to the originals were used only to make it sound better, not reverse the message being brought forth in the music.
Rascal Flatts Original
Cascada Version
My friends enjoy the new version but I absolutely despise it - I shudder when they turn it on in the car. However, they don't appreciate the true message in the original music as much as I do, since they are not huge fans of the band. For as big of a Rascal Flatts fan as I am, I just can't stand to listen to artists destroy their songs. Cascada should stick to producing house music regarding happy themes before she makes a lot of fans angry.

yours,
the 4th rascal

A Great Band Covering Other Great Artists

So far, the Rascal Flatts have done two covers of songs by popular artists, both of which were featured in motion picture movies and their respective soundtracks. The first cover was done of the song "Life Is A Highway," originally made famous by singer/songwriter Tom Cochrane in 1991. The Rascal Flatts version was done for the Disney/Pixar animated film "Cars," which was released in 2006. The song, which won "Favorite Song from a Movie" at the 33rd People’s Choice Awards, was revamped to have a more upbeat, rock-countryish sound to it. And in my opinion, the melodic voices of the Flatts are more pleasing to the ear than Tom Cochrane’s sometimes drab vocal chords.
Tom Cochrane Original
Rascal Flatts Version
The second cover was of the popular Beatles song "Revolution" that was released in 1968. The Rascal Flatts song appeared in the Universal Studios' 2007 movie "Evan Almighty," as well as on the soundtrack. Receiving unsolicited airplay on country music stations, it reached #57 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Like "Life Is A Highway," this version was digitally revamped with a more intense rock sound and the soulful voices of the Flatts.
The Beatles Original
Rascal Flatts Version (clip)
yours,
the 4th rascal

Finding Faith In Music

What some people may not realize is that a few songs by the band have a religious undertone. It is clear that the Flatts have strong beliefs in God and are not afraid to turn to Him in some of their songs.

"Stand" from the album Me and My Gang.
This song emphasizes being able to stand on your own two feet and not being afraid to ask for help from Him when you need help. It encourages the belief in faith and to never give up even when you feel like you are at your worst.

The above picture was taken at the 1.18.2008 concert I went to at Madison Square Garden in NYC while they were performing "Stand." The music video flashed with words of encouragement on the background screen during the performance.

"He Ain't The Leavin' Kind" from the album Me and My Gang.
From the title, it is pretty easy to assume that the "He" being talked about is God. However, for people that don't catch on that quickly, the lyrics clearly emphasize the belief in Him. The Flatts send out the message that no matter what, God is always with you, even through the hardest times. Although it may feel like He has left and no longer cares, He hasn't, because "He Ain't The Leavin' Kind."

These pictures were taken at the same concert during the performance of this song. Members of the United States Military waked on to the stage to be honored for all their dedication and efforts in the war. I believe that their presence was very apropriate for the theme of this song, because I can understand that it is easy to lose faith when you are involved in a war when nothing seems to go right. Nonetheless, God is there through every step of the way.

yours,
the 4th rascal

Your Secret Smile Makes Me Feel Like A Winner

These last two songs are from the most recent album Still Feels Good. Not surprisingly, I connected with these lyrics the absolute most, and continue to wonder if my life is secretly being recorded by these three musical geniuses.

"Winner At A Losing Game"
Have you ever had to love someone
That just don't feel the same
Tryin' to make somebody care for you
The way I do
Is like tryin' to catch the rain
And if love is really forever
I'm a winner at a losin' game
I know that baby, you tried
To find me somewhere inside of you
But you know you can't lie
Girl, you can't hide the truth
Sometimes two hearts
Just can't dance to the same beat
So I'll pack up my things
And I'll take what remains of me

I feel like I can relate this song to any "significant" relationship I've ever had with a man, whether we were officially together or not. The people I've had "crushes" on never seemed to be able to reciprocate the feelings in the same way I did, and it hurt a lot. When my boyfriend and I broke up, I still had feelings for him and know I still do to this day, but we're still very close. However, it's the worst feeling in the world to know that you have feelings for someone that just can't feel the same.

"Secret Smile"
You touch the rain and suddenly
There's waterfalls
Now every day is something more
Worth fighting for
Baby, you make the sun shine down
You make the sun shine down
You can paint the darkest clouds
And turn them into rainbows
You take your secret smile
The one that turns me on
Hey girl, you've been what I've waited for

For the most part, I enjoy this song for it's fun and upbeat melody. It's also very easy to sing to, and just puts me in a good mood all around.
Well, I've shared with you some of my favorites - what are yours? I hope that on some level, you can connect with their music too.

yours,
the 4th rascal

I Feel For You The Most

These two songs are from the fourth Rascal Flatts album, Me and My Gang. The first song mentioned here is another popular song by the band. It was the first one of theirs that I had ever heard, and it opened my eyes and ears to such great music - music that has definitely changed my life.

"What Hurts The Most"
What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to do

When my boyfriend and I broke up, this song expressed everything I was feeling at the time. I was so hurt and didn't understand why it was happening. Once again, the Flatts got into my head and wrote down exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn't.

"I Feel Bad"
I should be out in that driveway stopping you
Tears should be rolling down my cheek
And I don't know why I'm not falling apart
Like I usually do
And how the thought of losing you's not killing me
I feel bad
That I can stand here strong
Cold as stone
Seems so wrong
I can't explain it
Maybe it's just
I've cried so much
I'm tired and I'm numb
Baby I hate it
I feel bad that I don't feel bad

This song helped me come to terms with the end of the relationship and gave me faith in the ability to move on. At certain points after we broke up, I was confused as to how some days I could feel so upset by it, and other days, like I should "feel bad" for not caring anymore. I realized that this break up was a learning experience and to be strong about it, not let it get me down every second of the day. I was able to sing this song with such conviction because I truly believed in the words.

yours,
the 4th rascal

My Road Isn't Broken Anymore

I'm sure that those of you that know even a little about the Flatts have heard this song off of their third album Feels Like Today. It is by far one of their most popular and I must say, it definitely makes my favorites list.

"Blessed The Broken Road"
I set out on a narrow way
Many years ago
Hoping I would find true love
Along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign
Pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream
Lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart
They were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way
Into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

Although I have only decided to share a portion of the lyrics, I chose them because they connected with me the most. If you haven't noticed already, many Rascal Flatts songs have a "lovey dovey" undertone, and, being an emotional, love-obsessed female, I can't help but swoon over the sweet lyrics. I feel like I can connect with this song because there is one man in my life that I put above all the rest - except for maybe my father. He was always on the other side when others broke my heart or crumbled my soul, and for that, I will truly be thankful for him and to God for bringing him into my life.

yours,
the 4th rascal

You Are Too Good To Be True

The following portions of lyrics are from my favorite two songs off of their second album Melt.

"Too Good Is True"
I guess it's cause and effect
Your heart and mine
The way that we connect
Keeps blowing my mind
There you go again, it never ends
What you do to me
That I have seen the light of day
Love is finally going my way
Is it too good to be true
Give me one more kiss, one more touch
Baby, I just can't get enough of you
This time, too good is true

The main reason I love this song is because it is very upbeat and just has a great rhythm to it. The lyrics are happy and the instruments pump you up - there is no way you can be in a bad mood after listening to this song. Also, the lyrics give me the chance to reflect on how much certain people in my life lift me up when I'm feeling down.

"You"
Every road that I've been down
The only truth that I have found
There's only one thing I can't live without
You
I was searching for something
I thought I would never find
Losing my mind
In and out of bad love
I thought I was born to lose
Then came you
I thought I knew what the real thing was
But nothing shakes me like your love does
I've been hypnotized
Now I realize

Although slower than the first one, this song is another that puts me in a good mood, simply because it helps me reflect on times I've shared with a certain person in my life that I will never fall out of love with, and who has stuck by my side even when it seemed impossible to remain close. The melody is very easy to sing to, and I have no trouble putting my whole heart into the song when I belt it out.

yours,
the 4th rascal

Moving On With My Life

While I love all songs by the Rascal Flatts, I do have a few favorites. For the next couple of entries, I thought I'd share a few lyrics and links to the music from a few of my favorite Rascal songs. What makes a song a "favorite" of mine? Well, I usually hold songs in higher regard to others if I 1) can connect on several levels with the lyrics based on experiences I've had in my life, 2) love the melody because it's catchy or makes me think, and/or 3) can easily sing to it wish as much emphasis that was intended by the artists.

The following lyrics are taken from my favorite song off their first album, Rascal Flatts.

"I'm Movin' On"
I've lived in this place and I know all the faces
Each one is different but they're always the same
They mean me no harm but it's time that I face it
They'll never allow me to change
But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong
I'm movin' on
I'm movin' on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days aren't gone
I sold what I could and packed what I couldn't
Stopped to fill up on my way out of town
I've loved like I should but lived like I shouldn't
I had to lose everything to find out
Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road

When I first heard this song, it connected with me in so many ways. In several instances in my life, I felt like I had to "move on" from the relationships I used to hold with friends. As I continued to grow up and mature, I couldn't help but notice that the people in my hometown were not, or at least not at the rate I wanted them too. Our interests changed, our viewpoints changed, but most importantly, our relationships changed, especially since seemed like it took effort to stay close. Eventually, I realized that it was just time to leave them behind instead of allowing them to drag me down. This song described exactly how I felt, and I couldn't believe somewhere out there, three men knew just how to describe my pain - and in the most beautiful way possible.

yours,
the 4th rascal

Current Remaining Tour Dates for 2008

February

21 - Orlando, FL

22 - Jacksonville, FL

28 - New Orleans, LA

29 - Memphis, TN

March

1 - Little Rock, AR

7 - Salt Lake City, UT

8 - Las Vegas, NV

24 - Calgary, ALB

25 - Edmonton, ALB

26 - Saskatoon, SK

28 - Winnipeg, MB

April

2 - Vancouver, BC

4 - Portland, OR

5 - Tacoma, WA

10 - Sacramento, CA

11 - San Jose, CA

May

9 - Fort Wayne, IN

10 - Dayton, OH

June

30 - Milwaukee, WI

July

12 - Sarnia, ON

For more information go to their tour page.

Get your tickets now!

yours,
the 4th rascal

First RF Concert

I went to my first Rascal Flatts concert last month in New York City at Madison Square Garden. I must say, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I've been to plenty of concerts, but nothing like that performance. The arena was awesome, their visual affects were incredible, and hearing them sing some of my favorite songs live was like being in heaven. Enjoy the following, surely more to come:



yours,
the 4th rascal

Meet the Flatts

For those of you who are not familiar with the band, I'll give you a quick run-down.

The Rascal Flatts consist of lead singer Gary LeVox (birth name Gary Vernon; center in picture), bass guitarist and backup singer Jay DeMarcus (right), and lead guitarist and backup singer Joe Don Rooney (left). Sorry ladies, all three are married, Gary has two children, and his second cousin, Joe, is expecting a child in May.

Since they got their start in Nashville, TN, they have won several awards, as well as released five studio albums and a live compilation, their most recent release being "Still Feels Good." Last year they were named ACM's Vocal Group of the Year.

I myself am a fairly recent fan, but warmed up to this sweet-talking band quite quickly. I have all five studio recorded CDs, and I can't say that I like one album better than another. I do have my favorite songs here and there, though - those ones that beat out all other songs on your playlists and you don't seem to get sick of no matter how many times you listen to them.

I have to say my favorite song off of "Still Feels Good" is "Winner At A Losing Game," since I've been in the position of the singer a few times. But, of course, they all win over my heart.

yours,
the 4th rascal

Rascal Flatts?

Why do a blog about the Rascal Flatts? Well, why not? Better answer - they are one of the biggest music sensations of the 21st century. They produce such sweet music anyone can relate to it. Their lyrics speak to the soul. Their harmonies make the heart melt. Their melodies flow off your lips. Each and every song is either easily relatable or easily sung. They're so huge because they are liked by people of all kinds, regardless of their background or usual tastes in music.

I myself was never a huge country fan until I heard "What Hurts The Most" played on my friend's computer a few years ago. After having to deal with a tough long distance relationship, the lyrics hit home for me, and I had discovered a band that would soon become my favorite.

My intentions in maintaining this blog are for you to come to love Rascal Flatts as much as I do. If you have never heard of them before, or have heard of them but know little about them, then this is a way for you to get acquainted with them and hopefully decide they are worthy enough of your iPod memory, maybe even a favorite playlist.

What should you expect form this blog? For starters, lots of pictures. Favorite lyrics of mine, polls on songs and information about the band. Full songs. And anything else you want to see. I hope to give you a place where you can indulge in the very thing you love most. Great music needs to be shared, not hidden, and it is my intention to share these wonderful music makers with you (as much as I would love them all to myself).

yours,
the 4th rascal