It’s The Nineties: Number Ones from George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Clint Black

By Jonny Brick

1990 George Strait – I’ve Come to Expect It From You

Our heartbroken narrator complains that he ‘wouldn’t treat a dog’ how his former partner has disposed of him: ‘you rip and tear every dream I’ve counted on,’ he moans, aware that no good would be served in getting angry. Instead, he turns the tables on her and decides to leave her before she leaves him: ‘you should expect that from me’ is his parting word.

The perky major-key tenor of the verses are contrasted by the descending chord progression of the refrain.

1996 Alan Jackson – Little Bitty

Written by Tom T Hall, this song has the word ‘little’ in every couplet, which helps set the mood of a sweet marriage with a house, yard, dog and car. ‘Might as well share, might as well smile’ is the breezy chorus, which Jackson sells pleasantly.

1998 Brooks & Dunn – Husbands and Wives

This cover of a Roger Miller song is a meditation on how ‘pride is the chief cause’ of divorce and disharmony, with ‘angry words spoken in haste…neither side forgives’.

1999 Clint Black with Lisa Hartman Black – When I Said I Do

Here’s a song of devotion sung by Black with harmonies from his wife. The pair have ‘found out what forever means’, and the message is perfect for a first dance at someone else’s wedding.

Chad J Country will be playing one of Jonny’s selections each week in his Wednesday show