“Oh, tonight”, the latest single from The Josh Abbot Band, is a shining example of everything that’s right with country music right now. Easily the standout track from their 2010 album, “She’s like Texas”, “Oh, tonight” is at turns aggressively modern, and beautifully classic country. Like the rest of the album, it feels, while not exactly raw, a lot more authentic than almost anything you’d find on contemporary country music radio today.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t belong there, however. The Josh Abbot Band, among a few others in the recent crop of Texas groups, have been making music that is miles ahead of their contemporaries for years. It’s high time that country music radio abandoned the high-gloss sheen of pop-country in favor of the real “Texas” country on display here. “Oh tonight” is a ballad, sure. But it’s a ballad with attitude.
Comparisons to Steve Earle are pretty common for Josh Abbot, and they are not entirely inaccurate.
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Their secret weapon in defeating these arguments has to be the addition of Kacey Musgraves on this track. Kacey Musgraves, “Nashville Star” season 5 finalist, has a definite sweet quality about her, not unlike Taylor Swift or Faith Hill, but with the unmistakable grit of a girl raised in the wide open spaces of Texas. Her voice merges effortlessly with Josh Abbot’s, in a way that makes you believe the “oh, tonight” lyrics are about these two people, and no one else in the world. Let’s hope this wasn’t a one-time collaboration between the two., their voices really are tailor made for each other.
Country music radio (on a nationwide scale) would be wise to follow in the footsteps of Texas radio, who collectively named this track their “Song of the year” on Texas Regional Radio Report, after it spent 2 weeks at #1. Country Music Television also recently made “Oh, tonight” their #1,via their website (CMT.com), a clear indication of its mainstream potential over the long haul.
“Oh tonight” has that rare gift that so many songwriters hope for; it lingers. Long after it’s finished playing on your radio, you will find it rattling around in your head. The chorus, the tender verses, even the subtle yet powerful fiddle solo (ably performed by Preston Wait) stay with you all day. It’s the kind of song that you can envision in daily rotation for year after year.
“Oh, tonight” lyrics were co-written by Josh Abbot and Sunny Helms, herself a Lubbock, Texas native, and a formidable talent.
“Oh Tonight” Video – Live Performance
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More on ‘Oh, Tonight’
Country Universe gives the Josh Abbot Band single a B+ |
Josh Abbot Band “Oh, Tonight” Lyrics
I grab your hand and you say “wait.”
I say “no girl it’s way too late.”
We’ve been playing games for weeks,
now I’m ready to play for keeps.
Oh, tonight, we’re gonna set the world on fire.
I’m gonna set aside my pride.
Not gonna be the one to say “goodbye,”
Neither am I…Oh, tonight.
So go on kiss me on the mouth.
You know you want to; you should’ve done it by now.
Girl you don’t know how long I’ve tried,
been fighting feelings deep inside.
So tell me what you want me to do.
Oh, it’s too late baby I’ve already fallen in love with you
Oh, tonight, we’re gonna set the world on fire.
I’m gonna set aside my pride.
Not gonna be the one to say “goodbye,”
Neither am I…Oh, tonight.
