Review By Matthew Fortuna:

A little modern Texas country from a Tennessee veteran highlights the sound of Darryl Worley’s “Sounds Like Life To Me.” The second single from the upcoming sixth studio album from Worley, it follows 2008s “Tequila On Ice,” a minor success for Worley.

A sweet and understated vocal, melodic and obviously owing to Willie Nelson, provides the framework for what can only be described a typical country-diddy. But “Sounds Like Life To Me” offers a unique AAB-AAB rhyme scheme, as opposed to a less difficult, more-often-utilized AB.

The song’s opening – “Got a call last night / from an old friend’s wife / Said, I hate to bother you” – sets the stage for a lament of hard times. But in typical world’s-got-you-down fashion, Worley changes the tempo for a more encouraging chorus, weaving through mellow couplets, spoken-word asides (“I said, Hey bartender, set us up a round”), and good country boy choruses.

The rhythmic quality of the lyrics is complemented by interesting guitar effects, as well as an up-tempo guitar track over a determined set of lyrics: “Man, I know it’s tough / but you gotta suck it up / To hear you caught up in some tragedy / It sounds like life to me.” The 44-year-old has obviously reached an apex of his career, and is making music for a different crowd then his 40-something contemporaries in country music.

Though the song offers a less approachable style then “Have You Forgotton?” or “I Miss My Friend,” it presents a more talented vocal and lyrical job. Darryl Worley has always been understated in style (even when posing for Playgirl), and this song is no different. While not flashy at first, it represents country living, the kind Willie or Waylon would likely know. It’s “If You’re Going Through Hell” meets “On the Road Again.” And that’s been Darryl Worley’s style since 2000.

See more of Matthew Fortuna's work @ his website

Buy "Sounds Good To Me"

on  or Amazon

More Reviews for Darryl Worley  "Sounds Like Life To Me" - (Click The Link For More)

• Since the song frames its message as something actually spoken by the singer, he ends up being a pretty unlikable character, which in turn makes this a fairly unpleasant listening experience - The 9513
• But a good friend in this situation would just let his friend vent, buy him one more round, and give him a ride home. - Country Universe
• As a filler this could have been a decent song, but as a hopeful comeback hit it is both sloppy and bland. - Country Central

Darryl Worley Gear

"Sounds Like Life To Me" Lyrics

Got a call last night from an old friends wife, said, I hate to bother you
But Johnny Ray fell off the wagon, he'd been gone all afternoon
Well, I know my buddy, so I drove to Scully's and found him at the bar
Said, Hey Man, whats goin' on, He said, I don't know where to start
Sarah's old car startin' to fall apart and the washer quit last week
We had to put Mama in the nursing home and the baby's cuttin teeth

Sounds Like Life To Me
I didn't get much work this week and I got bills to pay
I said, I know this ain't what you wanna hear but its what Im gonna say
Sounds like life to me, it ain't no fantasy
It just a common case of everyday reality
Man, I know its tough but you gotta suck it up
To hear you talk you're caught up in some tragedy
It sounds like life to me

Well, his face turned red and he shook his head
He said, you don't understand, three kids and a wife depend on me
And I'm just one man, top it off we just found out that Sarahs two months late
I said, Hey, bartender, set us up a round, we gotta celebrate
Sounds like life to me, ain't no destiny
Yeah, the only thing for certain is uncertainty
You gotta hold on tight, just enjoy the ride
Get used to all this unpredictability, sounds like life
Man, I know its tough but you gotta suck it up
To hear you talk you're caught up in some tragedy
Sounds like life to me (sounds like life to me)
Sounds like life