About the song
Background on Kenny Chesney – The Good Stuff
“The Good Stuff” was a major hit for Kenny Chesney, released in 2002 on his album “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.” It became his fifth number one hit on the country charts and stayed there for a record-breaking seven weeks at the time (since tied by another Chesney song). The song was written by Jim Collins and Craig Wiseman.
There’s an interesting story behind the inspiration for the song. Songwriter Jim Collins has said it came from a personal experience visiting a military base overseas and meeting a bartender who had lost his wife [sources about the song’s inspiration].
Themes in The Good Stuff
The song plays on the double meaning of “the good stuff.” The narrator initially thinks it refers to a strong drink, but the wise bartender reveals a deeper meaning. Here are the main themes:
- Regret and Missed Opportunities: The song explores the regret of taking someone you love for granted. The narrator realizes he should have cherished the good times with his wife.
- Importance of Relationships: “The Good Stuff” emphasizes the value of love and connection with loved ones. These relationships are more important than material possessions or temporary pleasures.
- Seize the Moment: The song encourages listeners to appreciate the present moment and make the most of the time they have with the people they care about.
These themes resonate with many listeners and likely contributed to the song’s enduring popularity.
Video
Lyrics
Well, me an’ my lady had our first big fight
So I drove around till I saw the neon light
Of a corner bar, and it just seemed right
So I pulled up
Not a soul around but the old bar keep
Down at the end an’ looking half asleep
But he walked up, an’ said, “What’ll it be?”
I said, “The good stuff”
He didn’t reach around for the whiskey
He didn’t pour me a beer
His blue eyes kinda went misty
He said, “You can’t find that here”
‘Cause it’s the first long kiss on a second date
Momma’s all worried when you get home late
And droppin’ the ring in the spaghetti plate
‘Cause your hands are shakin’ so much
An’ it’s the way that she looks with the rice in her hair
Eatin’ burnt suppers the whole first year
An’ askin’ for seconds to keep her from tearin’ up
Yeah, man, that’s the good stuff
He grabbed a carton of milk an’ he poured a glass
An’ I smiled an’ said, “I’ll have some of that”
We sat there an’ talked as an hour passed
Like old friends
I saw a black an’ white picture an’ it caught my stare
It was a pretty girl with bouffant hair
He said, “That’s my Bonnie
Taken ’bout a year after we were wed”
He said, “Spent five years in the bar”
When the cancer took her from me
But I’ve been sober three years now
‘Cause the one thing stronger than the whiskey
Was the sight of her holdin’ my baby girl
The way she adored that string of pearls
I gave her the day that our youngest boy, Earl
Married his high school love
An’ it’s a new tee-shirt saying, ‘I’m a Grandpa’
Bein’ right there as our time got small
An’ holdin’ her hand, when the good Lord called her up
Yeah, man, that’s the good stuff
He said, “When you get home, she’ll start to cry”
When she says, ‘I’m sorry, ‘ say, ‘So am I
An’ look into those eyes, so deep in love
An’ drink it up
‘Cause that’s the good stuff
That’s the good stuff
