This was a number one for Sara Evans about 14 years ago.
Believe it or not, there was a time in country music when women ruled the charts. There was at least a time when women were on the charts just as much as the men. I don’t know what happened, but I looked a the top 30 country songs on Billboard last week and I think two were by female solo artists and there were a couple other women that are part of bands or duos. I don’t know what is going on.
Back in 2000, from what I remember, it was a time for women to be in power on country radio. Faith Hill kicked off the year with a huge hit. She had another one later in the year. The Dixie Chicks were still on top with major songs. Lee Ann Womack had a tremendous hit. And as the year went on a song from a relatively new artist was slowly making its way to the top of the charts.
Finally on January 20th, 2001, Sara Evans notched a number one hit with Born To Fly. Sara had released two albums prior to this and it wasn’t actually her first number one song. But this one seemed to be the song that propelled her into superstar status in the country world.
This song was all over back then and has held up really well. Tomorrow we’re going to look at new holiday music from Sara, but for today I thought it would be fun to look back at one of her biggest hits. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 14 years since the song peaked, but Sara has certainly flew to the top of the world a few times since releasing this song.
Born To Fly – Sara Evans
Sara Evans has one of the most delightful voices and personalities in contemporary country music. She has a vocal range that few performers can match, and she possesses a voice that both soothes and warms the listener. Sara’s early songs contributed much to traditional country lyrics and melodies, e.g., think of her fabulous late 90s single, No Place That Far, for which Vince Gill provided background lyrics. (“If I had to swim a hundred rivers just to climb a thousand walls, always know that I would find a way to get to where you are, there’s no place that far.” ) As the last decade wore on, Sara’s albums blended classic country sounds with some more pop-influenced music. Yet, what a stretch of music she provided us during that time, with singles like A Little Bit Stronger, Suds in the Bucket, perfect and I Could Not Ask For More. Her career, time-wise, rather has followed that of Lee Ann Womack. Both of these ladies have put out recent albums that met fine critical acclaim and sold well, yet both went in different style directions and successfully so for each. Lee Ann’s album leaned strongly to country and bluegrass; Sara’s was a bit more pop-oriented with songs such as the hit single, Slow Me Down. Both albums, despite their differences, were fabulous and both showed the versatility of great performers. Sara never disappoints that apt description of her.