Released September 14, 1993
European "The Way That I Am" released February 28, 1994
Produced by Paul Worley, Martina McBride and Ed Seay
Album photography by James O’Mara, Cover photo by Ron Keith
1. Heart Trouble
2. My Baby Loves Me
3. That Wasn't Me
4. Independence Day
5. Where I Used To Have A Heart
6. Goin' To Work
7. She Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet
8. Life #9
9. Strangers
10. Ashes
* Found in addition and only on the European release
The Album
"When I was making this album, I felt a lot more confident. I knew what to expect. I wasn’t so naïve. The first time out I was really concerned with being taken seriously as an artist. I looked for songs that had a lot to say. I’m not sure that I didn’t go over the line with the first album. Maybe it was too serious. This album has a better balance. There are songs on here that are just fun. Then there are some serious songs too.
There is a real difference in the sound of this album because I have gone through a lot of personal growth. This album reflects where I am right now. It was a real creative process and making this album was a pure joy from beginning to end. Who knows what I’ll be like with the next album?" Martina McBride
Heart Trouble
Written by Paul Kennerley
The way you treat me baby
Cheat and tell me lies
I guess I shouldn't care at all
But still I sympathize
'Cause you've got heart trouble coming on
Yeah you got heart trouble coming on
Well you think that you don't need me baby
But you're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You say that love can't touch you
You feel no pain at all
You think that you're above it baby
But I believe you'll fall
'Cause you got heart trouble coming on
Yeah you got heart trouble coming on
Well, you'll get down on your knees baby
Begging me to come back home
You tell me you'll find someone else
But no one's gonna care
'Cause you have left a trail of broken hearts everywhere
Now, you've got heart trouble coming on
Well you'll know just how it feels baby
When you're left here just alone
"My co-producer, Paul Worley, asked me to try this song. I had no idea how I was going to sing it. I really love melodies that have a wide ranger, where I can really stretch from high to low notes. "Heart Trouble" isn’t like that. I’d never sung anything like this before. But with Paul’s encouragement, I tried it and by singing it through, I found a new area of musical style that I’m comfortable with." Martina McBride
My Baby Loves Me
Written by Gretchen Peters
Don't need no copy of Vogue magazine
Don't need to dress like no beauty queen
High heels or sneakers, he don't give a damn
My baby loves me just the way that I am
My baby loves me just the way that I am
He never tells me I'm not good enough
Just gives me unconditional love
He loves me tender and he loves me mad
He loves me silly and he loves me sad
Chorus
He thinks I'm pretty, he thinks I'm smart
He likes my nerves and he loves my heart
He's always sayin' he's my biggest fan
My baby loves me just the way that I am
My baby loves me just the way that I am
And when there's dark clouds in my eyes
He just sits back and lets 'en roll on by
I come in like a lion go out like a lamb
My baby loves me just the way that I am
Ma baby loves me just the way that I am
Repeat Chorus
He thinks I'm pretty, he thinks I'm smart
He likes my nerves and he loves my heart
Don't see no reason to change my plan
My baby loves me just the way that I am
My baby loves me just the way that I am
"We discovered the amazing talent of Gretchen Peters. Pam and Mary Ann sure sang like angels on the harmonies...and Dan Dugmore's solo! He did it and doubled it in less than ten minutes! I also remember that the intro came together in an interesting way. The slide guitar was left over from my pitiful attempt at a slide solo (thought I was Dwayne Allman or something). The same was true of the six-string bass lick (thought I was Duane Eddy). Somehow they never got erased...and voilà! An intro! You know what they say…‘give a chimp a guitar and a thousand years and you’ve got an intro.’” Paul Worley
“I always loved the lyrics of this song and the way it's about unconditional love. And as sickeningly sweet as it is, it’s the kind of love I get from john. I wish everyone could experience that kind of love…it’s truly amazing I don’t think it’s common, but I know it exists. I love the guitar thing you did on the beginning, Paul. And I just think it's a cool sounding record. The video really made an impact on my career. It was so different for the time and so colorful and I loved the real couples. It was the first time I worked with Steve Goldmann. Little known fact….this song went to #2 on the chart and had it been played 3 more times anywhere in the United States that week it would have been #1…So close…” Martina McBride
That Wasn't Me
Written by Gary Harrison and Tim Mensy
I know she must have cut you deep
She's gone but you won't let her leave
I know your heart has not healed yet
But sometimes I think that you forget
Chorus
That wasn't me
That wasn't me
I'm not the on
Who made love bring you to your knees
You can't love if you can't trust
Her memories hurt you long enough
Let your heart see
That wasn't me
I can no longer pay the price
For damage done by her careless lies
We can't move on 'til you let go
I always thought by now you'd know
Repeat Chorus
I can no longer love you if you can't trust
Her memory hurt you long enough
Let your heart see
That wasn't me
Independence Day
Written by Gretchen Peters
Well she seemed all right by dawn's early light
Though she looked a little worried and weak
She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again
But daddy left the proof on her cheek
And I was only eight years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way
So I took myself down to the fair in town
On Independence Day
Well word gets around in a small, small town
They said he was a dangerous man
Mama was proud and she stood her ground
But she knew she was on the losin' end
Some folks whispered and some folks talked
But everyone looked the other way
And when time ran out there was no one about
On Independence Day
Chorus
Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is a
Day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay, it's
Independence Day
Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July
By the time that firemen come
They just put out the flames,
And took down some names
And send me to the county home
Now I ain't sain' it's right or it's wrong
But maybe it's the only way
Talk about your revolution
It's Independence Day
Repeat Chorus
Roll the stone away
It's Independence Day
"It took a real long time. I'd say it was a year or two in the making, because I would tinker with it and then put it away for a while. I was afraid of the ending. That was a dilemma for me. The first couple of verses came together, and I had the melody. But the song is sort of dark, so I thought I had to find other ways to end it. I wound up having the courage to go with my first instinct. If nobody wanted to record it, then so be it.
Domestic violence is just something that I find so horrifying. I never saw anything like that in my childhood. I wrote it in the third person, so that it could sound more like reporting. It's also more emotionally powerful to have a child as a narrator, because children are the most severely affected in these cases.
"I know that I thought that it would never be cut by any artist in Nashville. Her passion about doing it was so great. Her, desire to do it... I think, I think it was a very gutsy move." Gretchen Peters
"'Independence Day' by Martina McBride. I passed on it, it wasn't a song for me, I completely believed in what the song said, but I believe the song found its home, the right singer.” Faith Hill
"Every time I sing it, it just gets more powerful, you know I saw the video the other day, I hadn’t seen it in along time it and it still tares me up, its just, I’m so lucky that I found that song, I feel like it came to me for a reason and I feel really lucky that I get to go sing it and spread that message.
It took the symbol of freedom and turned it around. It's something that needed to be said.
I never really thought, ‘Will this be a hit? Will this be a single’ I just recorded it because I wanted it to be part of my body of work. I take pride that I stood up for what I believe in, that I didn’t necessarily play it safe." Martina McBride
"Finally a career hit! I think we both knew it the minute we heard the song. Eternal thanks to Gretchen Peters (again). And that vocal performance! I can still see you singing this on the CMA show…live and 8 ½ months pregnant. I looked around and everyone’s jaws were on the floor. Amazing!" Paul Worley
The following is the original lyrics for “Independence Day” as seen in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Well the sun burned bright by the dawn’s early light
On that hot and dusty day in July
Late in the night, there’d been a terrible fight
Now little sister couldn’t stop her cryin’
Well I was only 8 years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way
So I took her down to the fair that morning
On Independence Day
Well word gets around in a small, small town
Daddy’d started drinkin’ again
Mama was proud and she held her ground
But we knew she was on the losing end
Some folks whispered and some plain talked
But everybody looked the other way
And when time ran out, there was no one about
On Independence Day
We were almost home, tired and cold
When we saw that yellow light in the sky
It burned so bright, it lit up the night
Like fireworks on the 4th of July
And I started to run when I saw what she’d done
But I knew I was much too late
And Mama found her freedom
On Independence Day.
(Chorus)
Let freedom ring
Let the caged bird sing
Let the whole world know that today
Is a day of reckoning
Where I Used To
Have a Heart
Written by Craig Bickhardt
Chorus
Where I used to have a heart
Feels like a mile wide ditch
I got a hole inside
The doctor just can't stitch
Gone without a trace
You left a hollow place
There's not a stone to mark
Where I used to have a heart
There were times when I would hold you
And feel the pounding in my chest
Now I'm just as empty
As a canyon way out west
That's how deep I love you
Babe, I love you still
To the bottom of this space I'll never fill
Repeat Chorus
I guess I'll learn to live with
A different kind of pain
I'm suffering from a sickness
That I cannot give a name
Such a strange sensation
I've never felt before
Missing you has cut me to the core
Repeat Chorus
Where I used to have a heart
Goin' To Work
Written by Bill Lloyd and Pam Tillis
The alarm went off but I wasn't asleep
After tossin' and turnin' all night, what a relief
To go to work, get up and go to work
So I get onto the highway and head into town
there's one part of my life I didn't let you tear down
Yeah and that's my work - right now I'm goin' to work
Chorus
Yeah when the whistle blows, I'll be there
Life goes on even when it's not fair
So who's got time to hurt, right now
I got to go to work
Now I remember what it is I do, for awhile I thought
My life was just lovin' you, but now it's back to work
Oh than God for my work
So from nine to five I take a break from an empty
Bed and my heart that aches, I'm good at my work
Oh I'm good at my work
Repeat Chorus
Oh I got to stay busy that's the only way
Throw myself into my business and collect my pay
Watch me keep it together while I fall apart
'Cause the world won't stop for a broken heart
Oh, no, no
Repeat Chorus
Watch me I'm going to work
Oh yeah you know I'm good at my work
Right now I'm going to work
She Ain't Seen
Nothing Yet
Written by Anna Lisa Graham and Walt Aldridge
It's been a while since she's heard him say
See you tonight his usual place
There's always some place he's gotta go
Somewhere he needs to be
It's not the same now when they touch
But the figures he's just working too much
Somehow that makes it all okay
And gets her through another day
Chorus
She's heard the talk all over town
But she won't wanna believe he's running around
Deep down in her heart she's willing to bet
Oh but she ain't seen nothing yet
She wouldn't read that heart shaped note
She found in the pocket of his coat
And that time in his car she found an earring
You know that doesn't prove a thing
Repeat Chorus
He's not the same man that she met
Oh but she ain't seen nothing yet
She thinks it's as bad as it's gonna get
Oh but she ain't seen nothing yet
Life #9
Written by Kostas and Tony Perez
Don't tell me no stories I don't want to hear no lies
No reason, or excuses, none of your alibis
The phone rings I pick up nobody's on the line
I know she's waiting for you she's just biding her time
You'd have me believe it's just a night out with your friends
But I know you're going back to see her again
Chorus
You're stealing love
Living on life #9
Breaking my heart
Living on borrowed time
You're catting around
Playing with fire
You're stealing love
Living on life #9
You're running on empty troubles on every side
You're used up your last chance
You've got no place to hide
I'm tired of these heartaches tired of living a lie
Go to her she's waiting
But someday you're gonna find
The grass ain't always greener on the other side
Now what you thought was love was what you left behind
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Chorus
"Not one of my favorites even
though it was my idea to record it. I think we were going through our
country-disco phase when we made this one. I wonder if anyone has the dance
version of this around. We should retrieve it and burn it! Anyway, it turned
out to be a hit!" Paul Worley
"Paul, you did talk me into cutting this! And I'm glad you did because it's
not the kind song, melody, attitude, whatever, that I was really comfortable
singing so I would not have cut it. But you encouraged me, and it really
allowed me to step outside the box I had created for myself in my own head
and gain confidence as a singer and performer. So, I'm grateful for that.
Having said that, it's not one of my favorites either! I remember being in
the vocal booth while we were cutting the track and asking you if you
thought the tempo was okay for two-stepping. (The country dance craze was on
and we thought it would do well in the clubs). You told the guys to play a
little of it and I could see through the glass and you were dancing. Like,
two-stepping! It was hilarious. I know this probably embarrasses you and I
guess you had to be there, but I still see that picture so vividly every
time I hear it!" Martina McBride
Written by Bobby Braddock
Two strangers passing on the side walk
Barely brush each other's hand
He says "I'm sorry"
She says "Don't worry"
And that's how it all began
A few short days and night together
And it's like they were meant to be
Lying there with her he softly whispers
Just think what we were so recently
Chorus
Strangers, strangers
The world greatest lovers
Last week they were strangers
Two strangers passing in the hallway
Barely touch each other's heart
Now they're pretending
Two shadows blending
But they're a million miles apart
Soon she'll be packing up her suitcase
They'll be dividing all the blame
They know how they started
Now empty hearted
They don't have a clue how they became
Chorus
The world's greatest lovers
Have turned into strangers
World's greatest lovers
And now they are strangers
Strangers, strangers
“The hit that got away! This is one of the most popular non-singles to your fans. Special thanks to the great Bobby Braddock for such a wonderful song. What if we really had followed ‘Independence Day’ with this one?” Paul Worley
"This is a song I always wanted to be a single. I think if we had released this after 'Independence Day' instead of 'Heart Trouble,' the next few years would have been quite different. However, we didn't and the next few years were a series of hits and misses with country radio. We didn't really become an established act with country radio until "Evolution". But everything happens for a reason and even though I wouldn't trade the career I have now for any other kind, I do believe this was a missed opportunity. But it was at a time in my career when the powers-that-be at the record company (not Joe G.) had very little respect for my opinions about what I wanted to say with my music and who I wanted to be as an artist. This has been a favorite of mine and a fan favorite for many years. I included it on here because it is MY "Greatest Hits" album and, thankfully, my record company now does respect my opinions. So this is for you to enjoy. This is possibly the Greatest Miss." Martina McBride
Ashes
Written by Lonnie Wilson, Chris Waters and Charlotte Wilson
Chorus
Ashes
He's nothing but ashes
No feelings have lasted
No love remains
Ashes
That's all that our past is
He's nothing but ashes
From a cold old flame
I saw your face when
He waltzed in here
But those old embers
Haven't burned for years
The light that's shining
In my eyes
Is for the one that
I'm with tonight
Repeat Chorus
No, I don't blame you
For having some doubts
But when he left me
That fire burned out
So don't be thinking
There's still a spark
'Cause he could never
Tear us apart
Repeat Chorus
He's just nothing
but ashes
From a cold old flame
The Time Has Come
Written by Lonnie Wilson and Susan Longacre
The time has come to let you go
My tears will run and they'll keep me afloat
I set you adrift like a burning boat
The time has come to let you go
The time has come to turn you loose
It took my heart this long to face the truth
If I lost you I can lose these blues
The time has come to turn you loose
We had our moment in the sun
But that time has come and now that time is gone
The time has come to set you free
Tonight's the night I'll untie all these dreams
I'll send them away so I can find some peace
The time has come to set you free
The time has come to let you go
My tears will run and they'll keep me afloat
I set you adrift like a burning boat
The time has come to let you go
I'm gonna let you go
That's Me
Written by Tony Haselden and Bob Alan
There's a photo in an album he don't notice anymore
That's me, that's me
There's a stack of cards and letters buried deep inside a drawer
That's me, that's me
And the shirt that I once slept in hanging loose behind the door
Tossed aside so carelessly
That's me, oh that's me
There's a picture in my wallet and one less faded in my mind
That's him, that's him
There's a name that always haunts me and it slips from time to time
That's him, that's him
There's a yearning that I feel in my heart and in my soul
An old flame that'll never dim
That's him, I know that's him
(That's me)
Hangin' on to the end
(That's me)
Starting all over again
(That's love)
Oh that's the way it goes
There's a woman in the chapel in the back row by herself
That's me, that's me
And a man at the altar says "I do" to someone else
That's him, that's him
As the wedding party leaves throwing rice and wishing well
A single tear falls silently
That's me, oh Lord that's me
Oh, that's me
That's me
Cheap Whiskey
Written by Emory Gordy Jr. and Jim Rushing
He sits all alone in his easy chair
Staring back at his lost yesterdays
Long before he encountered the bottle
And the demons that drove her away
In his hand he is holding her photograph
Her image all tear-stained and worn
Tonight he's embracing reality
And he curses the day he was born
And the darkness still echoes her warning
You can't have two loves in your life
Now the things that will haunt him
Until the day that he dies
Is the smell of cheap whiskey
And the sound of goodbye
Since the hour that she left he's been sober
And each breath that he draws makes him think
About the light of his life gone forever
When he traded her love for a drink
And the darkness still echoes her warning
You can't have two loves in your life
Now the things that will haunt him
Until the day that he dies
Is the smell of cheap whiskey
And the sound of goodbye
The smell of cheap whiskey
And the sound of goodbye
When You Are Old
Written by Gretchen Peters
When you are old and tired and grey
Wear you overcoat on sunny days
When your brave tales have all been told
I'll ask for them when you are old
When you are old and full of sleep
And death no longer makes you weep
When your body aches with cold
I'll warm your heart when you are old
You'll still be the same to me
A comfort and a mystery
And I will be old too see
I'll need someone to comfort me
When you are old and pale and gone
And a gentle hand is all you want
I will give you mine to hold
And I'll be here when you are old
Yes I will give you mine to hold
And I'll be here when you are old
