“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.
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
