Starter Kits are Country Universe’s way of introducing country music fans to an artist that they might not be fully aware of. This Starter Kit features Aaron Tippin, who will soon enter his third decade as a country recording artist.
Tippin was a hit from the beginning, launching his career with a gold-selling debut album. Over the course of the nineties and early 2000s, he would reach that sales level multiple times, racking up several top ten hits along the way. He recently released In Overdrive, a solid collection of truck driving anthems.
The Starter Kit includes one track from this recent release, along with nine others from throughout Tippin’s career that are required listening. As always, let me know what was missed in the comments.
“You’ve Got to Stand For Something” from the 1991 album You’ve Got to Stand For Something
Tippin established his artistic identity immediately with his debut single. Pride in family, pride in country, and pride in your beliefs are themes that Tippin would revisit frequently over the years, making much of his best music in the process.
“There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With the Radio” from the 1992 album Read Between the Lines
Tippin scored a huge hit with this ode to his car radio, the only part of his vehicle that isn’t falling apart.
“I Wouldn’t Have it Any Other Way” from the 1992 album Read Between the Lines
One of his many hits to champion the underdog, the accompanying video clip has him playing a factory worker who rallies for better working conditions.
“My Blue Angel” from the 1992 album Read Between the Lines
Tippin’s only platinum album is also among his best, with his plaintive wail being used to stunning effect on this lonesome ballad.
“Working Man’s Ph. D.” from the 1993 album Call of the Wild
As the title suggests, it’s a working class anthem that explores the necessary requirements for high achievement in manual labor.
“Whole Lotta Love on the Line” from the 1993 album Call of the Wild
The musical hook of this song is so deliriously infectious that it’s easy to overlook that it also includes one of Tippin’s finest vocal performances.
“I Got it Honest” from the 1995 album Tool Box
Tippin’s finest expression of working class values.
“Kiss This” from the 2000 album People Like Us
Thanks to this snappy kiss off anthem, Tippin earned his first gold album in five years.
“He Believed” from the 2006 album Now & Then
Tippin pays tribute to his father once again. He celebrates his dad’s belief in God and country, but poignantly notes that he believed in his son more than anyone or anything else.
“Prisoner of the Highway” from the 2009 album In Overdrive
The centerpiece of his truck driving odyssey.
I’ve always been a moderate fan of Tippin’s. I like all of the songs on this list, particularly “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With the Radio”, “Workin’ Man’s PH.D”, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” and much of the stuff from In Overdrive.
I’m not generally a fan of Tippin’s, but, more than any of the songs listed, I like “I’m Leaving.” It has a classic country feel and is well written. It never leaves my “Favorites” on my mp3 player.
I also like “A Door”
I would have included I Wonder How Far It Is Over You, which I think is his best vocal performance, and is a great song.
I’d add “Honky Tonk Superman”, and “A Door”
I too would add “Honky Tonk Superman”
One of my favorites by Tippin is “Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Flies”
Only song I would definitely include is, “That’s As Close As I’ll Get to Lovin’ You.”
Fantastic vocal on that song.
Prisoner of the Highway? The Ronnie Milsap song? I gotta hear this!