While Blake Shelton’s “Austin” is the quintessential song with an answering machine acting as the peacemaker/mediator in a broken relationship, Jason Michael Carroll’s “Hurry Home” is a surprising contender for another quality song with just such a hero. Except, this time, the relationship is between perseverant father and prodigal daughter. Although the conclusion is extremely predictable, the emotional payoff of a parent’s unconditional love is still quietly powerful.
The production is lightly marred by dramatic string swells, but it is as restrained as a mainstream song seems to be able to accomplish these days. Ultimately, Carroll’s relaxed, emotive vocal delivery moves this story from a potentially sentimental mess to a warm story of a father’s unconditional love for his child, which, to borrow from George Strait, “is a love without end, Amen.”
Written by Zane Williams
Grade: B
I’m glad you actually listened to the song rather than pass it off as an Austin clone as quite a few people did.
guess you’re not a fan of strings, eh?
I have to agree with Matt B.’s comment. Thanks for actually listening to the song and its full meaning. This song means alot to Jason because of his own family experience similiar to the one the song talks about. I hope it does well for him on the charts!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought it was an Austin spin off at first, judging by all the comments about it, but I was pleasently surprised to find that it wasn’t. I love how the revealing of the target girl as his daughter is saved for later rather than in your face. It teaches the lesson that one should listen to the whole story and expect the unexpected, no matter what kind of music you’re listening to.
I too hope this does well for Jason, it’s a much more mature and relative song for him to present to fans and new listeners alike.
the part where he says something about it being okay despite what she’d done wrong kind of tipped me off that it was a father/child story.
I love this post! You have a reat blog here!