“After All This Time”
Rodney Crowell
Written by Rodney Crowell
Radio & Records
#1 (1 week)
May 5, 1989
Billboard
#1 (1 week)
May 27, 1989
The nineties country boom brought along two award-winning anniversary songs that have since become standards.
But before “Look at Us” and “You’re Still the One” were earning trophies, the 1990 Best Country Song Grammy was awarded to an absolute masterpiece released just one year earlier: Rodney Crowell’s “After All This Time.”
Sentimental without being sappy is how I’ve most often heard this song described, despite many of the sentiments being sappy in isolation. But the genius of “After All This Time” is that it captures the challenges and painful sacrifices that have defined the marriage as much as the high points have: “There are ways I should have thrilled you. There were days I could have killed you. You’re the only love my life has known.”
It’s tinged with regret for mistakes that have been made, but clear eyed in its commitment moving forward because there’s no other choice, is there? That blissful resignation informs Crowell’s poignant vocal performance, which is weary but doggedly resolved. He even sounds slightly in awe of himself for not effing it up yet.
“Please Remember Me” and “Til I Gain Control Again” might like a word about Crowell’s chart toppers as a songwriter, but as a recording artist, this is without contest his finest No. 1 single.
“After All This Time” gets an A.
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It’s certainly a well-written song, as is usually the case with Rodney Crowell songs. The multiple layers of reflection are appreciated in helping it rise above more pedestrian efforts at lifelong love story ballads, of which I would include “You’re Still the One”. I think my favorite lyric in “After All This Time” is “…there were last goodbyes left unspoken” which really puts into context the moments of volatility that so often come even with the most enduring love stories. My only criticism of the song is its sparse arrangement, and that’s more of a personal preference issue. I’ve always found that the ballads that hit me hardest find a way to draw me in with the lyrics, vocals, and instrumental. Aside from bridge, only the first two legs of that three-legged stool apply on this song.
Grade: B+