Tim McGraw is on a bit of a roll right now. With the exception of lead single "Top Of the World" (which was more pleasantly bland than outright terrible), his past several singles have ranged from very strong ("Shotgun Rider") to flat-out brilliant ("Diamond Rings and Old Bar Stools"). His new single, "Humble and Kind", is no doubt one for the positive category, and is an absolute homerun of a single.
It's a simple yet elegant composition which finds the narrator passing off everyday advice such "don't steal, don't cheat and don't lie" and "hold the door, say please, say thank you", while also delving a bit deeper (with lines such as "I love you ain't no pick-up line"). It all seems so obvious, and yet sometimes, we all have the tendency to get caught up in success. Sometimes we all need a reminder to go back to our roots, and remember what it was that got us to that point, and "Humble and Kind" does a brilliant job in portraying that message.
In addition to the strong lyrical content, McGraw puts in a typically sincere and heartfelt performance, while the melody is superbly constructed. Despite all this, one thing holds the record back from reaching "instant classic" status, and that's the production. While mostly country and never really overbearing, McGraw's vocals, in spots, are especially processed, which gets in the way of the overall sincerity and realness of the song.
That one misstep aside, "Humble and Kind" should easily be in contention for a high placement on year-end lists, and is yet another brilliant track in what has become quite the hot-streak for Tim McGraw. A single that deserves to be a hit, and comes highly recommended.
Grade: A-
Listen: "Humble and Kind"
It's a simple yet elegant composition which finds the narrator passing off everyday advice such "don't steal, don't cheat and don't lie" and "hold the door, say please, say thank you", while also delving a bit deeper (with lines such as "I love you ain't no pick-up line"). It all seems so obvious, and yet sometimes, we all have the tendency to get caught up in success. Sometimes we all need a reminder to go back to our roots, and remember what it was that got us to that point, and "Humble and Kind" does a brilliant job in portraying that message.
In addition to the strong lyrical content, McGraw puts in a typically sincere and heartfelt performance, while the melody is superbly constructed. Despite all this, one thing holds the record back from reaching "instant classic" status, and that's the production. While mostly country and never really overbearing, McGraw's vocals, in spots, are especially processed, which gets in the way of the overall sincerity and realness of the song.
That one misstep aside, "Humble and Kind" should easily be in contention for a high placement on year-end lists, and is yet another brilliant track in what has become quite the hot-streak for Tim McGraw. A single that deserves to be a hit, and comes highly recommended.
Grade: A-
Listen: "Humble and Kind"
