JAMEY JOHNSON - In Colour (COUNTRY MUSIC REACTION | A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE!!

"You should have seen it IN COLOR" is another way of saying, "You needed to be there." We can share our memories and moments with others, but it's hard to truly understand if you weren't there when it happened.

"Lead Me Home" Jamey Johnson. Oh my gosh! Rips me apart every time. He can tell a story straight from the heart.

My mom used to show us old pictures taken in the 30s and 40s, she could recall the color of the clothes and even if it was a pretty day or the occasion, she described it so well I could just see it all as she remembered it. I remember having the clerk at the photo processing places ask if I wanted my photos developed in color or black and white. Then later it was just color photos, oh yes you could buy color film or black and white film. My mom has passed, but the old black and whites remain, but I have her memories of colors and weather in my mind still. This song is so meaningful in so many ways.

When my kids come to visit, which is every 4 year, I just dump a box of photos on the table. We laugh and talk for hours.

Even though I cry every time I hear this song but I still love it. It always brings to mind my folks and other people I’ve lost. Years before my folks passed they went through every photo album and every drawer and had all the pics digitized. I like having the pictures on my phone but I agree with you that it’s not the same as sitting down and going through the albums together.

The best piece of writing in the last 30 years in my not so humble opinion

“In Color” was a huge hit for Alabama native and Marine veteran Jamey Johnson in 2008. How big? It won Song of the Year at both the Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards in 2009. It was also nominated for Best Male Country Performance and Best Country Song at the 51st Grammy’s. And it all began because Johnson wanted to write or at least sing something as a tribute to his late grandfather who passed away in 2000. He just didn’t know how until he was walking down the street in Nashville one day with a songwriter Lee Miller, seemingly talking about a topic completely unrelated. Jamey said the following about his grandfather, “He died before I really made it as a singer and songwriter. He knew I did both and that I was planning to move to Nashville. I did, but he passed just a few months after I arrived, so he never got to hear anything I did on a record. I've always wanted to pay tribute back to thank him for the life lessons growing up, all the long conversations with him. Nobody ever pays attention to this stuff until they're gone I'm afraid. I had a long way to go, I wanted him to be around a lot longer, I wasn't ready for him to go. We never really are – are we? Now, I know he spent time with me because he was just a loving person and wasn’t looking for accolades. But if you’re an artist of any kind, you can use your craft to create a lasting piece of appreciation.” Now, in 2007 – Jamey had gotten together with his new songwriting friend Lee Miller. They had gone out for breakfast on Broadway – the main street through Nashville – and then set our for a walk to talk about life in general. Miller later said, “You never know what ideas you may get for songs just by having a regular conversation with someone.” However, the topic of Jamey’s grandfather did not come up – until he casually asked Miller what he had been doing since the last time they saw each other (about a week). Lee started talking about this old photo exhibit at a nearby convention hall showing black and white pictures of the Music City from the early 1960’s before the days of Polaroid and like cameras. Miller remarked later, “You’re always looking for the phrase giving you a reason to write a song. So, we’re walking along, and I told Jamey I was having kind of a writer’s block period. This is when you should talk about everything but writing – and maybe something will joggle your mind. I had been to this show where there were shots of famous spots around the city and some of the people who worked there – including some noted musicians of the day. It was a really nice display, but it seems there’s something missing sometimes with black and white pictures. I thought I was really boring Jamey because he wasn’t saying much – like he was thinking about something totally different like paying bills or relationships, or even what he was going to have for supper later on that day.” Lee continued, “He had this zoned out look that happens when people pretend to be listening when you know they are not. Then, out of the blue, he blurts, “There’s your idea. You think that (the show) was something? You should have seen it in color.” Miller said “I stopped dead in my tracks. Those ideas are hard to come by and I knew right then and there a song was waiting to be born. You just don’t want to mess it up and rush – as those ideas may be a long time coming again, if ever. You have to write it correctly. A few days later, Johnson, Miller, and James Otto – another songwriter got together to talk about what they should do. Jamey said he had always wanted to write something about his grandfather, adding “The best things I have left to remember him by are old black and white photos when he was younger. Well, Miller and Otto started reminiscing about their own granddads – and everything stemmed from these discussions. All three grandfathers served in World War II – and the line “In the middle of hell in 1943” is Lee’s grandad, and his memories of his tail gunner Johnny McGee – a high school teacher from New Orleans (mentioned a bit later) who always had the elder Miller’ back right until the end of the war. The three men decided to write the song as a composite of memories from all three of their grandfathers as if coming from one person looking back – with one specific incident from each one. So, everything in the song is true. James Otto’s granddad and his uncle Joe back in 1935 trying to survive the Great Depression on a cotton farm. We have the recollection of Miller’s grandad above. And, at the end, we hear about Jamey’s grandfather talking about the day he said his vows to his grandmother on a hot June day. Remembering the red rose she carried and how blue her eyes were – and beaming from ear to ear – just as the lyrics go. Some other tidbits/trivia about the song, songwriters, and singer: - “In Color” was a minor crossover hit onto the Billboard Hot 100 Charts – peaking at #52 in 2008. Although nominated for two Grammy’s, Johnson lost out on Best Male Vocal Performance to Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me.” And the tune lost out to Sugarland’s “Stay” for Best Country Song. - A music video was shot for the song in May of 2008. It shows Johnson sitting on a stool above a floor completely covered with old black and white photos. They are all from Johnson’s collection of those his grandfather left behind, along with a few from co-writers Otto and Miller. - Although Otto is mostly known as a singer, he has written several songs for other without much success except this one. On the other hand, Lee Miller ha written or co-written seven #1 country songs, including “You’re Gonna Miss This” for Trace Adkins. - In 2019 at the JD Legends Show in Nashville, Jamey Johnson sang this on stage as a duet with his own father. You can hear who Johnson got his talent from with some beautiful harmonizing throughout. Sources: Wikipedia, Songfacts, Billboard, AZ Lyrics, Grammy.com, Roughstock, American Songwriter, Engine 145, Recording Industry Association of America, Nashville Songwriter, Prometheus Media.

One of the best written songs in my opinion is “Paint Me A Birmingham” by Tracey Lawrence. I think you would love it.

The best of country music paints these pictures for us and tugs at our heartstrings. Great point about the photo albums. I remember sitting by my grandmother and her pointing out each person from her past and describing their personalities and what they meant to her. I love your reactions!

He wrote this song. He is an amazing song writer

Wow. I remember listening to this song so much trying to recover from having my brain radiated. It just made me feel so comfortable.

Very powerful song. I got out some old photo albums, and found some old pictures of my grandfather holding me as a newborn...in black and white. I miss him every single day. There are so many where the memories come streaming down my cheeks. Both happy and sad. Great song! I have heard it before, but it has been a while!

I'm all teary over this one. Married for 53 years and when I look at old pictures of us, we were soooo young, scared and so in love.

Thank you so much for this reaction. The first time I heard it, brought tears to my eyes. My daddy’s name, who chose to be my daddy when I was 7 1/2 years old, was Johnny McGee. I get so emotional listening to this song!!! I think your next Jamey Johnson song should Bec”Lead Me Home. It’s a special song for him as well ask for me. We played it at my daddy’s funeral. It’s definitely a song most of us can relate to at some point or another. Beautiful reaction today!

This is one of my favorite songs! His voice just draws into the song. The Great Depression and the Great Dust Bowls crippled our economy, but also showcased the resolve of Americans to not only survive it but to bulid stronger. This makes my long to spend time with my grandparents, miss them every day. His song Give It Away. He originally wrote it for George Strait, it was one of George's biggest hits.

The interesting fact, Jamie didn't have money for "professional" video. Him and friend did the video on his garage floor. I think the simple way it is done just magnifies the words!

What I love about music its universal you don't have to understand a word just feel it.

Jamey is currently, one of Nashville’s greatest songwriters.

My grandfather fought in Vietnam after leaving his small town in Missouri. After his service he moved to Texas where he started his family and had my pops. We took care of him in his dying years and this song always hits me. I used to resent him because he was always so rough and mean when I grew up. Always smoking and drinking. Wasn’t till I was 15 he said he loved me for the first time. When he lived with us every picture he showed me was such a story and we got really close finally. He died when I was 18 and left almost everything to me. He said besides my father I was his best friend at the end. This song just hits a different way. R.I.P Keith

Jamey Johnson is a legend. You should check out more of this stuff.