Keith Urban: Songs That Should’ve Been Singles

The process of choosing a single for radio is often as arduous a task as writing the song. Each month, Sounds Like Nashville will feature a different artist and explore songs from his or her catalogue that we wish made it to radio. Make no mistake, this is no critique of the artist or label, it’s simply a list of songs we love so much that we think deserve to be in the spotlight. This month, we take a closer listen to Keith Urban’s back catalogue and find eight gems that warrant airplay.

“You’re the Only One”

While “You’re the Only One” may not have been a radio single, the beautiful ballad is a song that would fit perfectly on a wedding playlist. Delicate fiddle accompaniment alongside wavering pedal steel help capture the emotion that Urban’s voice portrays. A song in Urban’s catalogue that may be long since forgotten as it appeared on his debut self-titled release in 1999, “You’re the Only One” stands the test of time.

“Whenever I Run”

Featured on 2002’s Golden Road, “Whenever I Run” describes the life of a man who has been dealt a bad hand in love, but soon this all changes. The song starts off slowly as Urban explains how in the past, when the world got too much for him to handle he’d take off. However, he now follows his heart and runs into his lover’s arms instead. “The best is yet to come, baby you’re the one I run to,” he sings on the heartwarming chorus.

“Raise the Barn”

Appropriately titled, “Raise the Barn” is a barn burner that has Urban sharing the microphone with Ronnie Dunn. A foot stomping number that has Urban and Dunn singing of square dancing with their girls late into the night to “Cotton Eyed Joe” in the barn, it’ a song that begs for air time, or at the very least a televised collaboration.

“Got It Right This Time”

The last track on 2006’s Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, “Got It Right This Time” is a sweet sentiment written for his wife, Nicole Kidman. Urban penned the song alone and has said the track has grown more meaningful to him over the years and as a result, he added it to 2007’s Greatest Hits: 18 Kids even though it was never released as a single.

“Ever since you came into my life I’ve been a better man . . . I couldn’t seem to find where I belonged until she took my hand,” he sings on the stripped down track which begs to be put on repeat.

“If Ever I Could Love”

Co-written with Darrell Brown, Urban once again showcases his emotive singing style on “If Ever I Could Love.” A song that has Urban questioning the start of a relationship with soaring guitar features, memorable fiddle and handclapped rhythms, it has the listener rooting for the singer in his new relationship after being heartbroken from past love.

“Georgia Woods”

“Georgia Woods” is a hopeful love song with plenty of drum loops, pedal steel and electric guitar off 2010’s Get Closer. A minute long epic guitar feature closes the song which highlights Urban’s killer shredding skills on the gritty track, reminding us all of his prowess as both a guitarist and a vocalist.

“Good Thing”

A radio friendly and fast-paced track, “Good Thing” showcases Urban’s ability to blend a love song with dance floor beats. Perfect in the live setting, it’s easy to imagine hearing on the radio with the song’s catchy lyrics and Urban’s smooth vocals.

“‘Cause I know a good thing when I see it . . . just give me one chance and you’ll never be lonely no more,” he sings alongside ganjo and electric guitar.

“Come Back to Me”

The most poignant song on Urban’s last album Fuse, “Come Back to Me” is a beautiful ballad that details a man struggling to accept that his love must go off on her own to follow her dreams. Always the gentleman, Urban lets her know that he’ll be there for her if and when she decides to return.

“But if you gotta leave you gotta know / I love you enough to let you go / If there’s greener grass / I want to hold you but I don’t want to hold you back,” he sings.

Written by Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen, “Come Back to Me” is a song that tugs on the heart in the best way.