"I'm Tryin'" is a song written by Jeffrey Steele, Chris Wallin, and Anthony Smith and recorded by American country music artist Trace Adkins. It released in July 2001 as the lead-off single from his album Chrome. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
| "I'm Tryin'" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Trace Adkins | ||||
| from the album Chrome | ||||
| B-side | "Chrome"[1] | |||
| Released | July 2, 2001 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:45 (album version) | |||
| Label | Capitol Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jeffrey Steele Anthony Smith Chris Wallin | |||
| Producer(s) | Dann Huff | |||
| Trace Adkins singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Content
edit"I'm Tryin'" is a mid-tempo narrated by a man who has been divorced for two years and is facing troubles in his life, such as working double shifts just to make enough money to pay alimony to his ex-wife. In the chorus, the man expresses his struggles.
The song is composed in the key of A flat major.[2] Jeffrey Steele, Anthony Smith, and Chris Wallin composed the song during a writing session in which they also wrote "3 Seconds" for Sammy Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan. Steele suggested the central premise of the song, and then the other two added lines until they felt the song was completed.[2] Steele told the blog The Boot in 2020 that he came up with the opening line "This gettin' up early, pullin' double shifts / Gonna make an old man of me long before I ever get rich", while Wallin suggested the next line in which the narrator is revealed to be recently divorced. Steele also described the song as "very Beatles-ish".[3]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Steven Goldmann, and was filmed in Toronto.
Personnel
editCompiled from liner notes.[4]
- Mike Brignardello — bass guitar
- Eric Darken — percussion
- Paul Franklin — steel guitar
- Dann Huff — electric guitar
- B. James Lowry — acoustic guitar
- Brent Mason — electric guitar
- Steve Nathan — keyboards
- Russell Terrell — background vocals
- Lonnie Wilson — drums
- Jonathan Yudkin — violin, cello, mandocello
Chart positions
edit"I'm Tryin'" debuted at number 58 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of July 7, 2001.
| Chart (2001–2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 6 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 44 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2001) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 53 |
| Chart (2002) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[8] | 50 |
References
edit- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ a b "'Tryin'' comes easy for writing trio". The Tennessean. November 3, 2001. pp. 3D. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ "Story behind the song: Trace Adkins, 'I'm Tryin''". The Boot. May 21, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ Chrome (CD booklet). Trace Adkins. Capitol Records. 2002. 30618.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Trace Adkins Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Trace Adkins Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2001: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2001. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ "Best of 2002: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2002. Retrieved August 13, 2012.