“Don’t Take the Girl” – Single by Tim McGraw from the album Not a Moment Too Soon
B-side “Welcome to the Club”
Released March 28, 1994
Recorded 1993
Label Curb
Songwriters Craig Martin and Larry W. Johnson
Producers Byron Gallimore and James Stroud
Charted No.1 in US (Billboard Hot Country Songs); No.17 in US (Billboard HOT 100)
No.1 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week ending May 28, 1994
Craig Martin and Larry Johnson co-wrote the song. The sentimental ballad is a stellar example of the storytelling that makes country music stand out from other genres. While seemingly a simple song, it tells a deep story about growing up, falling in love, and weathering the highs and lows of life. At the same time, it became a stand-out example of the ‘90s country sound that so many current artists are attempting to replicate.
It was released in March 1994 as the second single from his album Not a Moment Too Soon. It was McGraw’s fifth single overall, and his first number-one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. It also reached number one on the Canadian country charts and it was a successful pop song, reaching number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, writing that it had the listeners “crying in their beer in the dancehalls down in Texas”. She continues, that once radio has it, the song will take off.
“Don’t Take the Girl” debuted at number 71 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of April 2, 1994.
