About the song
“Carrying Your Love with Me” isn’t just a song by George Strait, it’s a journey. Released in 1997, this country music staple became an instant hit, topping the Billboard charts and solidifying Strait’s position as a country music legend. But what makes this song resonate so deeply with listeners?
The story unfolds through the lyrics, penned by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens. We meet a man on the road, his possessions fitting in a “beat up leather bag.” He’s traveling, but his heart remains at home. The now-iconic chorus, “I’m carrying your love with me, West Virginia down to Tennessee,” paints a vivid picture of this emotional tether, stretching across state lines.
The music video, directed by Christopher Cain, perfectly complements the song’s theme. Beginning in black and white, it follows Strait, his ever-present bag by his side, through a world of highways, rain, and fleeting glimpses of a life he misses. The switch to color during the performance scenes adds a layer of longing, highlighting the contrast between the man’s physical journey and his emotional connection to home.
“Carrying Your Love with Me” wasn’t just a hit song; it was a testament to Strait’s commitment to traditional country music. While contemporaries embraced a more pop-oriented sound, Strait delivered a song that resonated with the genre’s core themes of love, loss, and distance. Critics like Miriam Longino of the Atlantic Constitution praised the track and the album for its adherence to country music’s roots.
The song’s impact transcended genre and time. Jacki Lyden and Tom Rivers, on NPR’s All Things Considered, discussed the song as an example of country music’s ability to connect with listeners through relatable themes. In 2022, “Carrying Your Love with Me” found new life through a viral country rap song by David Morris, proving its enduring power.
From its relatable lyrics to its traditional country sound, “Carrying Your Love with Me” is more than just a song; it’s a reminder of the enduring power of love, the comfort it brings even in times of separation, and the ability of music to bridge distances and connect hearts.
Video
Lyrics
Baby all I got’s this beat up leather bag
And everything I own don’t fill up half
But don’t you worry ’bout the way I pack
All I care about is gettin’ back real soon
A goodbye kiss is all I need from you
‘Cause I’m carryin’ your love with me
West Virginia down to Tennessee
I’ll be movin’ with the good Lord’s speed
Carryin’ your love with me
It’s my strength for holdin’ on
Every minute that I have to be gone
I’ll have everything I’ll ever need
I’m carryin’ your love with me
On a lonely highway stuck out in the rain
Darlin’ all I have to do is speak your name
The clouds roll back and the waters part
The sun starts shinin’ in my heart for you
You’re right there in everything I do
‘Cause I’m carryin’ your love with me
West Virginia down to Tennesse
I’ll be movin’ with the good Lord’s speed
Carryin’ your love with me
It’s my strength for holdin’ on
Every minute that I have to be gone
I’ll have everything I’ll ever need
I’m carryin’ your love with me
It’s my strength for holdin’ on
Every minute that I have to be gone
I’ll have everything I’ll ever need
I’m carryin’ your love with me
I’m carryin’ your love with me
I’m carryin’ your love with me
West Virginia down to Tennessee
I’ll be movin’ with the good Lord’s speed
Carrying’ your love with me