About The Song
Few songs in contemporary country music manage to blend spiritual reflection with emotional empowerment as seamlessly as Martina McBride’s “Anyway”. Released in 2006 as the lead single from her album Waking Up Laughing, this song occupies a special place within McBride’s rich and varied discography. Rooted in timeless wisdom and fortified by her soaring vocal delivery, “Anyway” is more than just a ballad — it is a meditation on resilience, faith, and the human capacity to persist in the face of life’s inevitable uncertainties. Inspired in part by a poem often attributed to Mother Teresa (itself an adaptation of “The Paradoxical Commandments” by Kent Keith), “Anyway” resonates deeply with listeners who have wrestled with life’s contradictions and chosen hope despite them.
From its opening lines, “Anyway” invites reflection: “You can spend your whole life building something from nothing / One storm can come and blow it all away / Build it anyway.” These are not merely lyrics; they are gentle but firm imperatives. The song encourages listeners to act with integrity and hope, not because life guarantees success, but precisely because there is meaning in striving despite impermanence. This philosophical underpinning gives “Anyway” a gravitas that elevates it above many contemporaneous country-pop offerings. It taps into a universal human experience — the realization that life’s greatest undertakings come with no assurances, yet are still worth pursuing.
Vocally, Martina McBride delivers “Anyway” with a balance of restraint and power that few artists can achieve. Her crystalline soprano rises steadily throughout the song, building toward a climactic final chorus that is both cathartic and uplifting. What distinguishes McBride’s performance is her sincerity. Rather than overselling the song’s inspirational message, she allows the lyrics and melody to unfold naturally, trusting the audience to meet the song on their own terms. Her vocal control, marked by subtle vibrato and impeccable phrasing, underscores her status as one of country music’s most technically accomplished and emotionally authentic singers.
Musically, the production of “Anyway” complements its thematic weight with a thoughtful arrangement. A gentle piano introduction anchors the song, gradually expanding into a full-bodied orchestral swell as the narrative progresses. The interplay between piano, strings, and understated percussion creates a sonic landscape that is both intimate and expansive — a fitting backdrop for a song that contemplates both personal struggle and broader existential truths.
In the context of McBride’s career, “Anyway” marked an evolution in her songwriting, as it was the first single she co-wrote. This personal investment is palpable throughout the track, adding an extra layer of authenticity. As a result, “Anyway” stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to inspire perseverance and faith. It reminds us that while outcomes may be uncertain, the act of trying — of loving, building, and believing — carries its own profound reward.
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Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
You can spend your whole life buildin’
Somethin’ from nothin’
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anywayYou can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anywayGod is great, but sometimes life ain’t good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway, I do it anywayThis world’s gone crazy
And it’s hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anywayYou can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love ’em anywayGod is great
But sometimes life ain’t good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yeah, I do it anywayYou can pour your soul out singin’
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah, sing it anyway, yeah yeahI sing, I dream, I love anyway, yeah