Unanswered Prayers

Garth Brooks

About Unanswered Prayers

"Unanswered Prayers" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Garth Brooks which hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 1991. It was released in October 1990 as the second single from his album No Fences and also appears on The Hits, The Limited Series, Double Live and The Ultimate Hits. It was written by Brooks, Pat Alger and Larry Bastian. The song is one of Brooks' most popular recordings, and is one of the key tracks that helped his No Fences album stay on the top of the charts for many months (the album spent over 30 weeks at number 1 on Billboards Country Charts).  


Year:
2013
3:26
7,286 
#119

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Just the other night a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
Inn her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thankedd the good Lord
For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

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Garth Brooks

Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American country music artist. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Brooks' integration of rock elements into his recordings and live performances has earned him immense popularity. This progressive approach allowed him to dominate the country single and album charts while quickly crossing over into the mainstream pop arena, exposing country music to a larger audience. more »

22 fans

Written by: Garth Brooks, Larry B. Bastian, Patrick Alger

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


24 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Unanswered Prayers" is a country song co-written and performed by American country music artist Garth Brooks and co-written with Pat Alger.
Album Placement
The track is featured on Garth Brooks's second studio album, "No Fences," which was released in 1990.
Chart Performance
"Unanswered Prayers" reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1991, marking it as one of the most successful songs by Garth Brooks.
Inspiration
The song is based on a real-life experience. Garth Brooks wrote the song after he ran into his high school sweetheart at a county fair, despite being happily married to his wife at the time.
Storyline
The song's lyrics tell a story of a man, thankful that God did not answer his then heartfelt prayers for a relationship with a young woman to work out, as now he realizes his real love is his wife.
Performance
"Unanswered Prayers" became a popular country song thanks to its strong, unique narrative and Brooks's passionate performance.
Recognition
Despite not winning any specific awards, "Unanswered Prayers" is often recognized as one of Brooks's signature songs and remains a fan favorite.
Official Live Version
There's an official live version of "Unanswered Prayers," which is included in the album "Double Live" released in 1998.
TV Movie
"Unanswered Prayers" was so popular it inspired a television movie of the same name, airing on the Lifetime Network in 2010.
Lasting Impact
The song has often been noted for its philosophical theme and is frequently used as an example of the saying, "Be careful what you wish for."
Public Reaction
Many fans resonate with the song's theme, finding it relatable and comforting, contributing to its lasting success.
Songwriting Contribution
The song represents the effective songwriting partnership of Garth Brooks and Pat Alger, whose combined country sensibilities created a hit song.
Cover Versions
Since its release, the song has been covered by various artists, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Release
"Unanswered Prayers" was released in October 1990, as the second single from Garth Brooks' second studio album called "No Fences."
Composition
Garth Brooks co-wrote "Unanswered Prayers" with renowned songwriters Pat Alger and Larry Bastian.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by Brooks' real-life encounter with his high school sweetheart at a county fair after marrying his first wife, Sandy Mahl.
Climbing the Charts
Upon its release, the song rapidly climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, where it stayed for two weeks. It was also Brooks' third number one hit.
Song's Theme
The song's theme suggests that sometimes, not getting what you pray for might actually be a lucky miss.
Influence on Pop Culture
CBS developed a television movie with the same title, inspired by the song, which aired in 2010.
Under-appreciated
Despite its success, "Unanswered Prayers" has been characterized as one of Brooks' least appreciated songs, given its position sandwiched between other major hits, like "Friends in Low Places" and "The Thunder Rolls."
Fan's Favorite
Nevertheless, fans consistently rank "Unanswered Prayers" as one of their most favored Garth Brooks' songs due to its relatable lyrics and elegant melody.
Multiple Interpretations
There are multiple interpretations of the song's meaning, but the most popular interpretation is that it refers to the way people regret their choices, only to realize later they were the best decisions after all.
Live Performances
Whenever Brooks performs "Unanswered Prayers" live, it always tends to create an emotional response from the crowd, signifying its enduring popularity.
Album Sales
The "No Fences" album wherein the song was included, sold 17 million copies in the U.S., making it Brooks' best-selling album and included in the list of best-selling albums in the United States.

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