If You're Reading This

Tim McGraw

About If You're Reading This

"If You're Reading This" is a song performed by American country music artist Tim McGraw. The song was first performed at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards, which were held in Las Vegas, Nevada and aired May 15, 2007 on CBS. Shortly after McGraw's live performance, several radio stations began playing a telecast of the song, boosting it to a debut at number 35 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts from unsolicited airplay. A remixed version of the live recording was later released to radio as a single, overlapping Tim's then-current single, "I Need You", (a duet with wife Faith Hill). In November 2007, "If You're Reading This" reached a peak of number 3 on the Billboard country charts, becoming McGraw's forty-second Top Ten country hit overall. The song also peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. 


Year:
2008
4:05
146 
#1

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If you're reading this
My Mommas sittin there
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here
Sure wish I
Could give you one more kiss
And war was just a game we played when we were kids

I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up boots
I'm up here with God and we're both watching over you

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed
That it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home

If you're reading this
Half way around the world
I won’t be there
To see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
Stand up for the innocent and weak

I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up boots
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed
That it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home

If you're reading this
There’s going to come a day
When you'll move on
And find some one else
And that's OK
Just remember this
I'm in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace
And angels sing amazing grace

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed
That it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home

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Tim McGraw

Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the Soundscan era. He is married to country singer Faith Hill and is the son of former baseball player Tug McGraw. more »

20 fans

Written by: TIM MCGRAW, BRAD WARREN, BRETT WARREN

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Songwriters
"If You're Reading This" was written by Tim McGraw along with two other accomplished songwriters - Brad Warren and Brett Warren.
Performance Debut
The song was first performed at the 2007 Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards. The performance was so resonating that the studio version was recorded and released due to public demand.
Popular Demand
McGraw had originally intended the song to remain a singular live performance. However, public demand was so high for a recorded version that the song was aired on radio stations and later recorded as a track on his album "Let It Go".
Tribute to Soldiers
The song is known as a tribute to families of soldiers lost in war, particularly those who have given their lives in the line of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lyrics Content
The lyrics are written from the perspective of a soldier writing a letter to his family in case he dies in the line of duty. The soldier in the song is leaving messages of love and advice for his loved ones to read after his death.
Chart Performance
"If You're Reading This" peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2007.
Live Performance
During McGraw's live performance at the 2007 ACM awards, family members of soldiers who died in war were invited on stage, leaving a significant impact on the audience.
Recorded Copy
The recorded version uses a radio version that was recorded live during the ACM performance as a single.
Album Feature
The song was later added as a hidden track on future pressing of his album "Let It Go" due to its immense popularity.
Real Letters
McGraw revealed in an interview that the song was inspired by real letters written by military members who knew there were risks they could die in combat.

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    "If You're Reading This Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31782372/Tim+McGraw/If+You%27re+Reading+This>.

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    If You're Reading This

    4,953
    8     1

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2007

    Billboard #41


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