The 'Sweet Thing' About Keith Urban’s New Album 'Defying Gravity'

Douglas Boultinghouse
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Courtesy of Keith Urban

"Defying Gravity" - Keith Urban released his fifth album March 31. The album contains the singles "Sweet Thing" and "Kiss a Girl."

   Australian country artist Keith Urban released his fifth album, “Defying Gravity,” March 31. The release followed the success of the no. 1 single “Sweet Thing,” and the chart-climbing of the song “Kiss a Girl.”

   Known for his guitar and songwriting skills, and his Australian accent, Urban resides in a musical category of his own.

New Songs

   “Kiss a Girl” opens the album with an anthem for guys so catchy, they, along with everybody else, will be singing the song.

   “I wanna kiss a girl / I wanna hold her tight / Baby, make a little magic in the moonlight / Don’t wanna go too far / Just to take it slow / But I shouldn’t be lonely in this big ole world / I wanna kiss a girl,” he sings.

   The song currently rests at no. 20 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. As word of the single spreads, it should climb even higher.

   The second track, “If Ever I Could Love,” lead Urban to the title of his album.

   On his official Web site, he said, "’Defying Gravity’ comes from the lyrics of a song on the album and it just struck me at the time as a phrase that really defined the joyous, optimistic and uplifting spirit that seemed to show itself while making the album."  

   The song stands out with its mix of a steel guitar and calming melody.

   “I can’t read your mind, my love / But it seems to me / Your heart and mine tonight are / Defying gravity,” he sings towards the start.

   The surefire hit “Sweet Thing” follows.

   Urban’s ninth no. 1 single blows up with the chorus, “Sweet thing / The moon is high and the night is young / Come on and meet me / In the backyard under the cottonwood tree / It’s a good thing / Am I wishing? / Come on sweet thing.”

   By far, the best song on the album, “’Til Summer Comes Around,” brings a jaw-dropping rawness.

   In the same vein as Jessica Simpson’s bittersweet and painful recollection of what could have been, “Sipping on History,” the song begins with the sounds of carnival noises, laughter and waves crashing before looking back at memories that will never come back to life.

   The haunting ballad chills the chorus, “I close my eyes / And one more time / We’re spinning around and you’re holding on tightly / The words came out / I kissed your mouth / No Fourth of July has ever burned so brightly / You had to go / But you promised you’d be back again / So I wander ‘round this town / ‘Til summer comes around.”

   The track, “Why’s It Feel So Long,” features elements of acoustic and steel guitars that resemble one of Kenny Chesney’s mediocre, beach-themed songs. However, Urban adds his own flares to the style with catchy lyrics that make it almost mesmerizing and addicting. After all, this is one song, compared almost every single Chesney song, making it less irritating.

   He sings, “Why’s it feel so long / Since you been gone / Why’s it feel so long / Time keeps dragging on / ‘Til you get back home / Why’s it feel so long / …Cause I miss you, baby.”

   The last song on the album, “Thank You,” Urban undoubtedly wrote for his wife, actress Nicole Kidman.

   He begins by describing the path his life headed down before meeting Kidman and leads into the romantic chorus.

   “And I thank you for my heart / I thank you for my life / And I thank God for grace and mercy / And that you became my wife / I’m seeing for the first time / The stars, the sun and moon / They’ve got nothing on the power of this love I have for you / And I thank you / I thank you,” he sings.

   With the graciousness crafted within the song, Urban wrote what could become the perfect song for wedding receptions.

   Other tracks on “Defying Gravity” include: “My Heart is Open,” the rock-influenced “Hit the Ground Running,” the skillfully-written “Only You Can Love Me,” “Standing Right in Front of You” and a stripped-down, acoustic version of “Sweet Thing.”

   Combined, the unique tracks form one of, if not the best, albums of 2009 to date. 

On Tour

   In support of the album, Urban will hit the road for his “Escape Together World Tour” in May. Joining him on the road will be various artists for each stop. The following take turns opening for Urban: Sugarland, the Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum and Glen Campbell.

   Urban released all of the tour stops and accompanying artists on his Web site, but only listed a portion of the dates. He announced a show in Little Rock with Sugarland. However, the date will be announced later.

   Urban nabbed two nominations for the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in April. He received nominations for “Top Male Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the Year.” He faces a stiff competition in both categories. Chesney, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Toby Keith received nominations for male vocalist. The same artists, with the exception of Keith, earned nominations for the prestigious “Entertainer of the Year.” Country superstar Carrie Underwood broke into the “all boys club” with her nomination, posing the biggest threat.

   The academy opened voting for the category up to the fans. Fans may vote for their choice online at the CBS Web site. Reba McEntire will host the awards Sunday, April 5 on CBS. Tune in to see if Urban wins.

   For more information on Urban, or to pick up a copy of his new album, visit his official Web site or MySpace.

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