If There Was a Way
Dwight Yoakam · 1990
48 min · 14 tracks · country music
A heartfelt blend of traditional country melodies and emotionally charged storytelling set against a backdrop of honky-tonk rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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If There Was a Way — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of heartache and longing with a poignant melody that highlights Yoakam's signature vocal style.
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Since I Started Drinkin' Again — This track showcases Yoakam's ability to blend traditional country instrumentation with confessional lyrics about personal struggles, making it a standout moment.
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Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose — A lively anthem that captures the energy of honky-tonk culture, this song reflects the album's balance between sorrowful ballads and upbeat celebrations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional country sounds with strong storytelling, creating a solid yet familiar experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat honky-tonk tracks, while the second half shifts to more introspective ballads.
- Several songs incorporate traditional country instrumentation, including steel guitar and fiddle, enhancing the genre's authenticity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- heartfelt storytelling with warmth
- for evening drives
- catchy sing-along choruses
- melancholic themes of longing
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening
- seek experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1990, If There Was a Way marked Dwight Yoakam's fifth studio album, following the successful This Time. At this stage in his career, Yoakam was solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the neo-traditional country movement, blending classic sounds with contemporary influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Strait· Travis Tritt· Alan Jackson
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Distance Between You and Me 2:43
- 2 The Heart That You Own 3:11
- 3 Takes a Lot to Rock You 3:01
- 4 Nothing's Changed Here 2:59
- 5 Sad, Sad Music 3:45
- 6 Since I Started Drinkin' Again 3:44
- 7 If There Was a Way 2:56
- 8 Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose 3:24
- 9 It Only Hurts When I Cry 2:35
- 10 Send a Message to My Heart 3:16
- 11 I Don't Need It Done 4:46
- 12 You're the One 4:02
- 13 Dangerous Man 4:18
- 14 Let's Work Together 3:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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