Is The Things That Matter a good place to start with Vince Gill?

Yes, The Things That Matter is recommended as a starting point for new Vince Gill listeners. A blend of heartfelt ballads and upbeat country tunes that showcase Gill's rich vocal texture and storytelling prowess. Released in 1985, The Things That Matter was Vince Gill's debut album, introducing him to the country music scene after a stint with the band Pure Prairie League. This album laid the groundwork for his successful solo career, which would see him evolve into one of country music's most beloved artists.

Who is The Things That Matter for?

The Things That Matter works well if you're into steady melodic flow throughout, heartfelt storytelling in every track and for reflective moments.

How many songs are on The Things That Matter?

The Things That Matter has 8 tracks, running approximately 30 minutes.

The Things That Matter

Vince Gill · 1985

30 min · 8 tracks · country music

A blend of heartfelt ballads and upbeat country tunes that showcase Gill's rich vocal texture and storytelling prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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She Don’t Know Start here — This opening track showcases Gill’s smooth vocals and sets an emotional tone for the album, blending catchy melodies with relatable lyrics about unrequited love.
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Colder Than Winter — A poignant ballad that highlights Gill's ability to convey deep emotion through his vocal delivery, this track reflects themes of heartache and longing.
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Oklahoma Borderline — This song encapsulates Gill's storytelling prowess, painting vivid imagery of life along the Oklahoma border while maintaining an infectious rhythm that draws listeners in.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album features solid songwriting and performance but doesn't stand out significantly in the genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a consistent pace, followed by a ballad that slows down the energy.
Several tracks feature prominent guitar solos that complement Gill's vocal lines, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
The last two tracks shift back to an upbeat tempo, creating a sense of resolution and closure as the album concludes.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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 melodic flow throughout
heartfelt storytelling in every track
for reflective moments
easy listening during road trips

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced music
seek experimental soundscapes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This debut album established Vince Gill's presence in country music.
Themes: Oklahoma landscapes· heartfelt storytelling· love and longing
Career context: Released in 1985, The Things That Matter was Vince Gill's debut album, introducing him to the country music scene after a stint with the band Pure Prairie League. This album laid the groundwork for his successful solo career, which would see him evolve into one of country music's most beloved artists.
Stylistic neighbors: Alan Jackson· Brad Paisley· George Strait