Is Waking Up Laughing a good place to start with Martina McBride?

Yes, Waking Up Laughing is recommended as a starting point for new Martina McBride listeners. Uplifting melodies intertwine with heartfelt storytelling, capturing the essence of resilience and hope in contemporary country music. Released in 2007, Waking Up Laughing is Martina McBride's sixth studio album, following the successful Timeless from 2005. At this point in her career, McBride was solidifying her status as a prominent figure in country music, known for her powerful vocals and emotional delivery. This album reflects her continued evolution as an artist while maintaining her signature sound.

Who is Waking Up Laughing for?

Waking Up Laughing works well if you're into uplifting and positive vibes, reflective moments of introspection and emotional storytelling experiences.

How many songs are on Waking Up Laughing?

Waking Up Laughing has 11 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Waking Up Laughing

Martina McBride · 2007

41 min · 11 tracks · country music

Uplifting melodies intertwine with heartfelt storytelling, capturing the essence of resilience and hope in contemporary country music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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If I Had Your Name Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Anyway — This track stands out for its poignant message of perseverance despite adversity, showcasing McBride's ability to blend emotional depth with catchy melodies.
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Cry Cry (’til the Sun Shines) — The song offers a reflective narrative on heartbreak and healing, illustrating McBride's knack for storytelling through relatable lyrics and a memorable chorus.
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For These Times — A powerful anthem that emphasizes hope and resilience, this track encapsulates the album's overarching themes while highlighting McBride's vocal strength.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features solid songwriting and production but follows familiar country templates.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of songs that gradually build in energy and optimism.
Several tracks feature layered harmonies and prominent instrumental arrangements typical of contemporary country music.
The last two tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a contrast to the preceding upbeat songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
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

uplifting and positive vibes
reflective moments of introspection
emotional storytelling experiences
steady, consistent energy levels

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — This album showcases McBride's signature sound and resonates with dedicated fans.
Themes: small-town resilience· heartfelt storytelling· emotional catharsis
Career context: Released in 2007, Waking Up Laughing is Martina McBride's sixth studio album, following the successful Timeless from 2005. At this point in her career, McBride was solidifying her status as a prominent figure in country music, known for her powerful vocals and emotional delivery. This album reflects her continued evolution as an artist while maintaining her signature sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Reba McEntire· Carrie Underwood· Trisha Yearwood