Country music singer Keith Urban's acclaimed fourth studio album "Be Here," was released on September 21, 2004, via his record label, Capitol Records Nashville. This album was the follow-up to his "Golden Road" CD. In 2005, the Academy of Country Music (ACM), honored Urban with the "Album of the Year" award for "Be Here," and crowned him their "Top Male Vocalist."
On "Be Here," nine out of its thirteen tracks were co-written by Urban himself; moreover, Urban covers Elton John's "Country Comfort" by giving the song a country twist to it.
Radio Singles from Keith Urban's "Be Here" CD
From Keith Urban's "Be Here" CD, five songs were released to country radio, three of which peaked at #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Charts. These chart-topping pop-country hits include the up-tempo "Days Go By," which is the opening track on the album, as well as the mid-tempo "Better Life," and the sunning love ballad "Making Memories of Us."
In "You're My Better Half," Urban reveals that he leans on his significant other, since she's his "better half" due to the "sweet love" she gives to him. "You're My Better Half" went on to reach #2 on Billboard's Country Charts.
The fifth and final radio single released from this record was Urban's "Tonight I Wanna Cry." Although "Tonight I Wanna Cry" only reached #2 on the Billboard Country Charts, it showcases Urban's versatility as an artist, since he performs this emotional song on piano, rather than playing his usual acoustic and electric guitar instruments.
Noteworthy Tracks on Keith Urban's "Be Here" Record
The up-tempo "Live to Love Another Day" is a fun and catchy song from Urban. Yet another uplifting song on the record is "God's Been Good to Me," since he reveals all the moments in life that he is most proud of; as a result, he can attest without any doubts that God has been good to him.
The album closes with the nostalgic, yet beautiful ballad "These Are the Days." Due to its short duration, "These Are the Days," was meant to be the introduction for Urban's opening song "Days Go By," since it repeats the chorus of "Days Go By" multiple times; however, it was a wise decision for Urban to leave it last to have a lasting effect on the listener.
The Verdict
For music listeners who are fans of Keith Urban, as well as lovers of the pop-country genre, this album is recommended for their CD collection. There is something in it for everybody in this album: wedding songs, ballads, up-tempo songs, emotional songs, all performed from the heart by Keith Urban, one of country music's finest contemporary male vocalists.
For more information on Keith Urban's music, please visit Keith Urban's official website.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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