Released: 2018
Kenny Chesney’s ‘Get Along’ is a feel-good anthem that encourages unity, love, and living life to the fullest. The song explores the journey of life, acknowledging its imperfections, and urging listeners to find joy in simple things and harmony with others.
Starting off, Chesney introduces us to a man wearing a t-shirt that says ‘Virginia is for lovers’. This is a famous slogan promoting tourism in Virginia, but here it’s a symbol of love and unity. The man carries a Bible and a bottle, suggesting a balance between faith and earthly pleasures. The man’s wisdom is simple yet profound: all we’re really given in life is ‘the sunshine and your name’. In other words, we’re all born with the same basic opportunities and it’s up to us to make the most of them.
The chorus ‘Get along, on down the road’ is a call to move forward in life, despite our fears and imperfections. ‘Scared to live, scared to die’ captures the universal human fear of the unknown, both in life and death. But Chesney encourages us to ‘try’ and ‘get along while we can’, emphasizing the importance of love, friendship, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures like painting a wall, learning to dance, calling your mom, buying a boat, drinking a beer, singing a song, making a friend.
In the second verse, Chesney reflects on a model on a billboard, questioning the authenticity of her image and the loneliness in her eyes. This is a critique of the superficiality and loneliness that can come with fame and success. The model’s journey from her hometown to L.A., and her breakdown in the desert, symbolize the struggles and disappointments that often accompany the pursuit of dreams.
The final verse is a reminder that material possessions can’t buy a ticket to heaven, and while we may not fully understand love, we certainly know what it’s not. This reinforces the song’s message of valuing love, unity, and authenticity over materialism and superficiality.
In essence, ‘Get Along’ is a celebration of life in all its messy glory. It’s a call to embrace our shared humanity, to strive for love and unity, and to enjoy the simple pleasures that make life worth living.
