About the song
Ah, yes, George Strait and “The Big One”. Now that’s a classic country song that truly captured the hearts of audiences in the mid-90s. Released in September 1994 as the lead single from his album Lead On, it became Strait’s 26th number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, solidifying his position as a country music titan.
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But “The Big One” is more than just chart success. It’s a song that plays on a relatable human experience – the powerful feeling of falling head over heels in love. Strait, with his signature smooth vocals and a deceptively simple melody, delivers a story that resonates with anyone who’s ever been swept off their feet.
The beauty of the song lies in its use of metaphor. The title itself, “The Big One”, is a double entendre. On the surface, it could refer to a natural disaster, a powerful earthquake perhaps, that you can’t escape from. This creates a sense of urgency and inevitability – the narrator is powerless to resist the feelings that are taking over him. But on a deeper level, “The Big One” signifies the overwhelming experience of falling in love. It’s a force that takes control, a life-altering event that you can’t predict or control.
The lyrics are full of these clever comparisons. Lines like “Without a warning you’re out of control, the ground shakes and the ocean rolls” paint a vivid picture of the emotional turmoil the narrator is experiencing. He’s caught off guard, disoriented by the intensity of his feelings. He tells himself to “not panic,” but the song’s driving beat and the urgency in Strait’s voice suggest that this is easier said than done.
There’s also a touch of humor woven into the metaphor. The narrator pleads with his love interest, “Baby, please, please don’t save me tonight,” even though he knows he’s completely smitten. It’s a playful way of acknowledging the power dynamic at play – he’s helpless but happy to be so.
“The Big One” wasn’t just a hit with fans; critics loved it too. It received positive reviews for its clever use of metaphor, Strait’s signature vocals, and the song’s overall catchy melody. It’s a testament to the songwriting duo of Gerry House and Devon O’Day, who crafted a song that’s both relatable and timeless.
So, when you hit play on “The Big One,” prepare to be transported. It’s a classic country song that captures the thrilling, sometimes scary, but ultimately wonderful experience of falling in love.
Video
Lyrics
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7544b28a7dd14374&q=George+Strait+%E2%80%93+The+Big+One&tbm=vid&source=lnms&fbs=AEQNm0D7NTKsOqMPi-yhU7bWDsijXeHIssQxQHiKhz3Orm0Szk2q6O3Esev6DIwpyqAb2BgF85BRuPPo79PGgFxkr43-tgC09mLCjuCWnGc7KSn2Tfk8NzZmT
The ground shakes and the oceans roll-
This is the big one, there’s no way to run.
On the Richter scale of romance
You hit twelve and you don’t stand a chance.
This is the big one, I’m fallin’ in love.
[Chorus:]
Now it’s beat, beat, beat-
My heart’s sending out a message.
Please, please, please don’t save me tonight.
S.O.S. in this situation means she’s outtasite.
No need to panic I tell myself,
But I never felt this feeling with anybody else.
This is the big one I’m falling in love.
[Chorus]
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7544b28a7dd14374&q=George+Strait+%E2%80%93+The+Big+One&tbm=vid&source=lnms&fbs=AEQNm0D7NTKsOqMPi-yhU7bWDsijXeHIssQxQHiKhz3Orm0Szk2q6O3Esev6DIwpyqAb2BgF85BRuPPo79PGgFxkr43-tgC09mLCjuCWnGc7KSn2Tfk8NzZmT