Martina McBride on WILD ANGELS

"Wild Angels"
Martraca Berg/Gary Harrison/Harry Stinson

"I believe we all have angels looking out for us. I love the picture that the title, 'Wild Angels,'; paints. I think it's poetic. This was actually a rewrite of a song called 'Wild Angels on Blue Horses.' It was a cool song, but a little 'out there' lyrically. But I loved the melody and the idea of wild angels, so they went in and rewrote it, and I just love the lyrics. I think it's cool that it says that even though we love each other, we still need a little help once in a while keeping it together in this crazy, hectic world."

"Safe In The Arms Of Love"
Pam Rose/Mary Ann Kennedy/Pat Bunch

"This song has been around quite awhile. Pam and Mary Ann actually recorded it for one of their albums (Kennedy Rose), and I think a few other singers have done it, also. I like it because it's fun and positive, and I think the production is really unique. By the way, Pam and Mary Ann sang background vocals on it."

"Phones Are Ringin' All Over Town"
Marc Beeson/Kin Vassy/David MacKechnie

"I really like to sing songs that tell a story. I also look for songs that are uniquely written, and this one really has a different rhyme-scheme that draws me in as a listener. To me, the rhyme-scheme makes it more conversational, as if I am simply telling the story--so it seems very genuine. This poor guy is so blind and stupid! To the very end, he thinks, 'There's no way she'd ever leave me!' And she just finally says, 'See ya'"

"I've loved this song for a long time and considered it for every album I've made so far. Sometimes you have to wait for the right time, and it seemed like the right time and the right album for this song."

"A Great Disguise."
Even Stevens/Hillary Kanter/Greg Barnhill

"I like the fact that the chorus changes every time. It has some wonderful lines, and I love the melody of the chorus. This is no earth-shaking, world changing song, but you can put it on, crank it up, roll the windows down and just drive. And I'm sure there are quite a few people out there who can relate to it."

"Swingin' Doors"
Chapin Hartford/Bobby Boyd/Jim Foster

"I go for songs that have a catchy melody, and in my opinion, this is just such a cool sing-along song. It reminds me of those catchy, '70s kind of sing-along pop songs--just a lot of fun to listen to. I also think a woman or a man could relate to this song...whichever gender is singing it. They are taking control of their life, and that is a good thing."

"All The Things We've Never Done"
Craig Bickhardt/Jeff Penning

"For three years, I've been looking for a song that reminds me of my husband Johns. When I found this, I said, 'This is it!' If I could write a song, this would be something I'd like to say. It's sweet and tender and says some wonderful things. There are lines that just kill me: 'You never walked away when I needed you to stay or made me feel I'm not the one...We've never grown apart. You've never broke my heart with secrets that you've kept me from.' John's never kept a secret from me, and I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. To have that knowledge and faith is the most wonderful thing. This song just says that so many people put such a stock in all the worldly and material things in a relationship, and what really matters is the honesty and commitment to each other."

"Two More Bottles Of Wine"
Delbert McClinton

"I've been hearing this since I was a little kid, and it's such a cool song. Emmylou Harris, who originally recorded it, is one of my heroes. I have so much respect for her, because she's always brought so much integrity to her music. I hope I can stay true to my music the way she has."

"I got the idea to record this when I did a television special with Pam Tillis at the Ryman, Delbert McClinton was on the show, and the two of them did this together, and it just rocked. I thought, Man, it's about time for that song to be remade."

"I told the musicians that I wanted this to sound live. I told them to play it like a road house band. The first take was like a typical Nashville session--kind of tame, everything in place. We listened to it and said, 'Okay, now play it like a road house band that's been playing all night and is really rocking and having a great time.' I think they really got into the fact that we wanted it to be fun and sort of loose."

"Cry On The Shoulder Of The Road"
Matraca Berg/Tim Krekel

"I love what this song says, and I love the image that it evokes. I can see this woman driving through the night, knowing that she's done a great thing. She has no idea what lies ahead, but she knows it has to be better than what she left behind. I love the line, 'There's no comfort here in your zip code.'"

"I wanted this to sound kind of retro, like The Band, so it's a song we produced with a specific sound or vision in mind. I asked the back-up singers to sing the harmonies real loose and kind of rough around the edges, just full of soul. They did a great job. Then I thought, 'Wouldn't it be perfect if we could get Levon Helm (lead singer of The Band) to sing on it?' So we asked, and he said yes! It was a wonderful experience working with him, and there's isn't a voice more perfect for this song than his. So, voila, vision completed."

"You've Been Driving All The Time"
Pat Bunch/Harry Stinson

"This is another song that is really kind of about my life. Like it says in the first verse, John stepped in and took my energy and ambition and really helped give me a direction for it. I am a strong woman who is very much in control of my career, but I am also strong enough to admit that he is a very big part of my success. He gives me wonderful ideas; he forces me to see myself differently; he pushes me to be my best, and he is my most honest critic and biggest supporter. He's very passionate about what I do and is truly my partner. I did this song with a lot of gratitude to him, because it seems like the spotlight is always on me, and that would be hard for anyone to live with. But he loves me and what I do so much that it is a real joy for him to see my career develop and to see me happy. So I think that's what this song really says, and I think it's something both men and women want to hear."

"Born To Give My Love To You"
Pat Bunch/Pam Roae/Mary Ann Kennedy

"If I'd found this song two years ago, I would have said that I was singing it for my husband. Now that I've had my daughter Delaney, my perspective has changed a bit. When I was singing this in the studio, I was thinking about the final minutes in the delivery room before we had the baby, and then when she was being born and it was just us three there as a family for the first time. It was magic, and that's the emotion I feel when I sing this song. I get emotional when I listen to it...maybe that's just hormones! For me, this song says a part of what I feel for her. I know that I was born to love her."

"Beyond The Blue"
David Kent/Ashe Underwood

"I like trying new things, and this song is really different. Again, it's a song I chose for the melody as much as anything. Melody-wise, this reminded me of a Beatles song. I really got into their music the past couple of years and have such a curiosity and respect for their music and their production, so I produced this with them in mind. I really knew exactly how I wanted it to sound, and so we sort of tailor-made the production to end up the way it did. I guess this is kind of my tribute to the Beatles, in a way. We actually asked Paul McCartney to sing on it, but no luck. Oh well, I hope he likes it if he ever gets to hear it. I think it fits a certain space and really rounds out this album."