Kenny Chesney, ‘Save It for a Rainy Day’ [Listen]

Kenny Chesney is back on the water for his new single “Save It for a Rainy Day,” but his feel-good vibes are rudely interrupted by heartbreak. The song carries surprising emotional depth. One’s reminded of “Never Wanted Nothing More.”

Of course that song is a song about life and the start of love. Sonically the two songs are similar, with “Save It for a Rainy Day” covering the other end of that emotional spectrum:

“It’s no secret that lately there ain’t no escaping that I’ve been waking up alone / Just me and the TV and a sinking feeling that you ain’t ever coming home,” Chesney sings to open the song. “But today the tears ain’t gonna hit the floor / ‘Cause the boat’s in the bay and it’s callin’ my name so I’m headed on out the door.”

There’s an electric guitar riff intro, but the song is very organic aside from that. Mandolin and acoustic help create an atmosphere that runs counter to the song’s tragic nature. Even though Chesney sings about drowning his sorrows with some fun on the water, it’s clear the woman’s memory is just beneath the surface ... barely.

“There’ll be plenty of time for what if’s and why’s and how’d I let you get away / But the lying in bed all stuck in my head is just gonna have to wait.”

So many of the songs on The Big Revival recall memories of Chesney’s biggest hits without feeling like duplicates. Add “Save It for a Rainy Day” to the list. As he reaches for a fourth straight No. 1 it’s difficult to argue this isn’t his best album since Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates.

Why Fans Will Love It: "Save It for a Rainy Day" combines everything Chesney does best.

Key Lyrics: “‘Cause the sun’s too bright, the sky’s too blue / Beer’s too cold to be thinking ‘bout you / Gonna take this heartbreak and tuck it away / Save it for a rainy day.”

Did You Know?: Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi of the group Old Dominion helped Andrew Dorff write "Save It for a Rainy Day."

Listen to Kenny Chesney, “Save It for a Rainy Day”

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