Author W.R. Pursche once said, “Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.”
A touching single by country music singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton exemplifies this sentiment. Themes from his award-winning 2020 album, “Starting Over,” cover everything from new beginnings and the intricacies of relationships to his time spent living in Nashville. But one track in particular tackles a subject that tells an especially moving story.
A Surprise Encounter Inspires a Song
After running errands one day, the Stapletons returned home with more than they intended to buy.
While walking through a PetSmart parking lot, they came across a shopping cart with a dog in it. It was alone and had clearly been abandoned. The “fuzzy black pup,” as Stapleton describes it in the song, tugged at their heartstrings. Before long, they were heading back home with it, already trying to come up with names before introducing it to the rest of their family.
A Celebration of Life
Country music, from its historical compositions to its contemporary singles, has several recurring themes. One of those themes is that of man’s best friend. Perhaps no other country song pays tribute to this important familial companionship in such a soulful way than Stapleton’s tune.“Maggie’s Song” was released as a single in November 2020. It chronicles Maggie’s life of 14 years, from the day they rescued it to the day they said goodbye in 2019.
The song offers glimpses into the time the Stapletons spent with Maggie, a sweet and rambunctious lab-terrier mix that loved to run free and chase squirrels. Most of all, it looked after the Stapleton children, keeping “them safe from harm.”
As the song reaches the bridge, Maggie’s final days are recounted, with Stapleton working hard to give it a peaceful passing and a proper goodbye.
After the story of its life unfolds and comes to a close, listeners are left with a loving tribute to Stapleton’s canine companion. It’s one that anyone can relate to who’s ever shared a special bond with a four-legged friend.
Leaving Listeners on a High Note
Fans of Stapleton connected with the track instantly after its release. The performer often worked the song into his set lists even before he released it as a single. He still performs it years after its debut. In between guitar riffs and Stapleton’s iconic vocal runs, “Maggie’s Song” acts as a break from his impassioned side of performing. It offers fans a contemplative, vulnerable respite.
Though the song has been described as a “tearjerker,” Stapleton makes sure to leave listeners on a high note towards the closing of the track. During the bridge, he says he has a “revelation” while saying goodbye to Maggie. He tells listeners through the lyrics: “I can tell you right now/ That a dog has a soul.”
Though “Maggie’s Song” isn’t one of Stapleton’s top hits, it’s a unique composition that shows off his range as a songwriter. Listeners are hard-pressed to find a more worthy tune that honors man’s best friend and pays tribute to all the ways a canine companion can fill our lives with joy. Though they’re only here for a short time, dogs change our worlds for the better, and those changes last long after they’re gone. Adding to the revelation found in the lyrics from the song’s bridge, that is the mark of a beautiful soul.
