The Art of Leisure: Craig Morgan’s ‘That’s What I Love About Sunday’

The country performer’s breakout hit reminds us that it’s okay to enjoy life’s simple pleasures

"The Nooning," circa 1872, by Winslow Homer. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut. Public Domain

Sunday might be the South’s most important day of the week. Sayings commonly associated with the region reflect its importance, like “Slower than a Sunday,” which implies an absence of urgency. Longstanding traditions like Sunday drives have gone on to become expressions representing the art of the slow pace.

In 2005, Craig Morgan released a song that perfectly encapsulated the southern culture’s respect for leisure as the weekend comes to a close. His hit single, “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” resonated with country music listeners everywhere. A song celebrating simple joys became a universal reminder that it’s okay to slow down and savor the moment.

After 25 years in the business, Morgan remains one of country music’s hardest-working musicians. But his songs still represent the life’s little moments, and how they positively impact the big picture.

Setting Records

A compact disc insert from Craig Morgan's 2005 album "My Kind of Livin'," featuring hit song, "That's What I Love About Sunday." Internet Archive. Public Domain

When speaking with music industry magazine Billboard in 2013, the conversation steered towards “That’s What I Love About Sunday” being one of his “career songs.” Morgan got his start in country music when he signed with Atlantic Records in 2000. But not long after joining the roster, the company closed its division in Nashville. Two years later, he signed with independent label, Broken Bow Records. A string of hits followed, including “Almost Home,” a poignant ballad about an unsuspecting passerby intervening as a homeless man lived out his final moments while remembering fond childhood memories.

Out of all of his singles, “That’s What I Love About Sunday” made the biggest impact for Broken Bow. Not only was the song the first single with independent distribution to reach the No. 1 spot on country charts since 2000, but Morgan became the first artist on the roster to gain a No. 1 hit.

According to the news outlet Reuters, it “was the most-played country single of 2005.”

Broken Bow eventually became a part of a bigger company, BBR Music Group, which launched more labels. Then, in 2017, BBR Music Group was acquired by global music company BMG. But just a few years into Morgan’s professional career in the early 2000s, he was already setting records for Broken Bow.

Celebrating the Little Things

Though Morgan writes much of his own music, “That’s What I Love About Sunday” was penned by two songwriters, Adam Dorsey and Mark Narmore, who fleshed out the idea for the song during a lunch meeting at a Chinese restaurant.

Like most country music, the song is lyrically driven. Images of attending church, eating a home-cooked meal with family, and playing a pickup game of football round out the first chorus.

"Talking in the Twilight," 19th century, by Lucien Simon. Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden. Public Domain

Some of the song’s lines feature the names of real-life people, like Miss Betty, who loves to sing along to church hymns even if she’s a bit pitchy.

“Sweet Miss Betty likes to sing off key/ In the pew behind me.”

Other characters in the song are embellished, like an adolescent neighborhood nuisance who attends the service with the Martin family.

“There’s the Martins walkin' in/ With that mean little freckle-faced kid/ Who broke a window last week.”

In a quote featured on the music website Country Music Notes, Narmore shared details about the characters they wrote for the song.

“My mother’s name is Betty … and the kid that broke the window is based on something that happened when I was about 10 years old. Our best friends at church are the Martins, though they don’t have a mean freckle-faced kid.”

In a 2007 interview with music journalist Craig Havighurst featured in Billboard, Morgan once explained why he likes to cover everyday life in his music.

“What the fans say and what we hear is that I make a big deal out of the little things in life. And that is who I am. It’s those little things in life that are important to me. Simple things like the smell of fresh cut grass. That’s what ‘Sunday’ was about.”

Building Emotional Connection

Though one of Morgan’s early hit songs concerns the importance of downtime, its wide-ranging popularity meant the country artist would have to learn how to navigate a busy schedule.

After decades juggling both a fully booked live music career and a family, he published a memoir in 2022. “God, Family, Country: A Memoir“ explores his memories and personal anecdotes as a country musician, army veteran, and family man. His hits in country music are explored, as well his work with the CIA, and his time spent as an undercover agent apprehending sex traffickers. Themes often found in his music, like patriotism and faith, are also present throughout the book. He dedicates part of the story to remembering his son Jerry, who passed away suddenly in 2016 at just 19 years old.

Though Morgan’s music is often gentle in nature, fans have long appreciated his ability to tackle tough subjects. Online music publication Taste of Country once described Morgan as a musician who has the “ability and willingness to steer head on into … emotions.”

Cover of Craig Morgan's 2022 book "God, Family, Country: A Memoir." Public Domain

A Weekly Break

For 17 years, Morgan served in both the Army and the Army Reserve. Over the years, he’s been the recipient of the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal Award for the Army and Merit Award for the USO. In 2023, he re-enlisted.

When speaking with media outlet Fox News about his decision to continue his military career in the Army Reserve while also balancing his dedication to music, he said it takes a lot of “coordination,” but it’s well worth it.

“There’s a term, ‘once a soldier, always a soldier’. For me, I have never quit being a soldier, even though I was no longer actually serving in the capacity of a service member on duty. In my head, I’ve always been a soldier and I always will be,” he said.

Morgan is one of the hardest-working individuals out there. But one of his biggest and most impactful hits reminds us that no matter how busy we get, taking a break to enjoy life’s simple pleasures should always be included on our weekly to-do list.

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