Martina McBride's "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" is further proof that the country music star has an incredible way of representing women in her music. As the mother of teenage daughters, she no doubt has found it important over the years to represent them in feel-good songs like "This One's For The Girls." She's also covered tough subject matter in songs like "Concrete Angel," "Broken Wing" and "Independence Day."
"I'm Gonna Love You Through It," tells the story of a 38-year-old woman's battle with breast cancer and how the diagnosis not only affected her life, but also her husband's.
The single was released on McBride's 2011 album Eleven and was written by Ben Hayslip, Sonya Isaacs and Jimmy Yeary. The inspiration behind the song was Sonya Iscaacs' mother, Lily, who had battled cancer and survived. Throughout the process, she received incredible support from her husband.
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"This was probably the first song I've ever written [about cancer]," Hayslip told Taste of Country. "Sonya had the idea when she came in that day. Sonya's mom had breast cancer and fought a hard battle through it. We started on this song, and we actually called Sonya's mom on the phone and put her on speaker phone. We probably talked to her for a good 45 minutes, just about what she went through and how Sonya's dad handled it."
The songwriters wanted to capture what it was like for not only the person battling cancer, but also the loved ones around them. There were no doubt tear stains on that original sheet music listening to Lily recount one of the toughest times in her life.
"It's one of the realest songs that I've ever written," said Hayslip. "I was sitting there tearing up listening to her mom talk. I've never had anybody in my family go through breast cancer, knock on wood, but just to hear her story ... It was unbelievable. The stuff that she had to go through to stay alive. I think it's a big song, and I think it's a real song. Hopefully this song can change lives. Most of the time, we try to write fun, up-tempo, feel-good songs, but this one is actually going to touch a lot of lives I think."
The country song went on to receive a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Solo Performance and was a top 5 hit on the country Billboard charts.
The song resonated with the music community in Nashville and the rest of the world. The music video captures the emotion of the song and features numerous breast cancer survivors, including Sheryl Crow, Robin Roberts and Hoda Kotb, as well as cancer activist Katie Couric.
"I'm Gonna Love You Through It" Lyrics
The doctor just confirmed her fears
Her husband held it in and held her tight
Cancer don't discriminate or care if you're just 38
With three kids who need you in their lives
He said, "I know that you're afraid and I am, too
But you'll never be alone, I promise you"
When you let go, I'll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear
That I'll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can't take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I'm gonna love you through it.
They said they caught it just in time
But they had to take more than they planned
Now it's forced smiles and baggy shirts
To hide what the cancer took from her
But she just wants to feel like a woman again
She said, "I don't think I can do this anymore"
He took her in his arms and said
"That's what my love is for"
When you let go, I'll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear
That I'll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can't take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I'm gonna love you through it.
I'll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I'm gonna love you through it.
I'm gonna love you through it.
