Country radio listeners might not yet be familiar with Caitlyn Smith’s world-class voice, but they already know her songwriting, as the author of songs cut by Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Lady A, Rascal Flatts and many more. “I Can’t,” which Smith originally recorded solo, is poised to be the song that finally breaks her into the Country mainstream, particularly with the addition of Old Dominion on this new version. Matthew Ramsey’s warm vocals augment the track with just the right amount of familiarity for radio listeners, and elevate the song into one that tells both sides of the story. Written by Smith with Ben West and Stephen Wilson Jr., “I Can’t” is about how difficult change can be, particularly moving on from a failed relationship. It begins with lyrics about the changes in the booming city of Nashville over the past several years, as Smith sings, “This ain't a 20 minute town no more / It don't look the same / Red lights, bars, streets, too much concrete / I don't recognize a thing.” It then quickly moves on to the doomed relationship, with a wrenching chorus about “when everything around me keeps changing / But I can't, I can't, I can’t.” Smith says, ”I moved to Nashville 10 years ago, and both the city and I are completely different now. The idea for ‘I Can’t’ came to me when I was driving by downtown to a session, and noticed more new skyscrapers going up and dozens of cranes changing the skyline and couldn’t help but feel like a stranger in my own town. There’s beauty in change, in watching a city progress, but sometimes personal change can feel impossible. It’s comforting to know you’re not alone, so the song has always felt like a duet to me, and adding Old Dominion to the track really makes it magic.” Both versions of “I Can’t” are included on Smith’s album, “Supernova (Deluxe),” released last fall.
Impacting: Monday, February 22nd
By: Phyllis Stark