What song did Gary Allen write about his wife?

Gary Allan looks at his gold and platinum records hanging in his manager’s office. There’s no burst of pride, but instead a quiet restraint.

“They make me very uncomfortable,” he says. “I don’t like to talk about how great things are.”

Allan has been a steady presence in country music since 1996, but his life and career are still recovering after his wife’s suicide in 2004. He’s just released his first studio album in two years, “Living Hard.” His greatest hits CD has been on the market since spring.

“I’m in a good place,” he says softly as he sipped coffee during an interview. “I sleep well at night and the music has been very healing. No therapist could have done better.”

Allan’s publicist warned against asking any questions about his wife’s death, but the 39-year-old singer mentions it in a general way on his own.

After Angela took her life at their home north of Nashville, Allan dropped the traditional “meet and greet” before his shows. He wearied of the constant well-meaning expressions of sympathy.

“I became the ambassador to suicide,” Allan says.

He’s since restored the gatherings, but he now limits those participating to just three.

Allan also protects himself on stage. One song on his new CD, “Yesterday’s Rain,” is off-limits during live performances. The ballad recounts the fond memories of a lost love, “the touch of your skin, the taste of your lips.”

“I can’t do it live,” Allan says. “It’s too emotional.”

Wearing a Black Crowes’ T-shirt, Allan sat for an interview to promote his new album. He’s buoyed, too, by a forthcoming tour with Keith Urban.

It’s his seventh studio album, with themes of the heartbreak, misfortune, living the risky life, forging a relationship and the pursuit of security and love. One cut, “Watching Airplanes,” a wrenching ballad about the regret over a faded romance, is already getting radio airplay.

“I’m trying to evolve and push myself into new places,” Allan says.

The title cut is a rocker about the challenging life of a musician, “rollin’ like the Stones, startin’ to look like Dylan.”

The Rolling Stones, in fact, often are part of Allan’s pre-show routine. He and his seven-member band gather on his tour bus and watch a DVD for inspiration. Favorites are the Stones, U2 and Waylon Jennings.

“The whole band watches with me; it’s our time to focus. Then we take a shot of Jägermeister and hit the stage.”

He’s obligated to sing his No. 1 hits, including “Tough Little Boys,” “Man to Man” and “Nothing on but the Radio.” But lately he’s been doing covers of Del Shannon’s “Runaway” and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Breakdown.”

If this CD does well, don’t expect a big celebration. He’s discouraged such activities in the past.

“I finally went to one, stopped in, did the pictures. I just don’t enjoy the parties.

“I’m introverted in a business that forces you to be extroverted.”

Co-written by Allan in the wake of his wife Angela’s suicide in 2004, “I Just Got Back From Hell” is a gut-wrenchingly personal song surrounding his grief over the loss, along with many other songs from his 2005 album Tough All Over.

What song did Gary Allan cover?

Songs covered by Gary Allan

SongPlay Count
Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning) (Vertical Horizon cover) 100
Her Man (Waylon Jennings cover) 64
Alright Guy (Todd Snider cover) 45
Runaway (Del Shannon cover) 28

What song did Gary Allen wrote about his wife’s suicide?

I Just Got Back From Hell
When Gary Allan sang “I Just Got Back From Hell” last month at the Puyallup Fair, he meant every word of it. The country singer’s personal hell was the Oct. 25, 2004, suicide of his wife, Angela, who had been suffering from migraines and depression since the couple’s move to Nashville the year before.

What is Gary Allan’s number one hit?

Man to Man
Among his singles are four Number Ones: “Man to Man”, “Tough Little Boys” (both 2003), “Nothing On but the Radio” (2004), and “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” (2013). Eight more have reached the Top 10. “Man to Man” is also his highest peak on the Hot 100 at number 25.

Is Gary Allan single?

He married model Danette Day on November 28, 1998, in South Carolina and they divorced in June 1999. His third wife, Angela (whom he wed on June 5, 2001), died by suicide on October 25, 2004. In December 2021, Allan became engaged for the fourth time to Molly Martin.

Who is the original singer of best I ever had?

Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)

“Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)”
Songwriter(s) Matt Scannell
Producer(s) Mark Endert Ben Grosse
Vertical Horizon singles chronology
“You’re a God” (2000) “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)” (2000) “I’m Still Here” (2003)

What country singer’s wife killed herself?

Gary Allan’s
Gary Allan’s life changed drastically on Oct. 25, 2004, the day the singer’s wife of three years, Angela Herzberg, committed suicide. Angela was 36 years old when she shot herself.