Australian country crooner Keith Urban married actress Nicole Kidman, a fellow Aussie, in 2006. A few months after the nuptials, the singer/songwriter checked into rehab. And if there’s one thing that rings out loud and clear on Defying Gravity, it’s his gratitude to his wife for sticking close through that dark time. “Thank You” credits God for bringing them together (“I thank you for my life/And I thank God for grace and mercy/And that you became my wife”) and praises Nicole’s persevering love (“The miracle of miracles is how/With your love I was saved”). Similarly, “Only You Can Love Me This Way” attests, “We were meant to be together/That’s why we can roll with the punches.” “Sweet Thing” finds Urban sounding like a smitten schoolboy as he sings of a woman’s “pretty blue eyes” and the “amazing” fact that “they were lookin’ at me.” On “Why’s It Feel So Long,” a man separated from his beloved spends some time “prayin’ that maybe you’ll call.” Several tracks (“If Ever I Could Love,” “My Heart Is Open,” “Kiss a Girl”) talk about overcoming the fear of commitment caused by previous heartbreak. The last of those tracks says, “I wanna kiss a girl/I wanna hold her tight,” but the singer is quick to say that he doesn’t want things to progress any further (“Don’t wanna go too far/Just take it slow”). Finally, on “Standing Right in Front of You,” a man who’s been infatuated with a woman in his neighborhood summons the courage to tell her how he feels.
The phrase “I would be the best d–n poet” is used three times in the chorus of “I’m In.” That song also finds a man saying, “So if you need a lover and a friend/Baby, I’m in.” “‘Til Summer Comes Around” includes a mild sensual reference (“I kissed your mouth/No Fourth of July has ever burned so brightly”). On “Sweet Thing,” a young man urges his girl to “climb on out of your window” for some “kissing on the porch swing.”
This side of Taylor Swift, you’ll be hard pressed to find a country artist who so consistently sings the praises of old-fashioned romance, taking chances for the right person and the long-term happiness that can result. Country clichés involving cheatin’ hearts, wanderin’ eyes, burnin’ beds and empty beer bottles are nowhere to be found on Defying Gravity. Instead, we get an earnest affirmation of love’s healing power—delivered with big doses of Urban’s decidedly rock-oriented approach to country guitar. Only a couple mild profanities mar this upbeat, positive and hopeful album.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
