Kenny Chesney on Why Releasing ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’ with David Lee Murphy “Seemed Suicidal” at First

In his HEART*LIFE*MUSIC book, Kenny Chesney opens up about how his hit single with David Lee Murphy, ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’, initially seemed like a massive risk.

Chesney shares that, at the time when they were considering releasing ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’, he had another song, ‘Get Along’, impacting Country Radio.

Both were filled with the same glass-half-full, positivity-focussed spirit, and as a result, the No Shoes Nation figurehead admits he was worried they might end up competing with one another, and in turn detract from one another by being out at the same time.

In his insightful book, which he co-wrote with Holly Gleason, Chesney muses, “There's an unwritten rule: Never compete with yourself. The idea of having a duet with David Lee Murphy, the original hillbilly rock star who'd written ‘Livin’ in Fast Forward’ and ‘Pirate Flag’, out at the same time seemed suicidal. Surely, one record would die”.

The ’I Go Back’ hitmaker touches on the message of the song, “‘Everything's Gonna be Alright’ captured two pals at a bar getting schooled by a barmaid about the power of positivity. Reassuring, but also reality fixing, the duet didn't sound like ‘Get Along’, but it offered that same come-together attitude the world was craving”.

Chesney underlines that, ultimately, the choice came down to what he felt like the fans would appreciate the most, “Never mind David Lee was on an indie label, what that song said was something people needed to hear. Even more than escape, real people want to find ways to be reassured that most times the worst won't happen....I believed in ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’ so much, I said, ‘Put it out.’”.

Chesney stresses that it quickly became clear he'd made the right decision, “Even before ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’ was a hit, by the second chorus, you'd hear No Shoes Nation singing along - demonstrating people want to know there's a better way of facing what's coming. They're still two of my biggest songs”.

And we're sure happy he and Lee Murphy eventually agreed to release ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’, despite the concerns about it harming the impact of ‘Get Along’.

‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’, in this writer's opinion, is one of the most enchanting gems in Chesney's expansive catalogue, with the duet offering a gentle yet comforting nudge to listeners, reassuring them, in the end, it will all always work out.

It's not in-your-face or preachy, rather, it's permeated by a sense of warmth and geniality, with Chesney and Lee Murphy capturing the spirit of being sat at a bar with friends.

Especially when you consider the timing of ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’, when many communities were still picking up the pieces after the devastation of Hurricane Irma, it's a message that - as Chesney aptly notes - his listeners needed to hear.

It's also a message that underpins ‘Get Along’, and indeed Chesney's wider Songs For The Saints album. The Knoxville native decided to donate 100% of the proceeds towards aiding the US and British Virgin Island after the destruction from Irma.

This decision, and the decision to put out ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’ in spite of the commercial fears, highlights how the mission of uplifting, comforting and empathising with his listeners has always been at the heart of what Chesney does.

It's a cri-de-coeur that underpins his latest album, Silver Sands Marina. When Chesney returns to the road in 2027 on his Original Vibe Room Tour, we can't wait to raise our glasses and sing along to ’Everything's Gonna Be Alright’, as Chesney again sets about spreading his mantra of love, joy and positivity to as many people as possible.

For the full lyrics to Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy's ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’, see below:

“She rattled the ice in my plastic cup
I said "Yes mam", fill her up
Tell me something good that I don't know
'Cause this world's been kicking my behind
Life ain't been a friend of mine
Lately I've been feeling kinda low
-
And she looked back over her shoulder
Pointing at the sign hanging up on the wall
That said
-
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
And nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing
Don't go hitting that panic button
It ain't worth spilling your drink
Everything's gonna be alright
Alright, alright
-
So I nodded my head and said "That's for sure"
Dropped a few bucks in the mason jar
Felt those good old neon vibes on me
And whatever monkey that was on my back
He jumped off just like that
Right into the deep blue sea
-
And I looked back over her shoulder
Thinking 'bout the sign hanging up on the wall
That said
-
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
Nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing
Don't go hitting that panic button
It ain't near as bad as you think
Everything's gonna be alright
Alright, alright
-
There ain't no doubt it's gonna work out
Come on, sing it with me
There ain't no doubt it's gonna work out
Come on and sing it with me
-
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
And nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing
Don't go hitting that panic button
It ain't near as bad as you think
(Everything's gonna be alright, is gonna be alright)
Alright (Is gonna be alright), alright
Everything's gonna be alright
(Everything's gonna be alright, is gonna be alright)
Alright (Is gonna be alright), alright
Everything's gonna be alright
Is gonna be alright, is gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
Is gonna be alright, is gonna be alright”

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