About the song
Released in 1969 as part of her album “The Ways to Love a Man,” Tammy Wynette’s “Something to Brag About” stands out as one of her memorable tracks that encapsulates her unique blend of vulnerability and strength. Known as the “First Lady of Country Music,” Tammy Wynette had already solidified her place in the hearts of country fans with her powerful storytelling and emotive voice. This song, like much of her work, speaks to the complexities of relationships, capturing the emotional highs and lows of love and personal identity.
“Something to Brag About” is a song that carries both a sense of celebration and a tinge of bittersweet irony. It tells the story of a woman who, despite facing challenges in her relationship, holds her head high, proud of the love she has and the life she shares with her partner. The lyrics convey the woman’s inner strength and defiance in the face of judgment. While the world may not see their relationship as perfect, she believes it is worth boasting about. The central theme of the song is empowerment—it’s about taking pride in the love you have, no matter what others think. The line “When I tell them, it’s not just a love / It’s something to brag about” becomes a powerful anthem of confidence in the face of societal norms that may try to undermine a woman’s worth based on her relationship.
From a musical standpoint, “Something to Brag About” is a showcase of Tammy Wynette’s vocal prowess. Her delivery is effortlessly poignant, with a smooth yet robust tone that exudes both tenderness and strength. The arrangement mirrors the song’s themes, with a steady, melodic country instrumentation that allows her voice to take center stage. There is a subtle blend of steel guitar and string sections that enrich the track, giving it that quintessential late 60s country sound, while still keeping the emotional intensity at the forefront.
The release of this track came at a time when Tammy Wynette was solidifying her position in the country music scene, following her major successes like “Stand By Your Man” (1968), which had already made her a household name. However, “Something to Brag About” showcased a shift toward a more independent, assertive persona within her music. It emphasized the self-assurance and agency that would characterize many of her later works, where the narratives often focused on personal strength and resilience in the face of love, loss, and hardship.
Socially, the song taps into the cultural climate of the late 60s, a time of significant transformation. While the world outside was changing rapidly with the rise of the feminist movement and social upheaval, country music in many ways remained entrenched in traditional values. In that context, “Something to Brag About” can be seen as an assertion of independence, a refusal to accept judgment from others, and a challenge to those who would diminish the value of women’s experiences in love. Tammy Wynette was not just singing about love in a conventional sense, but about taking ownership of one’s choices and finding strength in them, even when the world around them may not understand.
Throughout her career, Tammy Wynette became known for giving voice to the struggles and triumphs of ordinary women, and “Something to Brag About” fits squarely into that legacy. It is a declaration of dignity and self-worth, a call for women to hold their ground and be proud of their choices, even if those choices are not always understood by society. The song’s emotional honesty and empowering message were ahead of its time, and it resonated with audiences, particularly women, who saw their own struggles and victories reflected in the lyrics.
In conclusion, “Something to Brag About” is not just a song about a relationship—it is a statement about self-respect and pride. With Tammy Wynette’s trademark vocal style and heartfelt delivery, the song continues to be a significant part of her musical legacy. It captures the essence of a woman who refuses to be defined by societal expectations, instead embracing her own truth and celebrating the love she has in a way that is unapologetically proud. For listeners then and for generations to come, “Something to Brag About” remains a timeless anthem of love, pride, and resilience.
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Lyrics
I’ve got a real important jobIn a large office buildin’Ridin’ people in an elevatorI drive a ’57 ChevroletWith busted tail lightsBurned out valves and a leaky radiatorI wear a twenty dollar suitI bought from J.C. Penney’sBack in 1962But I’ve got something to brag aboutSomething to brag aboutSomething to brag about in youI’m a short-order cookAt an all night cafeDown on 18th avenue and 12th streetI wear a swingin’ mini dressThat I made for myselfFrom mama’s kitchen curtains and old bed sheetsI’ve got 17 pagesOf Top Value stampsAnd one old pair of shoesBut I’ve got something to brag aboutSomething to brag aboutSomething to brag about in youWhen you’re with the fellas, I knowYou start braggin’ ’boutMy hour glass figure and my big brown eyesTell ’em, you tell your girlfriends ’bout mySweet, sweet lovin’And that’s one better that money can’t buySo let’s get marriedIn the not to distant futureWe’ll rent a little flat on 29th streetYou know we’ll hang our washin’On the clothes line from the windowWe’ll feast on corn bread, butter beans and lunch meatWe won’t have a thermostatA big long CadillacBut we’ll have a love that’s trueLove has something to brag aboutYeah and I’ll have, something to brag aboutYeah, something to brag about in you