Songs That Shaped Me: Amanda Fields

Country music is a genre steeped in tradition. There is a clear linear through each of its eras, both sonically and lyrically, that make fans fall in love with their favorite songs, and artists to draw influence as they hone their own craft.

With her debut album, What, When and Without, Amanda Fields proved herself to be well versed in both the sonic and lyrical traditions of country music, turning in what we feel is one of the best collections of songs released in the first half of 2023.

To kick off our series, “Songs That Shaped Me,” we caught up with Amanda to chat about some of her favorite songs that she’s drawn influence from and what she loves about each of them!

“Miami, My Amy” – Keith Whitley (written by Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran)

I like the production of this song so much and the direction Keith took on this tune. I know this song opened a lot of doors for Keith because it had more pop sensibilities than a lot of his earlier music and it’s really reflective of a lot of the sounds of the time. I just love Keith Whitley so much, and his delivery of this song is beautiful and it feels like you’re right there with him, feeling that romantic feeling of being far away, but knowing that it’s just a phone call or a plane ride that could get you to your person.

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” – Hank Williams (written by Hank Williams)

This is really one of the most quintessential country songs ever written, and it set the precedent for all the songs that would follow, from Lefty Frizzell to Keith Whitley and onward. Everybody was following in the footsteps of Hank Williams. And he was such a simple and straightforward writer, but it was perfect. Every word was perfect and meant exactly what he wanted it to mean.

“Coal Miner’s Daughter” – Loretta Lynn (written by Loretta Lynn)

I love the sound of this song and the banjo, but what really shines is Loretta’s story. You can tell that there was not much overthinking when it came to writing this song, and I know that she had written quite a few more verses to it originally, which is a testament to how her upbringing and life really was something incredible as she looked back on it. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is a perfect autobiographical song and, of course, spawned her book and then a movie of the same name. There may not have even been the movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter” had Loretta not written the song. It painted the picture, and Hollywood knew the story would resonate with people all over the world.

“Hurt” – Johnny Cash (written by Trent Reznor)

I think the recordings at the end of Johnny Cash’s life, including this one, were his best work. I think he knew it would be his last time to be as honest and vulnerable as he could before he left this world. He probably knew it was inevitable that he was going to be separated from the love of his life, June Carter, at some point soon. I feel like he was at his best, most vulnerable, and it’s just so beautiful to hear the raw emotion coming from such a mountain of a man.

“‘Til I Can Make It On My Own” – Tammy Wynette (written by Tammy Wynette, Billy Sherrill, George Richey)

I think this is one of the most tender and unguarded songs that Tammy Wynette wrote, and I think that’s where the true gold lies in songwriting: when people can be brutally honest. Tammy never worried about whether she came off as weak. She was just being herself and being truthful about what she went through. I know she had a hard life in many ways, and this song evokes so much empathy, as do most of her songs. Her voice aches and she makes you feel like a kindred spirit. The arrangement, production, and delivery are impeccable.