Top 10 Chris Cagle Songs

Chris Cagle Songs

Feature Photo: Kirby Collins, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Chris Cagle Songs list presents the best Chris Cagle Songs like “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out,” “Miss Me Baby” and many more. Born in Louisiana on November 10, 1968, then mostly raised near Houston, Texas, was Christopher Norris Cagle. While in high school, he began to take piano lessons before shifting his musical interest to picking up the guitar. After graduating from high school in 1987, he enrolled in the University of Texas at Arlington. However, class attendance was not nearly as lucrative as performing at nearby clubs. After one year, he switched colleges before taking it upon himself to move to Nashville, Tennessee in 1994.

The Nanny

When Cagle first moved to Nashville, he was hired as a nanny by the same attorney who suggested he make the move. In addition to looking after the lawyer’s family, his wife, and their three daughters, Cagle also waited on tables and worked as a bartender. All the while, he was honing in on his songwriting skills. That desire for improvement earned him Harlan Howard’s favor as he chose to publish some of his written work. His songs were recorded by David Kersh before he personally signed up with Virgin Records Nashville to produce his own recordings in 2000.

Playing It Loud

Play It Loud was Chris Cagle’s debut album that produced his first single, “My Love Goes On and On.” The success of this album was enough to become certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. This was the same recording that brought forth two additional hits, “Laredo” and “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out.” This album was released shortly after Cagle signed with Virgin.

In 2002, Chris Cagle released his second studio album, this time via Capitol Records Nashville. The eponymous album produced “What a Beautiful Day” and “Chicks Dig It.” Just like his debut album, it became certified gold by the RIAA.

From the same label, he recorded and released two additional albums, Anywhere but Here in 2005 and My Life’s Been a Country Song in 2008. After this, he signed up with Bigger Picture Music Group in 2011 before going into retirement from the recording industry four years later.

Complications

Between 2004 and 2006, this was an unkind chapter in Chris Cagle’s life. First, he was forced to cancel several concert appearances after he was diagnosed with vocal cord anomalies. Cagle was ordered to rest his voice for sixty days so that he could properly heal. 2004 also marked the year he sued his former manager, Mark Hybner, over management and publishing deals that went sour in 1999. Unfortunately, Cagle lost the case and was ordered by a judge in Nashville to pay Hybner over $700,000.00 USD in 2006.

On a personal level, Chris Cagle also had to contend with personal life issues that included a divorce from his first wife in 2003, as well as a paternity issue in 2005. If this wasn’t enough to complicate the singer-songwriter’s life, there was also an incident in 2007 that had him, along with his girlfriend at the time arrested. It wouldn’t be until 2010 that he’d find happiness again with a marriage to his second wife, Kay. Together, the two had two daughters before he’d return to the recording studio to produce his fifth album, Back in the Saddle.

Life Goes On

After Capitol released The Best of Chris Cagle in 2010 and 10 Great Songs in 2012, the country singer-songwriter produced his fifth studio album, Back in the Saddle. The 2012 release came from the label, Bigger Picture Music Group. This served as his final studio recording. Shortly after this, Capitol released Chris Cagle’s third compilation album, Icon, in 2013. In 2015, less than two years after dealing with a DWI incident in Texas, Cagle retired as a recording artist In this decision, he pointed out he wanted to spend more time with his family.

He does, however, continue to embark on concert tours. There have also been rumors he has gone back to the recording studio with new music. Apparently, he’s not quite ready to retire from the music industry just yet.

Top 10 Chris Cagle Songs

# 10 – My Love Goes On and On

As a proud declaration, “My Love Goes On and On” was Chris Cagle’s explosive debut single that became a number fifteen hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2000. It also became a number thirty-two hit on the Canadian Country Tracks chart. As a crossover hit, “My Love Goes On and On” also peaked at seventy-six on the US Billboard Hot 100. The highlight of this song came from the rush of the fiddle that played on, along with the raw energy that came from Cagle’s lyrical performance.

# 9 – Let There Be Cowgirls

Released as a single in 2012, “Let There Be Cowgirls” was Chris Cagle’s final big hit before going into retirement as a recording artist. On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it peaked as high as number twenty-six. Purposely performed as a cowboy appreciating his female counterparts, “Let There Be Cowgirls” also became a number sixteen hit on the US Billboard Country Airplay chart. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it rode in at number ninety-six. According to Cagle, the inspiration behind this song came from his wife, Kay Tarter Cagle, as well as the three daughters they’ve been raising together.

#8 – Got My Country On

“Got My Country On” became a hit for Chris Cagle after it was released in 2011 on his fifth studio album, Back in the Saddle. On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it was a number twelve hit. In Canada, it peaked as high as number forty-two. On the US Billboard Hot 100, “Got My Country On” peaked as high as number eighty-six. This song served as Cagle’s comeback after dealing with a series of personal issues that kept him sidelined. As if this song announced that he was back in the game as a recording artist, it fits the bill as a “glad to be back” number.

# 7 – Don’t Ask Me No Questions

For the Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie, Chris Cagle recorded “Don’t Ask Me No Questions.” This was featured in the comedy special’s closing credits as well as on its soundtrack. It was the perfect song after listening to the kings of redneck comedy each performing their own routine. After the dose of laughter caused by Bill Engvall, Ron White, Larry the Cable Guy, and Jeff Foxworthy listening to Cagle finish it all off with the perfect song that defines rednecks and wannabes.

#6 – Laredo

“Laredo” became a number eight hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, as well as a number sixty hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. For Chris Cagle, “Laredo” happened to be a song that came about by chance after noticing its promotional billboard sign. Its “invest in your city’s future” slogan inspired the songwriter to perform a lyrical plea to the city to help keep his lost love close enough so he could reach out and win her back.

# 5 – Chicks Dig It

In 2003, “Chicks Dig It” became a number five hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was a number fifty-three hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. From the album, Chris Cagle, this playful song made reference to pulling off a series of harmful stunts as a means to win over the attention of impressionable women. Clearly, the fans dug it enough to consider this country rock number an easy favorite.

#4 – What a Beautiful Day

“What a Beautiful Day” was a number four hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, as well as a number forty-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. Released as a single in 2002, it was the first of three from Chris Cagle’s self-titled album. As far as the narration of the song was concerned, each day was beautiful for as long as he and his love interest were on track for a happy life together.

This cheery song was full of hope, which made it an easy favorite among a fan base who could relate. For a time, it was a favorite couple’s song performed on the dance floor, as well as at weddings and other special occasions. It’s still a favorite among the fans who find this song too good to ignore.

# 3 – What Kinda Gone

On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, “What Kinda Gone” became a number three hit. Released in 2007, it was the lead single from Chris Cagle’s fourth studio album, My Life’s Been a Country Song. On the Canadian Country Tracks chart, it peaked as high as number four. In the song, Chris Cagle lyrically asked his significant other what kind of gone had she meant as she informed him she was leaving him. This song was released at the same time as his toxic relationship with a previous girlfriend reached a point of no return.

#2 – Miss Me Baby

“Miss Me Baby” became a number twelve hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart after it was released as a single in 2005. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked as high as number sixty-seven. In Canada, the Canadian Country Tracks chart peaked this song at number twenty-nine. This heartbreaking song featured an anguished Chris Cagle having to contend with the reality his lost love has moved on without him. He also made his lyrical plea that she return to him, hoping she missed him as much as he missed her.

#1 – I Breathe In, I Breathe Out

“I Breathe In, I Breathe Out” became Chris Cagle’s first and only number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It also was the highest peaking song for him on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number thirty-five. This heartbreak ballad has become a solid fan favorite ever since it was released as a single in 2001.

When playing this song back to back with Shania Twain’s “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing,” it doubles the impact as a breakup song. If you’re looking for a good song to listen to when in need of a good cry, “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out” is it. Cagle’s attempt to convince his lost love they still need each other was lyrically powerful. It also featured Cagle at his best. Originally, this song was recorded in 1998 by David Kersh for his album, If I Never Stop Loving You, before Cagle put it on his debut album, Play It Loud.

Top 10 Chris Cagle Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022

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