Unveiling the Untold Tale of a Country Classic: “Meet Me In Montana”
In the realm of country music, there are stories that deserve to be sung as ballads themselves. One such narrative revolves around the chart-topping duet “Meet Me In Montana,” sung by the talented Marie Osmond and Dan Seals back in 1985. Let’s dive into the intriguing tale behind this timeless melody.
Marie Osmond, a musical prodigy since her early teens when “Paper Roses” propelled her to stardom, had the world at her feet. However, as the years rolled on, her path in country music took a few unexpected turns. While her follow-up songs were commendable, they failed to resonate as her debut had. Yet, a resurgence was in the cards.
Fast forward to 1985, and Marie Osmond, now a mature 26-year-old artist, reemerged on the country music scene with a bang. Her second #1 hit, “Meet Me In Montana,” penned by the talented Paul Davis, would not only mark a significant milestone for Marie but also rekindle the career of Dan Seals, an accomplished singer from McCamey, Texas.
The idea to transform “Meet Me In Montana” into a memorable duet was sparked by Marie’s producer, Paul Worley. He discussed this concept with Kyle Lehning, who was working with Dan Seals at EMI, and both producers unanimously agreed that a duet could elevate the song’s appeal. Dan Seals, previously known for his successful pop duo “England Dan and John Ford Coley,” was now making waves in the country music realm with four Top Ten hits under his belt. He eagerly embraced the opportunity to collaborate with Marie Osmond, driven by the sheer quality of the song.
The origins of “Meet Me In Montana” lie in Paul Davis’s experiences while on tour in the state itself. During bus rides, he found inspiration in Merle Haggard’s “Big City” album, which exalted the natural beauty of Montana. This newfound appreciation led Davis to craft the heartfelt song. Interestingly, Arista initially rejected Davis’s recording of the song, prompting him to send a demo of the duet version to Capitol Records, where label executive Lynn Shults recognized its potential and forwarded it to producer Paul Worley.
The journey to bring “Meet Me In Montana” to life was no walk in the park, taking approximately six months to align the schedules of both artists. Finally, the stars aligned, and Marie Osmond and Dan Seals convened at Audio Media Recorders. They dedicated three hours to perfecting their vocals for the song, with Dan following Paul Davis’s original vision closely, given his admiration for Davis’s songwriting. The harmonies proved to be a challenge but a rewarding one.
As fate would have it, the record was mixed while both artists were on tour, further cementing the bond between them and the song. “Meet Me In Montana” found its way onto two albums, “There’s No Stopping Your Heart” by Marie and “Won’t Be Blue Anymore” by Dan. The single ascended to #1 on Billboard’s country singles chart on October 12, 1985. Almost a year later, on October 13, 1986, the Country Music Association bestowed upon Marie Osmond and Dan Seals the prestigious title of Vocal Duo of the Year.
However, despite this well-deserved accolade, it didn’t pave the way for a series of subsequent duets by the two artists. In fact, “Meet Me In Montana” remained their sole collaboration. Nevertheless, Osmond later secured another #1 duet about a year later, teaming up with Paul Davis on another of his masterpieces, “You’re Still New To Me.”
“Meet Me In Montana” stands as a timeless testament to the magic that can happen when two gifted artists unite to create something truly special, capturing the essence of love, longing, and the stunning landscapes of Montana in its heartfelt lyrics and melodious tune. It’s a story that resonates with music lovers and continues to echo through the annals of country music history.
Artist: Marie Osmond
Album: There’s No Stopping Your Heart
Lyrics
Wrote my whole life down in a notebook
Songs about you and me
I’ve been singing to every soul in Tennessee
Nobody seems to listen
No one ever smiles the way that you do
So I guess you’ll never hear me on the radio
I’d give up this crazy dream of mine
To hold you once more
Won’t you meet me in Montana
I want to see the mountains
In your eyes
Oh! Oh! I’ve had all of this life I can handle
Meet me underneath that big Montana sky
I left home for Hollywood
Looking for a part to play
You always said I had such a pretty face
But I guess I’m not that pretty
‘Cause no one looks at me
The way that you do
Well, you’ll always be a movie star to me
Darling now I guess it’s time that I let go of that dream
Won’t you meet me in Montana
I want to see the mountains
In your eyes
Oh! Oh! I’ve had all of this life I can handle
Meet me underneath that big Montana sky
Well, we’re stuck here in these hills
That they call mountains
But Darling back home in your arms
Is right where I wanna be
Won’t you meet me in Montana
I want to see the mountains
In your eyes
Oh! Oh! I’ve had all of this life I can handle
Meet me underneath that big Montana sky
