Gary Allan Song Lyrics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Losin'

Written by Odie Blackman and Jim Lauderdale, "Tough All Over" in my opinion, is about someone who wants to love again but doesn't want to be used.

Gary Allan was born and raised in La Mirada, California to Harley and Mary Herzberg (Allan is Gary's middle name).

Answer: Boring

The lyrics were written by Matthew Scannell and it was first sung by Vertical Horizon. I think this song is about a person who just lost a good friend or lover and doesn't know what to do.

One of Gary Allan's favorite hobbies is surfing.

Answer: Live

This song was written by Gary Allan himself, and Harley Allen. It's about someone who's gone through a real hard time and made it, and now they're getting back on their feet.

When Gary Allan was offered his first record deal at age 15, his father rejected it suggesting that Gary needed more time to develop his style.

Answer: Blue

"Ring" was written by Kostas and is about a man who just got separated from his wife and is talking to himself (well, to the ring actually!), wishing he could have her back.

Gary Allan travelled to Nashville and released his first album, "Used Heart for Sale" with Decca Records. The album was released in 1996.

Answer: World

Although this song sounds as if Gary is singing about a depressed person, he is actually describing a promise broken. It was written by Margaret Findley and Deric Ruttan.

Gary Allan's first hit single was "Her Man", released in 1996. It reached the seventh spot on the U.S. Country Charts.

Answer: Dank

This song was written by Jamie O'Hara and tells the story of Johnny Cash's struggle with some bad stuff and how he came to follow God.

The albums "Smoke Rings in the Dark" (1999), "Alright Guy" (2001), and "See if I Care" (2003) have all reached Platinum status. Also, the albums "Tough All Over" (2005) and "Greatest Hits" (2007) have both made number one on the U.S. Country Charts. His other album released in 2007 is called "Living Hard".

Answer: Changes

Written by Cyndi Goodman and Tommy Lee James, "Life Ain't Always Beautiful" is about pulling through a rough spot in your life, or learning to cope with losing family or a friend. You can really hear the despair in Gary's voice, because you know the pain is real.

Gary Allan's wife committed suicide in 2004, by gunshot. I think this whole album was a step in the right direction for Gary, and that through the songs he healed himself a little more and more. It's almost as if the cd was a window to his life.

Answer: Blood

Written by Casey Beathard and Ed Hill, this song is about a...well a...prostitute. But, it's catchy and it has a shocking little twist at the end so I can't say I don't like it.

During an interview with Mountain West Music (published in 2002), Gary described his voice as raspy and unpolished. In a quote: "I have no idea why people would want to hear it...It has a lot of character. There's a lot of different nuances in my voice." Of course, that's why many people like his voice, but also why he doesn't get much radio play.

Answer: Tore

This track was written by Jamie O'Hara. It's about a man who just can't grasp the idea of another man breaking up with a woman he sees in a bar every night.

The New York Times describes Gary Allan's voice like so: "elegant, often deadpan songs [that] tend toward manly understatement."

Answer: Gold

"Puttin' Memories Away" was written by Gary Allan and Matthew Warren. It sings about a man putting his memories of a lost lover away to help him get over it. Throwing out dresses, pictures, rings, etc. and the trouble and pain that comes with it ("With red wine and tears I've been gatherin' all the years we spent together").

There are two other songs left on the album that I don't have room for, so I'll give you a sample right here. The second-to-last track is "No Damn Good" and it's written by Jamie O'Hara, Gary Allan, and Odie Blackman. "I'm just no damn good, I know it's true / 'Cause everyday I go a little more crazy / I'm just no damn good / At not lovin' you" The very last song on this cd is titled "Putting my Misery on Display" and it's written by Gary Allan, all by himself. "Tonight I'll play my guitar for you / I'll pour my heart out and tonight it's blue" and "I don't do this for fame, I do this for me / It soothes my soul and keeps my sanity" are some pretty good examples of life on the road for Gary Allan, and how he's dealing.

Well since this is the end of the quiz, I'll leave you with an awesome quote from Gary Allan: "Country music is what happens during the week. Rock 'n roll is about what happens at the weekend." And he does a great job of playing both.