In one respect,
Megan Moroney
and
Kenny Chesney
’s “You Had to Be There” lyrics are incredibly relatable; every person who loves country music will discover their own story within the song.
In another instance, “You Had to Be There” describes an encounter so uncommon that only these two musicians will ever truly understand its essence.
The track embodies the vibrant energy of a lively country music performance. The opening lines focus on the anticipation felt by attendees as they prepare for the show, wearing their freshly bought cowboy boots and sharing clandestine moments beneath the radiant neon stage lights.
That’s what every listener can connect with: Numerous country enthusiasts initially became enamored with the genre due to the enchantment of live performances.
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However, what follows elevates that enchantment to an entirely new dimension.
Moroney and Chesney delve into the journey from being a country music enthusiast to becoming a country star, capturing the thrill of performing live music. They describe the perspective of the singer standing onstage, looking out at an ocean of enthusiastic supporters who are eagerly enjoying their performance.
At one point in the song, Moroney gets even more specific: “
Circling the globe with the Shoeless King
,” she croons, mentioning her role as the opener for Chesney’s Sun Goes DownTour.
She isn’t hesitating to highlight how precisely this song addresses her life story and her journey to fame.
Before releasing “You Had to Be There” on Friday (May 9), she shared with her fans a copy of the song’s handwritten lyrics dated from December 19, 2024, which was when she penned them.
The lyrics have been inserted into what looks like a scrapbook from the Sun Goes Down Tour, on a page marked January 1st, 2025.
Underneath the lyrics lies a personal handwritten note from Chesney himself.
What an incredible way to kick off 2025,” he penned. “Megan gifted me with her original composition—a song inspired by our recent tour together!! No one has ever written a song for me prior. Such a wonderful present… Love you Megan!
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Here Are Megan Moroney and Kenny Chesney’s “You Had to Be There” Lyrics:
5 girls in front of the mirror applying their makeup / While down below, guys are gathered singing drinking tunes / Forming a circle around an old inherited guitar / Crooning oh-oh-oh
Fresh pair of boots that we’re just about to break in / Got us some nosebleed seats / Spent our summer cash wisely / In the parking lot, let’s have a shot, sneak a kiss / Ready to head out…
Chorus:
I notice the lights / I listen to the music / It feels as though the entire globe is within our grasp / Absorbing it all / Taking it deep / Someday we’ll reminisce ‘Do you recall?’ / We were incredibly vibrant / That evening felt magical / As if enchantment filled the atmosphere / You needed to experience it to believe it
After seven years, I gained a new perspective / With a sound check in ten minutes and my personal dressing room / Traveling around the globe with the Shoeless King / Singing oh
I can’t say how quickly time will pass / Wear your heart openly and keep your head up high / Darling hang on tightly and never let go…
We made the memories / We got the pictures / But you had to be there / You can’t fake it / That kind of feeling / You had to be there…
Oh, we were there