Back when I was about twenty-three, I decided to learn to play guitar. I took lessons and worked at it for about a year, but the truth is I was never any good and had no real musical aptitude. After that year, I could play exactly three songs…two of them because they were easy, and He Thinks He’ll Keep Her because what was the point of learning the guitar if you couldn’t play one of the best female empowerment anthems ever written?
Mary Chapin Carpenter was inspired to write this song one night after she watched this Geritol commercial:
It’s such a great and Mary Chapin way of turning a phrase. Sure, this guy wants to keep his perfect wife. But does she want to keep him.
I still remember this version of the song, when she sang it live, backed up by the greatest female country singers of the 90’s–Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, Suzy Bogguss, Emmylou Harris, and Pam Tillis. Even watching it now makes my little heart want to burst.
Mary Chapin has always been a serious musician and a beautiful songwriter. No playlist is too short to include He Thinks He’ll Keep Her. To me, this will always be country music at its best.
MCC really brought the house down with this song. I love the message in the song, it says “You Go Girl”. Women are strong and resilient! I really enjoyed the video seeing several of the great women of country music, Trisha, Patty Loveless, Suzy Boggus, Kathy Mattea, Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis. What a great song and such a great video
When I saw the title and artist I didn’t think I knew this song…but I do! Great song!!! It’s fun to see all the women sharing the stage on this song!