Every #1 Single of the Nineties: Brooks & Dunn, “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone”

“You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone

Brooks & Dunn

Written by Kix Brooks, Don Cook, and Ronnie Dunn

Billboard

#1 (2 weeks)

August 19 – August 26, 1995

Radio & Records

#1 (1 week)

August 11, 1995

Kix Brooks takes the lead on a classic Brooks & Dunn hit.

The Road to No. 1

“Little Miss Honky Tonk” became the second No. 1 single from Waitin’ On Sundown, and was followed by “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.”

The No. 1

This is one of the best Brooks & Dunn singles in their entire discography. It wouldn’t have been anywhere near as good if Ronnie Dunn was the lead singer on it.

Dunn’s an all-time great, but he isn’t what this song needs.  Kix Brooks is the perfect singer for its wicked combination of cool detachment and “I haven’t said I told you so yet but I’m going to soon” attitude.

“You better kiss me, ’cause you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.”   Brilliant.

Brooks knocks this one out of the park.  It’s a good reminder that Brooks & Dunn were a full-fledged duo and not just a vehicle for Ronnie Dunn.

The Road From No. 1

Brooks & Dunn went top five with the final single from their third album, “Whiskey Under the Bridge.”  We’ll see them again in 1996 with the lead single from their fourth album, Borderline.

“You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” gets an A.

Every No. 1 Single of the Nineties

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7 Comments

  1. 100% agree. Kix is a great vocalist and it’s sad that he didn’t get more single opportunities. I love a lot of his songs on their albums as much if not more than Ronnie’s.

  2. No chorus, but it didn’t need one – the hook at the end of the verse was so strong.

    Well over four minutes, but I never felt the song was “long”.

    My two favorite B&D singles were Kix features (this and “Lost and Found”).

    In my opinion, the best B&D song, and one of the best of the 90s.

  3. I know I’m in danger of sounding like a broken record here, but man, this song brings back so many great memories of my childhood in the mid 90’s! This was another one of my favorites when it was new, and it’s one of the songs that comes to mind right away when I think of country music in 1995. I particularly remember this being another song I’d always enjoy hearing whenever my parents and I were at the bowling alley, since they always had GAC on back in those days. And like the past few entries here, it also takes me back to when me and my dad or step dad would hang out at Circuit City, along with other great times we had back then. Even back then I always loved the main hook: “You better kiss me, cause you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.”

    To me, Kix’s more dry and weathered vocal style here was a perfect fit for the defeated and resigned attitude I always got from the main character of the song. For me, it sounds like an actual older cowboy who’s finally accepted the fact that the relationship is unsalvageable and is ready to ride off into the sunset for good. Another thing I’ve always loved is the laid back production, which many years later, I’d find to be very Eagles like (it particularly reminds me of “Lyin’ Eyes” a bit, sonically). I especially love Bruce Bouton’s steel playing throughout, particularly the signature steel part in between the verses. I even love the “Ooooh’s” right before the final verse, which also reminds me of The Eagles. I agree with Stephen that the main hook is strong enough that it doesn’t need a chorus, and that all four minutes of the song are a pleasure to hear. I also definitely agree with the comments so far saying that this is one of B&D’s best songs overall!

    They couldn’t have picked a better location and theme for the video of the song, as well. The shots of the beautiful Western scenery, the abandoned buildings, and even the scenes with the cowboys were all very fitting for the feel of the song. In fact, I’ve always loved how many of B&D’s videos from the 90’s seemed to be set in the Southwest or at least had an overall Western theme. Somehow, it was always very fitting for much of their music from that decade. As a result, I often picture myself driving through the Southwestern part of the country while listening to certain 90’s B&D tunes. :)

    Once again, I have to also agree that as much as I love Ronnie Dunn, Kix was also a great lead vocalist in his own right, and I wish he had gotten more chances to shine on radio singles. Besides this and the already mentioned “Lost And Found,” another one of my personal favorite B&D songs of all time led by Kix is “Why Would I Say Goodbye.” In fact, that’s just one of my favorite B&D songs, period. The should’ve been a hit, 1999’s “South Of Santa Fe” is very good, as well. Also, many of my most favorite Kix led songs are on the underrated 1999 album Tight Rope, such as “The Trouble With Angels,” “Don’t Look Back Now,” “I Love You More,” “Can’t Stop My Heart,” and “Texas and Norma Jean.” I think those cuts feature some of Kix’s best vocals, and sadly none of them got a chance to be heard on the radio, since I believe the label stopped releasing Kix led songs as singles due to “South of Santa Fe” flopping.

  4. I know a lot of folks crapped on Kix Brooks as a vocalist, but he was actually pretty good with a lot of the stuff he sang lead on with B&D. “Mexican Minutes” is actually my absolute favorite song of theirs.

  5. I will lean in here and also share that this is one of my favourite Brooks & Dunn singles. Brooks brought such a different sound and sensibility to his performances for the duo. Unlike Dunn, Brooks couldn’t get by with his singing talent alone. His appeal was the warmth and charm his less polished vocals brought to a song. They provided a lived-in sensibility to his best performances, a relatable cowboy’s perspective.

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