Thompson Square, ‘If I Didn’t Have You’ – Song Review
Thompson Square‘s new single ‘If I Didn’t Have You’ is the fifth straight love song from the married country duo. While some may yearn for more varied subject matter from Keifer and Shawna Thompson, an easy argument could be made for the “If it ain’t broke …” philosophy of life and country music.
What this duo continues to do better than any man/woman pairing in Nashville is find that sweet spot between genuine and too real. Like ‘I Got You’ and ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’ prior, their story isn’t so specific that if feels like one is engaging in an act of voyeurism to enjoy it.
Lyrically, that lack of specificity translates into a somewhat pedestrian experience, but with Shawna Thompson emerging as a female vocal powerhouse, the songs resonates deep. Her grip on this song is uncompromising.
“You are my heart, every breath I breathe / I’m safe in your arms, you rescue me / When I’m weak you’re strong / If you were gone I don’t know where I’d be / You were made for me,” she sings during the second verse.
Husband Keifer also shows some vocal muscle while harmonizing with Shawna. He seems more than happy to let her be the star, however — a mature move that truly benefits Thompson Square as a duo on ‘If I Didn’t Have You.’
“This life would kill me if I didn’t have you / I couldn’t live without you baby / I wouldn’t want to / If you didn’t love me so much I’d never make it through / Cause this life would kill me, this life would kill me if I didn’t have you,” they sing during the grandiose final chorus.
The new single lacks the dorky charm of ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,’ and before that, the little-heard ‘Let’s Fight.’ That’s a well a duo like this won’t want to dip into too often, but after the more serious ‘Glass,’ one craves a reminder of why we fell for TS2 and their music.
Listen to Thompson Square, ‘If I Didn’t Have You’