CRYIN' SMILE - Joey + Rory - LETRAS.COM

Introduction:

“Cryin’ Smile” is a poignant country ballad recorded by the American duo Joey+Rory for their 2010 album, “His and Hers.” The song, written by Phil O’Donnell, Gary Hannan, and Ken Johnson, resonates deeply with listeners due to its heartfelt lyrics and Joey Feek’s soulful vocals. It explores the bittersweet emotions associated with life’s milestones, capturing the joy and sadness that often intertwine in moments of both triumph and loss.   

Joey+Rory’s rendition of “Cryin’ Smile” is particularly moving, as Joey Feek’s vocals convey a deep emotional depth and vulnerability. Her voice, filled with both strength and fragility, perfectly captures the song’s message of hope and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. The song’s popularity has grown significantly since Joey Feek’s passing in 2016, becoming a beloved tribute to her enduring legacy and a reminder of the power of music to connect with the human spirit.

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67 YEARS IN HIS FATHER’S SHADOW — UNTIL THE DAY HE WALKED OUT OF IT. For nearly seven decades, Marty lived under a name that echoed louder than his own voice. The world didn’t see a man — it saw a legacy. “Merle’s son.” The heir. The continuation. The pressure was relentless: sing like him, write like him, become him. Behind the curtain, though, Marty was fighting a private war. “I used to believe that if I didn’t rise to my dad’s level… I was failing everyone,” he admitted. “I felt like a ghost trailing behind a giant.” The cruel irony? He never lacked talent. His voice was richer, more weathered, carved from lived experience rather than imitation. He toured relentlessly. He wrote songs with quiet gravity. He carried stages on his own terms. But comparison is a thief — and for years, it stole his confidence, muting a voice that deserved to be heard. Living next to a legend like Merle Haggard isn’t inspiration — it’s suffocation if you’re not careful. Every note Marty sang was measured against history. Every performance dissected through the lens of legacy. The applause never felt fully his. And then, at 67, something broke — or maybe something finally healed. No more chasing a ghost. No more trying to resurrect a myth. No more shrinking inside a famous last name. Today, Marty stands not as an extension of Merle Haggard, but as a man who survived the weight of it. “I’m done trying to be my father,” he says. “I don’t want to be the next Merle Haggard. I want to be Marty — and sing what’s true.” After 67 years, he didn’t inherit the crown. He took back his name.