Rascal Flatts

Big Machine Records trio Rascal Flatts' latest single "Changed" has been steadily climbing the charts, and now the guys have revealed the inspiration behind the song. Flatt's Gary LeVox co-wrote the tune with frequent songwriting partner Neil Thrasher, and it was an experience on the Thrasher family's vacation that laid the foundation for "Changed."

While on vacation, Neil's oldest daughter told him that she wanted to be baptized. They then hurried to find a pastor who would be able to perform the ceremony as soon as possible. By sunset that evening, a pastor had been located and the family gathered on the beach. After his daughter had been dunked and was coming up out of the water, her hands were raised in a prayer position. She was a silhouette against the setting sun, and Neil immediately had the idea for an opening line.

Neil took the first few lines and shared them with Gary immediately upon returning from the trip. LeVox said, "He told me the story first and then sang a piece. I just fell apart. It was just like, ohh. That melody never left my head. The story never left my head. And one day I said 'hey, let's get together and write this thing.'" The song "Changed" was then born:

I came up out of the water
Raise my hands up to the Father
Gave it all to Him that day
Felt a new wind kiss my face
Walked away, Eyes wide open
Could finally see where I was goin'
It didn't matter where I been
I'm not the same man I was then.

I got off track, I made mistakes
Back slid my way into that place where souls get lost
Lines get crossed
And the pain won't go away
I hit my knees, Now here I stand
There I was, now here I am
Here I am
Changed

I got a lot of "hey I'm sorry's"
The things I've done, man that was not me
I wish I could take it all back
I just want to tell 'em that
Tell 'em that

I got off track, I made mistakes
Back slid my way into that place where souls get lost
Lines get crossed
And the pain won't go away
I hit my knees, Now here I stand
There I was, now here I am
Here I am

I've changed for the better
More Smiles, that's better
I even started to forgive myself

I hit my knees, I'm here, I stand
There I was, now here I am
Here I am, Here I am
I'm changed
Yes, I am
I'm changed for the better

Thank God, I'm changed.

Learn more about Rascal Flatts at www.RascalFlatts.com

By Misti Douglas

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