Since their 2007 debut on radio, I’ve had the great opportunity to see Lady A live in concert many times. I’ve lost count, honestly. But 16 years in, I’m not done yet. The Grammy Award winning trio comes to town Friday, and I can’t wait to see them again. They are just one of those bands you should see live. So, in honor of Hillary, Charles and Dave coming to Boston, check out 11 Lady A songs that sound even better live.

How It Started

“Love Don’t Live Here” was the first release from their 2008 self-titled debut album. Shortly thereafter, we enlisted Lady A to come do a fundraiser show for us at the now long-gone Hard Rock Cafe in Boston. They opened for Blake Shelton and we all (including Blake) were blown away by their tight harmonies. Their chemistry on-stage, the songs and the performances were just phenomenal. Listening to them live, we jut knew they would be huge.

And here they are today, six albums, sixteen singles and nine #1 hits later. Since winning the CMA for New Artist of the Year in 2008, Lady A has racked up seven more awards. Earning their first Grammy in 2010 was a highlight. And the awards kept coming.

For me, it’s their legendary live performances that have made the greatest memories. I don’t think I’ve missed a show of theirs in the area since they started. The band has become a family over the years, and it shows in the tightness of the band. And oh, those harmonies. There was a time during an interview I had with Lady A during one of our festivals they broke into “Islands in the Stream” impromptu and nailed it!

Where It’s Going

If you get a chance to see this talented band perform, grab it. They are performing at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway this Friday, October 20. Get ticket info HERE.  You will not be disappointed. Plus, you’ll realize just how many great songs they’ve released over the years. That said, let’s dig in. Here are 11 Lady A songs that sound even better live, in my opinion.

• 1. We Owned The Night

  From their 2011 album, Own The Night, this is one powerful live jam. It’s high energy, it’s jangly, it rocks and the harmonies are bold.

• 2. Champagne Night

  Lady A appeared on the TV series Songland in April of 2020, and the result of that songwriting competition show was “Champagne Night.” It’s a re-worked version of contestant Madeline Merlo’s “I’ll Drink to That.” You’ve got to see this one live. 

• 3. Need You Now

  No Lady A song is more iconic than “Need You Now.” It won 4 Grammy Awards in 2011, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. It was the only country song to do that since the Chicks’ 2006 “Not Ready To Make Nice.”  The group often closes with this one, or does it as an encore. So, don’t leave early!

• 4. Compass

  This is a personal favorite song from Lady A. It went #1 in 2014 and was not written by the group, but was written by members of the pop/R&B production team Stargate. Another jangly gem with sweet harmonies. That mandolin always gets me. And this is always crowd pleaser.

   

• 5. I Run To You

  Legendary! And their first #1. 2009’s “I Run To You” was a game-changer for the group. It also gave Lady A their first awards, including the 2009 CMA Single of the Year Award. It also gave the band their first Grammy Award for “Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.  It sounds phenomenal live. 

• 6. Love Don't Live Here

  There’s nothing like your first. And this was the very first release to country radio for Hillary, Charles and Dave. “Love Don’t Live Here” was extra special because it was written by the three of them. In an interview with Billboard, Charles said “I really felt like we found our sound on this song, and I was really proud that it became our first single since it was one of the first songs that the three of us wrote together.”

• 7. Just A Kiss

  The first song released from Lady A’s Own The Night album, “Just a Kiss” was an instant favorite in 2011. This mid-tempo country power ballad always gets the crowd singing along. The trio co-wrote this gem with Dallas Davidson.

• 8. American Honey

  From the Need You Now album, “American Honey” became the group’s 3rd consecutive #1 hit. It’s a nostalgic, sweet song. Looking back at your childhood, conjuring up sweet memories. That’s what it’s all about. Life as a kid is like American honey. And the crowd goes wild.

• 9. Downtown

  Fun fact: “Downtown” was originally intended for Miranda Lambert. Co-written by Miranda’s Pistol Annies bandmate, Natalie Hemby, along with songwriting giants Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. Released as the Golden album lead-off single in early 2013. It’s a jam live.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDR2VptxVXU

• 10. You Look Good

  “You Look Good” served as the lead-off single from Lady A’s 2017 Heart Break album. It’s another Ryan Hurd composition. He co-wrote it with noted Nashville songwriter Hillary Lindsey. It was a very different sound for the band. It was all about the bass, the horns, the funk and the fun. And it translates so well live.

   

• 11. What If I Never Get Over You

  This 2020 #1 for Lady A was co-written by Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris’ soon to be ex-husband. It’s a sweeping balled that just fills a venue when performed live.

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