Brooks & Dunn was one of the biggest country duos to emerge from the 1990s musical renaissance – there’s no doubt to that. And in 1995, they released one of their biggest hits, “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” the fourth single from their third album Waitin’ on Sundown.
As the duo’s third single that featured Kix Brooks on lead, the song soared to the top of the Billboard US Hot Country Songs chart. By the end of 1995, the song proved to be one of the top country songs of the year, claiming the 13th spot on the year-end charts.
The song also received favorable reviews from music critics. Billboard’s Eric Boehler, for instance, praised the artistry and production of the song, simply calling it “another welcome Brooks & Dunn outing.”
Deborah Evans Price, also from Billboard, reviewed the song favorably too, calling it a welcome change of pace from their “typically terrific barn-burning honky-tonkers and affecting tear-in-the-beer ballads.” She went on to describe it as “excellent song craftsmanship with great production.”
It’s A Song You Should Not Miss!
Written by Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks along with record producer and songwriter Don Cook, “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” tells the story of a couple in the middle of a crumbling relationship.
The narrator in the song is trying to make his girl understand how hurt he is by her mistreatment of him. Even though heaven knows how much he loves her, the narrator is already tired of holding on. He’s no longer happy and considers leaving, as he sings:
“Not much chance we’re gonna make it, if I’m the only one who’s trying. You know I’m running out of reasons. We’re running out of time. Someday, girl, you’re gonna wake up, and wonder what went wrong. You better kiss me, ’cause you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.”
“When we wrote that song, it’s about a guy who this girl’s letting down, and he’s saying this,” Brooks recalled. “It was a huge women’s song because I think women took this into their own hearts, brains, and situations, and it worked out that way. It made total sense.”
The music video for the song was also a big hit as it reached No. 1 for one week on CMT Top 12 Countdown in 1995. The short clip, which was filmed in and around San Antonio, Texas, features the duo singing the song within various western-themed landscapes. There are also stunning shots of Brooks riding a horse and a woman pacing around the same areas the duo are.
Indeed, no duo has ever been able to live up to Brooks & Dunn for the entire course of country music history. You can watch the music video below.