Strawberry Wine
by Deana Carter
written by Matraca Berg
song number: 1
youtube link: here

He was working through college on my grandpa’s farm
I was thirsting for for knowledge and he had a car
I was caught somewhere between a woman and a child
When one restless summer we found love growing wild
On the banks of the river on a well beaten path
Funny how those memories they last

Like strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love oh bittersweet
Green on the vine
Like strawberry wine

I still remember when thirty was old
My biggest fear was September when he had to go
A few cards and letters and one long distance call
We drifted away like the leaves in the fall
But year after year I come back to this place
Just to remember the taste

Of strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love oh bittersweet
Green on the vine
Like strawberry wine

The fields have grown over now
Years since they’ve seen a plow
There’s nothing time hasn’t touched
Is it really him or the loss of my innocence
I’ve been missing so much

Like strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love oh bittersweet
Green on the vine
Like strawberry wine

My favorite country song ever, hands down. Strawberry Wine is a classic country song by now, and Deana’s soft, husky voice is probably something every country music fan is familiar with.

Matraca Berg is kind of the Diane Warren of country music. She wasn’t bad as a singer, either, but she seemed to use her best songs for other people.

When I was 16, I sang this at a little concert my singing teacher had put on for all of her students.

Every summer I’ll catch myself humming this without really thinking about it.