Bob Dylan Inspired What Became a Massive Hit for Sara Evans in 2004
Sara Evans’ 2004 hit “Suds In The Bucket” was inspired in part by Bob Dylan’s use of unconventional grammar, songwriter Billy Montana says. The song became Evans’ first platinum-selling single and a No. 1 country hit, despite being written with another singer in mind.
Montana and Tammy “Jenai” Wagoner began with much of the music already in place and wanted to write something fun about a young woman leaving home. A tip sheet had indicated Lee Ann Womack was seeking an uptempo song, and the writers settled on the image of suds left in a bucket and washing on the line to suggest a hurried departure. It was Evans’ third No. 1 single and the only track from *Restless* to top the chart; “Perfect” also reached the Top 5.
In short
- Bob Dylan’s grammar helped inspire a lyric in Sara Evans’ hit.
- “Suds In The Bucket” became Evans’ first platinum-selling single.
- The songwriters initially had Lee Ann Womack in mind.
Explained simply
Sara Evans is an American country singer, and “Suds In The Bucket” is one of her best-known songs. It was written by Billy Montana and Tammy “Jenai” Wagoner, who began with music already in place and built a playful story around a young woman leaving home in a hurry.
The song’s lyrics include unconventional grammar, an approach Montana says was partly inspired by Bob Dylan. The writers had initially considered the song for Lee Ann Womack, but it became a major hit for Evans in 2004 and her first platinum-selling single.
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