Still On My Mind – You’ll Never Guess Who It’s About
On March 27, 2020, the song “Still On My Mind” was released as part of Brett James’ EP I Am Now. This isn’t a song he wrote for someone else — it’s his own voice finally stepping forward after years of being the songwriter behind other artists.
About Brett James
Before launching I Am Now, Brett James was already recognized as one of America’s most successful songwriters. Over 500 songs he has written or co-written have been recorded by various artists, and 25 of those reached No.1 on the charts. He collaborated with Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, among many others.
Yet for much of his career, people heard his songs through other voices — while he remained behind the scenes. His decision to release I Am Now, featuring “Still On My Mind,” was a way to answer himself — for listeners to finally hear him.
The Music & Lyrics of “Still On My Mind”
“Still On My Mind” is not just a simple love song. It is part of what Brett James calls his “Nashville soul record”—a blend of Nashville country roots and the emotional depth of soul music. Its melody is gentle and harmonically rich; his vocal delivery shifts from velvety smooth to slightly gritty — underscoring authenticity, longing, memory.
Lyrically, the track bears the weight of remembering someone — “still on my mind”, not fading easily. The words are not extravagant, but simple, sincere — making it easy for listeners to project their own memories and emotions into it.
Significance in His Career & Artistic Life
“Still On My Mind” sits in the EP I Am Now, which consists of five songs: I Am Now, Wait, Still On My Mind, Lonely Ain’t So Lonely, and True Believer. This EP marks a turning point: Brett James is no longer only the mind behind the music — he is a storyteller with his own voice.
In interviews, Brett shared that he made this move after turning 50 — wanting to reclaim his true voice, freed from genre expectations or commercial pressure. As he said: “I want this music to be my music — what I want to say, how I want to say it.”
Though “Still On My Mind” didn’t become a blockbuster radio hit, its value lies in its authenticity — a reminder that sometimes you make music not for fame, but because you have something to express. For those who’ve followed Brett James’ songwriting career, listening to “Still On My Mind” is passing beyond the curtain — to see (or hear) the person, the emotions, the scars — not just the credits.
Legacy & Loss
Tragically, Brett James no longer walks this earth — he died in a plane crash on September 18, 2025, along with his wife and her daughter. His sudden passing left the music community stunned and grieving.
Now, his legacy — the songs that touched millions, including “Still On My Mind” — stand as the echoes of an artist who dared to sing his own story. When we revisit that track, we hear not only a melody, but an echo from memory, from the mind, from him — a message that some things remain, forever “still on my mind.”