Song Information
Title: Believe
Artist: Brooks & Dunn
Writers: Ronnie Dunn and Craig Wiseman
Album: Hillbilly Deluxe
Release Date: October 2005 (as the second single from the album)
Genre: Country
Label: Arista Nashville
Producer(s): Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks
Awards:
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CMA Song of the Year (2006)
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CMA Single of the Year (2006)
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Grammy-nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group
Song Meaning
“Believe” is one of the most emotional and spiritual songs in Brooks & Dunn’s discography. Told from the perspective of a young boy, the narrator recounts a friendship with an elderly African-American man named Old Man Wrigley. Living alone after the death of his wife and son, Wrigley shares wisdom and spiritual reflections with the boy. Despite enduring devastating loss, Wrigley remains firm in his faith and hope that he’ll see his loved ones again in heaven.
As the boy grows older, he comes to truly understand and cherish the conversations they had. When Old Man Wrigley dies, the narrator begins to reflect on faith, grief, and the afterlife. The chorus, “I can’t quote the book, the chapter or the verse / You can’t tell me it all ends in a slow ride in a hearse,” captures the song’s core message—hope beyond death and the power of belief, even without all the answers.
With sparse production, Ronnie Dunn’s soulful vocals, and an intimate gospel undertone, Believe resonates with anyone who has experienced loss and sought meaning in something greater.
Explaining the Deeper Message
At its core, Believe is about grief, faith, and the quiet endurance of the human spirit. The song taps into a common emotional experience—losing someone we love—and questions what comes after. Old Man Wrigley represents a generation that endured hardship yet held onto spiritual convictions without needing to prove or explain them. His resilience becomes a quiet testimony to belief without certainty.
The young narrator starts off naive, unable to grasp the full weight of Wrigley’s words. But with age and experience, he begins to wrestle with his own questions about life, death, and the afterlife. The most powerful part of the song is its humble admission: “I can’t quote the book, the chapter or the verse” — acknowledging doubt and lack of religious knowledge — followed by the unwavering conviction: “You can’t tell me it all ends in a slow ride in a hearse.”
This juxtaposition of doubt and faith speaks to many listeners who may not consider themselves deeply religious, yet find solace in the hope that love and life continue beyond the grave. “Believe” offers a spiritual message that transcends denomination—it is about holding on to something unseen, simply because the heart needs to.
Watch the Song Here
🎬 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5z-jjWyAJQ