A perfect example of a great feel-good song is Rascal Flatt’s version of a 1994 classic Bless the Broken Road. Why? It has a great lyric, infectious melody and the right vocals. The song will definitely get your attention and leave you singing even when the CD player’s stopped playing.

I didn’t know the song before. I didn’t even know of a country group called Rascal Flatts. That all changed four years ago when I saw Carrie Underwood sang the song with the trio on the finale of American Idol 2005. Everything about the song: the way they sang it, the guitar accompaniment and the message touched something deep inside me. Soon, I was scouring the Internet for a downloadable version.

I am a Carrie Underwood fan so I got hold of a copy of their studio performance. Though the band was still stranger to me, I was beginning to love the song, which I knew the moment I heard it, was a Rascal Flatt hit. I soon was playing it daily on my iPod and laptop. Since then, I’ve heard about three versions of the song. Though all had different interpretations, they all had the same effect: infectious.

Bless the Broken Road was originally written in 1994 for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was recorded by three more artists before Rascal Flatts made a huge hit out of the song.

The song was included in their 2005 album, Feels Like Today. Despite the fact that it has been around for quite a while, Rascal Flatts made it a sensation. It took the charts by storm. As a matter of fact, it stayed at the number one spot in the Hot Country Singles and Tracks for five weeks. It even won a Grammy for Best Country Song.

The song is packed with high quality lyrical content. Simple, straightforward lyrics plus wonderful musical accompaniment make the song a great listening experience. Add to that its inspiring message of not losing hope. It reassures you that there is something better at the end of a rough, tough, and broken road.

Yes, the lyrics are great and inspiring but I think the tempo of the song can be slowed down a bit to have a more emotional and powerful effect. Rascal Flatts’ cover was mid-tempo, which is similar to the original version, and has a feel-good aura because of how Gary sang it.

Rascal Flatts was able to successfully make an almost decade-old song to a smash hit. The piano accompaniment was very beautiful, as well as the mandolin played during the second verse. The vocals were great. Gary was able to convey the message clearly without having to try too hard to reach every note. His diction, key and phrasing was perfect for the song. You can’t help but feel taken away by the melody. You will get to hear more great music if you start listening to Rascal Flatts now.