Tanya Tucker - Strong Enough to Bend

by Jane
(Sault Ste Marie, ON)

My favorite country love song is "Tree in the Backyard" (Strong Enough to Bend) by Tanya Tucker.

I was a pre-teen when this song was a hit and I instantly fell in love with it. It has a lovely, upbeat tune which is catchy and easy to like. It also made me believe at my young age in true love and the capacity for each individual to be able to find some who loves them completely and whom they love completely.

My parents did not have the best relationship when I was growing up, and I worried about this at times. I found my peace in music and this was one of my absolute favorite songs to listen to in order to calm my fears and make me feel good.

I loved that she sings about a love that is strong enough to 'bend' or to make exceptions for mistakes and problems that will always be a part of any relationship, romantic or otherwise. If people are willing to put a lot of work into their relationships with others, as the song points out, they will have a relationship that is able to weather any storm and stand the test of time.

The metaphor of the tree in the backyard and the stresses that the tree was put through over the years of its existence struck a powerful cord with me. I could as a young girl visualize this tree, swaying in powerful winds, being beaten down by hail and rainstorms, and having limbs broken by heavy layers of snow and ice. Yet the tree prevails and actually thrives, because it's strong enough to go with the flow of life's challenges instead of bucking against them.

This song got me through my rough pre-teen and teen years and was something I listened to over and over again. To this day, when I hear this song it brings me back to fond memories of listening to music in my room, while letting the worries and stresses of the day just float away from me.

It taught me that true love does exist and can be found in a world where love is often the last thing we see on a day to day basis. I eventually found my true love, though it took me many years to do so.

When I hear this song, I also think of various trials and tribulations we have been through in our five years of marriage and how our relationship is like that tree. We may have been through some hard times, but we're still standing strong and will be for many years to come!

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