Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Treasuring Time With Loved Ones in Kathy Mattea’s “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses”

Treasuring Time With Loved Ones in Kathy Mattea's "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses"
by
  • Ryden is a Junior Country Music Journalist at Country Thang Daily, specializing in data analysis and trends within the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Ryden wrote for top music publications and interviewed icons like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
  • Ryden has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University, with a minor in Data Analytics.

In life, we have to let things that kept us company for a long time to give way to the ones who have already been there since the beginning.

From her 1988 album, Untasted Honey, Kathy Mattea released “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” which immediately became a chart-topper.

The piece, written by Gene Nelson and Paul Nelson, topped the US Billboard Hot Country Songs and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. 

The songwriters’ inspiration for this was their aunt and uncle. The latter was a trucker, and his wife waited until retirement to spend more time with him and travel in a Winnebago.

Meaning Behind the Song

“Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” is among Kathy Mattea’s sentimental songs because it talks and celebrates the stories about truckers while on the road.

In “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” Kathy Mattea sings about a truck driver, Charlie, who finally retires from the road to spend more quality time with his wife. The catchy part of the song is where the chorus counts down from 18 until it eventually reaches Charlie’s love of his life.

RELATED: Travel Time To Country Trucker Music With Top 10 Red Sovine Songs

What we have, sometimes, is already there, yet we feel like it’s still too far. Maybe because we are into another thing that almost takes our attention, time, and commitment, we forget to spend more time with the people who truly treasure and love us.

Retirement is treasured by most of us, as it signals the time to focus more on the self and love from family and friends. After all, it’s our loved ones and families that we always run to in the end.

Listen to Kathy Mattea in her #1 hit song, “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” right here.

Latest Stories

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt "Always On My Mind" Cover

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt “Always On My Mind” Cover

In 2013, Lukas Nelson proved that talent truly runs in the family when he delivered a moving rendition of his father Willie Nelson’s classic hit, “Always On My Mind.” Performed ...

Alan Jackson and George Strait's "Murder on Music Row" Honors True Country

Alan Jackson and George Strait’s “Murder on Music Row” Honors True Country

When George Strait and Alan Jackson came together to perform “Murder on Music Row,” it wasn’t just another duet—it was a moment that sent ripples through country music history. These ...

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for “He Stopped Loving Her Today”

In October 2010, the Country Music Hall of Fame became the setting for a moment of country music magic. Three legendary artists—Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban—joined forces for ...

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...