"A Change Would Do You Good" (also known as "A Change") is the fourth single from American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow's 1996 self-titled album. The song uses a series of non sequitur lyrics to describe what one should change in life. It became Crow's third top-five single from the album in Canada, where it reached number two, and peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom.
Background and lyrics
In an interview with Songfacts, guitarist Jeff Trott revealed "A Change Would Do You Good" was written in New Orleans during a six-month stay with co-writers Sheryl Crow and Brian MacLeod. The group decided to create a song by looking into classic soul music for inspiration, specifically by the Staple Singers and Mavis Staples. Eventually, the trio came up with so many lyric ideas that they resorted to drawing them out of a hat, putting together similar lines so they made sense.[2]
The lyrics of the song are mostly abstract, but they work together to highlight what one needs to change in life. Each verse also has a meaning. According to Trott, the first verse is about music producer Bill Bottrell, who left in the middle of the album's production, angering Crow. Trott admitted that even though the lyrics were derogatory, they were more playful than harsh. The second verse was inspired by Madonna—who had begun to tone down her sexual image during the song's conception—as well as a few other people who were not named. Crow decided to make the final verse about herself but had to convince Trott and MacLeod to do so.[2]
Critical reception
Billboard wrote, "Sheryl Crow's current eponymous collection proves to be knee-deep in solid radio entries. The set's third single is yet another infectious toe-tapper that has the fun vibe of a freewheeling campfire sing-along-but with the kind of biting and intelligent lyrics that have elevated Crow miles above the current glut of guitar-slingin' women. There's no question that pop and mainstream rock programmers will be going out of the way to put this winner on the air ASAP."[3] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song three out of five, stating that "Crow is in familiar country-lite territory".[4] David Sinclair from The Times described it as a "typical mid-tempo chug delivered in her tough but sexy drawl".[5] In 2017, Billboard ranked the song number five on their list of the 10 greatest Sheryl Crow songs,[6] and in 2023, The Guardian ranked the song number eight on their list of the 20 greatest Sheryl Crow songs.[7]
Several versions of a music video were shot. The first video, directed by Crow and Lance Acord, features Crow standing in the middle of Gay Street in New York City playing a guitar while a second Crow is throwing her possessions (and eventually herself) out of an apartment building window. This video appears on the DVD The Very Best of Sheryl Crow and was shot in black and white.
^"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2023-08-04. "Every Day Is a Winding Road" and "A Change Would Do You Good" rock like a feminist Exile on Main Street...
^A Change Would Do You Go (Australasian CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1997. 582 209 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^A Change Would Do You Go (UK CD2 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1997. 582 217-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^A Change Would Do You Go (UK CD3 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1997. 582 271 - 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^A Change Would Do You Go (European CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1997. 582 208 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Sheryl Crow (US CD album booklet). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31454 0587 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
