On This Day: Faith Hill’s Drops Debut Album, ‘Take Me As I Am’
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 08: Singer Faith Hill performs onstage during Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night presented by the Academy of Country Music at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 8, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Faith Hill is one of those names that most certainly will stick with me until the end of time. In my opinion, country music just wouldn’t be the same without her in it.
On October 12, 1993, Hill introduced her debut album to the world, titled Take Me As I Am. Four singles came to life from the collection. The singles include the title track “Take Me As I Am,” “But I Will,” “Piece Of My Heart,” and her first No. 1 hit, “Wild One.”
“Wild One” took the No. 1 spot on the country charts for four weeks in a row. The album ended up being certified three-time platinum by the RIAA.
Following the massive success of her debut album, Take Me As I Am, Hill continued to pave the way for female artists in all genres. It’s hard to say which album is my favorite aside from her debut, but who doesn’t love Breathe and her work on The Rest Of Our Life with Tim McGraw?
Faith Hill’s influence on the ’90s
Hill was a massive part of molding ’90s country into what it became, leading her to becomming one of the most successful female artists of all time. She has not only put on some pretty epic performances throughout the years but has also shared the stage with legends (including her husband).
The 56-year-old has performed at the Super Bowl, CMA Awards, and CMA Fest, among other events, throughout her career. Hill has won five Grammy Awards to date and, in 2000, took home the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year.
That same year, Hill and McGraw created the record-breaking Soul2Soul franchise. In 2006, they hit the road again for the Sould2Soul II Tour and again in 2017 for The Soul2Soul: The World Tour.
Listen to Faith Hill’s “Take Me As I Am” below.
8 Of Faith Hill’s Number One Songs, Ranked
Faith Hill seemed to step away from the country music spotlight a few years ago. She’s had one of the most significant careers in the genre in the early 2000s as a solo artist. And, of course, along with her hubby Tim McGraw, who continues to record and tour.
Faith did make waves and got some fantastic reviews and recognition for her acting portrayal of Margaret Dutton, playing the wife of James Dutton in 2021 in the Paramount Plus original series 1883. James was portrayed by her “real-life” husband of almost 28 years, McGraw.
Her famous husband wrote his thoughts on many subjects in an article Esquire’s “What I’ve Learned” feature. Tim discusses his family, his early life, and the fact that his wife, Faith Hill, helps him stay sober. McGraw quit drinking in 2008.
He also recalled that his wife Faith Hill helped him stay away from alcohol when he quit drinking. Tim said, “I remember a moment when I was getting out of bed and going to the liquor cabinet and taking a big shot at 8:00 in the morning.” He remembered that he went straight to my wife and said, “‘This is where I’m at.’ I was scared. She just grabbed me and hugged me and changed my life.”
Tim also touched on anger and that “love is being angry.” He noted that love is getting in “each other’s face” and accepting when you are wrong. McGraw shared that most parents fight in front of their kids. He said in part, “Everybody fights in front of their kids. That’s part of the deal.”
He concluded the piece by saying, “My wife always says, ‘You’re not scared of anything. I say, ‘Oh, one thing. I’m looking at it right now.'”
While we usually see Hill standing beside her husband when he is honored, like at the recent 2023 ACM Honors, where he was given an icon award, she does have some pretty big songs in country music over the years. As Faith celebrates her 56th birthday today (9/21), we take a look at eight of her biggest songs.
