Permanently

Mark Wills has come to occupy an interesting spot in the current give-and-take surrounding country crossovers. His "I Do (Cherish You)" was covered by 98ì, and "Don't Laugh At Me" was covered by both Surreal and Peter, Paul & Mary. For "Permanently," Wills has recorded versions of Brandy's "Almost Doesn't Count" and Brian McKnight's "Back At One," which is the set's current single. Although Wills ostensibly cuts country versions of both tracks, there's a discernible difference between R&B/pop songs and country songs. For aural proof, look no further than Harley Allen's well-crafted song, "Still Waiting." This is one very involved song that concerns itself intimately with a human situation. A song that tells a story, in other words. Generic love songs are all well and good, but Wills becomes a real country singer when he's got a real country song in front of him.