Doug Stone – I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box)
Doug Stone – I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box) (1990)
Directed by: Deaton-Flanigen
I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box) is the debut single by American country artist Doug Stone, released on February 1, 1990, as the lead track from his self-titled debut album. Written by Johnny MacRae and Steve Clark, and produced by Doug Johnson, the song delves into the depths of heartbreak, with the narrator expressing a preference for death over witnessing his former lover with another man. The track resonated with audiences, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The accompanying music video, directed by the duo Deaton-Flanigen, complements the song’s somber tone. It features Stone in a motel room, reflecting on his lost love, interspersed with scenes of him hitchhiking and witnessing his ex-lover’s wedding to another man. The poignant visuals underscore the song’s themes of despair and longing.
