Introduction
On March 9, 1993, Dwight Yoakam released This Time, an album that would become one of the defining records of his career—and a lasting favorite among country music lovers.
By the early 1990s, Yoakam had already established himself as one of the artists keeping traditional country music alive. But This Time showed that he could honor the sounds of the past while giving them a distinctive, energetic edge of his own.
The album was filled with unforgettable moments. The title track, “This Time,” captured the pain of love and longing with Yoakam’s unmistakable twang, while “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” became one of his signature songs and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1994.
Then came songs like “Fast as You,” bursting with energy and attitude, and “Pocket of a Clown,” a deeply emotional ballad that revealed the vulnerability behind the confident performer.
What made This Time so special was its balance. Honky-tonk, traditional country, rockabilly, sharp guitar work, and modern production came together without ever losing the soul of classic country music.
The album became a major commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and eventually earning multi-platinum status. More importantly, it helped cement Dwight Yoakam as one of the most important country artists of his generation.
More than three decades later, This Time remains a reminder of what made 1990s country music so memorable: great melodies, honest heartbreak, twangy guitars, and songs that felt like they were telling a real story.
Some albums become hits.
Others become history.
This Time belongs in the second category. ❤️🎶
What is your favorite song from Dwight Yoakam’s This Time?
“Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” “Fast as You,” “Pocket of a Clown,” or the title track “This Time”?