Strawberry Wine – Deana Carter (Lyrics)

“Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter is a nostalgic country ballad that beautifully captures the bittersweet essence of first love. Released in 1996 as the debut single from her album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, the song became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison, the lyrics tell the story of a young woman reminiscing about a summer romance she experienced at her grandparents’ farm when she was seventeen. The metaphor of “strawberry wine” serves as a symbol of the sweetness, intoxication, and eventual fading of young love.

The song’s storytelling is intimate and vivid. The narrator recalls the innocence of her teenage years, the excitement of falling in love, and the inevitable passage of time that changed everything. The imagery of “hot July moon,” “green on the vine,” and “fields of wildflowers” evoke a strong sense of place and season, anchoring the listener in a specific time and emotional space. There’s a deep undercurrent of longing in the lyrics—not just for the boy she loved, but for the simplicity and wonder of youth itself.

Musically, “Strawberry Wine” blends traditional country instrumentation with a soft, almost dreamlike arrangement. Carter’s tender vocals bring a quiet vulnerability to the song, making it resonate with anyone who has looked back on a formative moment with both fondness and sadness. The chorus—“Like strawberry wine and seventeen / The hot July moon saw everything”—has become iconic, cementing the song’s place in country music history.

“Strawberry Wine” won the 1997 Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Song of the Year and remains Deana Carter’s signature hit. It continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth, evocative writing, and universal theme of lost innocence. For many listeners, it’s more than just a song—it’s a reflection of their own coming-of-age experiences.