‘I Hope You Dance’ A Reason To Smile Dan Rather and Team Steady Jul 27 Credit: Getty Images If you know me, you know I am a fan of country music. When times are challenging — and I think we can all agree that at this point, challenging is an understatement — I like to listen to country classics. “I Hope You Dance,” a No. 1 hit for singer-songwriter Lee Ann Womack back in 2000, got me smiling. Womack, a Texan and pure-country vocalist, mixes old-fashioned country with contemporary pop to create a beautiful crossover ballad that is today’s reason to smile. Womack spoke about what became her signature song on “The Today Show.” “You can’t hear those lyrics and not think about children and hope for the future and things you want for them. And those are the things I want for them in life.” In the music video, Womack sings to her own daughters, Aubrie and Anna Lise. “I thought it was very special. It made me think about Aubrie and Anna Lise. And I didn’t know, I can’t predict if something’s going to be a big hit or not. But it certainly hit home with a lot of people, connected with a lot of people,” she told “The Early Show.” It certainly did. The song won multiple awards, was certified platinum when it was released 25 years ago, and became a favorite for proms and graduations. A review in Billboard captured the feel of the song perfectly. “It’s one of those life-affirming songs that makes you pause and take stock of how you're living. It’s filled with lovely poetry that will make listeners think.” I don’t say it often enough, but thank you for being part of our community. We have something special here, because of you. If you want to enjoy all the songs chosen for A Reason To Smile, you can listen to this Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. If you are able to, please support my team, who make pieces like this possible. No matter how you subscribe, I thank you for reading, watching, and listening. Stay Steady, Dan