Always Press 9

ABOUT THIS SONG

I wrote “Always Press 9” for my friend Terry. It took several tries to get through it without squalling. His parents were my friends too, and they meant the world to me.

Terry, I dedicate this song to you and the memory of two people we both loved dearly.

LYRICS

Daddy ran cattle, didn't talk
But said more on a pasture walk
He mended fences, fed the herd
And showed his love without a word
We lost Mom first, the house went still
He kept her flowers on the sill
Till one cold mornin' the gate swung wide
And Daddy went on to be by her side

I always press nine to buy a little more time
Hear love you, son at the end of the line
A full grown orphan with kids of my own
Still needin' Momma on the way back home
I'd trade this Alabama ground
For one more Sunday with 'em both around
The world keeps turnin', but here in mine
She's still sayin' love you
And I always press nine

Momma was known the county wide
A heart of gold, she'd tan your hide
She'd feed the preacher and the poor
But you'd wipe your boots at Momma's door
I got voicemails saved from last year
I close my eyes and she's right here
Just checkin' on you, call me back
I'd give the world to answer that

Her number's one I can't erase
Still has a heart beside her name

I always press nine to buy a little more time
Hear love you, son at the end of the line
A full grown orphan with kids of my own
Still needin' Momma on the way back home
I'd trade this Alabama ground
For one more Sunday with 'em both around
The world keeps turnin', but here in mine
She's still sayin' love you
And I always press nine

My daddy taught me how to stand
But there's one thing I don't comprehend
Momma taught me how to pray
Why can't I find the words today?

I've got kids who lean on me
But some nights I'm still just a boy
With a phone held to my ear
Tryin' to hear through all the noise

I always press nine to buy a little more time
Hear love you, son at the end of the line
A full grown orphan with kids of my own
Still needin' Momma on the way back home
I'd trade this Alabama ground
For one more Sunday with 'em both around
The world keeps turnin', but here in mine
She's still sayin' love you
And I always press nine

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CREDITS

Written & Performed by Chad Sanders
Produced by Chad Sanders
Recording, Engineering, Mixing & Mastering by Chad Sanders
Guitars, Keyboards & Programming by Chad Sanders
Fender Telecaster • Korg • Yamaha
Ableton Live • ACID Pro • SOUND FORGE

ABOUT "ALWAYS PRESS 9"

"Always Press 9" is an original country love song written and recorded by Chad Sanders, an independent country music artist and songwriter from Alabama.

I wrote “Always Press 9” for my friend Terry. It took several tries to get through it without squalling. His parents were my friends too, and they meant the world to me. Terry, I dedicate this song to you and the memory of two people we both loved dearly.

Fans of Alabama country music and small-town country will find something real in this track, the kind of honest storytelling Chad Sanders is known for across his original catalog.

Chad Sanders writes and records from the perspective of someone rooted in North Alabama, North Alabama specifically, in the heart of Marshall County. His music reflects life as it actually is in small-town America, not as it's packaged for radio.

Released in October 2026, "Always Press 9" is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Preview it here at ChadSandersOfficial.com before you stream.