Kellie Pickler's 'I Wonder' Laments Absent Mother

Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ BNA Entertainment) - Kellie Pickler's childhood, from her incarcerated father and runaway mother to the nurturing grandparents who raised her, was well documented during her amazing run on last season's American Idol. But feelings of abandonment by her mother left permanent scars and lingering questions.

Kellie chose to express those feelings in song, and the introspective and poignant 'I Wonder' was born. 'It's obviously a very personal song,' says Kellie. 'It's about the relationship I have with my mother – there isn't one. I haven't seen her in years. She left me when I was a little girl and I've wondered where she is, what she's doing.'

With powerful lines like 'I look in the mirror and all I see is your brown eyes looking back at me, they're the only thing you ever gave to me at all,' and 'You weren't around to cheer me on, help me dress for my high school prom like mothers do,' it's obvious that this song drew on her childhood experiences.

And with such a personal song now on the public stage, is a reunion with her mother in the works? Kellie responds, 'I haven't talked to her, seen her or had any contact with her whatsoever, and I have no desire to. Maybe in the future, but not now. I'm not mad at her, I don't hate her, I'm just hurt. My hope is for this song to be a testament for somebody who might be going through an experience like this and know you're not alone. Just keep on believing and following your dream and the sky's the limit. If I can make it, anyone can.'

From her gold selling debut album, Small Town Girl, 'I Wonder' was digitally sent to radio last week and quickly became the most downloaded song at country radio for the week.