Criminal (Lindsay Ell song)

Last updated
"Criminal"
Lindsay Ell - Criminal (single cover).jpg
Single by Lindsay Ell
from the album The Project
ReleasedDecember 11, 2017 (2017-12-11)
Recorded2016
Genre Country rock [1]
Length3:22
Label Stoney Creek
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Kristian Bush
Lindsay Ell singles chronology
"Waiting on You"
(2017)		"Criminal"
(2017)		"The Worst Kind"
(2018)

"Criminal" is a song recorded by Canadian country music singer Lindsay Ell for her third studio album, The Project (2017). Ell co-wrote the song with Fred Wilhelm and Chris Stevens, while Kristian Bush of Sugarland produced the track. It was released to American country radio on December 11, 2017 through Stoney Creek Records as the album's second single. [2]

Contents

"Criminal" peaked at numbers 19 and 28 on the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts, respectively, marking Ell's first top 40 single on the former and first charting entry on the latter. In Canada, the song also peaked at number one on the Canada Country chart, becoming the first single by a Canadian solo female artist to do so since 2008. [3]

Composition

"Criminal" is a guitar-driven country rock song whose production has been described as more "accessible" than Ell's previous singles. [1] Lyrically, the song describes the "early torment" of a surprising new love and compares the stealing of her heart to literal theft. [1] [4] Ell elaborated to Radio.com that she wrote the song about being grateful for the way some people, "will walk into your life, and you don't really know where they came from or how they came at the time they did," and that the criminal allegory is a "really happy" one. [5] It was one of the first songs written for The Project, and Ell told KNIX-FM that she "knew ["Criminal"] was going to be important to me and my career," when it was recorded in 2016. [6]

Release and promotion

"Criminal" was announced as the follow-up to her breakthrough single, "Waiting on You", in November 2017. [7] It was made available to country radio in the United States through PlayMPE on November 17, 2017 and received 10 adds. [8] [9] The song was officially promoted to radio on December 11, 2017. [2] For that week, the song was picked up by an additional 51 radio stations and served as the week's most-added single. [10]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country complimented the song's "made-for-radio" production and wrote that Ell's vocals on the track were "nothing short of convincing." [1] Kelly Brickey of Sounds Like Nashville wrote that Ell "gets away with murder in the sweetest way," on "Criminal" and praised the way she "put[s] her heart and soul on the line." [4] In a review of her performance of the song at 2017's "Next Women of Country" showcase, Samantha Stevens of CMT wrote that "[Ell's] pure and sweet vocal tone and clever use of imagery and play on words are what makes her songs so catchy and lovable." [11]

Music video

The music video was directed by Peter Zavadil and premiered on CMT, GAC & VEVO in April 2018. [12]

Chart performance

"Criminal" debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated December 23, 2017 and was the week's highest-debuting single. [13] The song became Ell's first top 40 hit the following week, when the song rose from 54 to 40. [14] It has since reached a peak position of 19 and is Ell's highest-charting single to date. [15] "Criminal" debuted at number 47 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated January 27, 2018. [16] The song is Ell's first entry on the multi-metric chart. [17] It has since peaked at number 28. [17] In Canada, "Criminal" reached number one on the Canada Country airplay chart. [18] This made it Ell's first number one, as well as the first single by a solo female artist to reach the top position on that chart since Terri Clark's "In My Next Life" in 2008. [3] [19]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Ray Cyrus discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist. He has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, and is best known for his debut single "Achy Breaky Heart". 32 of his singles have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart between 1992 and 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassadee Pope</span> American singer

Cassadee Blake Pope is an American pop and country singer. She was the lead vocalist and songwriter of the pop rock band Hey Monday, with whom she released one studio album and two EPs. Pope embarked on a solo career in early 2012 and released the EP Cassadee Pope in May 2012. She took part in the 3rd season of The Voice and became the first female winner in December 2012. Her debut solo country album, Frame by Frame, was released in 2013 to a top 10 Billboard 200 charting. It debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums, with 43,000 copies sold in its first week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RaeLynn</span> American singer-songwriter

Racheal Lynn Woodward, better known as RaeLynn, is an American singer and songwriter who was a contestant on The Voice in season two (2012). She was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me See Ya Girl</span> 2015 single by Cole Swindell

"Let Me See Ya Girl" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Cole Swindell. It was released to country radio in April 2015 as the fourth and final single from his self-titled debut album. "Let Me See Ya Girl" reached numbers two and nine on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts respectively. It also peaked at number 59 on the Hot 100 chart. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has sold 282,000 units in the United States as of October 2015. It achieved similar chart success in Canada, peaking at number eight on the Canada Country chart and number 99 on the Canadian Hot 100. An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Michael Monaco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Pan (Kelsea Ballerini song)</span> 2016 single by Kelsea Ballerini

"Peter Pan" is a song co-written and recorded by American recording artist Kelsea Ballerini. It was released to American country radio by Black River Entertainment as the third single from her debut studio album The First Time (2015). Ballerini co-wrote the song with Forest Glen Whitehead and Jesse Lee. The track is a country pop ballad about a lost love being compared to the song's namesake as a metaphor for being immature and having a tendency to run off to his own fantasy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make You Mine (High Valley song)</span> 2014 single by High Valley featuring Ricky Skaggs

"Make You Mine" is a song recorded by Canadian country music duo High Valley for their fourth studio album, County Line (2014). It was written by group member Brad Rempel along with Ben Stennis and the record's producer, Seth Mosley, and features Ricky Skaggs. "Make You Mine" was first released in Canada in December 2014 through Open Road Recordings as the third single off County Line. After High Valley signed to Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville in 2015, they re-released the single through that label on February 26, 2016. The song serves as the lead single for their debut major-label album, Dear Life (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star of the Show</span> 2016 single by Thomas Rhett

"Star of the Show" is a song recorded by American country music singer Thomas Rhett. It was released to country radio on October 3, 2016 via Valory Music Group as the fifth single from his second studio album, Tangled Up. Rhett wrote the song with his father Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip. The song is featured on the 2016 deluxe edition of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trippin' on Us</span> 2013 single by Lindsay Ell

"Trippin' on Us" is the debut single released by Canadian country music singer Lindsay Ell. The song was written by Ell with David Fanning and Vicky McGehee. "Trippin' on Us" was released to digital retailers through Stoney Creek Records on November 5, 2013. It was serviced to American country radio on December 16, 2013, and was the most-added single that week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Long Way (song)</span> 2017 single by Brett Eldredge

"The Long Way" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Brett Eldredge for his self-titled third studio album (2017). Matthew J Rogers co-wrote the song, while Ross Copperman co-produced the song with Eldredge. It was first released digitally on May 12, 2017 as a promotional single for the album. "The Long Way" was serviced to American country radio on August 21, 2017 through Atlantic Records and Warner Music Nashville as the second official single from Brett Eldredge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doin' Fine</span> 2017 single by Lauren Alaina

"Doin' Fine" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lauren Alaina for her second studio album, Road Less Traveled (2017). Inspired by her parents' divorce, Alaina co-wrote the "semi-autobiographical" song with Emily Shackelton and the record's producer, busbee. It was released to American country radio May 22, 2017 as the album's third and final single.

<i>The Project</i> (Lindsay Ell album) 2017 studio album by Lindsay Ell

The Project is the third studio album and major label debut by Canadian country music artist Lindsay Ell. It was released by Stoney Creek Records on August 11, 2017. The Project was the number-one selling country album the week of its release. The album was released in physical format in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waiting on You (Lindsay Ell song)</span> 2017 single by Lindsay Ell

"Waiting on You" is a song written and recorded by Canadian country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist Lindsay Ell. It was released May 29, 2017 as Ell's sixth single and serves as the lead single for her third studio album, The Project (2017). Ell co-wrote the song with Adam Hambrick and Andrew DeRoberts, while Kristian Bush of Sugarland produced the track. "Waiting on You" is also included on Ell's debut extended play, Worth the Wait (2017). The song became Ell's first top five single on the Canadian country chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelsea Ballerini discography</span>

American country pop singer Kelsea Ballerini has released four studio albums, two extended plays, one compilation album, one remix album, and 14 singles, including two as a featured artist. Her first three singles all reached the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making Ballerini the first female artist since Wynonna Judd in 1992 to accomplish this feat. The third such single, "Peter Pan", also made Ballerini the first female to top the Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts simultaneously since the latter was reformatted in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">By the Way (Lindsay Ell song)</span> 2015 single by Lindsay Ell

"By the Way" is a single by Canadian country singer Lindsay Ell. Written by Ell with Barry Dean and Luke Laird, the song was released in October 2015 and reached the country charts of the U.S. and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich (Maren Morris song)</span> 2018 single by Maren Morris

"Rich" is a song recorded by American country music singer Maren Morris for her major-label debut album, Hero (2016). Morris co-wrote the song with Jessie Jo Dillon and Laura Veltz, and co-produced the track with busbee. It was released to American country radio on February 12, 2018, through Columbia Nashville as the album's fourth and final single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cry Pretty (song)</span> 2018 single by Carrie Underwood

"Cry Pretty" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Carrie Underwood. It was released on April 11, 2018, as the lead single and title track from her sixth studio album, Cry Pretty. The song received critical acclaim with Billboard naming it the best country song of 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindsay Ell discography</span>

Canadian country music singer and songwriter Lindsay Ell has released five studio albums, one extended play, 11 singles, and 10 music videos. Ell released two independent albums in the 2000s before signing a recording contract with the Stoney Creek subsidiary of Broken Bow Records in 2013 and releasing her debut single, "Trippin' on Us". Four subsequent singles were promoted over the following three years with varying levels of success on the Canadian and American country airplay charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenille Arts</span> Canadian country music singer (b. 1994)

Tenille Jade Dakota Arts is a Canadian country music singer from Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She released a self-titled extended play and her debut studio album Rebel Child with 19th & Grand Records. In 2020, Arts released the album Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between and won the Rising Star Award from the Canadian Country Music Association. She released her third studio album Girl to Girl in October 2021. In 2022, Arts signed to Dreamcatcher Artists. She released her fourth album To Be Honest in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Love You (Lindsay Ell song)</span> 2019 single by Lindsay Ell

"I Don't Love You" is a song recorded by Canadian country music artist Lindsay Ell for her fifth studio album, Heart Theory (2020). The song was written by Adam Hambrick, Melissa Fuller, and Neil Medley. It was released by Stoney Creek Records on November 8, 2019 as the album's lead single and officially impacted American country radio on December 9, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Want Me Back</span> 2020 Song by Lindsay Ell

"Want Me Back" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Lindsay Ell. She co-wrote the track with Kane Brown, Matt McGinn, and Lindsay Rimes. The song was the second single off Ell's fifth studio album Heart Theory.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Dukes, Billy (December 13, 2017). "Sound Off: Is Lindsay Ell's 'Criminal' a Hit? [Listen]". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media . Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Single Releases : MusicRow". MusicRow. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Parton, Chris (April 9, 2018). "Lindsay Ell's 'Criminal': See Video". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Brickey, Kelly (December 16, 2017). "Lindsay Ell Falls Dangerously in Love in 'Criminal'". Sounds Like Nashville. SpinMedia . Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ Ives, Brian (May 13, 2016). "Lindsay Ell Talks 'By The Way' And Jamming With Legends". Radio.com . Entercom. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Lindsay Ell Explains Why 'Criminal' Is Her Favorite Song (VIDEO)". KNIX-FM . iHeartMedia. December 4, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ Langeler, Wes (November 29, 2017). "Crazy Talented Lindsay Ell Announces Next Single "Criminal"". Whiskey Riff. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Lindsay Ell - Criminal". Daily PlayMPE. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  9. ↑ Cantor, Brian (November 21, 2017). "Thomas Rhett's "Marry Me" Ranks As Country Radio's Most Added Song". Headline Planet. Cantortainment. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  10. ↑ Cantor, Brian (December 11, 2017). "Lindsay Ell's "Criminal" Ranks As Country Radio's Most Added Song". Headline Planet. Cantortainment. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  11. ↑ Stephens, Samantha (February 23, 2017). "Lindsay Ell: CMT Next Women of Country Live Exclusive". CMT . Viacom. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Lindsay Ell Is Off Vocal Rest and She Couldn't Be Happier". One Country. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  13. ↑ "Country Airplay: The Week Of December 23, 2017". Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ Trust, Gary; Anderson, Trevor; Asker, Jim (December 20, 2017). "Chart Beat Podcast: Mariah Carey's 'Christmas' Present & Guest Lindsay Ell". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  15. 1 2 "Lindsay Ell Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Hot Country Songs: The Week Of January 27, 2018". Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  17. 1 2 3 "Lindsay Ell Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Lindsay Ell Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Jess Moskaluke in the Driver's Seat with "Drive Me Away"" (press release). The Music Express. May 11, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  20. ↑ "TMN Country Hot 50" (Issue 1205). The Music Network . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.