Fireflies (Faith Hill album)

Last updated
Fireflies
Faithhillfireflies.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 2, 2005
RecordedMarch–November 2004
Genre Country
Length54:36
Label Warner Bros. Nashville
Producer
Faith Hill chronology
Cry
(2002)
Fireflies
(2005)
The Hits
(2007)
Singles from Fireflies
  1. "Mississippi Girl"
    Released: May 16, 2005
  2. "Like We Never Loved at All"
    Released: August 1, 2005
  3. "The Lucky One"
    Released: February 13, 2006
  4. "Sunshine and Summertime"
    Released: June 12, 2006
  5. "Stealing Kisses"
    Released: October 14, 2006

Fireflies is the sixth studio album by American country music singer Faith Hill. The album was released on August 2, 2005 via Warner Bros. Records Nashville. Her first album since her 2002 crossover album Cry, Fireflies marked a return to traditional country music for Hill. Hill co-produced the album with Byron Gallimore and Dann Huff. Husband Tim McGraw is featured on the single "Like We Never Loved at All".

Contents

Five singles in total were released from the album. The lead single, "Mississippi Girl", marked Hill's ninth and final country number one hit and her first since 2000's "The Way You Love Me"'; it spent two weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart. Follow-up singles "Like We Never Loved at All", "The Lucky One", and "Sunshine and Summertime" (which was her last solo top ten hit at country radio) all peaked within the top ten, with the first two peaking within the top five. "Stealing Kisses" was also a top 40 hit.

In its first week, Fireflies debuted atop both the all-genre Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums, selling 329,000 copies. Fireflies marked Hill's third consecutive album to top both of the charts simultaneously after 1999's Breathe and 2002's Cry. The album has been certified two times platinum by the RIAA for selling two million copies. Despite the commercial success, it was met with mixed reviews with many complaining that the album was bland. "Like We Never Loved at All" won the Grammy for Best Country Collaboration at the 48th Grammy Awards in 2006 while "Mississippi Girl" and Fireflies were nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Album.

Content

Singles from the album include, in order of release: "Mississippi Girl", "Like We Never Loved at All", "The Lucky One", "Sunshine and Summertime" and "Stealing Kisses". Of these, "Mississippi Girl" was a Number One on the US Billboard country charts. The other singles peaked at numbers 5, 5, 7 and 36 on that chart, respectively. Of the singles, "Mississippi Girl", "Like We Never Loved at All" and "Sunshine and Summertime" were co-written by John Rich of Big & Rich, while The Warren Brothers (Brad and Brett) co-wrote "The Lucky One", a song on which Brett also sings backing vocals. Other backing vocalists on this album include Hill's husband, Tim McGraw (on "Like We Never Loved at All"), Bekka Bramlett, Rhonda Vincent, and Kelly Willis.

Hill produced the entire album, with co-production from Byron Gallimore on tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 12, Dann Huff on 7, 8, 13, and 14, and both Gallimore and Huff on 2 and 11.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic (57/100) [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Billboard (favorable) [1]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
E! Online B+ [1]
Entertainment Weekly C+ [4]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The New York Times (mixed) [6]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Slant Magazine Star empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Stylus Magazine C [8]

At Metacritic, the album has an average score of 57, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sunshine and Summertime" Rodney Clawson, John Rich, Kylie Sackley3:27
2."Mississippi Girl"Rich, Adam Shoenfeld 3:52
3."Dearly Beloved" Georgia Middleman, Fred Wilhelm2:22
4."I Ain't Gonna Take It Anymore"Kevin Brandt, Bobby Terry4:00
5."Stealing Kisses" Lori McKenna 4:23
6."Fireflies"McKenna4:28
7."Like We Never Loved at All" (with Tim McGraw) Vicky McGehee, Rich, Scot Sax4:22
8."I Want You" Rivers Rutherford, Bobby Tomberlin4:06
9."The Lucky One" Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Jay Joyce 3:37
10."If You Ask"McKenna4:15
11."We've Got Nothing But Love to Prove" (North American release only) Darrell Scott 4:35
12."You Stay with Me"John Kennedy, Andrea Stolpe4:23
13."Wish for You" Darrell Brown, Craig Wiseman 3:28
14."Paris"Blair Daly, Gordie Sampson, Troy Verges 5:20
Total length:54:36

Personnel

As listed in liner notes. [9]

Musicians
String section on "Paris"
Production

Release history

CountryDate
United States August 2, 2005
Italy August 26, 2005

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [22] Platinum100,000^
United States (RIAA) [23] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Breathe</i> (Faith Hill album) 1999 studio album by Faith Hill

Breathe is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Faith Hill, released November 9, 1999, via Warner Bros. Nashville. The album is one of the most successful country pop albums of all time and Hill's best selling album to date, being certified certified 8× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>Faith</i> (Faith Hill album) 1998 studio album by Faith Hill

Faith is the third studio album by American country music artist Faith Hill, released in 1998. Due to the success of the single "This Kiss" in Australia and the UK, the album was released under the title Love Will Always Win, featuring the title track, a new version of "Piece of My Heart" and two new versions of "Let Me Let Go", which replace "You Give Me Love", "My Wild Frontier", "Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me" and the original version of "Let Me Let Go". Other tracks on this album are mixed differently and remove some of the country elements and replacing them with a more pop sound. In some countries, "It Matters to Me", the title track and hit single from Hill's second album, is also included as a bonus track. "Better Days" was previously recorded by Bekka & Billy on their debut album. "Love Will Always Win" was later issued as a single by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood from Brooks' album The Lost Sessions. "I Love You" was originally recorded by Celine Dion for her album, Falling into You. The album was released on April 21, 1998, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Country Album. It was certified six-times Platinum by the RIAA for shipments of over six million copies in the United States. Two songs off of the album, "This Kiss" and "Let Me Let Go", were both nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

<i>Cry</i> (Faith Hill album) 2002 studio album by Faith Hill

Cry is the fifth studio album by American country music singer Faith Hill. It was released October 15, 2002, via Warner Bros. Nashville. The album was Hill's attempt at expanding her crossover appeal following the success of singles like "Breathe", "The Way You Love Me", and "There You'll Be". Hill co-produced the album along with Marti Frederiksen, Byron Gallimore, and Dann Huff.

<i>Now</i> (Jessica Andrews album) 2003 studio album by Jessica Andrews

Now is the third and final studio album by American country music singer Jessica Andrews. It was released on April 15, 2003. The single "There's More to Me Than You" served as its lead-off single, reaching Top 20 on the country charts. "Good Time" was also a single, peaking at number 49 on the country charts.

<i>Everywhere</i> (Tim McGraw album) 1997 studio album by Tim McGraw

Everywhere is the fourth studio album of American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released on June 3, 1997. It was his first release since his marriage to Faith Hill. Their collaboration on this album, "It's Your Love", was nominated for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals and Best Country Song at the 1998 Grammy Awards. This was Tim's first album to have a crossover-friendly country-pop sound, which was a departure from his earlier neotraditional country albums.

<i>Im Yours</i> (Linda Davis album) 1998 compilation album by Linda Davis

I'm Yours is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Linda Davis. Her only album for DreamWorks Records, it was released in 1998. The album comprises five new songs and nine previously released songs. Of its new recordings, the title track and "From the Inside Out" were all released as singles, charting on the Billboard country charts between 1998 and early 1999.

<i>American Child</i> 2002 studio album by Phil Vassar

American Child is the second studio album by American country music artist Phil Vassar. Released in 2002, the album initially contained twelve tracks, with the title track serving as the lead-off single, reaching top 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts.

<i>Martina</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Martina McBride

Martina is the seventh studio album by American country music artist Martina McBride. It was released in September 2003 by RCA Nashville. It was a number one on the country album charts and number seven on the US album charts. The album produced four singles on the country charts: "This One's for the Girls" at #3, "In My Daughter's Eyes" at #4, "How Far" at #12 and "God's Will" at #16. "This One's for the Girls", which featured backing vocals from Faith Hill, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and McBride's two daughters, was also McBride's first and only Number One hit on the Adult Contemporary charts. The album was certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>Im Alright</i> (Jo Dee Messina album) 1998 studio album by Jo Dee Messina

I'm Alright is the second studio album by American country music singer Jo Dee Messina. It was released in 1998. Her highest selling album to date, it has been certified 2× Platinum for U.S. sales of two million copies. The album produced the singles "I'm Alright", "Bye, Bye", and "Stand Beside Me" — all of which reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts — as well as a cover of Dottie West's "A Lesson in Leaving" and "Because You Love Me". Respectively, these last two singles reached #2 and #8 on the country charts.

<i>The Hits</i> (Faith Hill album) 2007 greatest hits album by Faith Hill

The Hits is the first greatest hits album by American country music singer Faith Hill issued in the United States. Originally slated for release on May 8, 2007, the album was delayed several times until it was finally released on October 2, 2007.

"Stealing Kisses" is a song recorded by American country music artist Faith Hill. The song was written and originally recorded by American country music singer Lori McKenna, first appearing on her album Bittertown (2004). It was released on September 4, 2006 by Warner Bros. Nashville as the fifth and final single from Hill's sixth studio album Fireflies (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi Girl</span> 2005 single by Faith Hill

"Mississippi Girl" is a song written by John Rich and Adam Shoenfeld and recorded by American country music singer Faith Hill. Hill co-produced the song with Byron Gallimore and Dann Huff. It was released on May 16, 2005, as the lead single from her sixth studio album Fireflies (2005). Hill says in the song that she has not forgotten her roots after becoming famous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine and Summertime</span> 2006 single by Faith Hill

"Sunshine and Summertime" is a song recorded by American country music singer Faith Hill. The song was written by John Rich, Kylie Sackley, and Rodney Clawson and produced by Hill and Byron Gallimore. Warner Bros. Nashville released it on June 17, 2006, to country radio as the fourth single from her sixth studio album Fireflies (2005). The song lyrically of things usually done in the summertime. It is also the only single from the album to not have a music video, most likely due to Hill being on tour.

"The Lucky One" is a song recorded by American country music singer Faith Hill. It was released on February 13, 2006, by Warner Bros. Nashville as the third single from her sixth studio album: Fireflies (2005). The song was written by the Warren Brothers and Jay Joyce, and produced by Hill and frequent collaborator Byron Gallimore. Lyrically, "The Lucky One" is about how even if Hill may not have luxuries or a good day, she is "the lucky one" because she has her partner by her side.

<i>Jo Dee Messina</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Jo Dee Messina

Jo Dee Messina is the debut studio album of American country music singer Jo Dee Messina, released in 1996.

<i>Delicious Surprise</i> 2005 studio album by Jo Dee Messina

Delicious Surprise is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Jo Dee Messina, released on April 26, 2005 via Curb Records. Her first non-Christmas album since Burn (2000), the album was recorded following the release of her first greatest hits collection in 2003. Delicious Surprise is Messina's first album in which she is credited as a producer. Messina also had a bigger hand in the writing of the album, co-writing three songs and solely writing another song.

<i>Joy to the World</i> (Faith Hill album) 2008 studio album by Faith Hill

Joy to the World is the first Christmas album and seventh studio album by American country music singer Faith Hill. It features the U.S. Adult Contemporary #1 hit, "A Baby Changes Everything". The album was certified Gold by RIAA on December 4, 2008, and as of November 2016, it has sold 762,000 copies in the US.

<i>Eleven</i> (Martina McBride album) 2011 studio album by Martina McBride

Eleven is the eleventh studio album by American country music singer Martina McBride, released on October 11, 2011, through Republic Nashville. The title of the album was inspired by the fact that it is McBride's eleventh album, it has eleven tracks and its release date. A deluxe edition of the album was also made available exclusively at Target stores. It featured slightly different cover art, with a blue fade at the bottom instead of white, and included four bonus tracks, as well as music videos for "Teenage Daughters" and "I'm Gonna Love You Through It". As of March 2012 the album has sold over 150,000 copies in the US. On July 3, 2012 the four Deluxe Bonus Tracks were released on iTunes as individual singles.

<i>Emotional Traffic</i> 2012 studio album by Tim McGraw

Emotional Traffic is the eleventh studio album by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released on January 24, 2012, by Curb Records, a label he has been with since his self-titled 1993 debut album.

<i>The Rest of Our Life</i> 2017 studio album by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

The Rest of Our Life is the first collaborative studio album by American country music artists as well as husband and wife, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. It was released on November 17, 2017, by Arista Nashville. While the album marks McGraw's fifteenth overall studio album and Hill's eighth, it is the first collaborative album between the couple. The album is also Hill's first studio recording of original material, not including her Christmas or compilation albums, in over twelve years.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Critic reviews for Fireflies". Metacritic . Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (August 2, 2005). "Fireflies - Faith Hill". Allmusic . Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  3. [ dead link ]
  4. Greg Kot (August 1, 2005). "Fireflies Review | Music Reviews and News". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  5. Hilburn, Robert (July 31, 2005). "She's sorry she made them 'Cry'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  6. Sanneh, Kelefa (August 8, 2005). "Faith Hill Resurrects Her Inner Good Ol' Girl - New York Times". The New York Times . Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  7. Keefe, Jonathan (August 2, 2005). "Faith Hill: Fireflies - Music Review". Slant Magazine . Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  8. Inskeep, Thomas (August 29, 2005). "Faith Hill - Fireflies - Review". Stylus Magazine . Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  9. Fireflies (CD booklet). Faith Hill. Nashville, Tennessee: Warner Bros. Records Nashville. 2005. 48794-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 129.
  11. "Faith Hill Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  12. "Swedishcharts.com – Faith Hill – Fireflies". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  13. "Swisscharts.com – Faith Hill – Fireflies". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  14. "Faith Hill Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  15. "Faith Hill Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  16. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  17. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  18. "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2005" (PDF). IFPI. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  19. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  20. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  21. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  22. "Canadian album certifications – Faith Hill – Fireflies". Music Canada . Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  23. "American album certifications – Faith Hill – Fireflies". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 31, 2019.