Here for the Party

Last updated
Here for the Party
Herefortheparty.jpg
Standard edition cover
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 11, 2004
StudioSony/Tree Studios, Blackbird Studios and Sixteenth Avenue Sound (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre Country
Length37:36
Label Epic Nashville
Producer Joe Scaife
Mark Wright
John Rich (associate producer)
Gretchen Wilson chronology
Here for the Party
(2004)
All Jacked Up
(2005)
Singles from Here for the Party
  1. "Redneck Woman"
    Released: March 23, 2004
  2. "Here for the Party"
    Released: July 1, 2004
  3. "When I Think About Cheatin'"
    Released: October 25, 2004
  4. "Homewrecker"
    Released: February 21, 2005

Here for the Party is the debut studio album by American country music singer Gretchen Wilson. It was released on May 11, 2004 through Epic Records Nashville. After singing in a bar, she met John Rich of Big & Rich, who invited her to work with him. She would later join the MuzikMafia, a collection of Nashville singers and songwriters that gathered weekly to play songs. Wilson recorded the album in Nashville, Tennessee. The album was produced by Joe Scaife, Mark Wright, and John Rich.

Contents

Upon its release, Here for the Party received positive reviews from music critics with Wilson being compared to country artist Loretta Lynn. The album itself became a massive success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 227,000 copies, breaking the record for the highest first sales week from a debut album by a country artist. On the Top Country Albums chart, the album broke records and became the third most successful album of 2004 on the latter chart. Internationally the album became a surprise moderate success, peaking within the top ten in Sweden while entering the album charts in Australia, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Four single were released in total from the album. The lead and Wilson's debut single "Redneck Woman" became a massive success, spending five weeks atop the US Hot Country Songs chart. The follow-up singles "Here for the Party", "When I Think About Cheatin'", and "Homewrecker" were also successful, all peaking within the top five of the country charts as well.

At the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in 2005, Wilson received four nominations: Best New Artist, Best Country Album, Best Country Song for "Redneck Woman" and Best Female Country Vocal Performance also for "Redneck Woman", with Wilson winning the latter award. As of 2023, Here for the Party is certified 5× Platinum by the RIAA for sales of five million copies sold in the United States alone.

Making of the album

Gretchen Wilson was singing in a bar when she met John Rich of Big & Rich, who invited her to work with him. After some persistence, she agreed and joined the MuzikMafia, an informal group of Nashville singers and songwriters that gathered weekly to play songs.

Wilson signed with Epic Records in 2003 and went in the studio with producers Mark Wright and Joe Scaife and Rich as co-producer. The first single, "Redneck Woman," was written as a tribute to women from small-town America.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [3]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Robert Christgau Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [5]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Stylus Magazine B [7]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]

"Redneck Woman" was released as a single in early 2004 and reached the top of the Billboard country singles charts and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was released in the U.S. on May 11, 2004. It debuted at the top of the country album charts and at number two on the Billboard 200 with 227,000 copies sold. [9] Here for the Party was the fifth best selling album of 2004, with about 2.9 million copies sold. [10]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Here for the Party" John Rich, Big Kenny, Gretchen Wilson 3:18
2."Redneck Woman"Wilson, Rich3:42
3."When I Think About Cheatin'"Rich, Wilson, Vicky McGehee 4:09
4."Homewrecker"George Teren, Rivers Rutherford, Wilson3:26
5."Holdin' You"Thom McHugh, Wade Kirby3:34
6."Chariot"John Caldwell, Leslie Satcher 4:26
7."What Happened" Al Anderson, Bob DiPiero, Bekka Bramlett, Tim Nichols 3:51
8."When It Rains"Rich, McGehee, Wilson3:03
9."The Bed" (featuring Big & Rich) Keith Anderson, Rich, McGehee2:53
10."Pocahontas Proud"Rich, McGehee, Wilson5:15

Credits

Compiled from liner notes. [11] Musicians and Vocals

Production

Chart performances

Certifications

Region Certification
Australia (ARIA) [25] Gold
Canada (Music Canada) [26] Platinum
United States (RIAA) [27] 5× Platinum

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