In Color (song)

Last updated
"In Color"
JJ - In Color cover.jpg
Single by Jamey Johnson
from the album That Lonesome Song
ReleasedMarch 31, 2008
Genre Country
Length4:51 (album version)
3:49 (radio edit)
Label Mercury Nashville
Songwriter(s) Jamey Johnson
Lee Thomas Miller
James Otto
Producer(s) The Kent Hardly Playboys
Jamey Johnson singles chronology
"Rebelicious"
(2006)
"In Color"
(2008)
"High Cost of Living"
(2009)

"In Color" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Jamey Johnson. It was released in March 2008 as the first single from his 2008 album That Lonesome Song . Johnson co-wrote the song with James Otto and Lee Thomas Miller. In January 2009, "In Color" became Johnson's first Top 10 country hit with a peak at number 9.

Contents

The song won awards for Song of the Year in both the 2009 ACM Awards and the 2009 CMA Awards.

Content

The song is a largely acoustic ballad centralizing on an elderly man who is showing black-and-white photographs to his grandson, each photograph showing a various part of the man's life. Describing the instances in each photos, such as fighting in World War II, the Great Depression and the day he and his wife first got married, he recalls his own life story to his grandson, telling him that "[he] should have seen it in color" (i.e., that the grandson would have had to have been there himself to understand what each experience was truly like). [1] Trace Adkins was originally slated to record the song, until Johnson asked Adkins' permission to record the song himself. [2] Adkins did record the song as an iTunes exclusive bonus track on his 2008 album, X . [3] This story concept parallels the 2006 Carbon Leaf song "The War Was in Color".

Music video

A music video was shot for "In Color" in May 2008. It portrays Johnson sitting on a stool, playing acoustic guitar and singing, with various black-and-white photographs (which Johnson borrowed from his grandmother) spread out on the floor around him. [2] Eventually, color begins to sweep across the photos from the outside, working its way in until Johnson himself is also in color.

Reception

Critical

Brady Vercher of Engine 145 gave the song a "thumb up". Vercher described the lyrics favorably, saying that they contained "vivid and emotive imagery without becoming overwrought" and that "[t]he production stays out of the way of the vivid stories and adds a richness and expressiveness […]." Vercher also went on to say, "Johnson may not be the most gifted vocalist as far as range goes, but he is more than capable and knows how to interpret a song for good effect. Needless to say, he nails the delivery in this song." [1]

Commercial

"In Color" debuted at number 57 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated April 19, 2008. The song spent a total of 40 weeks as an active single on the country charts, and became the first Top 10 hit of Johnson's career, peaking at number 9 on the week of January 10, 2009. [4] In addition, the song peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same week. The song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on June 9, 2010. [5] It has sold 1,340,000 copies in the United States as of February 2016. [6]

Awards and nominations

"In Color" won "Song of the Year" at the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 5, 2009. It was also nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song at the 51st Grammy Awards. [7]

Chart performance

Chart (2008–2009)Peak
position
Canada Country ( Billboard ) [8] 34
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [9] 9
US Billboard Hot 100 [10] 52

Year-end charts

Chart (2008)Position
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [11] 57

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamey Johnson</span> American country musician

Jamey Johnson is an American country music singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Told You So (Randy Travis song)</span> 1988 song by Randy Travis

"I Told You So" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis from his 1987 album, Always & Forever. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard and Canadian RPM country singles charts in June 1988. Travis had first recorded it on his 1983 album Live at the Nashville Palace under his stage name "Randy Ray". It became a local hit and one of his most requested songs at the club. In 2007, the song was covered by Carrie Underwood on her album Carnival Ride. Her version was released in February 2009 and was re-recorded and re-released in March as a duet with Travis. Underwood's and Travis' duet peaked at number two on the U.S. country charts in 2009.

"Something About a Woman" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Jake Owen. It was released in August 2007 as the third and final single from his debut album Startin' with Me. Owen wrote this song with Bob Regan and Jimmy Ritchey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristofferson (song)</span> 2008 single by Tim McGraw

"Kristofferson" is a song written by Anthony Smith and Reed Nielsen, and recorded by American country music singer Tim McGraw. It was released in March 2008 as the fifth single from his album Let It Go. The song peaked at number 16 on the country singles charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better as a Memory</span> 2008 single by Kenny Chesney

"Better as a Memory" is a song written by Scooter Carusoe and Lady Goodman and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in March 2008 as the fourth and final single from Chesney's 2007 album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. With a two-week stay, it became Chesney's fourteenth number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 28, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's a Hottie</span> 2008 single by Toby Keith

"She's a Hottie" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was the only new track on his 2008 compilation album 35 Biggest Hits, and was released as a single on March 4, 2008. The song was included on the compilation's second disc. Keith wrote the song along with Bobby Pinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troubadour (song)</span> 2008 single by George Strait

"Troubadour" is a song written by Leslie Satcher and Monty Holmes, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released in June 2008 as the second single and title track from his album Troubadour. The song was the 86th chart single of his career. It has become his 79th Top Ten single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. "Troubadour" was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Vince Gill sings background vocals on the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Know You're Beautiful</span> 2008 single by Kellie Pickler

"Don't You Know You're Beautiful" is a song written by Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, and Karyn Rochelle, and recorded by American country music artist Kellie Pickler. It served as the lead-off single to her self-titled second album. Pickler debuted the song at the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and it was officially released to radio in June as the fourth single of her career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Man</span> 2008 single by Luke Bryan

"Country Man" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan. It originally appeared on his 2006 self-titled EP, and was released in March 2008 as the third single from his debut album I'll Stay Me. The song, like Bryan's previous two singles, charted in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His second top 10 single, it was the first in a streak of 29 consecutive top 10 singles for Bryan. This streak ended in 2022, when "Up" peaked at number 21. It was written by Bryan, Patrick Jason Matthews and Galen Griffin.

<i>That Lonesome Song</i> 2008 studio album by Jamey Johnson

That Lonesome Song is the second studio album by American country music singer Jamey Johnson. Initially released to digital retailers in 2007 without the promotion of a record label, the album was physically released on August 5, 2008 via Mercury Nashville Records. Under Mercury's promotion and distribution, the album has accounted for two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The first of these, "In Color", became Johnson's first and only Top Ten country hit when it peaked at number 9 in early 2009. This song also earned him both Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music award wins for Song of the Year in 2009, as well as a Grammy Award nomination. Its followup, "High Cost of Living", reached number 34 on the same chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Walk</span> 2008 single by Bucky Covington

"I'll Walk" is a song written by Brent Wilson and Lonnie Fowler, and recorded by American country music artist Bucky Covington. It was released in April 2008 as the third single from his self-titled debut album, and the third consecutive Top 20 country chart entry of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let It Go (Tim McGraw song)</span> 2008 single by Tim McGraw

"Let It Go" is a song written by Aimee Mayo, Bill Luther and Tom Douglas, and recorded by American country music singer Tim McGraw. It was released in July 2008 as the sixth single and title track from his album Let It Go. It was his forty-second Top 40 hit on the Billboard country charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here (Rascal Flatts song)</span> 2008 single by Rascal Flatts

"Here" is a song written by Jeffrey Steele and Steve Robson and recorded by American country music group Rascal Flatts. It was released in September 2008 as the fifth and final single from their fifth studio album Still Feels Good.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Boy (Alan Jackson song)</span> 2008 single by Alan Jackson

"Country Boy" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It is the third single from his album Good Time, having been released in September 2008. In January 2009, "Country Boy" became his twenty-fifth Number One hit on the Billboard country singles charts, as well as the third straight Number One from the album. It was briefly used in the 2010 film Unstoppable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Won't Be Like This for Long</span> 2008 single by Darius Rucker

"It Won't Be Like This for Long" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Darius Rucker, lead vocalist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released in November 2008 as the second from his first country music album Learn to Live. Rucker co-wrote the song with Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Call (Lee Ann Womack song)</span> 2008 single by Lee Ann Womack

"Last Call" is a song written by Erin Enderlin and Shane McAnally, and recorded by American country music artist Lee Ann Womack. It was released in June 2008 as the lead-off single from Womack's album Call Me Crazy, which was released in October 2008. In December the song reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Womack's first Top 20 hit in three years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anything Goes (Randy Houser song)</span> 2008 single by Randy Houser

"Anything Goes" is the debut single by American country music artist Randy Houser, released in June 2008. It is the title track of his 2008 debut album of the same name. The song was written by Brice Long and John Wiggins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River of Love</span> 2008 single by George Strait

"River of Love" is a song written by Billy Burnette, Shawn Camp and Dennis Morgan, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in November 2008 as the third single from the album Troubadour. The 87th single of his career, it is also his 80th Top Ten on the Billboard country charts, as well as his 44th and final Number One hit to date.

"How 'bout You Don't" is a song written by Stokes Nielson, Jeremy Stover and Vicky McGehee, and recorded by American country music band The Lost Trailers. The song was the band's fifth chart single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. It was released in October 2008 as the second single to their album Holler Back, released in August 2008 on BNA Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Fishin'</span> 2011 single by Trace Adkins

"Just Fishin'" is a song written by Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, and Ed Hill and recorded by American country music artist Trace Adkins. It was released in March 2011 as the first single for his second album for Show Dog-Universal Music, Proud to Be Here. On November 30, 2011, the song received a Nomination in 54th Grammy Awards for Best Country Song. To date, this is Adkins final Top 10 hit.

References

  1. 1 2 Vercher, Brady (2008-03-17). "Jamey Johnson - "In Color" - Engine 145". Engine 145. Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  2. 1 2 Paxman, Bob (2008-07-28). "Living Color: Jamey Johnson sets memories to music in his touching new video". Country Weekly . 15 (15): 31.
  3. X at iTunes
  4. Bjorke, Matt. "Top 40 Singles of 2008: Jamey Johnson - "In Color" (#1)". roughstock.com. Archived from the original on 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  5. "American single certifications – Jamey Johnson – In Color". Recording Industry Association of America.
  6. Bjorke, Matt (February 16, 2016). "The Top 30 Digital Country Singles: February 16, 2016".
  7. "Alison Krauss, Robert Plant Score at Grammys". Great American Country . 2008-12-04. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  8. "Jamey Johnson Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  9. "Jamey Johnson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  10. "Jamey Johnson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  11. "Best of 2008: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.