Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'

Last updated
Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'.jpg
Studio album by
Lainey Wilson
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2021 (2021-02-19)
StudioNeon Cross
Genre
Length37:57
Label BBR
Producer Jay Joyce
Lainey Wilson chronology
Redneck Hollywood
(2019)		Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
(2021)		 Bell Bottom Country
(2022)
Singles from Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
  1. "Dirty Looks"
    Released: October 3, 2019
  2. "Things a Man Oughta Know"
    Released: August 24, 2020

Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' is the third studio album by American country singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on February 19, 2021, by BBR Music Group. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album was Wilson's first album to be released on a major label and contained 12 tracks. The album was the third studio collection released in Wilson's music career and the first issued on a major record label. The disc has since spawned two singles: "Dirty Looks" (2019) and "Things a Man Oughta Know" (2020). The latter release became Wilson's breakout single, reaching chart positions on the country music surveys in North America. Sayin' What I'm Thinkin has since been met with favorable reviews from critics and writers.

Contents

Background

Lainey Wilson had been attempting a career as a country music artist for several years. She had previously released the studio album Tougher and played a variety of shows while networking along the way. After signing a publishing deal, she would sign her first major record label contract with the BBR Music Group. In 2019, BBR issued the extended play (EP) Redneck Hollywood . [3] Several of the songs that would appear on Sayin' What I'm Thinkin first appeared on Redneck Hollywood. [4] In crafting the album, Wilson would continually ask herself if the music was "saying what I'm thinking". The phrase was used often enough that she decided to name the album Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'. [5]

Recording and content

Sayin' What I'm Thinkin was recorded at the Neon Cross Studio, which was located in Nashville, Tennessee. The project was produced by Jay Joyce, along with assistance from Court Blankenship. [6] In regards to production, Wilson explained that she and Joyce were "kindred spirits". [7] A total of 12 songs comprised the collection and were all co-written by Wilson. In addition, Jason Nix and Brent Anderson are featured writers on multiple songs in the track listing. [6] [1] Several of the songs on the project were composed as far back as 2018 when Wilson first landed a publishing deal with Sony ATV. "That’s when I started figuring out who I was more—what I wanted to say, and how I wanted to say it," she reflected. [7]

In developing the album's sound, Wilson wanted it to sound "fresh" and "familiar". In an interview with Rolling Stone , Wilson explained that she wanted the disc to have the "pureness of Lee Ann Womack" and the "sassiness of Dolly Parton". [2] Four of the disc's tracks were originally released on Redneck Hollywood: "WWDD", "Dirty Looks", "LA" and "Things a Man Oughta Know". The remaining eight songs were previously not released. [4] The opening track "Neon Diamonds" was chosen as the lead song because it had similarities to a concert opener, according to Wilson. [5] The song "LA" was derived from Wilson explaining to people that she was Louisiana (LA) and not Los Angeles. "I’d meet people and they’d say, 'Where in the world are you from?' as soon as I’d open my mouth. And I’d say 'LA.' And they’d say, 'There’s no way you’re from Los Angeles.'," she commented. [2]

The song "Pipe" was described by Wilson as being her "redneck rulebook". [7] The eighth track "Keeping Bars in Business" was composed after Wilson and her co-writers all experienced different personal tragedies: "We were talking about how even though we were going through things in life, they don’t stop the world from turning," she stated. [2] The tenth track "WWDD" (what would Dolly do) was a written as tribute to Dolly Parton, whom Wilson has been influence by: "Dolly is an international icon and role model for a lot of folks around the world, so it’s an easy song for a lot of people to relate to." [8] The eleventh track "Rolling Stone" was based on the breakup of Wilson and her high school boyfriend. After seven years of dating, the couple realized they were no longer compatible. [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
And It Don't Stop Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [9]

Sayin' What I'm Thinkin was met with favorable reviews from critics. Mark Deming of AllMusic commented that the album "boasted more polished production but didn't dilute her style." [1] Jon Freeman of Rolling Stone commented, "It sounded like little else this year, and seemed particularly reflective of her singular, unabashedly Southern personality." [2] Jeremy Chua compared Wilson's style on the album to that of Miranda Lambert and Kellie Pickler. Chua further added that "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin is a strong, cohesive introduction to who Lainey Wilson is. A force to be reckoned with, the Louisianan’s stellar album seals her position as a mainstay in country music." [5]

Taste of Country's Billy Dukes also gave the album a positive response. He praised Wilson's songwriting and her "raspy" voice. He also found the album to be genuine in both its production and vocal delivery: "'Authentic' is a one-word review of Sayin' What I'm Thinkin, an album that's intentionally frayed at the edges. Beyond writing and recording songs that satisfy country music fans, she succeeds at introducing her whole self through the music." [10] Pip Ellwood-Hughes of the United Kingdom-based Entertainment Focus praised her songwriting and the honesty in her lyrics. Ellwood-Hughes concluded by saying, "Lainey Wilson has everything a breakout Country star needs and then some, and with any justice this will go down as one of the best records of 2021." [11]

Veteran critic Robert Christgau was more reserved in his praise, highlighting the songs "Dirty Looks" and "Sunday Best" while saying in reference to the album title: "Also what she's drinkin', often with a sexual edge to it, which says plenty for her skill set and not enough for her emotional equilibrium". [9]

Release, chart performance and singles

Sayin' What I'm Thinkin was originally released on February 19, 2021 on the BBR Music Group label. It was originally available to digital and streaming sites. [12] It was later released as both a compact disc [6] and as a vinyl LP. [13] It was the third studio album released in Wilson's music career and her first to be released on a major label. [3] The album was Wilson's second to reach the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Spending eight weeks on the list, the record peaked at number 40 in October 2021. [14] Two songs had previously been issued as a singles prior to the album's release. The first single was "Dirty Looks", originally issued on October 3, 2019. [15] The second was "Things a Man Oughta Know", which was released on August 24, 2020. The song became her breakout hit in the country field, reaching the top spot of the Billboard Country Airplay chart and the top five of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. [16]

Track listing

Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Neon Diamonds"
3:06
2."Sunday Best"
3:13
3."Things a Man Oughta Know"
3:23
4."Small Town, Girl"
  • Wilson
  • Chris Yarber
  • Dallas Wilson
3:02
5."LA"
2:49
6."Dirty Looks"
3:14
7."Pipe"
2:49
8."Keeping Bars in Business"
3:45
9."Straight Up Sideways"
  • Wilson
  • Reid Isbell
  • Nix
  • Dan Alley
2:56
10."WWDD"
2:20
11."Rolling Stone"
  • Wilson
  • Tammi Kidd
  • Anderson
3:59
12."Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'"
  • Wilson
  • Jay Knowles
3:21
Total length:37:57

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'. [6]

Charts

Weekly charts

2021 weekly chart performance for Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
Chart (2021)Peak
position
US Current Album Sales ( Billboard ) [17] 94
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [18] 3
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [19] 40
2024 weekly chart performance for Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC) [20] 74
UK Country Albums (OCC) [21] 8

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
Chart (2021)Position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [22] 86

Release history

Release history and formats for Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesFebruary 19, 2021 BBR [12]
April 16, 2021 [6] [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dolly Parton</span> American country musician (born 1946)

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily for her decades-long career in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album debut in 1967 with Hello, I'm Dolly, which led to success during the remainder of the 1960s, before her sales and chart peak arrived during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Some of Parton's albums in the 1990s did not sell as well, but she achieved commercial success again in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000, including her own label, Dolly Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gretchen Wilson</span> American country singer

Gretchen Frances Wilson is an American country music singer and songwriter. She made her debut in March 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman", a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party. Wilson followed this album one year later with All Jacked Up, the title track of which became the highest-debuting single for a female country artist upon its 2005 release. A third album, One of the Boys, was released in 2007.

<i>Heartbreaker</i> (Dolly Parton album) 1978 studio album by Dolly Parton

Heartbreaker is the twentieth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on July 17, 1978, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Gary Klein and Parton with Charles Koppelman serving as executive producer, and was an even more direct aim at the pop charts, with several of its songs verging on disco. The album topped the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for nine consecutive weeks and peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200. The album produced two number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Heartbreaker" and "I Really Got the Feeling", while "Baby I'm Burnin'" peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album has been certified Gold in the United States and Canada.

<i>Hello, Im Dolly</i> 1967 studio album by Dolly Parton

Hello, I'm Dolly is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on September 18, 1967, by Monument Records. The album was produced by Fred Foster. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album spawned two top 40 hits, "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy", which peaked at numbers 24 and 17, respectively.

Rebecca Lynn Howard is an American country music artist. She has charted seven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and has released three studio albums. Her highest-charting single, "Forgive", peaked at No. 12 on the country music charts in 2002. She is a founding member of the country-rock group Loving Mary.

<i>Halos & Horns</i> 2002 studio album by Dolly Parton

Halos & Horns is the thirty-ninth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on July 9, 2002, by Sugar Hill Records and Blue Eye Records. It is the third album in Parton's critically acclaimed bluegrass trilogy, continuing her experimentation with folk and bluegrass sounds. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2003, while "Dagger Through the Heart" and "I'm Gone" were both nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Parton embarked on her first tour in 10 years in support of the album. The sold-out Halos & Horns Tour played 25 shows throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The album tracks "These Old Bones" and "Sugar Hill" were adapted into episodes of Dolly Parton's Heartstrings in 2019.

<i>Love Travels</i> 1997 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Love Travels is the tenth studio album by American country music artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released on February 4, 1997, via Mercury Records Nashville. The disc contained a total of 11 tracks that blended a mixture of different musical styles. Love Travels spawned four singles, two of which made the North American country songs charts: "455 Rocket" and the title track. The album itself reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart and was reviewed positively by critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madeline Merlo</span> Canadian country pop singer-songwriter (born 1994)

Madeline Rae Merlo is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. She signed to Open Road Recordings in 2013 and released her debut album, Free Soul, three years later. In 2015, Merlo received the "Rising Star" award from the Canadian Country Music Association. In 2021, she signed with the Nashville-based BBR Music Group, joining their imprint Wheelhouse Records, and later being re-assigned to Stoney Creek Records.

<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">Lainey Wilson</span> American country singer (born 1992)

Lainey Denay Wilson is an American country singer-songwriter. She performed at an early age, before going to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career as a country performer. In 2014, she released her first album on Cupit, followed by a second on Lone Chief in 2016. Wilson secured a publishing deal and later released an extended play (EP) in 2019 which included the song "Things a Man Oughta Know". In 2020, it was issued as a single through the BBR Music Group and eventually reached number one on the American country songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Things a Man Oughta Know</span> 2020 single by Lainey Wilson

"Things a Man Oughta Know" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in August 2020 as the second single from Wilson's Redneck Hollywood EP and would later be included on her 2021 album Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'. The song was written by Wilson, Jason Nix and Jonathan Singleton, and produced by Jay Joyce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainey Wilson discography</span>

The discography of American country music singer–songwriter Lainey Wilson includes five studio albums, three extended plays (EPs), seven music videos, 11 singles, and ten promotional singles; she has appeared on two additional albums. While still in high school, Wilson self-released an EP of songs on her Myspace account called Country Girls Rule. In 2014, her self-titled studio album was issued on the Cupit label and was later followed in 2016 by her second studio offering Tougher. The latter disc was her first to make Billboard Top Country Albums.

<i>Tougher</i> 2016 studio album by Lainey Wilson

Tougher is the second studio album by American country singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on April 8, 2016, via Lone Chief Records and contained 10 tracks. It was the second record released in Wilson's career and her first to gain traction on the American country albums chart. The project's title track was released as the lead single from the album in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Say Never (Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson song)</span> 2021 single by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson

"Never Say Never" is a song by American country music singers Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson. It was released on November 19, 2021, as the second single from Swindell's fourth studio album Stereotype. Swindell co-wrote the song with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill, and it was produced by Zach Crowell. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in April 2022, becoming Swindell's seventh number one single, and Wilson's second.

<i>Redneck Hollywood</i> 2019 EP by Lainey Wilson

Redneck Hollywood is an extended play (EP) by American country singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on September 13, 2019, via the BBR Music Group and contained four tracks. Two songs from the collection were spawned as singles: "Dirty Looks" (2019) and "Things a Man Oughta Know" (2020).

<i>Palomino</i> (Miranda Lambert album) 2022 studio album by Miranda Lambert

Palomino is the ninth studio album by American country music singer Miranda Lambert, released through Vanner Records and RCA Records Nashville on April 29, 2022. It is her eighth solo studio album. Lambert produced the album alongside Luke Dick and Jon Randall and co-wrote 14 of the 15 tracks. It was preceded by the single "If I Was a Cowboy". This is her last album with Sony Music Nashville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart Like a Truck</span> 2022 single by Lainey Wilson

"Heart Like a Truck" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in May 2022 as the lead single from her third studio album, Bell Bottom Country. It was written by Wilson, Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson, and was produced by Jay Joyce. Described as a "song about triumph", the track has received praise for Wilson's passionate and powerful vocals and for its poignant and raw lyrics. The song reached number 2 for two weeks on the Country Airplay chart.

<i>Bell Bottom Country</i> 2022 studio album by Lainey Wilson

Bell Bottom Country is the fourth studio album by American country singer Lainey Wilson. Released on October 28, 2022, by BBR Music Group, the album serves as the follow-up to her third studio album, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' (2021). It was preceded by the single "Heart Like a Truck". Sonically, the album combines country with elements of '70s rock, funk and soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watermelon Moonshine</span> 2023 single by Lainey Wilson

"Watermelon Moonshine" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in May 2023 as the second single from her third studio album, Bell Bottom Country. It was written by Wilson, Josh Kear, and Jordan Schmidt, and was produced by Jay Joyce.

<i>Whirlwind</i> (Lainey Wilson album) 2024 studio album by Lainey Wilson

Whirlwind is the fifth studio album by American country singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on August 23, 2024, by BBR Music Group. The lead single from the album is "Hang Tight Honey".

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin': Lainey Wilson: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Freeman, Jon (December 23, 2021). "Lainey Wilson Doesn't Sound Like Anyone Else in Nashville. It Helped Make 2021 Her Year". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 Deming, Mark. "Lainey Wilson Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  4. 1 2 Nicholson, Jessica (January 28, 2021). "Lainey Wilson Preps Studio Project "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'"". Country Music Television . Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Chua, Jeremy (February 22, 2021). "Lainey Wilson's 'Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' Is Throwback Country Perfection". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Lainey Wilson (2021). Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' (CD booklet). Broken Bow Records. 538658101.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Crone, Madeline (February 2021). "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin Set Lainey Wilson Free". American Songwriter . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Longmire, Becca (March 27, 2020). "Rising Country Star Lainey Wilson Pays Tribute To Her 'Idol & Queen' Dolly Parton In New Track 'WWDD'". ET Canada . Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  9. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (May 9, 2022). "Consumer Guide: March, 2022" . And It Don't Stop. Substack . Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  10. ↑ Dukes, Billy. "Album Review: Lainey Wilson, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin". Taste of Country . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  11. ↑ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip. "Lainey Wilson – "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'" review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin by Lainey Wilson". Apple Music . Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  13. 1 2 Wilson, Lainey (April 16, 2021). "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". BBR Music Group . 58101.
  14. ↑ "Lainey Wilson chart history (Country Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  15. ↑ "New at Noon – Lainey Wilson "Dirty Looks"". WJVL . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  16. ↑ Freeman, Jon (September 23, 2021). "Lainey Wilson Flips Tammy Wynette's Immortal Advice in 'Things a Man Oughta Know'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  17. ↑ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Current Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard.
  19. ↑ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard.
  20. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
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.