Starting Over (Chris Stapleton album)

Last updated

Starting Over
Chris Stapleton Starting Over.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 13, 2020
Genre Country
Length54:00
Label Mercury Nashville
Producer
Chris Stapleton chronology
From A Room: Volume 2
(2017)
Starting Over
(2020)
Higher
(2023)
Singles from Starting Over
  1. "Starting Over"
    Released: August 28, 2020
  2. "Cold"
    Released: September 25, 2020
  3. "You Should Probably Leave"
    Released: May 17, 2021
  4. "Joy of My Life"
    Released: March 22, 2022

Starting Over is the fourth studio album by American musician Chris Stapleton. The album was released on November 13, 2020, by Mercury Nashville. [1] [2] At the 64th Grammy Awards it won the award for Best Country Album. [3]

Contents

Composition

The singer-songwriter's fourth recording project consists of fourteen tracks produced with Dave Cobb, and features writing by John Fogerty, Mike Henderson, Mike Campbell, Susanna Clarke and Guy Clark. [4] Interviewed by Vulture Magazine , Stapleton said: [5] "There’s a lot on this record that I’m finding out, as I’m starting to talk about it a bit, was very reactionary and in the moment. On previous records, there was songwriting that probably took place in a working songwriter vacuum, that sat around for a number of years and found a purpose when it was time to make a record. [...] This project is much more about my current day-to-day life."

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 81/100 [6]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
American Songwriter Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [9]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

Starting Over received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 81, which indicates "universal acclaim", based on 10 reviews. [6]

Jonathan Bernstein of Rolling Stone reports that "Starting Over feels comfortable experimenting with whatever its author throws at it" as Stapleton "digs deep into familiar territory, spinning a fiery tale of liberation", finding it a "sincere tale". [11]

Chris Willman of Variety finds that "Starting Over is not intended to live up to its title; if anyone is so solid in his musical convictions that he could never try to reinvent himself, it's Stapleton. But it would be hard to consider an album that contains not just one but two Guy Clark covers that pay homage to one of Stapleton's songwriting heroes as banal". [13]

Jeremy Winograd of Slant Magazine finds the arrangements of the songs "sparse and uncluttered" leaving the singer-songwriter's voice "raw". Although he finds the vocal presence of his wife Morgane a testament to the songs' authenticity, he writes that "predictably, it only shifts his focus from love and tenderness to mild hedonism" finding them "largely limited". [12]

Awards

Awards and nominations for Starting Over
YearAwardCategoryResultRef.
2021 Country Music Association Awards Album of the Year Won [14]
Academy of Country Music Awards Album of the YearWon [15]
2022 Grammy Awards Best Country Album Won [3]

Commercial performance

Starting Over debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 selling 103,000 units in its first week. [16]

Track listing

All tracks are produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton.

Starting Over track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Starting Over"4:00
2."Devil Always Made Me Think Twice"
3:51
3."Cold"
  • C. Stapleton
  • Cobb
  • J.T. Cure
  • Derek Mixon
5:09
4."When I'm with You"C. Stapleton3:43
5."Arkansas"
2:58
6."Joy of My Life" John Fogerty 4:34
7."Hillbilly Blood"C. Stapleton4:05
8."Maggie's Song"C. Stapleton3:31
9."Whiskey Sunrise"
3:22
10."Worry B Gone"3:15
11."Old Friends"4:01
12."Watch You Burn"
  • C. Stapleton
  • Campbell
4:03
13."You Should Probably Leave"3:33
14."Nashville, TN"
3:35
Total length:54:00

Personnel

Adapted from liner notes. [17]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Starting Over
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [33] Platinum80,000
United States (RIAA) [34] Platinum1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Preachers Wife</i> (soundtrack) 1996 soundtrack album by Whitney Houston

The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack to the 1996 film of the same name and features songs performed and produced by American singer Whitney Houston, who also stars in the film. The soundtrack was released on November 26, 1996, by Arista Records and BMG Entertainment. With sales of 6 million copies worldwide, it is the best-selling gospel album of all time.

<i>Fearless</i> (Taylor Swift album) 2008 studio album by Taylor Swift

Fearless is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Under Big Machine Records imprint, it was released in the U.S. and Canada on November 11, 2008, and elsewhere on March 9, 2009. Written largely by Swift while she was promoting her 2006 self-titled debut album in 2007–2008, Fearless features additional songwriting credits from Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey, Colbie Caillat, and John Rich. Swift wrote seven of the standard edition's 13 tracks by herself and, in her debut as a record producer, co-produced the album with Nathan Chapman.

<i>Them Crooked Vultures</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Them Crooked Vultures

Them Crooked Vultures is the debut studio album by American rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures. It was released on November 13, 2009. The first single from the album, "New Fang", was released on October 26, 2009, followed by "Mind Eraser, No Chaser" on November 3. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, selling 70,000 units in the US in its first week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Stapleton</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1978)

Christopher Alvin Stapleton is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in Staffordsville, Kentucky. In 2001, Stapleton moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue an engineering degree from Vanderbilt University but dropped out to pursue his career in music. Subsequently, Stapleton signed a contract with Sea Gayle Music to write and publish his music.

<i>Speak Now</i> 2010 album by Taylor Swift

Speak Now is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 25, 2010, through Big Machine Records. Swift wrote the album entirely herself within two years while touring to promote her second studio album, Fearless (2008).

<i>Traveller</i> (Chris Stapleton album) 2015 studio album by Chris Stapleton

Traveller is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton. The album was produced by Dave Cobb and Stapleton, and was released on May 5, 2015, through Mercury Nashville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Stapleton discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton has released four studio albums, one EP, 21 singles, six promotional singles, and three music videos. His debut solo album, Traveller, was released on May 5, 2015, by Mercury Nashville. It reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and gold by Music Canada. Its album track "Tennessee Whiskey" was certified quadruple Platinum in the US and reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the single "Nobody to Blame" reached the top 10 on the US Country Airplay chart. Stapleton's second studio album From A Room: Volume 1 was released on May 5, 2017, and Volume 2, on December 1. Traveller and Volume 1 were the best-selling country albums of 2016 and 2017, respectively. Volume 1 and Volume 2 both debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.

<i>From A Room: Volume 1</i> 2017 studio album by Chris Stapleton

From A Room: Volume 1 is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, released on May 5, 2017 through Mercury Nashville. Primarily a country, blues, and roots rock record, it was produced by Dave Cobb and Stapleton.

<i>From A Room: Volume 2</i> 2017 studio album by Chris Stapleton

From A Room: Volume 2 is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, released on December 1, 2017, through Mercury Nashville. Produced by Dave Cobb and Stapleton, the album comprises a range of music styles, including country, Southern rock and Southern soul. Commercially, it debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200. It received a nomination for Best Country Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, with the single "Millionaire" being nominated for Best Country Solo Performance.

<i>What Makes You Country</i> 2017 studio album by Luke Bryan

What Makes You Country is the sixth studio album by American country music singer Luke Bryan. It was released on December 8, 2017, by Capitol Nashville. The album includes the singles "Light It Up", "Most People Are Good", "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset", and the title track.

<i>Man of the Woods</i> 2018 studio album by Justin Timberlake

Man of the Woods is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. It was released on February 2, 2018. The production of the album was handled by Timberlake, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Danja, J-Roc, Eric Hudson, and Rob Knox. The album sees Timberlake experimenting with elements of R&B, funk, pop, soul, and Americana. The album is named after his son Silas, whose name means "Man of the forest". The album's first single "Filthy" was released on January 5, 2018, followed by "Supplies" and "Say Something" on January 19 and 26, respectively. The album track "Man of the Woods" was also accompanied by a music video.

<i>Threads</i> (Sheryl Crow album) 2019 studio album by Sheryl Crow

Threads is the eleventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. The album was released on August 30, 2019, by Big Machine Records. Threads is a collaborative album featuring many of Crow's musical friends, heroes and newer artists. Crow has stated that Threads will possibly be her final album to instead focus on releasing individual tracks. The album reached number 30 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the US.

<i>Over It</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Summer Walker

Over It is the debut studio album by American singer Summer Walker. It was released on October 4, 2019, by LVRN and Interscope. It spawned the singles "Playing Games", "Stretch You Out" and "Come Thru". It also features the remix of Walker's "Girls Need Love" featuring Drake. It also features collaborations with Bryson Tiller, Usher, 6lack, PartyNextDoor, A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Jhené Aiko. Most of the album was produced by Walker's then-boyfriend, London on da Track. Walker's First and Last Tour supported the album, starting October 25, 2019.

<i>Gaslighter</i> (album) 2020 studio album by the Chicks

Gaslighter is the eighth studio album by American country band The Chicks. It was released on July 17, 2020, by Columbia Records. Produced by Jack Antonoff and the Chicks, it is the group's first album in fourteen years, and first to be released under their new name The album was preceded by the release of three singles: "Gaslighter", "Julianna Calm Down", and "March March". The album received critical acclaim.

<i>Chemtrails over the Country Club</i> 2021 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Chemtrails over the Country Club is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on March 19, 2021, by Interscope and Polydor Records. After working with him on her previous studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019), Del Rey enlisted producer Jack Antonoff as her co-producer for the majority of the album, while previous collaborator Rick Nowels produced one of the album's tracks. The album features collaborations with Nikki Lane, Weyes Blood, and Zella Day.

<i>Fearless (Taylors Version)</i> 2021 re-recorded album by Taylor Swift

Fearless (Taylor's Version) is the first re-recorded album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on April 9, 2021, via Republic Records. It is the re-recording of Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008), a counter-measure by Swift following the 2019 dispute over the ownership of her back catalog released by Big Machine Records. It includes six previously unreleased "From the Vault" tracks. Of the re-recorded tracks, 13 are from the original Fearless release, six are from the 2009 Platinum Edition, and one was a soundtrack single ("Today Was a Fairytale").

<i>Red (Taylors Version)</i> 2021 re-recorded album by Taylor Swift

Red (Taylor's Version) is the second re-recorded album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Released via Republic Records on November 12, 2021, as a part of Swift's countermeasure against the purchase of the masters of her back catalog, the album is the re-recording of Swift's fourth studio album, Red (2012), and follows the first re-recording, Fearless (Taylor's Version) (2021).

"I Bet You Think About Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton. Swift wrote the song with Lori McKenna in June 2011 and produced it with Aaron Dessner for her second re-recorded album, Red . Republic Records and MCA Nashville sent the song to U.S. country radio on November 15, 2021, as a single from the album.

<i>Star-Crossed</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Kacey Musgraves

Star-Crossed is the fifth studio album by American singer Kacey Musgraves. It was released on September 10, 2021, by MCA Nashville and Interscope Records. Musgraves co-wrote and co-produced the album with American musicians Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian, with whom she collaborated on her fourth studio album, Golden Hour (2018), as well.

<i>A Beautiful Time</i> 2022 studio album by Willie Nelson

A Beautiful Time is the 72nd solo studio album by Willie Nelson, released on April 29, 2022, on his 89th birthday. Produced by Buddy Cannon, the album includes original songs by Nelson, as well as covers of the Beatles and Leonard Cohen.

References

  1. Joseph Hudak (August 27, 2020). "Chris Stapleton Previews New Album 'Starting Over': Hear Title Track". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  2. "Starting Over by Chris Stapleton on Apple Music". Apple Music. November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Grammy Awards 2022: Main nominees". BBC News . November 23, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  4. "Chris Stapleton On 'Starting Over' And Writing For The Moment". NPR.org. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  5. Jenkins, Craig (November 12, 2020). "Chris Stapleton Is Still Molding Country Music Into His Own Image". Vulture. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Starting Over by Chris Stapleton Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  7. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Starting Over - Chris Stapleton". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  8. Zimmerman, Lee (November 20, 2020). "Chris Stapleton Takes His Time 'Starting Over'". Americansongwriter.com. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  9. "Album reviews: Chris Stapleton, Benee, McFly and Sophie Ellis-Bextor" . The Independent. November 12, 2020. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  10. Jonathan Bernstein (November 24, 2020). "Chris Stapleton: Starting Over". PopMatters. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  11. 1 2 Jonathan Bernstein (November 12, 2020). "Chris Stapleton's 'Starting Over' Is a Forward-Looking Throwback". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Review: Chris Stapleton's Starting Over Is a Heartfelt, If Derivative, Album". Slant Magazine. November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  13. Willman, Chris (November 13, 2020). "Chris Stapleton's 'Starting Over' Review: The Bearded Face of Country Integrity Stays the Course". Variety . Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  14. "Final Nominees For "The 55th Annual CMA Awards" To Be Announced Thursday, Sept. 9". The 55th Annual CMA Awards. September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  15. Zhan, Jennifer (April 19, 2021). "Maren Morris, Luke Bryan Win Big at 2021 ACM Awards". Vulture. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  16. "Chris Stapleton's 'Starting Over' Starts at No. 1 on Top Country Albums Chart". Billboard . November 24, 2020.
  17. Starting Over (CD booklet). Chris Stapleton. Mercury Records Nashville. 2020. B0032689-01.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. "Australiancharts.com – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  19. "Ultratop.be – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  20. "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  21. "Dutchcharts.nl – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  22. "Offiziellecharts.de – Chris Stapleton – {{{album}}}" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  23. "Swedishcharts.com – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  24. "Swisscharts.com – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  25. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  26. "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  27. "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  28. "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  29. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  30. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  31. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  32. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  33. "Canadian album certifications – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over". Music Canada . Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  34. "American album certifications – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 1, 2023.