| "Stoned" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by Parker McCollum | |
| from the album Never Enough | |
| Released | December 2, 2022 |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 3:08 |
| Label | MCA Nashville |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Jon Randall |
| Audio video | |
| "Stoned" on YouTube | |
"Stoned" is a song by American country music singer Parker McCollum. It was released on December 2, 2022, as a promotional single from his fourth studio album Never Enough . It was written by Mark Holman, Brett James, and Parker McCollum, and produced by Jon Randall.
"Stoned" was initially intended to be released alongside McCollum's upcoming album, Never Enough , but strong fan interest led to its early release on December 2, 2022. [1] [2] In a statement, McCollum explained, "This song says so much while saying so little, which is exactly how I like it to be. I hope they love it!" [3] He had previously teased "Stoned" along with "Handle on You" as a track from the then-untitled follow-up to his 2021 album, Gold Chain Cowboy . [3] The single also served to build anticipation for McCollum's 2023 touring schedule, including headlining dates and select shows on Morgan Wallen's One Night at a Time Tour. [1] [2]
McCollum debuted "Stoned" during his 2022 live shows before its official release, making it a familiar among fans even before the studio version dropped. [4] The single's release coincided with the announcement of his 2023 tour dates, which included support from artists such as Corey Kent, Catie Offerman, Jackson Dean, Flatland Cavalry, Larry Fleet, and the Randy Rogers Band. [1]
Co-written with hit songwriters Brett James and Mark Holman, "Stoned" is a somber, reflective ballad that finds McCollum coping with feelings of loneliness and emotional disconnection. [1] The song is set to slow-strummed acoustic guitar chords. [5] The song illustrates the emotional weight McCollum carries post-breakup and his attempt to manage pain through self-medication. [3] His vocals, described as "scratching at the door begging for someone to hear his cries," emphasize the desperation underlying the track's message. [3]
"Stoned" aligns with McCollum's established songwriting themes of heartbreak, confusion, and longing, while further showcasing his ability to deliver vulnerability with restraint. [1] "This song is a confession," he shared, "about why I stay stoned." [3]
"Stoned" was received as an authentic and emotionally rich continuation of McCollum's signature style. Its simple, direct lyricism was noted for its ability to express complex emotions without overstatement. [1] Critics and fans alike highlighted the track's raw honesty and alignment with traditional country themes of sorrow and escapism. [4]
The song's nostalgic quality drew comparisons to Hank Williams, with The Nash News stating that McCollum's "storytelling and vocal inflections bring a sense of 'old-school country' back into the forefront." [4] The use of heartbreak and substance use as coping mechanisms ties into a longstanding tradition in country music, but McCollum delivers it through a modern, emotionally nuanced lens. [4]
Musicians
Technical
Visuals
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [6] | 40 |