That Lonesome Song

Last updated
That Lonesome Song
LonesomeSong.jpg
Studio album by
Jamey Johnson
ReleasedAugust 5, 2008 (2008-08-05)
Genre Country
Length56:23
Label Mercury Nashville
Producer Dave Cobb
The Kent Hardly Playboys
Jamey Johnson chronology
The Dollar
(2006)		That Lonesome Song
(2008)		 The Guitar Song
(2010)
Singles from That Lonesome Song
  1. "In Color"
    Released: March 17, 2008
  2. "High Cost of Living"
    Released: March 2009
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Country Standard Time favorable [2]
Country Weekly Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [3]
Engine 145Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4]

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 (see 2008 in country music) 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.

Contents

History

Johnson's previous major-label album, The Dollar , was released in 2006 via BNA Records. It accounted for only one chart single before restructuring of the label forced him to be dropped from its roster. [5] He then went into a reclusive state, staying at a friend's house, where he continued to work on writing songs, including the Number One hits "Give It Away" for George Strait and "Ladies Love Country Boys" for Trace Adkins.

In April 2007, he returned to the recording studio to begin work on his second album, [6] despite not being signed to a label at the time. After the album was complete, he issued it to digital retailers. [5] The album caught the attention of Luke Lewis from Mercury Nashville Records, a label to which Johnson was then signed shortly afterward. Mercury acquired the album as well, issuing "In Color" as its lead-off single. The song, which Johnson co-wrote with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto, charted in the Top 10 on the country charts, and That Lonesome Song was physically issued by Mercury in August 2008. The Mercury re-issue includes three songs not found on the original ("Mowin' Down The Roses", "The Last Cowboy", and "Between Jennings and Jones"), while two other tracks from the initial release ("Next Ex Thing" and "Leave You Alone") were omitted. Two Waylon Jennings songs are covered on the album as well: "Dreaming My Dreams with You" and "The Door Is Always Open", the latter of which was a Number One Hit for Dave & Sugar.

Dave Cobb co-produced the tracks "Place Out on the Ocean" and "Between Jennings and Jones" with Johnson's road band, the Kent Hardly Playboys (which was composed of Wayd Battle, Jim "Moose" Brown, T.W. Cargile, Kevin "Swine" Grantt, "Cowboy" Eddie Long and Dave Macafee). The Kent Hardly Playboys produced the remainder of the album. [7] Former Alabama bass guitarist Teddy Gentry plays bass guitar on "Stars in Alabama". [7]

Singles

"In Color"

"In Color" was the first single from the album, released in March 2008. Written by Johnson along with Lee Thomas Miller and Warner Bros. Records artist James Otto, the song became Johnson's first chart single since "The Dollar" in 2005-2006. It reached a peak of number 9 on the country singles charts in January 2009. The song was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance—Male and Best Country Song at the 51st Grammy Awards, and won Song of the Year at the Country Music Association awards on November 11, 2009, and at the Academy of Country Music awards on April 5, 2009.

"High Cost of Living"

"High Cost of Living", the album's second single, was released nearly a year after "In Color". This song is a mid-tempo in which the male narrator warns of the consequences of drug addiction; the singer begins smoking pot out of boredom but loses his home, family and sense of direction and is eventually busted for "cocaine and a whore" in a hotel room and sent to prison. He uses the line "The high cost of livin' ain't nothin' like the cost of livin' high" to explain the toll that the vices have had on his life. It peaked at number 34 on the country charts in May 2009.

Kevin J. Coyne of Country Universe.net gave the song an A rating, saying that "[i]t speaks to Johnson’s confidence as a singer and a writer that he is willing to give voice to a character whose actions should deem him unlikable. Through the careful construction of a remorse-laden inner monologue, Johnson gives his character dignity[…]Like so much of great art, it illuminates the humanity that hides in the shadows of shame and sorrowful regret." [8] It was number 38 on Rolling Stone 's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008. [9]

Critical acclaim

Rhapsody (online music service) ranked the album number 5 on its "Country’s Best Albums of the Decade" list. [10] "The quality of Jamey Johnson's storytelling is second only to that of his deep, buttery baritone -- and both are used beautifully on his sophomore effort, That Lonesome Song. Gone are the redneck anthems that dotted his debut, and in their place are songs of loss, growing pains and morning-after regrets. Accolades were heaped on That Lonesome Song upon its release, hailing Johnson for returning country to its proper owners: the downtrodden, heartbroken screw-ups of the world. It could be that commercialization of country has reached a saturation point and Johnson is helping kick off a new outlaw movement, but another decade will be needed to see how that pans out." Engine 145 named it as the number 1 country album of the decade. [11] CMT named it under "A Dozen Favorite Country Albums of the Decade." [12]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Released" 0:38
2."High Cost of Living"Jamey Johnson, James T. Slater 5:45
3."Angel"Johnson, Jeff Bates 4:28
4."Place Out on the Ocean"Johnson4:02
5."Mowin' Down the Roses"Johnson, Jeremy Popoff4:21
6."The Door Is Always Open" Dickey Lee, Bob McDill 3:35
7."Mary Go Round"Johnson, Wyatt Beard4:52
8."In Color"Johnson, James Otto, Lee Thomas Miller 4:50
9."The Last Cowboy"Johnson, Rob Hatch, Teddy Gentry4:16
10."That Lonesome Song"Johnson, Kendell Marvel, Wayd Battle4:01
11."Dreaming My Dreams" Allen Reynolds 4:12
12."Women"Johnson, Jim Brown3:27
13."Stars in Alabama"Johnson, Gentry3:45
14."Between Jennings and Jones"Johnson, Buddy Cannon 4:11

Personnel

As listed in liner notes. [7]

Charts

That Lonesome Song debuted at number 6 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart. The album has sold 620,000 copies as of November, 2009, [13] and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart
positions
US Country US
2008"In Color"952
2009"High Cost of Living"34—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Certifications

Region Certification
United States (RIAA) [21] Platinum

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Kentucky Headhunters</span> American country rock and Southern rock band

The Kentucky Headhunters are an American country rock and Southern rock band originating in the state of Kentucky. The band's members are Doug Phelps, Greg Martin, and brothers Richard Young and Fred Young. They were founded in 1968 as Itchy Brother, which consisted of the Young brothers and Martin, along with Anthony Kenney on bass guitar and vocals. Itchy Brother performed together until 1982, with James Harrison replacing Martin from 1973 to 1976. The Youngs and Martin began performing as The Kentucky Headhunters in 1986, adding brothers Ricky Lee Phelps and Doug Phelps to the membership.

<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">Shooter Jennings</span> American musician

Waylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He is the only son of country singers Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. In a career spanning over two decades, Shooter Jennings has explored a variety of genres as part of his eclectic sound, including southern rock, country, hard rock, blues rock, electronica and rock and roll.

<i>Long Stretch of Lonesome</i> 1997 studio album by Patty Loveless

Long Stretch of Lonesome is an album released by Patty Loveless in 1997. Three singles charted in the top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Highlights are "High on Love," "To Have You Back Again" and the George Jones-backed "You Don't Seem to Miss Me," each of which both charted in the top 20. "High on Love" was co-written by Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The single "Like Water Into Wine" charted at number 57, the first of Loveless' singles since 1986 to not chart in the country top 40. The album went on to be certified Gold for shipments of over 500,000 copies in the U.S.

<i>Put the "O" Back in Country</i> 2005 studio album by Shooter Jennings

Put the "O" Back in Country is the first album by Shooter Jennings. This album was released on March 1, 2005 on the Universal South label.

<i>Dreaming My Dreams</i> (Waylon Jennings album) 1975 studio album by Waylon Jennings

Dreaming My Dreams is the twenty-second studio album by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. The album was co-produced with Jack Clement and recorded at Glaser Sound Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, between February and July 1974.

<i>Horse of a Different Color</i> (Big & Rich album) 2004 studio album by Big & Rich

Horse of a Different Color is the debut studio album by American country music duo Big & Rich, released on May 4, 2004, by Warner Bros. Nashville. The album contains the hit singles "Wild West Show", "Save a Horse ", "Holy Water", and "Big Time". Respectively, these reached No. 21, No. 11, No. 15, and No. 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The album was certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA for shipments of three million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Otto</span> American country music artist (born 1973)

James Allen Otto is an American country music singer and songwriter. Otto began his career on Mercury Nashville Records in 2002, charting three minor singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and recording his debut album Days of Our Lives for the label before being dropped in 2004.

<i>Troubadour</i> (George Strait album) 2008 studio album by George Strait

Troubadour is the twenty-fifth studio album by American country music singer George Strait. It was released on April 1, 2008 on MCA Nashville Records. The album comprises twelve tracks, including two duets. The lead-off single, "I Saw God Today", was the highest-debuting single of Strait's career, and his forty-third Number One on the Billboard country charts. The album has been certified platinum by the RIAA. At the 51st Grammy Awards, Troubadour earned the Grammy Award for Best Country Album, the first Grammy win of Strait's career. The album was intended to include the song "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven", but after Strait decided not to include it on the album, it was later recorded by Kenny Chesney, and was released as the first single from his album Lucky Old Sun. "It Was Me" was originally recorded by Jamey Johnson on his 2006 album, The Dollar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Color (song)</span> 2008 single by Jamey Johnson

"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.

<i>Time Flies</i> (John Michael Montgomery album) 2008 studio album by John Michael Montgomery

Time Flies is the tenth studio album from American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released October 14, 2008 on his own label, Stringtown Records, as his first studio album since Letters from Home four years previous. Three singles have been released from it. The first two, "Mad Cowboy Disease" and "If You Ever Went Away", both failed to chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. "Forever", the third single, became his first Top 40 country hit since "Letters from Home" in 2004, peaking at number 28.

<i>Keys to the Highway</i> 1989 studio album by Rodney Crowell

Keys to the Highway is the sixth studio album by country music artist Rodney Crowell, released in 1989 by Columbia Records. It peaked at number 15 on the Top Country Albums chart. The songs, "Many a Long & Lonesome Highway", "If Looks Could Kill", "My Past Is Present", "Now That We're Alone" and "Things I Wish I'd Said" were released as singles. The last single failed to reach the top 40.

<i>Ride Through the Country</i> 2008 studio album by Colt Ford

Ride Through the Country is the debut album released by country rap artist Colt Ford. It was released on December 2, 2008, on the independent Average Joe's label. It features guest appearances by John Michael Montgomery on the title track as well as an appearance from Jamey Johnson on "Cold Beer". "Dirt Road Anthem" was later covered by co-writer Brantley Gilbert on his album Halfway to Heaven, and once again by Jason Aldean for his album My Kinda Party, both from 2010.

<i>Album Number Two</i> 2010 studio album by Joey Rory

Album Number Two is the second studio album from country music duo Joey + Rory. The album was released to the public on September 14, 2010, via Vanguard Records and Sugar Hill Records. Its lead single, "This Song's for You," was released to country radio on July 20, 2010. However, the single failed to enter the Hot Country Songs chart. The album's second single "That's Important to Me" was released to country radio in October 2010, and debuted at number 58 on the chart week ending February 12, 2011.

<i>The Guitar Song</i> 2010 studio album by Jamey Johnson

The Guitar Song is the third studio album from American country artist Jamey Johnson. It was released in the United States on September 14, 2010 through Mercury Nashville.

<i>Im American</i> 2011 studio album by Billy Ray Cyrus

I'm American is the twelfth studio album released by American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus.

<i>Kentucky Thunder</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Ricky Skaggs

Kentucky Thunder is the tenth studio album by American country music artist Ricky Skaggs. It was released in 1989 via Epic Records. The album peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whiskey Myers</span> U.S. musical group

Whiskey Myers is an American Southern rock/country group from Palestine, Texas composed of Cody Cannon, John Jeffers, Cody Tate, Jeff Hogg (drums), Tony Kent (percussion/drums), and Jamey Gleaves (bass). They have released six albums, the latest being Tornillo released in July 2022.

<i>Living for a Song</i> 2012 studio album by Jamey Johnson

Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran is the fourth studio album by American country music singer Jamey Johnson. It was released in October 2012 via Mercury Nashville on both compact disc and LP record. The album is a tribute to songwriter Hank Cochran.

<i>Ripcord</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Keith Urban

Ripcord is the ninth studio album by New Zealand-born Australian country music singer Keith Urban. It was released on 6 May 2016 via Hit Red and Capitol Records Nashville. The album produced the singles "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16"; "Break on Me", "Wasted Time", "Blue Ain't Your Color", and "The Fighter". It also features musical artists Nile Rodgers, Pitbull, and Carrie Underwood. Just like his previous album Fuse (2013), Urban co-worked with multiple producers on this one.

References

  1. ↑ "That Lonesome Song review". Allmusic . Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  2. ↑ Remz, Jeffrey B. "Jamey Johnson - That Lonesome Song". Country Standard Time . Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  3. ↑ "That Lonesome Song". Country Weekly . Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  4. ↑ Vercher, Brady. "Album Review: Jamey Johnson – That Lonesome Song". Engine 145. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  5. 1 2 Tucker, Ken (July 11, 2008). "Singer Johnson starts fresh after "Lonesome" time". Yahoo! News. Retrieved July 25, 2008.[ dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Jamey Johnson Releases That Lonesome Song". UMG Nashville. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  7. 1 2 3 That Lonesome Song (CD). Jamey Johnson. Mercury Records. 2008. B0011237-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ John, Kevin (January 29, 2009). "Country Universe – A Country Music Blog » Jamey Johnson, "High Cost of Living"". Countryuniverse.net. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  9. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2008". Rolling Stone (December 25, 2008). Retrieved December 25, 2008
  10. ↑ "Country’s Best Albums of the Decade" Archived January 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Top Country Albums of the Decade (#1-#10)" Archived October 24, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  12. ↑ "A Dozen Favorite Country Albums of the Decade" Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  13. ↑ Jamey Johnson's 'In Color' Award Sends Album Sales Soaring
  14. ↑ "Jamey Johnson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Jamey Johnson Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  21. ↑ "American album certifications – Jamey Johnson – That Lonesome Song". Recording Industry Association of America.
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.