Summary
"Starting Over" is a song co-written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, released on August 28, 2020 as the lead single from his fourth studio album of the same name, released on November 13, 2020. The song features background vocals from Stapleton's wife Morgane.[1]
| "Starting Over" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Chris Stapleton | ||||
| from the album Starting Over | ||||
| Released | August 28, 2020 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:00 | |||
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Chris Stapleton singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio video | ||||
| "Starting Over" on YouTube | ||||
Background edit
In late August 2020, Stapleton wiped all his social media pages clean. On August 26, he posted a cryptic video and the following day previewed the track, along with another song titled "Watch You Burn",[2] while also announcing that his next album would be titled Starting Over. The song is Stapleton's first single since 2018's "Millionaire", although, during his break, he collaborated with other artists, including Justin Timberlake, Pink, and John Mayer.[3] Stapleton played the track while on tour in late 2019.[3] It was written by him and his SteelDrivers bandmate Mike Henderson.[2]
Stapleton performed the song live for the first time at the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards.[4]
Composition edit
"Starting Over" carries a "raw, stripped down and vulnerable" theme,[3] with Stapleton singing of looking for new horizons, in "perpetual motion".[2] The love song fuses acoustic guitar chords and a percussive shake,[5] while drummer Derek Mixon delivers a "brushed" snare rhythm, which Rolling Stone's Joseph Hudak said evokes Willie Nelson's version of "City of New Orleans". The song is reminiscent of Stapleton's rustic sound, aided by the Hammond B3 organ played by Benmont Tench.[2]
Critical reception edit
Rolling Stone's Joseph Hudak highlighted the single, stating it "is for a new day and, like its title implies, a fresh start", while noting that Stapleton "admits, the road is long and hard, but with loved ones by our side [...] we'll get where we're going".[2] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz listed it among the most essential releases of the week, and, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, said the song is "designed for this moment, an exhalation in the middle of an anxiety-stricken year, with Stapleton's gruff voice providing hope for a better future".[6]
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[18] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[19] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[20] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ LeimKeuhler, Matthew (August 27, 2020). "Chris Stapleton is 'Starting Over' on new song: Listen". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Hudak, Joseph (August 31, 2020). "Song You Need to Know: Chris Stapleton, 'Starting Over'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Dukes, Billy (August 26, 2020). "Chris Stapleton's 'Starting Over' Begins a New, Unwritten Chapter". Taste of Country. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ @CountryMusic (November 9, 2020). "Just announced!! Two-time #CMAawards nominee this year @ChrisStapleton will take the stage to perform his new singl…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Dukes, Billy (August 31, 2020). "Chris Stapleton's 'Starting Over' Is a Simple and Sweet Acoustic Love Song". Taste of Country. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (August 28, 2020). "First Stream: New Music From Blackpink & Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, The Weeknd & More". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Chris Stapleton Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs, August 28, 2020 - September 3, 2020". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over". Music Canada. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 24, 2023.