Remember When Chris Stapleton Released His First Solo Single?
Two years before his critically-acclaimed album Traveller, Chris Stapleton released his debut single, "What Are You Listening To?"
In November of 2015, Chris Stapleton took the country world by storm when he swept the CMA Awards with his critically-acclaimed album, Traveller. The project was a smash and earned him 10 CMA and ACM Awards, as well as two Grammy trophies, in the year following its debut.
But two years before Traveller forged its own path, Stapleton released a highly underrated single, “What Are You Listening To?”
Stapleton signed with Mercury Nashville in 2013 and released “What Are You Listening To?” in October of that year. The mid-speed ballad uses music as a reference point between two ex-lovers as a heartbroken man is pondering what his former lady is doing with herself, all in terms of what song she is listening to. Stapleton takes listeners through various scenarios, hoping she’s as love-scorn as he is, before coming to the conclusion that she could be listening to a love song thinking about someone new.
Chris Stapleton; “What Are You Listening To?” cover art
“What are you listening to/Is it a cover band in some college town bar / Where it’s na-na-na’s and air guitars / Or is it something to get you through/Just a sad song playing on the radio station / Tears still fall and hearts still breakin’ / Cause you’re hanging on/Or is it a love song about someone new / What are you listening to?” the Kentucky-native croons in the chorus.
Despite top-notch lyrics and melodies, Stapleton’s first single fizzled out. The track was recorded as part of an album that was never released and after its lack of response, Stapleton switched gears and resulted in Traveller.
It’s been exactly two years since we’ve been graced with a new album from Stapleton, but tomorrow that all changes. His second studio album, From A Room: Volume 1, is slated to hit stores on Friday (May, 5). The project received its namesake from the famous RCA Studio A, where it was recorded. Be on the lookout for the first single, “Either Way,” which is making its premiere on country radio on the same day as album release.
