Classic Country 3

### Producer

Aaron Dessner (also exec) • Jimmy Robbins (also exec) • Frank Liddell • Mike Wrucke • Christopher Rowe • Jay Joyce • Jeff Bhasker • Brandon Bell • Chuck Ainlay • Glenn Worf • Eric Masse

## Singles from Classic Country 3

1. "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)"
Released: April 22, 2022

2. "Get That All the Time"
Released: May 6, 2022

***Classic Country 3*** is the third entry in the *Classic Country* series of albums released by Carrie Underwood. It was released on April 22, 2022, containing twelve new renditions of classic country music hits. Announced on April 17, 2022, the album would be the first album release distributed for Underwood by her new label RCA Records.

The record was released alongside the lead single "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" - a cover of the Elle King and Miranda Lambert classic - recorded as a collaboration with Gwen Stefani.

## Background

At the end of 2021, Underwood's former label Capitol Records announced that it would close down for good. Underwood's contract as a label representative was then transferred to RCA Records. Expected to continue releasing music, Underwood felt that it was not the time for a new studio album, so began working on *Classic Country 3*. Having already come up with some ideas for the project beforehand, she reached out to her collaborators prior to December of 2021. She would then record the entire album during the month of December.

## Writing and Recording

Recording for the album took place during the month of December. In November, she reached out to collaborator Gwen Stefani requesting her to record vocals for the song "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)". The following month, she would also reach out to other collaborators to ask for their assistance on certain songs.

## Musical Style and Themes

Primarily a country record, Underwood borrows from a few outside genres as she puts her own spin on these country classics. Many of the songs recorded also lean into the rock or pop genres, with the occasional jazz flair sprouting up near the end. The songs found on the record are evenly split between upbeat, midtempo and downtempo tracks. The album totals 43 minutes and 21 seconds in length.

Notably, the standard edition of the record doesn't feature that many "old" songs - with the oldest "Black Velvet" (originally recorded in 1989) being the only one released in the 20th century. Questioned by Taste of Country's special guest reviewer Miranda Lambert on this topic, Underwood adamantly stated that her stance has always been that classics do not have to been old, and that new songs can quickly become classics also. The aim of the series was not to release covers exclusively from 50 years ago, but to release a range of music that she enjoys - even showcasing many covers that were initially album tracks throughout the record.

### Songs

The standard edition of *Classic Country 3* features twelve new cover renditions - opening with the 2005 Sugarland classic "Something More". A midtempo country-rock song repurposed to have an even rockier-edge, "Something More" describes a bland and bleak life experiencing burnout from various aspects such as the daily 9-5 work structure, choosing to leave it all behind for a more exhilarating and thrilling lifestyle. Underwood stated on her social media that "as we continue through the pandemic, "Something More" felt like an apt song to lead the album." The second track on the record "All My Favorite People" (originally recorded by Maren Morris in 2019), continues down the same road declaring that you should live life the way you want to, regardless of the thoughts and judgments of other people. "All My Favorite People" is primarily a honky-tonky song founded in country and rock influence.

"Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" is the third of three collaborations on the record - this time with Gwen Stefani. Another country song with a lot of rock influences, "Drunk" was initially released by Elle King and Miranda Lambert in February 2021, hitting the number-one spot on country radios across America over a year later. "Drunk" promotes escapism from reality by going out and throwing yourself into the nightlife, forgetting all the mistakes that happened with the help of a little alcohol. On her decision to ask Stefani to collaborate, Underwood said on social media: "My friend Gwyneth relates to this song very much and that's why I chose her as my second". Another drinking song "Hole in the Bottle" (originally recorded by Kelsea Ballerini) follows up "Drunk" with a much poppier vibe. This upbeat track combines a pop style with country twang for a fun message about getting over a break-up with the help of a leaking bottle of wine.

The second collaboration on the record is "Get That All the Time" with pop artist Niall Horan. Underwood had already met Horan when he supported her on the Girl From the South Tour. While on tour, Underwood began planning the tracklist for *Classic Country 3* and later invited Horan to collaborate with her after deciding she wanted to record "Get That All the Time". Originally released by RaeLynn, "Get That All the Time" is a duet between a male and female both calling out the unnecessary and overused pick-up lines by the other gender, stating that those should just be skipped in favor of getting to the real action quicker. This song features a fast country-pop production as Underwood and Horan strum over their guitars.

The most traditional definition of a classic, "Black Velvet" is the sixth song covered on the record. An all-genre number-one hit and a Grammy-award winning record, "Black Velvet" was originally recorded by Alannah Myles in 1989 as a blues-rock song with some country influence. Underwood cover of the song ramps up the country-rock elements heavily. Lyrically the song is a tribute to Elvis Presley looking at life through an adoring child's eyes, while the song titles references his hair dye and the canvas his portrait was painted on. "Martha Divine", originally released by Ashley McBryde in 2020, is a dark revenge tune about a female protagonist seeking revenge on a woman named Martha Divine for committing adultery with her father. Enraged at the mistreatment of her mother, the protagonist threatens Divine with a shovel, claiming that she can't be tried for murder if Divine is buried while still alive. "Martha Divine" is the heaviest of the country-rock tracks on the record.

The tempo on the record comes to a stop with the eighth song "Indigo", a cover from Mickey Guyton's 2021 album *Remember Her Name*. "Indigo" takes Underwood's powerhouse vocals and lays them over a raw piano ballad. It is a song about self-worth and not letting yourself stay down, as the only way to see that rainbow and grab the pot of gold at the end is to look up. "Indigo" is followed by the Troye Sivan collaboration "Bigger Boat", originally recorded by Brandy Clark and Randy Newman. This jazz, swing and big band-influenced country number displays one of the more classic feelings on the record with its laid-back atmosphere. However, the lyrical content is anything but, with the pair of individuals continuing to fight against each other and they sink to their demise. "Can't you see why it was perfect for [us]?" Underwood asked on her social media after revealing the song.

The tenth song on the record is a cover of Jennifer Nettles's "That Girl", often described as the antithesis to Dolly Parton's classic "Jolene". A country song with many influences from jazz and flamenco style records and driven by percussion and handclaps, "That Girl" sees life through Jolene's eyes claiming that she never wanted to "take her man", but was tricked and lied to by him and his adulterous cheating ways that she had no knowledge of. Underwood stated on social media that she wanted to add a little extra to the song, and so chose to interpolate the original "Jolene" to add extra depth to the cover.

The final two songs on the standard record were initially album tracks on their respect albums; "Cocktail and a Song" by the Highwomen and "I've Been Good" by Cassadee Pope. "Cocktail and a Song" is an emotionally raw ballad about a terminally ill father and attempting to hold in the hurt and the grief of knowing they'll pass soon, while celebrating their life and achievements with a final toast or two. "I've Been Good" closes the album as a country-pop break-up ballad. The protagonist of the song, often asked how she has been doing after recent events, says that she's been doing good. Even though she's clearly still hurting, it's not exactly a lie as she has been good... at doing other things, like drowning her sorrows in alcohol, staying up all night crying or distracting herself from the very mention of his name. She thinks it's not a lie even if she doesn't tell the truth.

The deluxe edition of the album brought four new songs to the cover record. The first of which was a revitalised version of the Grammy award winning Dolly Parton classic "Here You Come Again" - widely regarded as Parton's first crossover hit between the country and pop genres. "Here You Come Again" is a laid-back flirty song supported by a steel guitar about falling head over heels in love with someone the moment they show up. The second new song "Texas Man" is an album-cut from *Gaslighter* by The Chicks - formerly known as the Dixie Chicks. "Texas Man" continues the flirty aspect of the former song as another country-pop track, this time building in tempo and power as the song continues over its various percussion elements.

The penultimate track on the deluxe edition "Never Had It So Good" - originally by Mary Chapin Carpenter is a regretful and hurt country song with heavy rock influence all about heartbreak. The protagonist declares that now her ex is out of her life, she is suffering more than ever, while he's enjoying life to the fullest with his new partner. The final song is a country-pop piano and guitar ballad with light drums. The second Mickey Guyton cover on the record, "Better Than You Left Me" is an emotional tale of recovering from the shock and hurt of a devastating breakup while leaving the weakness behind and standing strong and looking up going forward - a complete contradiction of the standard edition ending on "I've Been Good".

## Title and Artwork

The album title for *Classic Country 3* was an obvious one, as the third entry in the *Classic Country* cover labum series. The album's official photoshoot took place in March of 2022. The official album cover features Underwood sitting on the bartop inside of a dive bar, with a blue guitar perched on a bar stool next to her. The album title can be seen on the neon sign behind her, while the logo for Underwood's new label RCA Records is placed on the top shelf with other memorabilia. The aim of the album cover was to give a warm and inviting feeling into a dive bar, while also providing a nostalgic experience. This is further reflected in the deluxe edition artwork, with a nostalgic wooden photo frame bordering the original artwork - which now has a static film grain effect to showcase the age and printed style of the image.

## Release and Promotion

*Classic Country 3* was released on April 22, 2022, via RCA Records. It would be Underwood's first album distributed by this record label. On April 17, 2022, Underwood announced the album on her social media account, revealing the title, cover and the release date. The following day, the tracklist would be revealed as the pre-order page for the record went live. Upon release, The album would be simultaneously available for digital download, streaming and physical purchases. The following week, a deluxe edition of the album was announced on April 25, 2022, set for release four days later with four new additional cover songs.

### Singles

The album was released alongside the record's lead single "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" - a collaboration by Underwood and fellow musician Gwen Stefani. The pair would perform the track together at the first season finale of Celebrity Big Brother: Pop Industry, hours before the song would become available for preload. On April 24, 2022, "Drunk" would debut at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Singles Chart. Shortly before the public reveal of the charts, Underwood announced the "White Wine Remix" of the track, releasing on April 29, 2022.

Additionally, "Hole in the Bottle" was selected as a promotional single to further promote the album.

## Critical Reception

Upon release, *Classic Country 3* received acclaim from music critics across the industry. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from publications, the album has a weighted mean score of 70 based on 3 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews", making it the highest reviewed of the *Classic Country* album series so far. Critics signalled "Something More" as their favorite song from the record. In addition, Taste of Country reviewed the album on April 22, 2022, giving it an A+ score. Guest reviewer Miranda Lambert claimed that *Classic Country 3* "signed, sealed and delivered". On October 28, 2022, *Classic Country 3* received an official nomination for Album of the Season at the Season 10 Billboard Music Awards becoming Underwood's first nomination in that category.

### Accolades

**Billboard Music Awards and nominations for *Classic Country 3***

## Commercial Performance

*Classic Country 3* debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Albums Chart issue dated April 24, 2022, with over 86 chart points. This would be Underwood's lowest debut so far for an official album - both in position and points. Following the release of the deluxe edition a week later, the album would rise one position to No. 2 with a further 67 chart points. On May 1, *Classic Country 3* would receive both a silver and gold certification. The album would fall to No. 4 in its third chart week, with a small increase in points. The album would receive a platinum certification on May 8, 2022, being certified for receiving over 200 chart points. *Classic Country 3* was the 3rd best-selling album of the year, with over 288 chart points.

## Track Listing

***Classic Country 3*** - Standard Edition

***Classic Country 3*** - Deluxe Edition

*"That Girl" contains an interpolation of "Jolene" by Dolly Parton.*