Chris Stapleton’s first solo album, Traveller, is credited as the album that catapulted him from Nashville’s best-kept secret to a country superstar. The album was recorded nearly entirely live at Nashville’s RCA Studio. After it’s release, Traveller has gone double-platinum and earned Stapleton two Grammys and five CMA (Country Music Association) awards.
Traveller:
Chris Stapleton wrote the song “Traveller” after the 2013 death of his father. “To me, that song is about the cycle of life and how we’re all passing through it,” he said. There is an acoustic, gentle guitar picking that really goes along with the reflective tone of the song. This track follows the journey of self-discovery and the emotions that come along with it.
This song was an amazing way to set the tone of this album. While listening to it, it brings a feeling of driving down a road without a destination, but knowing you’ll find where you need to be.
Fire Away:
“Fire Away” is an emotional and raw song, blending country, blues, and rock sounds. It is a story of enduring hardships for love. Stapleton pleads with his partner to not hold back, even in the face of their relationship struggles. This song sounds like plea for understanding and support.
Chris Stapleton’s voice was so powerful in this song. It is an amazing display of his vocals. One lyric that really stood out to me was “Your love might be my damnation / But I’ll cry to my grave.”
Tennessee Whiskey:
This is the most popular song in Chris Stapleton’s discography, and rightfully so. “Tennessee Whiskey” is a cover of David Allan Coe’s original version. It is a love song featuring smooth guitar licks and a steady rhythm. It has become a very common wedding first dance song and has been many people’s gateway into loving country music.
I feel as if it is nearly impossible for anyone to dislike this song. The lyrics, the sound, and Chris Stapleton’s voice all make this song perfect. I can see this song becoming a country music classic, just as songs like “Hello Darlin'” by Conway Twitty and “Amarillo by Morning” by George Strait have become.
Parachute:
In “Parachute,” Stapleton uses the metaphor of a parachute to display how he wants to be a safety net for his partner. This song begins with a slower and steady rhythm that builds in intensity as the song progresses.
Stapleton’s soulful voice really pulls this song together. Even though the sound of this song is pretty intense, he manages to capture the essence of love and vulnerability very well.
Whiskey And You:
“Whiskey And You” is a song about heartbreak, loneliness, and the struggle of coping with emotional pain. This song explains that Stapleton uses alcohol as a way to numb the pain of a broken relationship. It also highlights the deep, lingering effect that this love and the heartbreak have had on him.
This song is definitely one of the most emotional tracks on the album. It is filled with great emotional depth. I really appreciate how stripped-back the sound of this song was, it really emphasizes the lyrics. My favorite lyric of this song was “I drink because I’m lonesome, and I’m lonesome ’cause I drink.”
Nobody To Blame:
“Nobody To Blame” is a bluesy, raw, and gritty song detailing the journey of self-reflection, regret, and accepting responsibility for one’s mistakes. It is a story about a man who has lost a partner due to his own actions. Stapleton uses powerful and raspy vocals that really highlight the emotion he is trying to display in this song.
The straightforwardness and honesty of this song make it very easy to find yourself relating to. One standout lyric was “I know right where I went wrong / I know just what got her gone”
More Of You:
This song is about the longing and the desire for a deeper connection with a partner. It has a laid-back acoustic sound that allows the sweet lyrics to shine through. “More Of You” really captures the feeling of vulnerability in a relationship.
This was an incredible love song. The entire chorus is so heartfelt, “I fall more in love with you / Than I’ve ever been / From the moment you wake me up / ‘Til you kiss me goodnight / Everything that you do / It makes me want more of you”
When The Stars Come Out:
“When The Stars Come Out” explores themes of love, loss, and searching for answers in the quiet moment when the world slows down and the night sky gives you the feeling of clarity. It captures the beauty of quiet moments and searching for meaning.
I am biased when writing this review on “When The Stars Come Out” because I have a beautiful memory with my friends, stargazing while this song played in the background. This song is incredibly underrated. Both the lyrics and the sound are truly so captivating and beautiful. My favorite lyrics from this song are: “You and I, we’re gamblers /Sorting cards that we can’t see / I’m betting on you / You’re betting on me”
Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore:
This song is incredibly emotional and delves into themes of faith, loss, and the toll that the struggles of life struggles can take on someone’s spirit. A picture is painted of a father, who has seemingly lost his connection to his faith. But, you find out later in the song that the father never lost touch with his faith, but that he has passed on and can literally no longer pray.
This song had a stripped-back, yet emotional sound to it. While it is probably one of the slower songs on the album that people may look over, it became one of my favorites. The storytelling in this song was an emotional ride that blew me away.
Might As Well Get Stoned:
In this song, Stapleton is dealing with feelings of heartache and frustration. Rather than facing his emotions directly, he chooses to “get stoned” as a way to numb the pain. Stapleton’s raspy voice and honest lyrics really brings a sense of authenticity to this song.
I loved the honesty of this song. One thing that I find Chris Stapleton is really good at is writing raw, honest, and vulnerable songs. He doesn’t try to come up with excuses for his faults, he just writes his truth into his songs.
Was It 26:
“Was It 26” is a deeply reflective song. Stapleton goes over events that happened in his late 20s, repeating “…at 25, or was it 26?” Even though his life has improved since these two years, the singer still wishes he could go back to relive and improve a period in his life that was so disorienting he’s not even sure which year it was.
The chorus of this song is especially satisfying and catchy. The lyrics that I enjoyed the most were “Those two years run together, like whiskey over ice / Meltin’ into memories, like somebody else’s life”
The Devil Named Music:
This song explores the darker side of the music world. It shows how it can be both a source of solace and a dangerous addiction. It uses the metaphor of the devil to describe how being in the music industry can lead someone astray. One of the most outstanding parts of this song is the electric guitar solo.
“The Devil Named Music” uses tons of metaphors that really add to the depth of the song. It’s a great story of how there can be a cost of being in love with something that can also consume you. I loved the lyrics, “Now I sold my soul a long time ago / I put it in six strings and a sad melody.”
Outlaw State Of Mind:
This song evokes a sense of personal strength, defiance, and individuality. The sound of this track features sharp guitar riffs and a steady beat that continues to build momentum. It’s a story of rejecting convention, choosing a path of freedom, and living on the edge.
The name “Outlaw State Of Mind” is very fitting for this song. While I listened to it, I was reminded of the outlaw era of country music where singers like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and David Allan Coe.
Sometimes I Cry:
“Sometimes I Cry” has some of the simpler lyrics of all the songs on this album. It explores the feeling of being overwhelmed by grief and the release that comes from allowing oneself to cry. What really pulls this song together and makes it impressive is Stapleton’s remarkable vocals. His voice is powerful and soulful. It really shows the weight of the pain and struggle conveyed in the lyrics.
Chris Stapleton’s voice is truly one of a kind. This song is an excellent display of his talent for singing. What I loved about this song is that it taps into one of the rawest parts of the human experience, which is allowing your emotions to show.
After listening to this album, I have come to the conclusion that it may be one of my most favorite albums I’ve ever listened to. There was not a single “bad” or “weak” song on this album. The lyrics were beyond impressive and I was wowed by the storytelling abilties that Chris Stapleton has. The praise that Stapleton has earned for this album is well deserved. I believe that this album is a monumental moment for modern country music.
