Chris Stapleton did something nearly impossible by selling over 10 million copies of a single song. It takes more than a nice melody to reach Diamond status. A classical musician living in Nashville decided to sit down and pull this track apart to see if the hype was real. What she found was a vocal masterpiece that hides a church house soul inside a barroom ballad.
The music feels like a wide open space where the deep bass and Chris’s high voice never bump into each other. It is a strange mix of country grit and gospel runs that makes you want to sway like you are in a small town pew. You can see the expert analysis of this unique sound right here.
You really should hear her breakdown of the sounds most of us miss:
Chris Stapleton – Tennessee Whiskey | A Classical Musician’s FIRST Listen and Reaction
People who do not even like country music say his voice sings directly to the soul rather than the ears. One fan mentioned that if Chris cannot sing a song, it probably is not worth singing at all. Another viewer noted that his live versions carry even more feeling than the records we hear on the radio. It is clear he has a gift that pierces through every musical barrier.
Chris made this a global hit. But the song actually started its journey back in 1981. It began as a traditional country tune long before it got that famous bluesy makeover. This transition from a simple ballad to a soulful anthem shows how a great song can live many different lives.
Tennessee Whiskey – David Allan Coe
The original version by David Allan Coe sounds like a classic honky tonk floor shaker with heavy steel guitars. Chris changed the game by borrowing the smooth rhythm from Etta James to give it that R&B heart. Fans love looking back at these roots to see how the Whiskey lyrics found their perfect ‘soul’ partner.
Chris Stapleton is a once in a generation talent who dropped out of engineering school to change music forever. His journey from a behind the scenes songwriter to a superstar is a testament to honest work and a massive beard. He proves that real talent does not need flashy tricks to win. Follow Chris Stapleton on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep up with his legendary journey.