Church Bells (song)
| "Church Bells" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Carrie Underwood | ||||
| from the album Storyteller | ||||
| Released | April 11, 2016 | |||
| Format | Digital download | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | Country pop | |||
| Length | 3:14 | |||
| Label | Arista Nashville | |||
| Writer(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Mark Bright | |||
| Carrie Underwood singles chronology | ||||
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"Church Bells" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Carrie Underwood from her fifth studio album, Storyteller. The song was written by Zach Crowell, Brett James, and Hillary Lindsey, with production from Mark Bright, and will serve as the third single from the album in the United States, being shipped to radio on April 3, 2016, and having an official impact date of April 11.[1]
Composition and lyrics
"Church Bells" is a country pop song that tells the story of a young woman who marries a rich, older gentleman, but afterwards finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage, which she ends by poisoning his drink (in a manner that the cause of his death would be a mystery and that law enforcement would not trace to her).
Underwood said of the song, "It's...like Fancy's little sister", referencing Bobbie Gentry's hit song "Fancy", made famous by Reba McEntire.[2]“She’s young, she’s pretty, she’s poor, doing what she can to survive,” Underwood explains, describing her “Church Bells” heroine. “(She) meets a man that has a lot of wealth and is supposed to take care of her.”[2]
Critical reception
The song received generally positive reviews. In their review of the album, Billboard said of the song, "The first half holds a pair of Southern-gothic blockbusters that are the closest she has come to channeling McEntire’s down-home storytelling: “Choctaw County Affair,” a tale of lovers silencing their would-be blackmailer, and “Church Bells,” a rags-to-riches murder ballad in which a woman quietly offs her abusive husband."[3] Rolling Stone called it "the most epic domestic-violence-revenge-murder ballad in years" and that it "split the difference between Martina McBride's "Independence Day" and the Dixie Chicks "Goodbye Earl", but without the latter's safety-valve of humor."[4]
In a mixed review, website Taste of Country said, "on “Church Bells” Underwood injects new drama into an oft-told tale. The Dixie Chicks “Goodbye Earl” relies on the same plot points, with Earl’s fate being the same as the oil baron in this song".The review was concluded by saying "expect the song to perform well on country radio, even if it’s not one that pushes her artistry forward as much as others on her most recent studio album".[5]
Commercial performance
"Church Bells" first charted at No.49 on the "Hot Country Songs" chart, selling 2,300 copies following the release of the parent album. It fell off the chart in the following week.
After its release as the third official single and following Underwood's performance at the 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards,[6] the song re-entered the Hot Country Songs chart at number 34 and has since reached number 25. It debuted at No.50 on the Country Airplay chart and moved to number 35 in its second week. It has reached number 23 so far. It debuted at number 37 on the Canada Country chart and has reached number 31.
As of April 2016, it has sold 38,000 copies in the U.S.[7]
Music video
The music video for the single was filmed in Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
Live performances
Underwood first performed the song live on the first stop of the Storyteller Tour in Jacksonville, Florida.[8] She has since performed the song numerous times during the tour.[9] Underwood's first televised performance of the song was at the 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.[6]
Track listing
- Digital download
- "Church Bells" – 3:14
Charts
| Chart (2015–16) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country (Billboard)[10] | 25 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[11] | 5 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 18 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] | 19 |
References
- 1 2 "Sony Music Nashville | Carrie Underwood To Debut New Single, "Church Bells," On ACM Awards 4/3". www.sonymusicnashville.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
- 1 2 Dukes, Billy. "Carrie Underwood’s ‘Church Bells’ Is ‘Fancy’s Little Sister’ [Watch] Read More: Carrie Underwood's 'Church Bells' Is 'Fancy's Little Sister'". tasteofcountry.com. Taste of Country. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ↑ Hight, Jewly. "Carrie Underwood Mixes Country's Past and Present on 'Storyteller': Album Review". billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ↑ Hermes, Will. "Country A-lister reconnects with her rootsy side, without sacrificing her hit power". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ↑ tcountry (30 March 2016). "Carrie Underwood, ‘Church Bells’ [Listen]". Taste of Country.
- 1 2 "Carrie Underwood to Perform 'Church Bells' at ACM Awards". Taste of Country. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ↑ Roughstock. "Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: April 18, 2016". RoughStock.
- ↑ Szaroleta, Tom. "Concert Review: Carrie Underwood opens her Storyteller Tour on mammoth stage". jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ↑ Moser, John J. "REVIEW: Carrie Underwood's show a spectacle; maybe best yet at Allentown's PPL Center". mcall.com. The Morning Call. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ↑ "Carrie Underwood – Chart history" Billboard Canada Country for Carrie Underwood.
- ↑ "Carrie Underwood – Chart history" Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for Carrie Underwood.
- ↑ "Carrie Underwood – Chart history" Billboard Country Airplay for Carrie Underwood.
- ↑ "Carrie Underwood – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Carrie Underwood.
External links
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