Chris Stapleton Song w/ Justin Timberlake “Say Something” Coming. Will Sing w/ Emmylou at Grammys
Justin Timberlake’s long-anticipated original song with Chris Stapleton will be arriving Thursday (1-25), and it will be called “Say Something.” This is the news from the Justin Timberlake camp on Wednesday (1-24) morning. So far, the songs Timberlake has released from his upcoming album Man of the Woods—which he himself has described as “earthy” and “modern Americana with 808’s” after years of rumors that the album would either be country in nature, or at least include influences inspired by Timberlake’s Tennessee upbringing—have been anything but earthy, country, or anything in between.
The very first track from Man of the Woods called “Filthy” was about the most technology-driven song and video possible, with Timberlake’s second song “Supplies” not faring much better. Thursday may be Timberlake’s first opportunity to prove there is fire where there’s smoke, while some are pontificating that Timberlake’s purposely pushing boundaries with songs and create mood swings in the public in an attempt to build anticipation.
“Say Something” was written by Timberlake and Stapleton, along with Timberlake collaborators Larrance Dopson, James Fauntleroy, Floyd Nathaniel Hills, and Timothy Mosley, and is the 9th track on Man of the Woods. Stapleton also co-write another song on the record called “The Hard Stuff.” Anticipation is high for a proper studio collaboration between the two after their performance at the 2015 CMA Awards resulted in historic commercial success for Stapleton that the singer and songwriter is still benefiting from today.
This is not the only high-profile collaboration coming up for Stapleton. It has also been announced that he will be performing with country legend Emmylou Harris at Sunday’s 60th Annual Grammy Awards in New York. There is no word on what song they may sing at the moment. Emmylou Harris will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Awards for the Grammys, and Chris Stapleton is up for Best Country Album, Best Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance.
Then the next Sunday Justin Timberlake will be playing the halftime performance at the Super Bowl, which many Stapleton fans are hoping will be marked by a Chris Stapleton appearance.
January 24, 2018 @ 11:21 am
If this aint country, Ill kiss your ass.
January 24, 2018 @ 11:28 am
Mike,
If this ain’t a joke, Imma be mad. Don’t talk to Trig this way, disrespectful.
Sincerely,
Long Time Reader
January 24, 2018 @ 11:29 am
Also, I read this as “Kick your ass”. My bad…
January 24, 2018 @ 2:52 pm
DAC approves of this.
January 24, 2018 @ 7:52 pm
Hahaha! My thoughts exactly. Great post.
January 24, 2018 @ 11:34 am
I’d be fascinated to hear Timberlake singing one of Gram’s songs with Emmylou, I think he might be able to pull it off.
January 24, 2018 @ 12:02 pm
And I didn’t read the article properly… Still excited to hear Chris and Emmylou though
January 24, 2018 @ 11:38 am
modern Americana with 808’s
So is is going to be one, or have the others? Can’t have both.
January 25, 2018 @ 3:22 pm
I think that phrase is exactly what Justin meant, and it kind of makes sense. This is in no way country, but it clearly draws on Americana roots. I think our problem here is that so many people were saying it was going to be pure country that most of us that knew better thought it was going to be 50% Cash/50% Strait, with bits of Garth, Jackson, and Jones gluing those 2 halves together.
I am not a huge fan of pop, but I have to give Justin props for putting a bit of everything he enjoy’s into music, and while it may not be what I like, it is still more listenable than most of what I hear on the radio in either pop, or country formats.
January 24, 2018 @ 11:50 am
*still not holding breath in anticipation of a good or country song…
January 24, 2018 @ 11:56 am
“Say Something” has 6 writers. This better be good….. sincerely bro county.
January 24, 2018 @ 1:26 pm
I am thrilled about 50% of this.
January 24, 2018 @ 4:49 pm
If the halftime show has multiple performers, I don’t think it will be two white males. Generally it’s either one performer/group, or you see diversity.
January 25, 2018 @ 4:09 pm
????
January 24, 2018 @ 5:23 pm
hell, i’ll take good pop.
January 24, 2018 @ 6:34 pm
Chris and Emmylou were added to the Grammys as performers. I was supposed to go, now I’m bummed it didn’t work out. Looking forward to seeing what they do.
January 24, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
There is now a link to a short teaser for “Say Something” on JT’s Facebook. It is most definitely not country. I’m disappointed, but not at all surprised. I’ve been thinking for a while: “Please don’t get Stapleton to do a pop song with you”. Whelp….
January 24, 2018 @ 7:57 pm
Are you sure ol Hank done it this way?
January 24, 2018 @ 8:10 pm
“Quarter moon in a 10 cent town…”
One of my favorite lyrics.
January 24, 2018 @ 10:39 pm
Stapleton is so mediocre. Yes he has a “cool” raspy voice and a fake “outlaw” aesthetic with the hat, boots and the duster that his PR folks suggest he start wearing a few years ago, but come on people……not a whole lot there beyond that. I am continually shocked at his popularity.
January 24, 2018 @ 11:15 pm
Please. Stapleton is the best male singer in country music in decades. He’s got it all — tone, technique, resonance, range, and emotional gravitas. His is a generational talent.
January 25, 2018 @ 12:21 am
“Best male singer in country music in decades” is up for debate. What he did or does have is the exposure that Justin Timberlake shared with Chris. Me personally I don’t need range, tone, resonance, technique etc. Give me a singer who can rip your heart out with sadness or bring a smile to your face. Past decade I would take Jamey Johnson, Shane Worley, Eric Strickland, Cody Jinks, crap give me Stapleton’s older brothers Michael Grimm and Bradley Gaskins.
January 26, 2018 @ 10:46 pm
Marc, I won’t argue this point: “Give me a singer who can rip your heart out with sadness or bring a smile to your face.” I agree with you. BUT, and this is a big but for me, I’m sick and tired of singers hiding behind ‘vocal character’ to mask technical deficiencies. Country music is full of flat-out lousy singers. A wonderful tone, pitch control, tunefulness, the ability to sing with the music, breath support, some usable range, the ability to sustain and then finish notes, a nice open and natural embouchure — those things are the very definition of being able to sing. And just because someone can emote and is a natural storyteller… well, I don’t care to hear that story if it’s sung poorly.
January 25, 2018 @ 8:05 am
Ill have some of what you’re having.
January 25, 2018 @ 3:24 pm
Sorry, the “mediocre” comment was referencing his recent work (specifically the last two albums), and not just his voice. It can’t be argued that he doesn’t have a great R&B / Blues voice. Maybe one of the best out there in that style. To me, though, his songs just haven’t resonated or been all that special.
January 26, 2018 @ 10:49 pm
jtrpdx, fair enough. And truthfully that’s the argument I like to make about Carrie Underwood — that the material doesn’t often enough match the virtuoso talent.
January 25, 2018 @ 10:05 am
Yes he has a “cool” raspy voice
Well, that’s a backhanded compliment if I ever saw one.
No, his voice isn’t just “cool.” For starters, it’s a voice that resonates with this uncool 50 something blues and hard classic soul fan. And I couldn’t care less what he’s wearing. I remember hearing people dismiss Stevie Ray Vaughan for similar reasons. And as far as “not a whole lot there beyond that” goes, as The Dude would say, “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”
January 25, 2018 @ 3:25 pm
Exactly. My opinion. See my post above….i should have been clearer that the guy has some pipes, specifically relevant to the blues / soul arena.
January 25, 2018 @ 5:16 pm
I’d say it’s a tie between Chris and Sturgill depending on where your preference is. It prefer Sturgill’s baritone but Chris is a close second for me. Different strokes.
January 24, 2018 @ 11:31 pm
Jamey Johnson 100 times better than Chris. Too bad Jamey ain’t doing anything.
January 25, 2018 @ 2:51 pm
He bumped his head or something so he’s got writer’s block. Supposedly.
January 25, 2018 @ 12:34 am
Disclamer…Ive had more than my share of rye whiskey this evening…but Justin Timberlake is no t country nor will he ever be. That first song shouldd tell you everything you need to know.w I don’t wanna hear “refrences to country” I wanna hear actual country music.
January 25, 2018 @ 8:42 am
A rye guy huh? It does give a bit of spice to a bourbon. I confess I prefer corn and wheated bourbons but rye has its place. Just did a couple days of the bourbon trail in Kentucky. What fun!
If you ever get that way check out Willets, Buffalo Trace and Beam.
January 26, 2018 @ 2:45 pm
I don’t mind the corn or wheat whiskey either, there’s just something about the rye that appeals to me more though. The particular night I made my original comment I was enjoying Canadian Club 100% Rye. Nothing too complex, probably middle of the road by most whiskey snobs’ standards, but I like it pretty damn good anyway.
January 25, 2018 @ 9:11 am
Drinkin’ dark whiskey, were you?
Yeah, as far as Justin Timberlake’s maybe venturing into country music goes, I just couldn’t care less. And that’s probably because my path to country music was through rock music and I’m sort of contemporary pop music averse.
January 25, 2018 @ 9:58 am
I’m probably older than you, but i’m not nearly so pessimistic. Don’t you realize that in a few short ticks of the clock, the single that will absolve all the sins of country music committed over the last thirty years will be upon us. It will be declared Holy and we will all walk into the light of a new future. Get ready. Here it comes.
January 25, 2018 @ 10:22 am
Not so much pessimistic as disinterested. But I can be pleasantly surprised. That could happen.
I think you are older than me, but probably not by much. I’m a “young” boomer.
January 25, 2018 @ 11:42 am
Well after listening to it, I can say it’s not as hateful as the first two releases. Listening to the video for some reason brought Micheal Jackson to mind. One of the first comments to the video said “Prince of Pop”. So I guess if you are into pop, this might float your boat. This pretty much lived up (down) to my expectation.
January 25, 2018 @ 11:23 am
Its actually not a bad song.
January 25, 2018 @ 3:19 pm
Agree. Great, catchy song, and the two just go together vocally. Also, one of the coolest videos I have seen in a while.
January 25, 2018 @ 12:10 pm
It’s up on Spotify and yeah….
https://open.spotify.com/track/09ts3GnICqYEU5PkQCpJK3
January 25, 2018 @ 12:31 pm
I just listened to “Say Something”. NOT A COUNTRY TUNE. The song is ok.
January 25, 2018 @ 2:04 pm
I forbid Trig to spill any more ink over Timberlake on SCM going forward!
January 25, 2018 @ 3:20 pm
So after “Say Something” you’re giving up on him? I’m sorry that he couldn’t get to you.
January 25, 2018 @ 2:10 pm
Nice video. Great album track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MPbR6Cbwi4
January 25, 2018 @ 2:57 pm
Stapleton is just rubbing elbows with anyone he can. It’s a smart move and that provides him with greater exposure because as we all know its difficult to be a legit country artist. I remember watching the Joe Rogan podcast and Rogan asked him if he has any advise for people trying to make it as a country artist. Stapleton’s response was simply: “Be nice to everyone.”
January 25, 2018 @ 3:06 pm
I never meet Stapleton but I think he has to be the nicest person in the industry. That’s been key to his success – the awards.
January 25, 2018 @ 3:18 pm
That new video is pretty amazing. Recorded live, one continuous shot. Stapleton’s voice and delivery style works best in the more R&B format.
January 25, 2018 @ 3:56 pm
I mean, it’s no Van Halen “Right Now” video : ) , but the concept and execution are pretty cool.
January 25, 2018 @ 5:26 pm
Not a fan of Timberlake although I can respect what he’s done for himself. Song is definitely not county but it was a lot better than I expected. Sure as hell beats the EDM in pop AND country. It’s a cliche to say but it’s more country than half of what’s on radio these days.
January 25, 2018 @ 7:42 pm
God bless those suggesting they nor the rest of us should give a flying fuck about Justin Timberlake whether it be related to his “wardrobe malfunction” or the noise he tries to pass of as “music.” Sure, the kid has put out a few sides that get your toes tapping, but it’s all disposable shit that you forget the first time a loud truck passes you. Why care about him when we have Sturgill, Jason, Chris, Jamey, the Troubadours, the Drive By Truckers and so many more to keep us interested? Good grief. Next thing you know people will be trying to convince us Jack Daniels should be drank instead of being used to clean linoleum (God gave us KY bourbon for a reason).