Jon Pardi’s “Heartache Medication” Marks Return of the Fiddle to #1
It has been a long, slow, steady climb for mainstream country traditionalist Jon Pardi’s current single “Heartache Medication,” but it finally hit #1 this week on country radio according to MediaBase. Released to the country format all the way back on May 20th, 2019 as the title track to Pardi’s most recent record, it reached #1 in Canada on December 28th, 2019.
The distinction is significant for Jon Pardi since it gives the interior Californian his third #1 song and fifth Top 5, but it also speaks to something much deeper going on in country, and that’s the return of true country sounds. “Heartache Medication” is not only a good ol’ traditional heartbreaker in both lyrics and style, it’s the first country song featuring prominent fiddle to top the country radio charts in nearly eight years. Darius Rucker’s version of the Old Crow Medicine Show standard “Wagon Wheel” was the last to accomplish this feat in 2013 according to the research of DJ and chart expert Chris Owen.
There have been other singles in country that feature the fiddle, but none like “Heartache Medication.” In fact two of the other recent songs to see fiddle get placed prominently in the mix were the property of Jon Pardi as well. “Head Over Boots” from 2015 topped the charts, as did Pardi’s “Dirt On My Boots” from 2016. The only other major #1 worth mentioning during that time period would be Zac Brown Band’s “Homegrown” from 2015, which among other things, shows you how far the Zac Brown Band has slid since them.
Even before “Wagon Wheel” hit #1, you have to hunt for songs with prominent fiddle that found the #1 spot in country recently. Another Zac Brown song, “Sweet Annie” topped the charts in 2013, as did Zac’s “Goodbye in Her Eyes.” And speaking of backsliding, The Band Perry’s #1 “Better Dig Two” from 2012 was another fiddle heavy tune. These two major projects going away from their original sound that leaned on the fiddle is one of the reasons it’s been so hard to find fiddle on radio over the last decade.
But now it’s back via Jon Pardi’s “Heartache Medication,” presenting further evidence to the theory that true country songs and sounds are starting to return in mainstream country music. Jon Pardi’s name is commonly associated with that trend, and his success is one of the reasons other artists are finding more latitude to bring country sounds back to their radio singles as well.
Also worth noting, the fiddle on “Heartache Medication” is played by Jenee Fleenor, who became the first woman ever to win the CMA’s Musician of the Year in 2019, and the first fiddler to win the award in over 20 years. So there’s something deeper going on when it comes to recognizing the fiddle again in country music.
“Heartache Medication” is not the greatest country song you will hear, but it’s so much better than most of the other options on country radio. But most importantly, the business of country music is very much a trend-chasing affair. Hopefully the return of the fiddle will be one of the next trends that sticks.
February 3, 2020 @ 12:22 pm
Congratulations, Jon! A small victory for fiddles & steels, too!
February 3, 2020 @ 12:33 pm
Congrats.
Love the fiddle. But the voice of Jon Pardi…puh.
Congrats to Bri Bagwell too.
“Asphalt & Concrete” is the new #1 on the Texas Top 100.
Congrats to Della Harris for reaching #1 on the Country Songs Top 40 down under with “Must Have Been The Wine”.
Great track with a lot of fiddle: Curtis Grimes with “River Road Dream”. Already #42 in the second week on the Texas Top 100.
On the other hand:
Jason Aldean produced a new song for Tyler Farr (“Only Truck In Town”) or even worse…Niko Moon with “Paradise To Me”. Fiddle or not…a shitty song is a shitty song.
February 3, 2020 @ 1:09 pm
Now Darlin , Darlin…. Stan by Me, oh Whoa, Stan By Me. Stan by Me!!!!
Jon Pardi is saving mainstream country. He’s the guy risking it all and it’s paying off!!
First single with a fiddle intro to hit #1 on county radio since Alan Jackson’s “Good Time” in 2008 !
February 3, 2020 @ 1:19 pm
* I didn’t include Wagon Wheel since it was a cover… But that cover sure had a fiddle intro too
February 3, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
Wait, now that I’m thinking… “As she’s Walking Away” Zac Brown with Alan Jackson in 2010 had a fiddle intro too…
Well regardless, it’s been nearly a decade
February 3, 2020 @ 1:12 pm
Please let this open the door for more fiddle and steel!!!!????????????
Congrats, Jon Pardi, and thank you!!!
February 3, 2020 @ 1:24 pm
What are we thinking his next single will be?
I’m thinking , Ain’t Always the Cowboy!!! That too has a fiddle intro.
Other contenders to be future singles would be…
Tequila Little Time,
Nobody Leaves a Girl Like That.
Oughta Know That (not my favorite, but it’s rocking)
Me and Jack or Love Her Like She’s Leaving (as the risky 4th or 5th single option)
February 4, 2020 @ 4:18 am
I know he won’t but I desperately want him to release Call Me Country to radio
February 3, 2020 @ 1:26 pm
As a fiddle player myself, I love this.
February 3, 2020 @ 1:51 pm
Bet you didn’t know it, but I’m a fiddle player too, and if you care to take a dare, I’ll make a bet with you.
(OK, really not a fiddle player, but couldn’t resist.)
February 3, 2020 @ 5:04 pm
I said you, “You know that song that Charlie Daniels did
About how you went down to Georgia and played fiddle against that kid”
He said, “Yeah it broke my heart but you know what are you gonna do
I said, “To tell you the truth
I thought your solo was the better of the two”
February 3, 2020 @ 1:50 pm
I’m totally ok with it……the song’s intro is almost identical to the one on Fool Hearted Memory, as is the grove and upstroke acoustic guitar featured prominently…..Its cool to listen to them back to back……Pardi knows this as he’s mentioned Fool Hearted Memory being inspiration behind this song. Wish more young artists would look to the classics and reapply what worked. The steel is beautiful too. You’re right Trig…..here come the trend chasers. Pardi though, is believable.
February 4, 2020 @ 7:33 pm
Good call Sunny! I thought of Fool Hearted Memory right away. Used to sing it myself and I think it’s one George’s best. Steel all over this too. Not crazy about his voice as it has a same high pitch to the whole song . Needs that texture and changes. With all that said, it is fantastic to hear some of this coming back and the great half-time feel that I love so much!! Oh I hope this is the return of the music I love.
February 3, 2020 @ 3:16 pm
The new Country singer to take it to the top! And he’s from NoCal… Awesome!!
That blond in the video is a ROCKET!! Woohoo
February 3, 2020 @ 3:22 pm
That’s his fiancee lol.
Her first name is Summer…. So she will officially be “Summer Pardi “
February 3, 2020 @ 3:41 pm
Ain’t that somethin’!
February 3, 2020 @ 3:21 pm
Great news! I know this song isnt fantastic or deep lyrically, but i love it. I think Jon’s latest record is the perfect blend of modern and traditional instrumentation. Very underappreciated record of last year. I dont believe this will be his last #1 from this album.
February 3, 2020 @ 3:40 pm
Yippy Skippy! Actual country music on country radio, and a #1 on top of that! 🙂
February 3, 2020 @ 3:51 pm
Love the song and album. We’re happy Jon’s headlining the final night of our Windy City Smokeout which is, at least for this year our ONLY Country music festival here in Chicago. Country Lake Shake has been canceled……errr I mean put on “hiatus”.
February 4, 2020 @ 9:34 am
After seeing last year’s lineup, I can see why it’s been put on hold. Truly horrific lineup, only 3 artists I would even think about seeing.
February 4, 2020 @ 11:08 am
Yeah for the most part the Country Lake Shake people would book mainstream large Pop Country arena acts and have the up and comer pop acts opening. The Smokeout peeps had no problem putting a Turnpike Troubadours after a Kane Brown or giving a young Luke Combs and Ashley McBryde a chance. They even put Aaron Lewis right before Brett Eldredge which certainly ruffled the mom/daughter combos feathers….lol The Lake Shake snoots didn’t think in those terms the last few years. I think the Country “Megaticket” thing (7 shed shows for 1 price) might of played into it as well as Wisconsin’s Country Thunder which is an hour and a half from here.
February 4, 2020 @ 12:32 pm
That last day of the Smokeout is pretty strong for ya. Oh, did you see the lineup for the Tailgate N’ Tallboys? Whiskey Myers, Whitey Morgan, the Steel Woods, and a whole bunch of dreck. Hard pass…
February 3, 2020 @ 3:54 pm
Jenee was also the fiddle player on those two earlier Pardi songs, and she is the fiddle player on I’ll name the dogs as well.
February 3, 2020 @ 8:22 pm
I wish this honor and attention had gone to one of Jon’s previous singles, She Ain’t In It, which was an amazing, underrated song, but I’m still glad to see Heartache Medication doing so well. Jon is positioning himself as a legitimate country artist who might be celebrated in years to come for having helped lead a trend back to more tradition in the mainstream.
February 4, 2020 @ 2:16 am
Corporate must have read the tea leaves and knew the jig was up for Bro country to let that fiddle slip in to #1.
And Pardi is a home state hero. Can’t complain though I still say The Sam Chase and the Untraditional is best thing this state has going in terms of country/roots music. The Dallas Pistol concept/story album is just crazy good.
February 4, 2020 @ 9:12 am
Hey this is a great recommendation! I’m listening to The Sam Chase now and loving it. Thanks.
I have a couple of non-country recommendations as a thank-you gift, lol. Dax Riggs (“We Speak of Only Blood and Love”) and Jason Molina: check out one of his bands, Songs: Ohia; their amazing albums include “Didn’t It Rain” and “Magnolia Electric Company.” Confusingly, Molina, who is now deceased, named one of his bands Magnolia Electric Company.
February 4, 2020 @ 11:04 am
Always looking for great new stuff on local scenes. Thanks. I will check them out and try to find a spot for them on my PopOff! show!
February 4, 2020 @ 4:29 pm
FWIW, that stuff isn’t new (though Riggs is supposedly kinda sorta on the verge of releasing his first new album in several years). Molina tragically passed away a few years ago from complications of alcoholism at the age of 39.
What is a “PopOff! show”?
If you’re looking for new, there’s a band called WeatherAmes that I absolutely love, with an online-only album called “Holy Smoke.” They’re totally under the radar and simply fantastic. Just stumbled onto Kassi Valazza’s 2019 album (“Dear Dead Days”), which is incredible. Slightly higher profile is Lasers Lasers Birmingham, from LA, who released a terrific 2019 album called “Warning,” and Croy and the Boys, whose 2019 album made it to Trig’s year-end “Essential Albums” list.
Also enjoying Chris Catalena, Donnie Fritts’ “Oh My Goodness” (2015, but shouldn’t be missed!), Emily Nenni, Kathryn Legendre’s fantastic 2019 EP (“Making It Up”), the sublime and incomparable Frazey Ford (whose new album is coming out in a matter of days), Gill Landry’s very recent (2020) release, GospelbeacH’s “Let It Burn (2019), Rose City Band/Rose City Band (2019), Sons of Rainier (“Down in Pancake Valley,” 2018), Tyler Lance Walker Gill (2019 single is called “So-Called Christian Politicians,” and he has a good 2018 EP called “Live From A Parking Lot”), and Will Beeley (Highways and Heart Attacks,” 2019).
February 4, 2020 @ 5:50 pm
Great recommendations. My favorite new discovery is the Tre Burt album – “caught it from the rye” – that came out friday
February 4, 2020 @ 2:34 am
“Sweet Annie” hit #1 in early 2014, after “Wagon Wheel”
February 4, 2020 @ 4:37 pm
Kathryn Legendre is GREAT! Gotta check out those others.
PopOff! is the title of my “radio” show. I “pop off” about any musical subject that interests me so it’s not just country/roots/folk, many eras and genres.
Really should continue this discussion elsewhere so as not to get too off topic. But I’ll just say The Velvet Starlings out of LA is another band I like (think late 60s rock/folk). And then for pure straight up rock Starcrawler from LA as well and WYLDLIFE from Jersey City.
Last from my neck of the woods in northern CA. Nicki Bluhm and the Lost Ramblers & Laura Benitez and the Heartache do some solid country/roots. The former more bluesy the later straight up honky-tonk.
February 5, 2020 @ 6:41 am
Yeah, don’t want to hijack the thread TOO much, I guess, but there are worse ways to get off track….Thanks for these recommendations…one last question, how/where/when can I listen to your show?
February 10, 2020 @ 7:10 pm
You can find the show archive here
http://soundwavestv.com/category/popoff/page/8/
I also do a more free form live show at Mutiny Radio in SF on Tues. 8-10. Short of it is my focus is on music appreciation and exposure just a kind of “check this out” mentality to battle the encroaching mono-genre on radio/spotify etc in all of music. You can find a some bonus mixes on MIxcloud.com/p0p0ff but Soundwaves is the main event right now.
Ciao.
February 4, 2020 @ 6:57 am
You might have mentioned that Jenee Flenor is actually a member of Blake Shelton’s band (so gee, maybe there’s some fiddle on his songs also?)
February 4, 2020 @ 8:44 am
Yeah, but I’m a Miranda Stan that is on her team’s payroll, so … 🙁
February 4, 2020 @ 12:35 pm
Oh snap, Kyle pulled the trigger
Clap Back
February 4, 2020 @ 1:16 pm
I like Miranda’s music and would love it if people would stop bringing her up in connection to her ex husband when it’s clear everyone has happily moved on with their lives.
That said, I think its disingenuous to say that Pardi is somehow pioneering because his track has fiddle on it. I bet Jenee and other fiddlers have played on lots of artists’ songs.
Especially now that she’s famous cause she performed on the Voice and awards shows…????
February 4, 2020 @ 8:00 am
Not really a fan of Pardi but good for him and the fiddle.
February 4, 2020 @ 1:45 pm
Trigger,
Did it only go #1 in Canada or also in the US? I’m a little confused. Either way it’s impressive, but isn’t the US the “important” market?
February 4, 2020 @ 2:46 pm
It went #1 in Canada first, in December. Just now going #1 in the United States.
February 4, 2020 @ 3:05 pm
Love me some fiddle, so I’ll listen to this over just about anything else on the current country charts; but, damn, I can’t stand Jon Pardi’s voice. I’ve tried hard…I really want to like him. Can’t do it.
February 4, 2020 @ 3:47 pm
hear ya madwolf. sure the track’s ok . but for me , vocally its just wrong .
February 4, 2020 @ 9:40 pm
It sounds like Florida Georgia Line’s singer on a country song. Pardi just sounds like shit to me
February 5, 2020 @ 4:57 am
This reminds me of my long-ago bar band days. I was a sideman who played harmonica and fiddle. I was generally allotted one fiddle instrumental per set and the crowd loved it. Sometimes, when the fiddle was hanging on its hook on the front of my amp and I was playing backup harmonica, someone in the crowd would shout “more fiddle!”, much to the annoyance of my bandmates. This happened in different clubs in different parts of the country over the years.
The fiddle just seems to reach people in a way other instruments don’t.
February 5, 2020 @ 2:04 pm
I think the fiddle is the most important instrument in country music.
The fiddle dissaperared from mainstream country in the late 1950s and it took 30 years before it became popular again with the neotraditionalist country movement in the late 1980s. Its time to bring it back again.
February 5, 2020 @ 6:29 pm
I had forgotten just how prevalent the fiddle was in the 90’s; until I saw Tracy Lawrence in concert about a year ago. His fiddle player was up front, leading the band on every single song.