Song Review – Sturgill Simpson’s “Sugar Daddy”
This article has been updated.
As part of a new HBO original series entitled Vinyl, Kentucky-born songwriter and insurgent country artist Sturgill Simpson was selected to provide the theme song and anchor the soundtrack scheduled to be released 2/12. As the name implies, the 10-part series includes a strong musical component, and a deal was struck between Vinyl producers (Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger) and Sturgill Simpson’s label Atlantic Records to provide the music for the series. Set in New York City in the 1970’s, and following a struggling record executive named Richie Finestra (played by Bobby Cannavale), the music for the series needed to strike an authentic vibe to the time period selected. The first new song we’ve heard from Sturgill Simpson since the release of his breakout 2014 album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music most certainly accomplishes that stated goal for Vinyl, if nothing else.
Attentive fans of Sturgill had to know that new music would be headed in a different direction from what his first two records looked to accomplish, which was a revitalization of traditional country sounds in a more modern context. Talk of synthesizers and strong language about not wanting to be considered a country music savior meant we might be headed for a rebellion from Sturgill to break down misconceptions about who he is, and what he does. “Sugar Daddy” stretches the sonic landscape for Sturgill to explore, striking an immediate and effusive tie to the heyday of classic rock full of tape hiss, tone crunch, and heroin sweat. Yet it remains submerged in a throwback attitude that gives it a fairly intuitive transition from Sturgill’s previous body of work.
“Sugar Daddy” is directly tied to the era in popular music when American and British rock bands were heavily influenced by the sounds and authenticity of American blues. The term “sugar” referring to a woman’s love (or a woman’s other things), is and was a standard of blues nomenclature. Because of this, and even the styling and structure of “Sugar Daddy,” the song feels more interpretive than original. Though it’s more rock than traditional blues, you can definitely hear the bones of Led Zepplin III or Foghat in the song’s structure and attitude. But given the context that the song is being presented in, whether this was planned out when Sturgill was composing the song or it just happened to work that way, trying to strike a vibe instead of creating an original expression is certainly understandable, if not an essential element for the song for it to be effective for its intended purpose.
More so than most songs, it might be important to understand the context in which “Sugar Daddy” is being offered, or how it potentially may dovetail into a much more encompassing and cohesive album concept in the future, if “Sugar Daddy” even makes it onto Sturgill’s next album and is not just intended for the Vinyl soundtrack. Nonetheless, this continued adherence to the idea that music must sound fuzzy, distorted, and must be captured with antiquated technology to somehow be instilled with “soul” remains a troubling trend of the east Nashville sound. Simpson’s voice is too singular to be relying on shouting instead of singing, and Sturgill’s guitar playing (Laur Joamets apparently doesn’t play on the track) is too tasteful and respectful of melody to be leaning exclusively on tone and rhythm like this.
However, “Sugar Daddy” does what all great music does, which is awaken something in the listener. The structure of the song is smart, the transition is effective, a live feel is captured if one ever was, and the discordant ending punctuates the wild-assed, unhinged attitude that is so unfortunately lacking in the calculated and inhibited music of today.
This song is not fair to judge on its own, and needs the context of an album to fully digest. If it’s an album cut looking to cut loose at the right moment, and most certainly as the soundtrack to a 70’s based show, it is excellent. Naked and by itself, it’s cool, but nothing exceptional. So we’ll see where it lands and potentially tweak opinions accordingly in the future.
And no, there’s not a lot that’s “country” about it.
Two Guns Up (9/10) – As a theme song to a 70’s HBO series.
1 1/2 Guns Up (7/10) – As a naked song.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:20 am
Groovy tune, but WAAAAAAAAAY to much going on EVERY SINGLE SECOND of the song.
And what is going on with that distortion on Sturg’s voice????
Also, the guitar is way too overloaded, and that recurring, predictable drum beat just drones on forever.
And all of a sudden right in the middle the band just goes ballistic and it sounds like those reptile aliens cut Sturg open and pulled something other than pain out. Something important, I think.
And what’s with that ridiculous cascade of nonsense at the end? It sounds like the whole band took a tumble down an elevator shaft while they were playing…
Sturgill’s going to lose his audience if he keeps this up.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:02 am
I humbly disagree. I now have high hopes for his next album. Country or not.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:14 am
“Sturgill”™s going to lose his audience if he keeps this up.” Keep what up? Recording songs that don’t fit the “country music” genre? If anything this will grow his audience. Can’t wait for his next album, whenever it come out.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:39 am
I think this song is so far away removed from what his fans want that he’s doing, in essence, what Zac Brown, Gary Allan, and TBP all have done, which is try something new to attract new fans, but in the process alienate older ones.
He has his market share, he’s found his niche, just like TBP had their niche. They blew it, and if we think he’s immune to the system “because he’s Sturgill” then we’re kidding ourselves.
I’m not saying he should stick to his guns and never grow or expand, but he needs to do these things moderately, with precision.
A few songs on a mostly “Country” album is one thing, but if this is indicative of the whole album he may have made a mistake.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:51 am
Well at this time, the song is not a Sturgil Simpson record, its music to a TV show. I for one like it and wish him luck. I still stand on my comment that it will grow his fanbase.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:56 am
Context for this song is very, very important. This is not the lead single from his new album. It’s a theme song for a TV show about rock music in the 70’s. May it hint to a new direction with his music? Possibly. But I wouldn’t draw any hard conclusions from it.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:54 am
He’s only released 2 albums so far (and only 1 has charted), I think it’s a pretty big stretch to say he’s found his “niche” and that he should be limited to one genre/sound for the rest of his career.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:01 pm
Well Tom, to that I would respond that despite the success of that 1 charting album, sales of High Top Mountain have not gotten the kind of boost that I’m sure Sturgill would hope for.
The fact that Metamodern hasn’t dragged High Top with it during all that media blitz implies that Metamodern was special, and different, and that people wanted what Metamodern offered and didn’t want what High Top did.
If he puts out another album like High Top (which he won’t) it won’t sell as well, because now that all the media blitz has worn out he’s in essence back to the metaphorical square one, and if his next album doesn’t resonate with his core fans, OR do exactly what metamodern did (which can’t be replicated) theen he’s in essence doomed. Metamodern is the defining album, and his whole career rests on the success of this next one.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:43 am
Sturgil has only released two albums? This is true if your talking as a solo artist, but look up Sunday Valley even better than his solo work ( in my opinion) and he plays lead guitar. (which he absolutely shreds!!) My favorite would probably have to be sometimes wine checkout the pickathon videos on youtube.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:56 pm
I’m curious as to how you’ve arrived at all of these (seemingly) interesting conclusions about Sturgill’s career….specifically, the END of his career. You speak of High Top’s failure to attatch itself to the success of Metamodern and you speak of what Sturgill would’ve “hoped for” as it relates to what you consider it’s “lack” of success.
Now, how these opinions disguised as insight can lead anyone (with the time to read and respond to your many comments.. I happen to have plenty today) to believe that you have a fatalistic and somewhat bizarre idea of how Sturgill Simpson’s career should proceed is no stretch…at all.
The stretch is made trying to understand why you have invested so much energy in the tired and pointless act of hateration.
February 12, 2016 @ 12:48 am
That sucks, cause High Top was easily my favorite between the two. Not that I don’t like Metamodern though.
February 12, 2016 @ 5:52 pm
I think you like seeing people reply to your post
February 14, 2016 @ 3:07 pm
I think the song is kick ass. To even compare this to anything Zac Brown has done tells me you know less about music than I thought you did.
February 15, 2016 @ 12:27 pm
Zac Brown changed his sound. Sturgill changed his sound. Sturgill has changed more times from Sunday Valley to High Top to Metamodern and now to this shit, but the change is no different than what Zac Brown does. It’s a tearing down of what lured fans in and replacing it with something designed to lure in other fans. And the existing fans will jump ship.
I know full well Sturgill’s career, I’ve been listening for years. I can say that if this single is in anyway indicative of his new album that he’ll be just as Country as Sam Hunt, and more importantly, he’ll have about as many fans left as Billy Ray Cyrus does. Because that’s a universal law of recorded music, every time an artist tries out a new sound, they polarize the fanbase. That’s why “Dirt” got backlash from FGL fans for being too grown up, that’s why TBP is increasingly less relevant every time I get out of bed, and that’s why Gary Allan and Kip Moore have had whole albums shelved. The only artists to reinvent themselves successfully are Elvis and Michael Jackson.
Sturgill will never be able to compile a group of fans large enough to achieve market share if his fans are divided between albums. look in this very comments section to see people saying his Sunday Valley stuff was the best, or High Top was the best. His career is right now balanced on the fans that turn out for each album individually. High Top has a fanbase, but Metamodern doesn’t have the same fanbase, and if this song represents his new one, then he’ll have a whole new fanbase, and this means that he won’t be able to gain market share, sales numbers, commercial relevance, etc.
February 19, 2016 @ 11:23 pm
Music most certainly is not a hegemonic structure. Most people listen to multiple genres at once and their tastes vary throughout the course of their lives. Having a favorite album, or one that you consider “best” doesn’t mean the person exclusively listens to that album. Let’s say you’re a Beatles fan & Abbey Road is what you consider the best. Are you going to say, no thank you Sgt. Pepper, I exclusively listen to Abbey Road. No, because that’s silly. You seem pretty confident about your assertions, but your understanding of the music marketplace seems pretty shallow & almost biased as to what you want to happen (Sturgill releasing a Metamodern 2). Don’t you think that releasing the same album over & over again creates the disease that is music row? This blog is very good, but it’s not really representative of a general music buying population, & I would say the frequent commenters on here are even more niche. So before you go predicting Sturgill’s downfall you have to acknowledge that 1. This show has an audience of 4 million a week, 2. He’s on the verge of his first major label release & 3. Out of everyone out there he’s the only one with Weberian Charisma.
The only thing predictable about Sturgill is that he’s unpredictable. God love him for it.
February 12, 2016 @ 2:17 pm
Wow, Fuzzy said something positive! Oh, wait, jumped the gun there, the positivity was only the first word of his post, the rest was contrary and negative as always. Personally, I like Sturgil’s country stuff and, as a fan of rock and roll, i think this sounds pretty good too. Once i like an artist, i will follow them to almost any genre, so he won’t lose me.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:24 am
off topic, and feel free to delete, but just wanted you to know you just made the front page of reddit right now for a 2013 post about garth brooks. keep up the good writing. its getting seen.
https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/458qi4/til_the_super_bowl_has_required_national_anthem/
February 11, 2016 @ 10:46 am
Thanks for the heads up Crankbait. I think this is the fourth time I’ve had that distinction. It’s very exciting, though it can make for some harrowing moments making sure the server stays up 🙂
I don’t know who keeps posting my stuff to Reddit, but I really appreciate it. I’ve tried to get the hang of things over there, but it’s still very much a mystery. None of my current stuff ever goes front page or seems to get much attention. It’s always history type stuff I’ve posted years ago that goes crazy.
February 12, 2016 @ 5:50 am
You’re just that far ahead of the curve! Why do you think we read here? I found great artist from this page, and we all owe you for that.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:32 am
Love it. Groovy it is, and it captures the feel and soul of the Vinyl pilot 100%. Great rock’n’roll. I love the noise, distortion and ridiculous cascade of nonsense at the end.
But, I want more country from Sturgill. Hope this was a one off for the series.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:35 am
Apparently its Sturgill on electric guitar.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:00 am
Sturgill Simpson is the best guitar player I have ever seen live, even better than Little Joe. Sturgill might be the best guitar player in all of country music at the moment. On his first two solo albums he decided to allow all that to take a back seat to his songwriting and singing, and it’s hard to second guess that decision from the success he’s had. But none of that changes the fact that he might be the best guitar player in country music. This song, however, doesn’t illustrate that. For the context, the guitar playing is fine, or potentially ideal. But it illustrates styling as opposed to the talent and taste Sturgill possesses.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:05 pm
I wish Sturgill and Little Joe would adopt a Marty Stuart and Kenny Vaughn “dueling Telecasters” style…. That would be amazing.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:17 pm
If you haven’t listened to when Sturgill was on the Walkin’ the Floor podcast you need to. He specifically references his guitar playing saying (I’m paraphrasing) “About four years ago I got it in my head that I suck, so I stopped practicing and playing electric. I don’t feel like I have anything to say there.”
Maybe a reverse of course? Maybe a one-off deal for this song? Hard to tell, but it’s interesting.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:53 pm
I agree – that was a really interesting interview. The two-part interview with Dwight Yoakam was excellent, as were many of the others. I’ve noticed that he hasn’t posted any new podcasts yet this year, but hopefully that will change soon.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:20 pm
Clearly not the Best Guitar Player in Country:
Simpson is clearly not a better technical guitar player than Paisley.
His guitar playing may resonate with you more emotionally than Paisley’s playing – but that is a subjective view point.
Objectively from a technical view point Paisley is obviously a far better guitar player than Simpson. No competition.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:49 pm
Sturgill would blow Paisley off the stage. No offense to Paisley because he’s a great guitar player, but his hooks are all cliche. Sturgill plays from anger. Of course, this song isn’t the best display of his talents, but when Sturgill unleashes, it’s not just about the notes. He’s a force of nature.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:56 pm
Brad Paisley is a fantastic player, in terms of technical measurements, he’s fast, accurate, etc.
He’s just musically a big mess, he shoves too many notes into passages, he doesn’t know when to bend and when to hold, it’s not his ability, it’s his emotional input that makes his guitar work suffer.
See also: Don Rich, who was no technical shakes but could come up with some pretty cool phrases.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:16 pm
‘Sturgill plays from anger’; ‘He”™s a force of nature’ – these are subjective statements. They just reinforce my point that you like his music and the emotional response you get from his guitar playing.
That is perfectly fine. I like Bruce Springsteen’s guitar playing – it suits his music and I enjoy it in that context very much and would not change it. But he is definitely not the best guitar player.
There must be a distinction made between subjective and objective view points when making such statements as ‘best guitar player in all of country music at the moment’.
Listen to Paisley’s Play album. You may not like the music, but I am pretty sure that there is no way that Simpson can replay any of the tracks on that album. Simply because he is not that technically proficient. Paisley is simply technically a far better guitar player than him.
Subjectively you can state that you prefer Simpson’s guitar playing to Paisley’s – but objectively you can not state he is a better guitar player.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:21 pm
Well of course it is subjective, but playing guitar isn’t a skills competition either. Paisley might have trouble re-creating a lot of Sturgill’s licks from back in the day too. If you think Paisley’s the best, you can certainly make a good case for it.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:34 pm
If not too much trouble can you please direct me to what you think are Simpson’s songs that he plays his best guitar.
I would really like to have a listen.
Thanks
February 11, 2016 @ 5:21 pm
I think Sturgill SImpson was at the height of his powers right before he broke up Sunday Valley. I took the below video at Pickathon in 2011, but this just shows one side of his playing. The song he played AFTER this one for his final song might be the best guitar performance I have ever seen in “country” ever. Unfortunately I did not have the camera rolling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAtbG4l6AiE
February 12, 2016 @ 4:29 am
Thanks for posting, enjoyed it very much.
I am glad you did not tape the final song, it would have been a shame for you to not fully experience the joy of being there and take in the moment.
Letting the moment pass by while staring through a camera lens is not the same thing.
February 12, 2016 @ 10:08 am
Exactly. I’m still conflicted to this day about not taping that final song, but that was my rationale at the time. Things became so unhinged at one point, Sturgill got wrapped up in the microphone cables, gear went flying, and he left the stage in shambles. The stage manager named Gavin, who’s kind of famous in the Pacific Northwest, got all pissed and threw a fit. I talked to Sturgill about it after the show and he said to me simply, “That’s rock and roll.”
Sturgill also played an XSXSW event I helped throw in Austin in early 2012. It was the last official show of Sunday Valley, or the first official show of Sturgill Simpson, however you want to look at it. It was equally impressive. Both times I got to stand feet from him and really take in what was happening. Perhaps that personal experience clouds my judgement on who the best guitar player ever is, but he definitely left an impact on me.
February 13, 2016 @ 6:46 pm
Brad Paisley’s over processed tone is gawd awful. And he jacks off with his guitar similar to some of the hair metal wankers of the 1980’s. There’s nothing musical about it. I can hardly stand to hear him play guitar or sing.
March 8, 2016 @ 1:41 pm
That set at Pickathon was, hands down, some of the most amazing guitar work I’ve ever seen. Just jaw dropping in the way it combined ferocity and technical adeptness.
And Gavin may have been pissed at the time, but he jokes about it now. No one could have walked away from that performance not aware that they witnessed something special.
March 8, 2016 @ 1:44 pm
The review of that show is also where I discovered Saving Country Music, so I got plenty out of that day in the barn.
March 8, 2016 @ 1:47 pm
It was a magical moment for sure.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:12 pm
Sunday Valley era Sturgill was a beast on the Tele…..
February 11, 2016 @ 2:52 pm
^ so much this
February 11, 2016 @ 8:49 pm
Jimmy Hendrix clearly isn’t as good technically speaking as Yngmie Malmsteen or Tony McAlpine, but nobody is calling either of those guys to replace Jimmy in the pecking order of great guitarists.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:59 pm
You might want to go see Tedeschi Trucks in concert. Derek Trucks is the ghost of Duane Allman.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:17 pm
Derek Trucks is a guitar master if there ever was one (despite being kind of a shoegazer), but his discipline is slide. He’d kill Sturgill in slide, but it might be vice versa with naked fingers. THey’re both right up there though.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:36 am
Sturgill on electric guitar? I thought it sounded more like the electric chair!
February 11, 2016 @ 10:36 am
I am very much gobsmacked. This is Sturgill (and Laur Joamets, in particular – providing the guitar freakout is coming from him and not someone else, i don’t have that information, but I am guessing it’s Laur) really firing on all cylinders. Yes it’s not Country, but I am impressed with the ease that this band are taking to this other genre and absolutely owning it – particularly after having seen Sturgill only weeks ago doing some of his intimate Acoustic shows in Europe, this change of pace and weight is simply awe-inducing.
By the way – on stage in Berlin Sturgill mentioned coming back to Europe later this year with a horn section. He said something along the lines of “Nashville says that Country and horns don’t mix, but I don’t care”. So I take that as a hint of the direction Album 3 might be taking.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:40 am
Sturgill on lead. Laurs does not play on this track.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:09 am
“By the way ”“ on stage in Berlin Sturgill mentioned coming back to Europe later this year with a horn section. He said something along the lines of “Nashville says that Country and horns don”™t mix, but I don”™t care”.”
Sturgill may say that country and horns don’t mix, but that’s what pretty much everyone is doing right now. It’s about the most conformist thing you can do in independent roots music at the moment. Corb Lund features horns on his latest record for crying out loud. Everyone wants to sounds like they’re recording in Muscle Shoals in 1976. I love that sound, but not from every single artist whose album hits my desk. Don’t know how I’ll feel about it either live or on his album, I’ll have to listen to it. But I can cite reviews from 6 months ago where I was complaining about how many folks are using horns in their music these days. So it’s far from groundbreaking.
The biggest takeaway from what Sturgill said is that he still considers his music country, at least somewhat. That’s what has me excited.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:06 pm
There are honestly more horns in country music and fiddles right now. It’s absurd.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:38 am
Sturgill on lead. Lil Jo does not play on track.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:38 am
Great review, I agree the song is best when taken in the context of the show or a concept type album.
If you were a betting man, do you think the new record would be anything like this (and include the song) or would you think it would be a completely different direction?
February 11, 2016 @ 11:14 am
I really have no idea, and that’s why I caution folks to not read too much into this. I like the song, and for the TV show, it is perfect. On an album with lots of diversity, it could slide right in and be the perfect song for that perfect moment. You put out an entire album like this and this song might get exposed and be worthy of downgrading. Sturgill has sung the praises of the album context before, and like we know from “Metamodern,” context can be everything with his music. You release “The Promise” on its own and as the first single from that album, you may have no idea what the hell to think. You release it within the album, and it comes across as genius.
I think we should just enjoy the song for what it is, and be patient for what the future holds.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:46 am
This is a badass theme song, especially after seeing the trailer for the series. HBO has been featuring awesome, original music on all of their shows lately. Hopefully this turns into something similar with what Lera Lynn did for True Detective.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:52 am
So..it loses points for not being recorded in unadulterated Hi-Fi? I think he’s doing a fine job of showing us what the recording industry has thrown in the waste bin every time something new comes out, personally. Hi fidelity and new equipment doesn’t do any greater a service to music than “antiquated technology”. Let’s not forget that we’re talking about recording art, not just music. Once you erase every scratch and any trace of personality from the recording medium, you might as well go to the local coffee shop and listen to a songwriter.
Old-fashioned isn’t necessary, but new also isn’t better. Boo.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:39 am
Who said “unadulterated Hi-Fi?” I showed some concern for the low fi nature of the recording. That doesn’t mean that I want a recording that erases “every scratch and any trace of personality from the recording medium.” You’re painting me with an extreme. There is a balance here somewhere where you get the warmth of an analog medium, but clarity is not as compromised as it is on this track, or as it is on “Metamodern.”
I think recording to 2-inch tape is great. But in my opinion there’s this misnomer out there that 2-inch tape in itself makes great records, or that any recording done digitally stifles records. I think listeners are going to look back to the present day 25 years from now and wonder why we were purposefully making albums sound bad.
Last year an artist named Samantha Crain put out an album called “Under Branch & Thorn & Tree.” It was all recorded analog, any overdubs were done on tape, and then it was immediately transferred to vinyl masters. At no point did digital enter the picture until it was distributed. And the albums sounds excellent. You can make an organic recording without TRYING to make it sound scratchy, or by using more modern technology to make sure clarity isn’t compromised. That’s my only point.
And all that said, the POINT of this track is to sound like it’s from the 70’s, so I don’t have a problem with it. I was just making a more overarching point that may become relevant once we hear Sturgill’s new record.
February 11, 2016 @ 10:55 am
Meh. Never got into that loud recorded in a bathroom 70’s faux blues sound.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:17 am
Got a real Black Keys vibe out of this. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and I don’t ask that artists adhere to anything other than their own desire about what kind of music they want to make. All I ask is that they don’t make garbage.
This isn’t garbage. It’s not my favorite, hell I don’t even like it all that much, but it’s obviously what he wants to do right now and I can support that. Still definitely going to snap up the new album when it’s available.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:21 am
I hope that isn’t an album cut. I don’t want to hear that sound intermingled with his country and bluegrass influence.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:38 am
I’m not sure that if I didn’t know this was Sturgill, I would know it was Sturgill.
I like the song..
Not a fan of that ongoing hiss.
My guess is this was done specifically for this HBO project including the production..
February 11, 2016 @ 11:41 am
If I can be honest: I just didn’t get this song, the entire thing just left me confused. It’s cool if you guys like it but this one just left me puzzled to the point of almost hurting my head.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:59 pm
I’m with ya. This is just too far out of the realm of my listening experiences and preferences for me to even rate it. But the people who do “get it” seem to like it, so that’s cool.
February 11, 2016 @ 11:51 am
people disliking this song doesn’t make sense to me.. it’s a theme song for a show set in the music industry in the 70’s… this song hits the nail on the head when put into context.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:02 pm
His voice and the style of this tune reminds me of Lynyrds Skynyrds deep cuts from the mid 70s….I dig that bluesy sound. Not sure if he can pull it off for a whole album but it’s interesting to hear
February 11, 2016 @ 12:12 pm
Sounds like someone stole an old Jimi Hendrix’s track and spewed some nonsense on top of it.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:26 pm
If you told me this was a dug up Sunday Valley tune, I wouldn’t have been at all surprised. I like it. It doesn’t showcase what most people think Sturgill’s strengths are — (songwriting, singing) — but I like the tune and I love Sturgill’s lead guitar playing. I wonder if he’s going to move away from Laur Joamets and play more of his own leads? If so it would be a 180 since I’ve read him many time saying “I’m not a very good guitar player.” ( I disagree, of course, I think he’s brilliant at it )
February 11, 2016 @ 12:28 pm
Wow, people over on youtube fucking love this shit! Been a while since I’ve seen a string of comments like that on a song.
And I don’t even care too much about the “country” part-the good song is good. I’ll never tell Sturgill freaking Simpson how to do his own damned career.
February 11, 2016 @ 12:38 pm
Given the setting of the show, I’m fine with this as a one off. If it’s a sign of the future of his music, I’m a bit concerned to be honest.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:12 pm
This song kinda reminds me of ” Early Morning Shakes” by Whiskey Myers.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:48 pm
THAT’S what it was! I couldn’t put my finger on where I had heard that vibe before.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:13 pm
FFS. Relax and have some fun for a second. Watch the show, look at the tracklist on the soundtrack. This songs does what it is supposed to do. Contacts is king when you’ve misplaced your glasses…… or is that context?? Fuck em and feed em fruit loops.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:20 pm
I think this song is a maturation of the song “It Ain’t All Flowers” from the last record. I hear lots of similarities. Sturgill is a complex artist that doesn’t shove a whole album in one direction. Nobody knows what the new album will sound like yet. I wouldn’t jump to many conclusion after hearing this one song.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:28 pm
I really am liking this.
Also, I honestly don’t mind what genre Sturgill’s next album is going to be (we already have two great Country albums from him already), talent is what makes any type of music great, and Sturgill sure is talented.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:36 pm
I know this is a bit off topic, except that it concerns Sturgill Simpson, and I’m almost embarrassed to ask here, but I’m curious-
Am I the only person in the world who likes High Top Mountain better than Metamodern? I feel like I should hang my head in shame round these parts, but I don’t LOVE Metamodern as much as everyone else seems to. I can’t even put my finger on why exactly.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:46 pm
That said, I like this new song. It’s well done for what it is, and I like the genre it calls to mind. It’s a little monotonous for me. But I think it’s great for the theme song for this show.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:54 pm
I think there’s a lot of folks prefer “High Top Mountain,” though it might be a minority. There’s also people who prefer Sunday Valley over what he’s done solo.
February 11, 2016 @ 1:59 pm
haha, yeah, I’m certain I’m not the only living soul. I am prone to hyperbole. Whenever Sturgill comes up around here, I always wonder why, as a fan overall, I don’t seem to enjoy the Metamodern album on the same level as others. I’m only really a half step away from a more average mainstream Country music listener anyway though, compared to a lot of the commenters here.
I have actually no knowledge of any of the Sunday Valley music. I should hunt that down.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:18 pm
I prefer HTM and Sunday Valley over the majority of Meta-Modern.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:21 pm
I’m with you Stephanie, I like High Top Mountain a lot ,that’s not to say I don’t like Metamodern.I think if it hadn’t been for “Turtles” and all its psychedelic drug references it wouldn’t have hit the critics radar.I do like the album but “Turtles” is my least favorite song on it.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:34 pm
No shame at all, I definitely prefer High Top to Metamodern.
Also, you definitely need to hunt down some Sunday Valley.
As for Sugar Daddy, I dig it. Curious to see if the sound leads itself to the new album. I wouldn’t even be disappointed if it did, I think Sturgill’s got the songwriting chops to make the continued progression of his sound work.
February 12, 2016 @ 3:03 am
Nothing wrong with liking HTM better. For me, it’s pretty close as I don’t really prefer one over the other, but if I had to choose, I think I’d lean slightly towards HTM.
February 11, 2016 @ 8:41 pm
I wish there was a way to get a hold of the Sunday Valley record now…anyone willing to send me a copy. Just kidding, but seriously.
February 12, 2016 @ 7:29 am
I hear you. At the very least, I wished I had bought an MP3 copy when I had the chance. That’s what I get for being a luddite.
February 15, 2016 @ 6:29 pm
I absolutely prefer Sunday Valley to anything he’s done since. I don’t dislike his recent stuff, just that it doesn’t equal SV. IMO, of course.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:15 pm
Personally, I’m embarrassed by the fact that High Top Mountain does absolutely nothing for me.
I put off listening to Metamodern for wayyyy too long because I didn’t particularly enjoy High Top.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:24 pm
That is just sad Cool L:)
Never give a fuck about anything but your own ears.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:22 pm
Stephanie,
You are definitely not the only one. I absolutely love high top mountain. I still get why people like metamodern, but it doesn’t reach me the same way high top does.
I’ve always just chalked it up to taste
February 11, 2016 @ 3:00 pm
I like High Top Mountain better as well. Both of these albums are like a breath of fresh air compared to everything else out there.
I really like this new song….it is such a throwback to the 1970’s rock sound, which is what I think it is supposed to be.I am a bigger fan of outlaw and alternative country, than I am of rock. There was a time when I listened to alot of 1970’s rock, but that is just not where I am at right now.
So while I like this song and will give it a few spins, my hope is that the new album will be more like his first two albums. Since this is a song for a television show, it is really hard to make a prediction about his next album based on this song.
February 11, 2016 @ 3:38 pm
High Top Mountain is excellent. I never could get into Metamodern. I just don’t care for it at all
February 12, 2016 @ 7:40 am
I enjoy Metamodern more, but there are a lot of songs I love on High Top Mountain. For me, I just enjoy the sound of Metamodern a lot more and like the live versions of High Top Mountain songs better. I think it has to do with the way the two albums were recorded (session players versus the tight band Sturgill has assembled since High Top Mountain).
February 11, 2016 @ 2:23 pm
I like this. Definitely a departure from his usual sound. Not sure if I would like a whole album sounding like this song, but as a single I’m liking it.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:49 pm
Me too. 🙂 I think it’s kinda fun as a pastiche of Skynyrd- and Zeppelin-style classic FM-radio rock.
February 11, 2016 @ 3:42 pm
Maybe Sturgill just feels like the Country music scene is such a mess right now that he’d rather stand out as the “Throwback ’70s guy.”
Probably not, lol, but you never know.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:29 pm
This is not a love song, and it sure as hell is not a single.
February 11, 2016 @ 2:47 pm
I personally haven’t heard anything from Sturgill that doesn’t hit the sweet spot for me!
February 11, 2016 @ 2:57 pm
I have seen him play live by himself, and that was great. The two albums got 2-3 great songs combined. 6-7 good songs. But there is so much promise there.
February 11, 2016 @ 3:22 pm
I won’t dispute the context as it relates to the rating of the song, but as a naked country song, 2 guns down.
February 11, 2016 @ 3:40 pm
Sweet baby zatan. This is not a country song.
February 11, 2016 @ 3:31 pm
Reminds me of the theme song to “Suits”. Sounds great but I can’t make any sense out of it. Oh yeah, on another point I think that Vince Gill is as good as any guitar player in any genre…..just an opinion. Eric Clapton’s opinion also.
February 11, 2016 @ 3:58 pm
I have been really excited for his new music. I like the song and am not suprised at all. And don’t think for a second that Sturgill is worried about selling records or catering to anyone. In his Joe Rogan interview when referring to future plans he said, “I’ve got a really clear plan…I’m gonna make a total of 5 records (including the 2 already released) and then be done…I don’t know what else I would have to say beyond that…in each one successfully incorporate other elements of music that I love…and get more progressively opened up…id rather keep it more concise and focused…I might try something else at some point like just writing outright (like writing a book)…it’s not an issue of running dry…there’s certain things that I want to say…and use the opportunity to make it something more than just about me…try to promote a bigger message…and at some point you just end up repeating yourself.” I have been waiting for him to go back to electric or bluegrass because of this quote. Whatever he does, I’m listening.
February 11, 2016 @ 5:26 pm
I always caution folks about taking that quote too seriously. I’m not saying Sturgill is lying or that he didn’t mean it when he said it, but he also promised to quit music on a stage in Kentucky three weeks before “Metamodern” came out. He very well may quit after five albums, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
February 11, 2016 @ 6:13 pm
Thanks for the reply. I love your site.
February 11, 2016 @ 4:01 pm
I’m not sure if Sturgill has a “Sound”. The Sunday Valley stuff was great, imo, but a lot different than his other two albums. High Top Mountain and Metamodern were really different as well. I dunno if this one song is anything other than what it is, a theme song for a tv show. I wouldn’t read to much into it. I will say, after watching numerous Sturgill interviews, that he isn’t your regular duck. He says he gets bored with stuff and goes on the the next thing. He might make a couple more albums, fullfill his contract, and never be heard from again. Who knows with this guy, more power to him. Just as long as he isn’t pairing up with FGL in the future I don’t care.
February 13, 2016 @ 5:26 pm
Well said bro. Totally agree.
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record but I don’t read this site for country music, I read it to find good music (which Trig fulfills). I don’t give a shit what Sam Hunt or Luke Bryan said about outlaws or anything else. I already know their music sucks. But I do know Strugill Simpson is a bad ass. Maybe one of the best musicians currently gigging.
February 11, 2016 @ 4:05 pm
The guitar breakdown part towards the ends sounds exactly like J Roddy Walston imo maybe Sweat Shock or something?
February 11, 2016 @ 4:41 pm
First part of the song I thought about what Ray Wylie Hubbard calls “Grit,Groove,tone, and taste”. I think he hit them all.
February 11, 2016 @ 4:59 pm
Trigger, do you know who produced this?
February 11, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
I’m about 90% sure it’s Dave Cobb. It sounds like Dave Cobb and I believe it came from Strugill’s recording sessions last Spring. But I haven’t seen any confirmation.
February 12, 2016 @ 3:34 am
I would be interested to read more about Dave Cobb’s methods. I don’t know much about recording. I’ve read a few articles about him saying they are recording live with a full band and no overdubbing. Are they recording analog?
February 12, 2016 @ 10:09 am
It depends on the project, but most of Dave Cobb’s records are recorded to 2-inch tape, which is sort of the old-school way of doing things, compared to digital, which takes sound waves and converts them to 1’s and 0’s. Perhaps I’ll do a more in-depth article about this in the future since it comes up so much.
February 12, 2016 @ 2:36 pm
I look forward to that article.
February 13, 2016 @ 8:31 pm
Cobb didn’t produce this song.
February 13, 2016 @ 8:32 pm
Do we know who did?
February 13, 2016 @ 9:30 pm
The link below suggests it was produced by Randall Poster, Kevin Weaver, and Stewart Lerrman.
https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1040000912728214&id=957722297622743&substory_index=0
February 13, 2016 @ 10:36 pm
I’m not seeing anything in there that suggests those three guys produced this song. I think those three guys are producers of the show.
February 14, 2016 @ 1:03 pm
Here is the paragraph from the link in my previous post, as well as the one below, which states the entire catalog was produced by these guys. Question is, does “catalog” refer to all the songs on the soundtrack, or just the ones from the back catalog.
“The entire “VINYL: MUSIC FROM THE HBO® ORIGINAL SERIES” catalog was produced by the GRAMMY winning trio behind “BOARDWALK EMPIRE VOLUME 1: MUSIC FROM THE HBO ORIGINAL SERIES” comprised of VINYL music supervisor Randall Poster (“THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK,” “THE WOLF OF WALL STREET: MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE”), Atlantic Records Group President of Film & Television/Atlantic Records Executive Vice President Kevin Weaver (“FURIOUS 7: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK,” “THE FAULT IN OUR STARS: MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE”), and VINYL music producer Stewart Lerman. Meghan Currier, who supervises the music in the series with Poster, co-produced. Executive producers are Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, Terence Winter, and Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman.”
http://www.wmg.com/news/atlantic-and-warner-bros-records-create-groundbreaking-musical-experience-vinyl-new-hbo-drama
February 14, 2016 @ 2:18 pm
Yeah, I’m still not seeing anything in there that would allude to any of those guys being in the actual studio with Sturgill, and Dave Cobb not. These guys are all executive producers, or at least that’s what I would call them. I just can’t see the Atlantic Records Group President of Film hanging out in Nashville in the studio with Sturgill, before he’s even signed to Atlantic. I guess a lot of it depends on your definition of “producer.”
February 14, 2016 @ 2:36 pm
Yes it does. I am sure at some point, the information will surface. If someone has a physical copy of the album, it would definitely be included in there.
February 11, 2016 @ 5:10 pm
I like it. I would be ok with an entire album in the style/manner.
February 11, 2016 @ 5:47 pm
That got a lot of talk started pretty quick. Very fair review, and it is a cool song. It’s probably one of the better Bad Company tracks, wait I mean sturgill rock. Really just proves the man can write a song on demand and is very artistic. There is a little too much going on but I bet with a pair of headphones it would just jam. Sturgill is still the man, maybe he can save rock too. Lol
February 11, 2016 @ 6:41 pm
I think it’s a cool rock n roll song. Doesn’t make me like him any less.
February 11, 2016 @ 6:48 pm
Trigger I feel this song is just an extension of it ain’t all flowers. It just kind of segways from the end of that song into sugar daddy…and I got to be honest…I like it!!!!
February 11, 2016 @ 7:05 pm
I think it’s a damn fun dirty blooze rock song. And Sturgill certainly pulls it off on both guitar and vocals. I’m impressed.
February 11, 2016 @ 8:30 pm
I think this is cool as hell. Yeah it ain’t country sounding but Sturgill sounds good singing and playing. At first I was like….. What the hell…. ( cause I been jamming Sturgill for years since Kyle started reporting on him years ago, pre metamodern ) but this is rockish which is what I grew up on and I like it after a couple a listens. U can’t deny his guitar chops. Just watch him on the Celtic Connections and u can see that. Keep it up Sturg. People will keep striving to be u haha.
February 12, 2016 @ 12:05 am
Trigger, do you think the comments about not wanting to be or needing to be “country saviors” by Sturgill and Stapleton are said so as not to pigeonhole themselves in their music? Thanks….PS I love this song.
February 12, 2016 @ 12:46 am
As someone who runs a site called “Saving Country Music,” I’ve gone out of my way to say that’s it’s unfair to these artists to call them “country saviors” or to lump the responsibility of saving country music on their shoulders. They’re artists, and they should focus on music, not flamethrowing Luke Bryan in the press just because some junior reporter is looking for a clickbait headline. Leave the dirty work to someone like me that everyone hates already. When Stapleton said he didn’t think country music needed to be saved, detractors came out of the woodwork to shove it in my face, but that’s exactly what I would expect Stapleton to say. I don;t want him to start a war with Sam Hunt just because we all would think it’s cool. His job is to play and make music, and that’s how he’ll save country music.
February 12, 2016 @ 12:33 am
After listening to this a few times it reminds me of Leroy Powell’s music a bit, or the Waylon Jennings and the 357s remix of Waylon’s songs Shooter and Leroy did a few years back.
February 12, 2016 @ 3:29 am
I really hope that his next record will sounds like this great track that is “Goodbye” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZk9ymbXst4
February 12, 2016 @ 5:11 am
Poor, poor,poor choice of an artist to provide the theme song/soundtrack to this series.
Two words: Rival Sons.
February 12, 2016 @ 12:16 pm
Charlie, I’m glad you mentioned Rival Sons! A-I love that band (though their most recent album isn’t my favorite), and B-I got a bit of a Rival Sons vibe from this tune. Yes, Rival Sons would have been an excellent choice to provide music for this series.
February 12, 2016 @ 8:43 am
I love Sturgill and cannot WAIT for his new album. However, this song does absolutely nothing for me. 70’s rock thru a muffler? Maybe I just need to listen again, but yeah. I don’t “get” it.
February 12, 2016 @ 9:25 am
Some people don’t want to keep doing the same thing over and over again.
He’s one of those people. He’s putting creativity ahead of the dollars. Not surprising. Knowing what we
know about him.
very intense tune. I really like it. Gonna be a very big hit as a tv show theme song I predict.
Sturgill has some depth.
Thanks for posting the tune.
February 12, 2016 @ 5:57 pm
I think Sturgill wants to be anything but country. But then again you got to wear a cowboy hat and a drench coat to be considered real
February 13, 2016 @ 5:52 pm
This^
February 12, 2016 @ 6:06 pm
Maybe Sturgill’s not country ?
February 13, 2016 @ 5:53 pm
Exactly
February 13, 2016 @ 1:01 am
That felt like a trip through the Early 70s.
And I do think it was too much pretty much of everything… No you know what it sounded a little cliche to me in that it sounds like it is trying WAY to hard to be not just a theme song but an *HBO* theme song. This theme song wouldn’t be airing on network TV. It reminds me of the theme song for The Wire, True Detective and the like… they are all kind of moody and brooding a loud in their way.
Not bad. Just doesn’t excite me in the same way other HBO theme songs have. But maybe in context of the show it will grow on me.
And damn Trigger with all the writing you have to do HOW do you keep up with these comments.
February 13, 2016 @ 10:14 am
If it wasn’t for Trigger and SCM I would have probably heard about Sturgill Simpson by now. Instead I heard about him January 2011. I am thankful for you and this site. I went back and read the old post its like watching a time lapse video. Man I haven’t been that mesmerized by a band since the first time I heard Whole Lotta Love. That cd was what my lil Lady got me for my birthday that year. Sunday Valley “To The Wind And On To Heaven”, It is one of my prized possessions. That review you could feel the excitement. Then in the comments the excitement was contagious. I can honestly say that was the first time I heard the word Balderdash used in a sentence. Someone said it was rock and not country.Too rock? Balderdash.
I think even with all the praise, awards, and accolades he has received, he is still underrated. Oh I drank your Kool Aid Trigger, and then mainlined it. I have watched every video I could find,Listened to every song He has never disappointed me. Panel Discussion: The Rise of Sturgill Simpson is a You Tube video with his whole team discussing him and his vision. Who gets a panel discussion?I
Who else would go on ACL and plays Osborne Brothers “Listening To The Rain” and some how goes into T.Rex “The Motivator” or sing “Id Have To Be Crazy”. Whatever he does he puts his all in it. I should be amazed but I’ve grown to expect great things from this man.
Sorry for rambling on, I think the song is what they were looking for, and I think it great as well.
If you get time go back and read how it has all been chronicled right here. Its been great watching it.
I been kind of a dick to Trigger in a couple statements,I apologize and hope you will accept my apology.Thanks for all the work you put in to get the music heard. Sturgill not the man…. Balderdash.
February 13, 2016 @ 10:41 am
Hey Grady,
Thanks for the kudos, and no reason to apologize. I like for folks to keep me on my toes. It’s been exciting to watch the rise of Sturgill, and it’s exciting to know the best may be yet to come.
February 13, 2016 @ 12:18 pm
UK Telegraph says this song is from new album
Ive seen many of the top guitar players in the world
Lil Joe blew me away. Its kinda weird but he gave me left me in awe watching him that l get when seein Jeff Beck live. Taste technique and feel at its best. I love high top but i like the songs better live when played with the meta modern band. I havent seen Sturgill play electric live.. Be crazy if he is that good Trig. I have to say I saw Glen Campbell live and he was one of the best ive seen in country. He played the william tell ovature with an orchestra and started playing behind his head and everything. I know that is flash but it was awesome.no one remembers how good he was on guitar
February 16, 2016 @ 3:41 pm
I love how this guy is different if someone else did a similar song it would get bashed and called a sell out granted this might not be on an album but if his music is like this from now on he is a sell out like the rest I know he is not the “savior” but he at least in this song not country at all everybody will brush it off if it’s one of your favorite artists
February 18, 2016 @ 10:24 pm
I don’t like the vocal effects. Sturgill, despite the nasal and the twang, is a great Great singer. With all the crap over top, it might as well be the black keys (or me).
March 3, 2016 @ 8:29 pm
Trigger, Sturgill may be good at a lot of things but as a guitar player that video link that was posted was just sad. From what I have seen he couldn’t hack a lead player gig in a 3rd rate weekend cover band. Slamming Paisley’s guitar playing is just ignorance on your part, (You”re not a “player” are you?) I’ll never forget how refreshing it was to hear an actual country guitar player come up with a style that was original and never heard before! How often do you hear actual hot guitar on the radio, NEVER unless it’s Brad! Yeah his songs suck ,blah, blah,blah, but the way he plays guitar is something new and innovative! I get so tired of artsy fartsy assholes making excuses for bad playing by using the “listen to the feeling he plays with excuse” crap is crap and that video is crap. Paisley has made country shred cool and because of him country guitar is making a comeback .
March 3, 2016 @ 8:46 pm
By the way, top 40 country has always been shit!