17 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written By Chris Stapleton
Some of the most popular songs of the past decade have been penned by country maverick Chris Stapleton.
Soon after moving to Nashville in 2001, country singer Chris Stapleton launched a successful career writing hit songs—for other artists. "I didn't know they would pay you money to sit in a room and write songs for other people," Stapleton told CBS News in 2016. "I always thought that George Strait was singing a song, he made it up, and that was the end of it. But the instant I found that out, that that could be a job, I thought, 'That's the job for me. I gotta figure out how to do that.'" And figure it out he did. When his chart-topping solo debut Traveller was released in 2015, the Kentucky native was already one of country music's hardest working and most prolific songwriters. In fact, when CBS asked Chris how many of his songs have been recorded by other artists over the years, he replied "probably pushing 200, something like that." Here are 17 hit songs you probably didn't know were penned by Chris Stapleton.
"If It Hadn't Been for Love" | Adele
Chris originally wrote this song back in 2008, when he was part of a bluegrass group called the SteelDrivers. Three years later, Adele recorded it as a bonus track for her sophomore album 21.
"Miles to Go" | Alison Krauss & Union Station
Chris co-wrote this twangy tune with Union Station bassist Barry Bales; it appeared on the group's 2011 album with Alison Krauss, Paper Airplane.
"Homesick" | Sheryl Crow
Sheryl duets with Zac Brown on this song from her debut country album, Feels Like Home, but the songstress actually teamed up with Chris to co-write the ballad.
"Whiskey and You" | Tim McGraw
While you may know Chris's version of this song from his 2015 album Traveller, it was first recorded by Tim McGraw for his 2007 album Let It Go.
"Love's Gonna Make It Alright" | George Strait
Co-written with Al Anderson, this is the second single off George Strait's 2011 album Here For A Good Time. The mid-tempo tune made it to number 3 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2012.
"There's More Where That Came From" | Lee Ann Womack
Co-written with Chris DuBois, this song is the title track from Lee Ann's sixth studio album, released in 2005.
"Never Wanted Nothin' More" | Kenny Chesney
The second single from Kenny's 2007 album Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates, Chris co-wrote this song with Ronnie Bowman. It reached number 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
"Your Man" | Josh Turner
Josh Turner's first number 1 hit was co-written by Stapleton along with Chris DuBois and Jace Everett. The lead single from Josh's 2005 album Your Man, the song earned Chris an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award.
"Come Back Song" | Darius Rucker
Chris co-wrote this easy-going tune with Darius and Casey Beathard. The lead single from Darius's 2010 album Charleston, SC 1966, it hit number 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
"Drink a Beer" | Luke Bryan
Written by Chris and Jim Beavers, “Drink a Beer” peaked at number 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2014. Luke has called the melancholy tune "the coolest sad song ever," according to Taste of Country.
"Something to Do with My Hands" | Thomas Rhett
Released in 2012, "Something to Do with My Hands" was Thomas's debut single from his first album It Goes Like This. Thomas co-wrote the song with Chris and Lee Thomas Miller. (Fun fact: Chris also penned the song "Crash and Burn" from Thomas's sophomore album Tangled Up.)
"Ready to Roll" | Blake Shelton
"Ready to Roll" is one of three songs Chris co-wrote for Blake's 2011 record Red River Blue. In fact, Blake has recorded six Chris Stapleton-penned songs over the years.
"Front Porch Thing" | Little Big Town
Written by Chris Stapleton and Adam Hood, this uptempo ditty was featured on Little Big Town's 2012 album Tornado.
"Talk Is Cheap" | Alan Jackson
Chris lent his songwriting skills to two tracks on Alan's 2012 album Thirty Miles West: "Gonna Come Back as a Country Song" and "Talk Is Cheap," which was co-written with Guy Clark and Chris's wife, Morgane.
"Ring for Sale" | Kellie Pickler
This sassy breakup anthem appeared on Kellie's 2013 album The Woman I Am. Chris co-wrote the song with Jim Beavers.
"The Best Thing I Had Goin'" | Brad Paisley
Co-written by Chris and Jerry Salley, this song was featured on Brad's 2003 album Mud on the Tires.
"Nobody's Fool" | Miranda Lambert
"Nobody's Fool" appeared on Miranda Lambert's fourth studio album, Four the Record, released in 2011.
Lauren (she/her) is the executive digital content director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group, where she oversees online content and strategy for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and other Hearst titles, including SEO, video, social media and e-commerce efforts. She has almost 20 years of experience writing and editing beauty, lifestyle, home, health, entertainment and product review content. She graduated from NYU with a degree in journalism and history.
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