Album Overview
"Let Me In" is the fourth studio album by American c and w artist Chely Wright. Released on September 9, 1997, it marked a considerable turning point in her profession as it was her very first album launched on MCA Nashville Records. The album features 11 tracks, including the songs "Just Another Heartache", "Shut Up and Drive", "I Already Do", and the title track, "Let Me In". The album earned Wright acknowledgment as a vital voice in the late '90s c and w scene and was ultimately licensed gold.
Background and Production
After at first starting her profession with Mercury Records, Chely Wright signed with MCA Nashville in 1996. "Let Me In" was her first release with the label. The album was produced by esteemed Nashville manufacturer, Tony Brown, who has worked with the similarity George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Vince Gill. The album was tape-recorded at Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.
For "Let Me In", Wright collaborated with a number of songwriters, including Gary Burr, Kostas, and Bob DiPiero. Known for her emotive songwriting and storytelling capabilities, her work on "Let Me In" is regarded as a few of her most captivating. The album checks out styles of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, in addition to the journey to discovering one's location worldwide.
Reception and Impact
Upon its release, "Let Me In" got extensive critical praise. Reviewers praised Wright's powerful vocals, emotive lyrics, and the album's ability to effectively blend conventional country elements with contemporary pop affects. The album reached number 25 on the US Country Albums chart and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1998.
The singles from the album enjoyed immense success on the nation radio charts, with "Shut Up and Drive" becoming her first top 20 hit, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Other songs, such as "Just Another Heartache", "I Already Do", and "Let Me In", likewise got significant airplay and chart positionings. In addition, "Let Me In" earned Wright the respected Academy of Country Music (ACM) award for Top New Female Vocalist in 1995.
Tradition
"Let Me In" showed to be a turning point in Chely Wright's career. It laid the foundation for her meteoric rise towards becoming one of the most highly regarded female nation artists in the late '90s and early 2000s. As an outcome of the album's success, Wright went on to launch more celebrated albums, including "Single White Female" (1999) and "Never Love You Enough" (2001).
Chely Wright's "Let Me In" remains an important listening for c and w enthusiasts. The album works as a suggestion of the special storytelling and emotive songwriting that brought numerous fans to like her work. The record is a testimony to Chely's skill as a singer, songwriter, and entertainer who can infuse her individual experiences and feelings into each track, developing long lasting connections with her audience.
In 2010, Wright formally came out as a lesbian, making her one of the first significant nation artists to do so. Her experiences in the country music world and her journey to self-acceptance have been documented in her memoir, "Like Me", and the documentary, "Wish Me Away". Through her openness and sincerity, Chely Wright has ultimately become a trailblazer in the c and w community, motivating numerous other artists and fans alike.
Artist: Chely Wright
Chely Wrights life & musical journey, her inspiring quotes, and the impact of coming out as the first major country artist. Learn her LGBTQ+ activism.
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