Introduction
"Single White Female" is the 4th studio album by American nation singer Chely Wright. Launched on May 18, 1999, by MCA Nashville, the album spawned 3 successful singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, consisting of the title track which ended up being Wright's first and only number one hit.
The album showcases Wright's soulful nation sound, combining her emotive and typically individual songwriting with a modern country-pop production. At a time when the category was evolving, Wright discovered success in mixing aspects of conventional nation with a more contemporary appeal.
Business Success
"Single White Female" peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 124 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was a substantial industrial advancement for Wright, making her very first RIAA-certified gold certificate and strengthening her credibility as a force within the country music scene.
Three singles were released from the album-- "Single White Female", "It Was", and "She Went Out for Cigarettes". The title track ended up being Wright's signature song, reaching primary on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earning her an Academy of Country Music Award election for Song of the Year. "It Was" peaked at number 11, and "She Went Out for Cigarettes" reached number 49 on the very same chart.
Songwriting and Themes
Chely Wright has been widely praised for her storytelling and songwriting capabilities, and "Single White Female" is no exception. Numerous of the tunes deal with styles of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
The title track, composed by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Shaye Smith, represents the tale of a female looking for her ideal partner through an individual ad. It is a catchy, uptempo number that showcases Wright's ability to provide engaging storytelling with a contemporary, radio-friendly production.
A few of the most personal songs on the album, such as "It Was", "She Went Out for Cigarettes", and "Rubbin' It In" touch on styles of heartbreak and the intricacies of romantic relationships, with Wright's emotive vocals resonating with listeners.
"Single White Female" likewise consists of a couple of songs that check out deeper content. "Rubbin' It In", co-written by the singer, tells the story of a female who observes her ex-lover flaunting his new relationship. "The Love That We Lost" feels sorry for those handling the after-effects of unpleasant breaks up.
Reception and Legacy
"Single White Female" received usually positive reviews from music critics, who applauded Wright's genuine storytelling and emotive vocal delivery. It remains her most effective and best-known body of work, ultimately specifying her profession and earning her location amongst the pantheon of 90s country music stars.
The album's enduring influence appears in subsequent releases from modern country artists who continue to mine the mix of traditional nation storytelling with modern-day production and themes. Though Wright would never ever rather duplicate the business success of "Single White Female", the album stays a considerable turning point in her career and a touchstone for fans of 90s country music.
In conclusion, "Single White Female" is a standout album of the late 1990s country music age, both for its commercial success and the authentic storytelling that specifies Chely Wright's career. The album's combination of standard and contemporary elements within the genre continues to have a long lasting effect on the c and w landscape.
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.
More about Chely Wright