Chris Stapleton is a Grammy Award-winning country music singer and songwriter hailing from Kentucky. Known for his powerful and soulful voice, he has become one of the most acclaimed artists in the industry, with a fanbase that spans beyond country music. Stapleton’s music blends elements of classic rock, blues, and country, creating a unique sound that has captivated audiences worldwide.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 best Chris Stapleton songs of all time. From his breakthrough hit “Tennessee Whiskey” to the emotionally charged “Broken Halos,” these songs showcase Stapleton’s ability to write poignant lyrics and deliver them with unmatched vocal prowess. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering his music, this list is sure to highlight some of the most impressive and unforgettable moments of Stapleton’s career.
1. The Devil Named Music
“The Devil Named Music” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad from Chris Stapleton’s debut solo album, “Traveller.” The song is a poignant tribute to the power of music and the role it plays in our lives, both as a source of solace and a reflection of the struggles we face. Stapleton’s soulful vocals are at their finest here, perfectly conveying the raw emotions that run through the lyrics. The haunting melody and sparse instrumentation, featuring mournful guitar lines and gentle piano accents, add to the song’s introspective mood. With lines like “sometimes the only pay off for having any faith is when it’s tested again and again every day,” “The Devil Named Music” is a powerful testament to the cathartic and healing power of music in the face of life’s challenges.
2. What Are You Listening To?
“What Are You Listening To?” is a heartfelt ballad from Chris Stapleton’s songbook that showcases his exceptional songwriting skills. The song tells the story of a man who is struggling to move on from a past relationship, and finds solace in listening to music that reminds him of the love he’s lost. Stapleton’s rich, soulful vocals capture the song’s poignant lyrics perfectly, delivering them with a rawness that makes the emotions of the song even more powerful. The song’s acoustic guitar and piano arrangement add to the contemplative mood, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. With its relatable theme and memorable melody, “What Are You Listening To?” is a standout track in Stapleton’s discography and a testament to his skill as both a songwriter and performer.
3. Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore
“Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore” is a powerful ballad from Chris Stapleton’s debut album “Traveller.” The song tells the story of a man grappling with his father’s loss of faith and the impact it has on their relationship. Stapleton’s emotive vocals bring the song’s poignant lyrics to life, capturing the pain and sadness of watching someone you love lose their way. The song’s stripped-down instrumentation, featuring acoustic guitar and mournful pedal steel, adds to its emotional weight. With lines like “I guess he’s lost his way / He never showed it, but I think he prayed,” “Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore” is a deeply personal and relatable song that speaks to the complexities of faith, family, and loss. It’s a testament to Stapleton’s talent as a songwriter and storyteller.
4. A Simple Song
“A Simple Song” is a soulful track from Chris Stapleton’s album “Starting Over.” The song’s stripped-down instrumentation, featuring acoustic guitar and gentle piano, allows Stapleton’s powerful vocals to take center stage. The song’s lyrics, which describe the power of a simple song to heal and inspire, are both uplifting and deeply moving. Stapleton’s emotive delivery captures the song’s message perfectly, imbuing every line with heartfelt emotion. With its relatable theme and memorable melody, “A Simple Song” is a standout track on an already impressive album. It’s a testament to Stapleton’s talent as both a singer and songwriter, and a reminder of the transformative power of music to lift our spirits and bring us together.
5. Fire Away
“Fire Away” is a heart-wrenching ballad from Chris Stapleton’s album “Traveller.” The song’s poignant lyrics describe a relationship that is falling apart despite the couple’s best efforts to save it. Stapleton’s soulful vocals convey the song’s emotional intensity, capturing the pain and frustration of watching love slip away. The song’s sparse instrumentation, featuring mournful guitar lines and gentle piano accents, adds to its contemplative mood. The song’s chorus, with its memorable refrain of “fire away,” is a powerful reminder that sometimes the only way to heal is to face our pain head-on. With its relatable theme and unforgettable melody, “Fire Away” is a standout track in Stapleton’s discography and a testament to his talent as both a songwriter and performer.
6. Whiskey and You
“Whiskey and You” is a soulful ballad from Chris Stapleton’s debut album “Traveller.” The song’s haunting melody and sparse instrumentation, featuring acoustic guitar and mournful pedal steel, create an introspective mood that perfectly complements the song’s introspective lyrics. Stapleton’s rich, emotive vocals capture the raw emotions of the song, conveying the pain and solace found in the bottom of a bottle. The song’s chorus, with its memorable refrain of “sometimes the best medicine is the whiskey,” is a powerful reminder of the ways we cope with our pain. With its relatable theme and timeless sound, “Whiskey and You” has become a fan favorite and a standout track in Stapleton’s discography.
7. Second One to Know
“Second One to Know” is a hard-driving rock-infused track from Chris Stapleton’s album “From A Room: Volume 1.” The song’s driving rhythm section and explosive guitar riffs showcase a different side of Stapleton’s sound, while still retaining his signature soulful vocals. The song’s lyrics describe a man warning his partner that he’s not to be taken for granted, with Stapleton’s powerful delivery conveying the song’s sense of urgency and determination. With its infectious groove and high-energy performance, “Second One to Know” is a standout track in Stapleton’s catalog, showcasing his ability to infuse country music with a rock and roll edge. It’s a testament to his versatility as an artist and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre.
8. Broken Halos
“Broken Halos” is a poignant ballad from Chris Stapleton’s album “From A Room: Volume 1.” The song’s gentle acoustic guitar and piano arrangement create a reflective mood that perfectly complements the song’s introspective lyrics. The song speaks to the pain of loss and the hope of redemption, with Stapleton’s emotive vocals capturing the raw emotions of the song. The chorus, with its memorable refrain of “angels come down from the heavens just to help us on our way,” is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone. With its timeless melody and heartfelt message, “Broken Halos” is a standout track in Stapleton’s discography and a testament to his talent as both a songwriter and performer.
9. Tennessee Whiskey
“Tennessee Whiskey” is a classic country ballad that helped catapult Chris Stapleton to mainstream success. The song, originally recorded by David Allan Coe in 1981, was reimagined by Stapleton with his soulful, powerful vocals and a bluesy, guitar-driven arrangement. The song’s memorable hook, “you’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey,” has become a fan favorite and a staple of country music playlists. Stapleton’s emotive performance captures the romantic, yearning sentiment of the song, making it a perfect slow-dance tune. With its timeless sound and universal theme of love, “Tennessee Whiskey” has become one of Stapleton’s most beloved songs and a standout track in his discography.
10. You Should Probably Leave
“You Should Probably Leave” is a powerful ballad from Chris Stapleton’s album “Traveller.” The song’s lyrics describe a man trying to gently let his partner down, telling her that it’s time for her to leave. Stapleton’s emotive vocals capture the emotional weight of the song, conveying the difficult decision and the pain of ending a relationship. The song’s gentle acoustic guitar and piano arrangement adds to its contemplative mood, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. With its relatable theme and powerful message, “You Should Probably Leave” is a standout track in Stapleton’s discography and a testament to his talent as both a songwriter and performer. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest decisions we make are the ones that are ultimately the most necessary.
Darren Jamison is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
