Chillin' It Explained
"Chillin' It" is the debut single by American country music artist Cole Swindell. Swindell co-wrote the song with Shane Minor. Swindell released the song independently in March 2013 as a digital download.[1] In July 2013, Swindell signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records.[2] Warner Bros. assumed promotion of the single and released it to country radio in August 2013.[3] It is included on Swindell's self-titled debut album, which was released on February 18, 2014.[4]
History
The song was produced by Jody Stevens, the son of songwriter and producer Jeff Stevens, and formerly one-half of the duo Fast Ryde. According to The Tennessean, the recording was a demo made by Jody Stevens, with him playing all of the instruments.[5]
Content
The song is in the key of A major with a moderate tempo in 4/4 time signature, and a main chord pattern of D-A-E-F7.[6]
Critical reception
Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song three and a half stars out of five, writing that it "isn't about the words or the musicianship. It's about the vibe and the sweet groove this Georgia-raised singer lays down patiently." Dukes also wrote that "the verses are pleasantly effective in telling a vivid (if overtold) story of a guy, a girl and the open road" and described it a "decaf version" of Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise".[7] In 2017, Billboard contributor Chuck Dauphin put "Chillin' It" at number six on his top 10 list of Swindell's best songs.[8]
Music video
The music video was directed by Michael Monaco and Shaun Silva and premiered in November 2013.[9]
Chart performance
"Chillin' It" debuted at number 42 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 15, 2013. It also debuted at number 52 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of August 10, 2013.[10] It also debuted at number 98 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of November 2, 2013. The song reach its 1 million sales mark in the US by March 2014.[11] On March 24, 2014, the single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over a million digital copies in the United States.[12] As of April 2014, the song has sold 1,075,000 copies in the United States.[13]
The song also debuted at number 100 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of January 11, 2014.
Charts
Year-end charts
Notes and References
- Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album/release|id=mr0004020228|pure_url=yes}} Chillin' It – Cole Swindell]. AllMusic. September 26, 2013.
- News: Dauphin. Chuck. Cole Swindell Rides 'Chillin' It' to Label Deal. September 26, 2013. Billboard. July 23, 2013.
- News: Nicholson. Jessica. Warner Bros. Records Adds To Artist Roster. September 26, 2013. MusicRow. July 23, 2013.
- News: Bjorke . Matt . "Chillin' It" Singer Cole Swindell To Release Debut Album on February 18 . December 22, 2013 . Roughstock . December 20, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131221052409/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/-chillin-it-singer-cole-swindell-to-release-debut-album-on-february-18 . December 21, 2013 .
- Web site: Father and son producers Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens celebrate No. 1 and No. 2 hits. Watts. Cindy. 12 February 2014. The Tennessean. 14 February 2014.
- Web site: 'Chillin' It' sheet music. MusicNotes.com. 12 February 2014 . 17 February 2014.
- News: Dukes. Billy. Cole Swindell, 'Chillin' It' – Song Review. September 26, 2013. Taste of Country. July 23, 2013.
- Cole Swindell's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks. Dauphin. Chuck. Chuck Dauphin. Billboard. August 8, 2017. May 18, 2020.
- Web site: CMT: Videos : Cole Swindell : Chillin' It. https://web.archive.org/web/20131110203442/http://www.cmt.com/videos/cole-swindell/976730/chillin-it.jhtml. dead. November 10, 2013. Country Music Television. November 10, 2013.
- News: Morris. Edward. Randy Houser's "Moonlight" Vaults In as Week's Most Played Song. https://web.archive.org/web/20130806035558/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1711740/randy-housers-moonlight-vaults-in-as-weeks-most-played-song.jhtml. dead. August 6, 2013. September 26, 2013. Country Music Television. August 3, 2013.
- News: Country Chart News - The Top 30 Digital Singles - March 12, 2014: Brantley Gilbert #1, Cassadee Pope & Cole Swindell Platinum . Matt Bjorke . March 12, 2014 . Roughstock . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140315055714/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-chart-news-the-top-30-digital-singles-march-12-2014-brantley-gilbert-1-cassadee-pope-cole-swindell-platinum . March 15, 2014 .
- Web site: Gold & Platinum . .
- News: Country Chart News - The Top 30 Digital Singles - April 9, 2014: Play It Again as Luke Hits #1, FGL #2, Hunter Hayes and Justin Moore Earn AcM Boosts . Matt Bjorke . April 9, 2014 . Roughstock . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140411082819/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-chart-news-the-top-30-digital-singles-april-9-2014-play-it-again-as-luke-hits-1-fgl-2-hunter-hayes-and-justin-moore-earn-acm-boosts . April 11, 2014 .
- Billboard Country Update for December 16, 2013. 21. December 16, 2013. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 17, 2013. December 17, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131217064114/http://www1.billboard.biz/bbbiz/photos/pdf/2013/country_update_1216.pdf. dead.
- Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs . . . 2013 . December 13, 2013.
- Best of 2014: Country Airplay . . . 2014 . December 9, 2014.
- Best of 2014: Hot Country Songs . . . 2014 . December 9, 2014.
