Hell of a View explained

Hell of a View
Artist:	Eric Church
Album:	Soul
Type:	single
Cover:	Hell of a View.jpeg
Chronology:	Eric Church singles
Prev Title:	Stick That in Your Country Song
Prev Year:	2020
Next Title:	Heart on Fire
Next Year:	2021

"Hell of a View" is a song by American country artist Eric Church. He co-wrote the track with Casey Beathard and Monty Criswell.^[1] It is the lead single from Church's album Soul, part of a triple album set.^[2] The track features backing vocals from Church's longtime collaborator Joanna Cotten.^[3]

Background

Church was in the mountains of North Carolina when he returned from a jog to hear co-writer Casey Beathard play the song which he had been working on with Monty Criswell. Church said it felt like a "big hit but at the same time it has that timeless quality to it". The men finished writing the song and recorded it that same night.^[4]

Critical reception

"Hell of a View" received generally positive reviews, with many positively noting the presence of Joanna Cotten's vocals. Craig Shelburne of CMT called the song a "romantic new single", noting Cotten's "powerful harmony" as a backing vocalist.^[4] Jon Freeman of Rolling Stone referred to the track as a "tender mid-tempo ballad", saying it "depicts the thrill of a life on the move with the one you love". Freeman also noted Cotten's "soulful voice" as a "big presence".^[5] Angela Stefano of Taste of Country called the song a "a love song for rebels".^[6]

Commercial performance

"Hell of a View" is Church's highest charting single since 2012's "Springsteen", as well as the second highest of his career, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Live performance

Church performed "Hell of a View" at the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards in November 2020.^[7]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Hell of a View"! Chart (2020–2021)! Peak
position

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Hell of a View"! Chart (2021)! Position

Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[8]	82
US Billboard Hot 100^[9]	91
US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[10]	33
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[11]	16

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	October 2, 2020
Canada	November 9, 2020	Country radio
United States

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hell of a View – Eric Church . AllMusic. March 4, 2021.
2. Web site: Joseph. Hudak. Eric Church Is Releasing Three New Albums. Rolling Stone. January 21, 2021. March 4, 2021.
3. Web site: Eric Church to Send New Single, "Hell of a View," to Country Radio [Listen]]. The Country Daily. Jim. Casey. November 5, 2020.
4. Web site: After a Jog in the Mountains, Eric Church Discovers "Hell of a View". https://web.archive.org/web/20201205085531/http://www.cmt.com/news/1827141/eric-church-hell-of-a-view/. dead. December 5, 2020. CMT. Craig. Shelburne. November 11, 2020.
5. Web site: Jon. Freeman. Eric Church Celebrates a 'Reckless' Love in New Song 'Hell of a View'. Rolling Stone. October 2, 2020. March 5, 2021.
6. Web site: Angela. Stefano. Eric Church's 'Hell of a View' Is a Love Song for Rebels [Listen]]. Taste of Country. October 2, 2020.
7. Web site: Eric Church Offers a 'Hell of a View' at the 2020 CMA Awards. Billboard. Anna. Chan. November 11, 2020.
8. Web site: Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.
9. Web site: Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
10. Web site: Country Airplay – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
11. Web site: Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.