Make a Life, Not a Living explained

Make a Life, Not a Living
Cover:Make a Life, Not a Living.webp
Type:single
Artist:Brett Kissel
Album:What Is Life?
Genre:Country
Length:2:46
Prev Title:A Few Good Stories
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Night in the Life
Next Year:2021

"Make a Life, Not a Living" is a song by Canadian country artist Brett Kissel.[1] The track was co-written by Cary Barlowe, Brandon Day, and Steven Lee Olsen.[2] It is the lead single from Kissel's album What Is Life?[3]

Background

Fellow Canadian country singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen co-wrote "Make a Life, Not a Living" and sent it to Kissel on his thirtieth birthday, telling him "if anybody is able to live, and eat, sleep and breathe these lyrics, it’s going to be you". Kissel remarked that he "immediately knew" he had to base his "entire record" and "whole new life" around the song.[4] One month prior to the release of the song, Kissel revealed the lyrics "I'm trying to make a life... not a livin'". He announced he was taking a month off social media to 'live the lyrics', and returned to announce the new single.[5]

Critical reception

"Make a Life, Not a Living" received generally positive reviews. Caleigh DeCaprio of NY Country Swag called the song a "reminder to be happy with all that you do have and to not worry about what you don’t".[6] Isabella Mitchell of Raised Rowdy referred to the track as a "catchy, upbeat and positive song that you can’t help but dance to".[7] Complete Country described the song as a 'gift', saying it is a "great reminder to seek out moments that make us genuinely happy".[8] Front Porch Music labelled the track a "down home song" and a "great message to live for life as opposed to living for work".[9] Mallory Arbour of Countrytown favourably reviewed the song, stating it is a "song to get you through this Friday".[10]

Accolades

Year Award Category Result Ref
2021CCMAVideo of the Year
2022Single of the Year [11]
CCMASingle Of The Year[12] [13]

Commercial performance

"Make a Life, Not a Living" debuted as the most downloaded song on all-formats on Canadian radio for the week ending on March 5, 2021, ahead of Maroon 5's "Beautiful Mistakes" and Justin Bieber's "Hold On".[14] It subsequently debuted at number 36 on the Billboard Canada Country chart,[15] and made history as the most-added song in a single week at Canadian country radio ever.[16] One week later, it debuted at number 95 on the Canadian Hot 100.[17] It later peaked at number 49, making it his highest charting entry there. In July 2021, "Make a Life, Not a Living" became Kissel's fourth Number One on the Canada Country chart. The song has been certified Platinum by Music Canada.

Music video

The official music video for "Make a Life, Not a Living" was directed by Megan Jackson and premiered on March 19, 2021.[18] It features Kissel, his wife Cecilia, and their three children.[19] The video portrays Kissel ditching an office job for life on a farm.[20] The video was named "Video of the Year" at the 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards.[21]

Charts

Chart performance for "Make a Life, Not a Living"! Chart (2021)! Peak
position

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LISTEN: Brett Kissel Debuts 'Make A Life, Not A Living'. March 5, 2021. John R. Kennedy. iHeartRadio.ca. Bell Media. March 9, 2021.
  2. Web site: Make a Life, Not a Living - Brett Kissel. AllMusic. March 18, 2021.
  3. Web site: Brett Kissel Releases New Single, Announces What Is Life? Album. Joshua. Murray. The Reviews Are In. March 5, 2021.
  4. Web site: Interview: Brett Kissel Opens Up About How The Pandemic Inspired His New Album 'What Is Life?'. Entertainment Focus. Pip. Ellwood-Hughes. April 8, 2021.
  5. Web site: Brett Kissel makes triumphant return to social media with new song & big album news. Country 104. Corus Radio. Matthew. Weaver. March 5, 2021.
  6. Web site: Brett Kissel New Song "Make A Life, Not A Living". Caleigh. DeCaprio. NY Country Swag. March 9, 2021.
  7. Web site: Brett Kissel Gives Some Country Music Advice in 'Make a Life, Not a Living'. Isabella. Mitchell. Raised Rowdy. March 9, 2021.
  8. Web site: REVIEW: Brett Kissel's Single "Make a Life, Not a Living". Complete Country. March 10, 2021.
  9. Web site: Brett Kissel's New Single "Make A Life, Not A Living". Front Porch Music. March 13, 2021.
  10. Web site: Make A Life, Not A Living by Brett Kissel – Song of the Day. Countrytown. Mallory. Arbour. April 23, 2021. March 8, 2024.
  11. Jackson Weaver, "Charlotte Cardin, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber lead 2022 Juno Award nominees". CBC News, March 1, 2022.
  12. Web site: 2022 CCMA AWARD NOMINEES. Canadian Country Music Association. September 12, 2022. September 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220913031458/https://ccma.org/2022-nominees/.
  13. Web site: TENILLE TOWNES TAKES HOME FOUR WINS AT THE 2022 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD. September 11, 2022. Canadian Country Music Association. Global News Wire. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912031953/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/09/12/2513625/0/en/TENILLE-TOWNES-TAKES-HOME-FOUR-WINS-AT-THE-2022-CCMA-AWARDS-PRESENTED-BY-TD.html. September 12, 2022.
  14. Web site: Brett Kissel Is Hot with Make A Life, Not A Living. FYI Music News. March 7, 2021.
  15. Web site: Canada Country chart for March 20, 2021 . Billboard . March 15, 2021.
  16. Web site: Brett Kissel releases video for 'Make a Life Not a Living'. March 22, 2021. Nanci. Dagg. Canadian Beats Media.
  17. Web site: Canadian Hot 100: March 27, 2021 . Billboard . March 23, 2021.
  18. Web site: Brett Kissel - Make A Life, Not A Living (Official Music Video). YouTube. March 21, 2021. video. March 20, 2021.
  19. Web site: Aynslee. Darmon. Brett Kissel Drops Music Video For Latest Single 'Make A Life, Not A Living'. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319220109/https://etcanada.com/news/760045/brett-kissel-drops-music-video-for-latest-single-make-a-life-not-a-living/. dead. March 19, 2021. ET Canada. March 19, 2021.
  20. Web site: Brett Kissel Releases Music Video For "Make A Life, Not A Living". Complete Country. March 23, 2021.
  21. Web site: CCMA 2021 Award Nominees. Canadian Country Music Association. November 30, 2021.

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