Album: Starting Over (2020)
Charted: 101
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Chris Stapleton bitterly addresses his former romantic partner. He hadn't anticipated his lover coldly walking out on him, breaking his heart.
  • The mournful ballad opens with a somber piano line performed by Benmont Tench. It slowly builds, before culminating in a grand crescendo of heartbreak and Stapleton's anguished, passionate guitar solo.
  • Stapleton wrote the song with Starting Over producer Dave Cobb and longtime band members JT Cure and Derek Mixon.
  • Benmont Tench is a renowned session musician and the longtime keyboard player in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Stapleton enlisted him to play Hammond B3 organ on several Starting Over tracks, including "Maggie's Song," "Arkansas," "Nashville, TN," and this song.
  • Stapleton cut part of "Cold" at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, before adding string arrangements and Tench's Hammond contribution after his trip.
  • Stapleton delivered a soulful performance of "Cold" at the 2021 CMA Awards accompanied by Dave Cobb's electric guitar and a soaring string section. The neo-outlaw star also hit the stage with Jennifer Hudson to perform a medley of the Willie Nelson-penned "Night Life" and "You Are My Sunshine." Stapleton snagged four out of the five trophies for which he'd been nominated, including Song of the Year and Single of the Year for "Starting Over."
  • Stapleton performed this at the Grammy Awards in 2022, where it won for Best Country Song. He filled up his trophy case that night: Starting Over took Best Country Album and "You Should Probably Leave" won for Best Country Solo Performance.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.