Pretty Heart

"Pretty Heart"
Single by Parker McCollum
from the album Gold Chain Cowboy
ReleasedApril 27, 2020 (2020-04-27)
GenreNeotraditional country[1]
Length4:19
LabelMCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jon Randall
Parker McCollum singles chronology
"Misunderstood"
(2019) 		"Pretty Heart"
(2020) 		"To Be Loved by You"
(2021)

"Pretty Heart" is a song by American country music singer Parker McCollum. It was released on April 27, 2020, as the first single from his debut studio album Gold Chain Cowboy and was previously featured on his 2020 extended play Hollywood Gold. McCollum wrote the song with Randy Montana.

History

McCollum first came up with the lyric "What does that say about me/That I could love somebody like you" in 2014, and posted a clip of himself singing the lyric on his Instagram account. Four years later, he presented the clip to Randy Montana during a songwriting session, and the two changed it to "What does that say about me/I could do you like I did". According to Montana, the song is about "a guy kind of being vulnerable" and "down on himself" because he caused his relationship to end unfavorably.[2] After the song was completed and McCollum had signed to MCA Nashville, representatives of the label encouraged him to record it as one of four songs in his first recording session for the label, with Jon Randall producing. Among the contributing musicians are Rob McNelley on slide guitar and Jedd Hughes on resonator guitar.[2]

Critical reception

Billboard writer Tom Roland said that the song features "swamp-rock slide guitar and the jumble of torment and bravado embedded in McCollum’s vocal performance".[2] Taste of Country writer Billy Dukes said that "puts his torment on display over a plodding arrangement of drums and guitars. The slide guitar licks that color the mix pull this lyric safely into 'real country' territory". He praised McCollum's "sharp songwriting and storytelling" as well.[3]

Chart performance

Due to a heavy amount of online streaming, the song had already charted on Hot Country Songs before MCA officially released it as a single.[2]

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[14] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[15] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Papadatos, Markos (January 2, 2022). "Review: Parker McCollum stays true to his roots on 'Gold Chain Cowboy' album". Digital Journal. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Tom Roland (May 28, 2020). "Makin' Tracks: Parker McCollum Puts 'Heart' Out Front in MCA Debut". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  3. ^ Billy Dukes (April 3, 2020). "Parker McCollum Learns a Lot About Himself With 'Pretty Heart' [Listen] Read More: Parker McCollum Learns A Lot About Himself With 'Pretty Heart'". Taste of Country. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  6. ^ "Billboard Country Update – February 10, 2020" (PDF). Billboard.
  7. ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  9. ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  10. ^ "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  11. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  13. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Parker McCollum – Pretty Heart". Music Canada. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  15. ^ "American single certifications – Parker McCollum – Pretty Heart". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 8, 2023.