Chris Sligh Gets His Song Recorded by Rascal Flatts
"We just cut the crap outta your song." That's what Rascal Flatts' producer Dann Huff told Chris Sligh, one of the co-writers of their new single, "Here Comes Goodbye."
I'd always wondered how it would feel to get that call. Not just that someone liked your song -- but that a huge band was to about to record it. And release it. And Sligh told me just how it felt: "After [co-writer Clint Lagerberg] and I turned that song in last April, our publisher called the next day and was squealing ‘You got a Rascal Flatts hold.' I didn't even know what that meant," Sligh said. "But then when Dann called in November, I was just freaking out." That was when Sligh and Lagerberg got the news that their song had been recorded. But still, songs can get left off an album even after that. The really, really good news came just Jan. 14. That's when they found out it not only made the album, but it would be the first single.
So it seems like this new gig for Sligh, a former Top 10 contestant from American Idol, is starting to pay off. And he knew going into this writing session that a Rascal Flatts song would be awesome. "We had heard they were going into the studio, but all we had was a bunch of song titles so far," he recalled. After writing that first line about hearing the truck tires coming up the gravel road, they worked on the list of what's-next things for the chorus: "Here comes goodbye/Here comes a fast car/Here comes the start of every sleepless night/The first of every tear I'm gonna cry." Then, Sligh said, came the music. "I started messing around with a piano and played it out, and I was like ‘Dude, it totally works,'" he said.
After just one listen to this bittersweet ballad about being right on the verge of being dumped, I agree. It totally works.
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K says:
This is an amazing song, recorded by an amazing band. Although I wasn’t too fond of “Still Feels Good, I think this song is stronger than “Take Me There,” and it will do well as a lead-off single.
I’ve been seeing reactions to this single, and many hardcore Flatts fans seem to think this song is Gary’s strongest vocal performance to-date. Many fans also seem to have really high hopes that “Unstoppable” will be better than “Still Feels Good,” which was a dissapointment to some hardcore fans.
Overall, I think this song is going to be yet another hit by the Flatts, and I think many fans think it’s their strongest song ever. I think it will bring hardcore fans back to the band we love, judging by the reactions I’ve heard. And, considering it isn’t even released as a single to all radio stations until next Tuesday, that’s says a lot. I’m glad that this song has brought so much exposure to Chris as well. To have such a huge band record your very first song when you aren’t even well-known yet is a pretty big deal…
Melissa says:
I have to agree with K. Still Feels Good as an album was a huge disappointment to me. I liked like 3 of the songs (and I only mean like - not loved), so I’m hoping this one is better.
Kim says:
Really cool for him! great song!
kinda off topic but…anyone know who the songwriter is that recently signed with Joe Don’s publishing company? He had a song cut by a big artist recently if I remember what I read correctly…big if there
Kim says:
Still feels good was buoyant enough to keep them going though. That seems to be a common problem in music; like the album after the huge ones are the hardest to pull off. RF played it right though, they seem to have wanted to get this faze over with so they can put distance between the rest of their music and Me and my gang. they came out with this new stuff pretty quick. I don’t see them fading any time soon.
K says:
I DID think there were some strong songs on “Still Feels Good,” just not as many. I liked “Help Me Remember,” “Everyday,” and “She Goes All The Way.” I thought they were the strongest songs on the album, both vocally and lyrically. I liked “No Reins,” simply because of the begining and middle harmony, not so much the lyrics. And I’m probably one of the only people who liked “Bob That Head.” It was a bad single choice, but I thought it was catchy and fun, and a sort of rock song that you’d expect from the guys.
K says:
I am more of fan of the Self-titled, Melt Era though. I thought the guys had some of their strongest ballads ever with songs like “I Melt,” “My Worst Fear,” and “Like I Am.” I think Gary’s voice is made for ballads, and when he believes in a love song, so does the listener. There is no denying when he connects with a ballad, and I think they have created some magical RF moments.
I also think their harmony was showcased better in earlier work, and I kind of miss that in the newer stuff. It’s still there, but it’s become less noticable in their sound.
“Still Feels Good came out in Sept. of 2007, while “Me And My Gang” debuted in April of 2006. So, they took about a year and a half between albums. That may seem like a short time frame, but it’s really not if you think about it. I think many fans were expecting too much out of “Still Feels Good,” to be honest. RF had said they felt it was their strongest album so far, and “Me And My Gang” was so popular, I think fans just had too high hopes.
K says:
And, considering that only two of the songs from SFG went number one, I was surprised with their album sales. Many fans seemed dissapointed with album, but it still sold around two million copies, which is awesome in album sales terms nowadays. And the tour played to one million for the second year in a row, they won vocal group at every awards show for the sixth year, and they put out a “Greatest Hits.”
So, despite the “dissapointment” of the last album, RF is still hot career-wise in ticket, album, and awards show stats. I think they’ve shown that they have built a strong enough fanbase that they can still put out an average album and have it sell. They can still give OK live performances, and people will love them.
I think they’re at the point where they have enough hardcore fans to cover them if they make a mistake. The critics and/or music row may not respect them, but thier fans got thier backs, and the album and concert sales prove it. These guys are going nowhere.
rascalfan says:
You’re right. To a hard core fan Still feels good was a huge disappointment espically after the success of Me and My Gang. I do beleive this song has the potentail to make it to number 1, following the recent success of the song here. Cant waint for the new album. I’m going to preorder
anglemcsis2 says:
Wow! This seems so surreal to me…..fans and hard-core fans? This is my take:) I was fortunate enough to have been there the first time Joe Don sat in to play with G & JD @ The Fiddle in Printer’s Alley….We All Knew We Were Hearing HISTORY in the making….and I have been proved right. These guys have grown so very much, not only in their vocal talent, but as musicians, and especially writers. “WINNER AT A LOSING GAME” totally brought out their roots…in country…an exceptional song lyrically…I remember one of the first songs JD & G wrote, it was called something like “She Still Lives In Virginia” or something like…it was okay….Being a writer myself, I have come to really enjoy the progress that each one of “our boys” has made in their personal writing process…JD’S “TO MAKE HER LOVE ME ” & “IN PIECES” are still my favoite. As for picking other people’s songs to cut…the new single is great!! It’s very strong musically as well as the lyric…I’m excited to see where this goes….I still have to say the debut “Prayin’ For Daylight” is my all time favorite….we simply got to hear more vocals than just G’s…..Joey D & JD have GREAT voices….I hope that they have remembered to include thses guys on their next project. Besides, G probably needs a little rest….LOL
I love these guys….they’re my friends and also my peers and I COULD NOT BE MORE HAPPY FOR EVERY BIT OF THEIR SUCCESS!! Bellieve me, it was NOT over night and they DID pay their dues in spades….I was there!!
Big Hugs To My FAV BOYS
xoxoxoxoxo
~Angle (THAT’S MY SISTER)
Karlie says:
At first I read the lead as “We’ve got to cut the crap out of your song” …
Hum…. says:
I love you bloggers! You speak my language! Rascal Flatts are my boys and I have been with them from the beginning when I was seeing them at free concerts and car lots! (seriously!!)Does anyone remember when they were on a special on CMT and they were sitting on hay bails in a barn talking about their music? Or how about CMT got me in with the band…that was a good one too! I haven’t heard Here Comes Goodbye played on our radio stations here in town yet, but I found it online and OMG is it good! Gary just rocked the crap out of it! And it totally reminds me of the first album and the strength of their harmonies. lol It just tugs at you and doesn’t let you go until the end! I love it! Like all of you have said, this is the true Rascal Flatts sound that kind of fades in and out as their albums are released. I seem to always be drawn to their more obscure songs i.e. Not Just Me, My Worst Fear (which I swear to this day should have been a single!) and She Goes All The Way. I just saw the boys on the 17th and KC and I was marvelous. They still got it…not sure what’s up with the sleezy girls dancing in the background, but its all good. Those boys are fabulous and I love them! Much success to Chris Sligh and continued success to Rascal Flatts!
Hum…. says:
Ok, i have to correct one sentence that i put in the above blog. I saw the boys on the 17th in KC and it was marvelous. Sorry about that….just got a little carried away! lol
K says:
Someone said JD wrote “To Make Her Love Me,” but that was Jay, he co-wrote it. All three of the guys wrote “Pieces.”
I still remember the first song they ever wrote together, “Shine On.” It was, and still is, a great song, but they’ve grown leaps and bounds as writers in the last few years. I really think they should record more songs that they write. They got some awesome songs by others, but I know they’re capable of writing songs that as just as good, if not better, than the ones out of Nashvile.
I remember seeing the “Totally 2001″ special where the guys talked about filming “This Everyday Love.” Priceless! I bet even they couldn’t have imagined their success. Tying the record for vocal group wins, having the bestselling album of 2006, selling 18 million CD’s, playing for the President, playing on the Grammy’s and being nominated, having nine number ones….
I love “My Worst Fear,” and totally agree it should have been a single. But “These Days” is STILL have my favorite song. It launched their career, and it’s an awesome video and song. I saw them open for Toby Keith in 2003, and that song was the only part of the concert I remember. I bought “Melt” and the rest is history…
I’ve heard rumors that Jay and JD are going to sing on the new album, too.
I am a HARDCORE RF fan always and forever. I’ve bought all thieir albums, seen them in concert. These guys have made their music a part of my everyday life, and they always make my day a little brighter (:
I’d love to meet them one day. They’re humble and sweet, they do so much for charity, and they do everything for their fans. They know where they’ve been and where they came from, and I hope that never changes.
Hum…. says:
K-
These Days is my favorite song too! That is, if I have to pick just one!
I remember the Toby Keith tour as well. I left after Rascal Flatts performed! lol I wasn’t there for Toby!
You’ve seen the boys in Concert and never met them??? What the heck? Are you in the Fan Club? They are the sweetest guys ever! And when they hug you, they REALLY hug you! Fyi, Gary gives the best hugs! They make you feel like you’ve been friends forever!
Hum…. says:
And another thought…I hope on the new album that they let Joe Don and Jay sing more vocals than their normal harmonies. They have great voices and they need to be heard! (They are more than just sexy guitar players!!!!) lol
thisismywish says:
This song paves a huge pathway in the guys reaching their success level during “Me and My Gang.” Personally, I do not think any CD could ever top that, but if the remainder of the songs on “Unstoppable” hit the level that their new single does, I think they will come really close. I am one of the hardcore fans that thinks this is Gary LeVox’s strongest vocal performance to date. He embraces the pain of the lyrics and makes this a chilling song. The guitar and piano really make this track stand out from the others.
I have heard the rumors, as well, about Jay and Joe Don singing some more on this record, and I think that would be amazing. I love “Long Slow Beautiful Dance” and some of their bonus tracks where all three guys have a chance to sing lead. It gives the fans a chance to see all the parts that encompass Rascal Flatts.
I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. Congratulations to Chris Sligh and Clint Lagerberg for writing this song and having it be released as the first single! And congrats to the boys for putting out another incredible song!
K says:
Hum…No, I’ve never met the guys, but I’m not in the fanclub. I’ve heard it’s near impossible to get a meet and greet, too, because they sell-out in mere seconds. So my dream of meeting them probably won’t happen, but it would be awesome. I’ve also heard they are sweet, and some of the most humble, down-to-earth artists in any genre. Which doesn’t surprise me, they seem like awesome all around people. And they’re great singers, songwriters, producers, and musicans.
To me, it is awesome to see artists not only do thier jobs well (produce, write, sing, ect.) but it makes me an even bigger fan when I know the artist is just an everyday, normal person. Like their not just putting on an act to sell records, or thier not just doing to to appear respectful to thier fans. They’re doing it because they love what they do, and want people to truly see who they are. I think it’s awesome that the guys have remained grounded despite thier incredible success. They are a huge aspect of country and music in genral, and you can tell they don’t take that for granted.
Hum…. says:
Amen sista. I’ve been in the fan club since about 2001 or 2002 and I’ve been pretty successful at getting the passes. (Back in the day, they used to have Fan Club parties during Fan Fair/CMA Week) I might just be lucky or something. lol
anglemcsis2 says:
I was the one who said “JD” wrote “TO MAKE HER LOVE ME” As an “old n very dear pal” “JD” is the nickname I use for Jay DeMarcus….Joe Don Is Joey D…..Believe me… I KNOW WHO WROTE WHAT!!!
BTW “Angle” IS NOT MY NAME….”ANGLE” is what Jay calls me…It’s a joke about him not being able to spell…LOL
Anyway….just clarifying…
K says:
I see, thanks for clarifying! I love these guys, and cannot WAIT for the new album. I’m so proud to be a fan!
K says:
By the way, does anyone know when this single offically hits radio? I’ve heard that it isn’t going to be shipped to every radio station until next week.
I want to start requesting as soon as possible! Also, is it on Itunes yet?
Always Right says:
This song sucks!
K says:
Alwaysright: Many RF fans think this song is amazing, their best work in awhile. But many who aren’t fans think they “suck” no matter what they put out, so I doubt those opinions (or yours) will ever be changed.
RF is the most successful contemporary country band in the last ten years. They’ve sold millions of records, broken tons of records, play to millions every year, and have proven they are important band who has fans outside of the country genre. And, considering almost every song they’ve recorded goes at least top ten (or number one) your opinion has no merit.
RascalFlattscrazyfan says:
I am excited for this new album and for him im amazed he wrote it i think he could be a new hit song writer and just knowing Rascal Flatts is doin it you know that your song is in good hands they do an amazing job and they did i listened to it couple nights ago and i just about died that was the best i have heard from them yet. cant wait to hear them sing it live next month
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