Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Chris Stapleton’s “Either Way” Tells A Tale Of Painful Hopelessness

Chris Stapleton's "Either Way"
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Heart-wrenching ballad – that’s how we can describe Chris Stapleton’s “Either Way” 2017 song. It has a solid and deep timbre that could put pain in your heart just by listening to it. The gradual increase of tempo does well to emphasize the message and create an image among listeners. It’s a compelling piece to make you cry even though you haven’t been in a broken relationship.

Dormant Love Story

Chris Stapleton isn’t the only writer for “Either Way.” Tim James and Kendell Marvel share the songwriting credit as one of them initially had the idea for a sad and tragic piece. The song was first heard on Lee Ann Womack’s 2008 album Call Me Crazy, but Stapleton recorded it himself for his 2017 From A Room: Volume 1 album. It turned out to be a success for the charismatic Kentucky-born singer as the song won the Best Country Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2018.

“Either Way” is a country ballad that will leave listeners wanting more. The story starts off with a couple having separate rooms and only talking when the monthly bills are due. They fake the perfect life outside of their home, and the narrator doesn’t care anymore. He’s already done saving the dying relationship because his tears are all dried up.

The lyrics are like the calm before the storm, but the narrator knows everything is already destroyed. And so, the said storm doesn’t do a lot of damage because deep inside, he’s already empty. One of the most heartbreaking types of relationships is the dormant one, where you don’t love each other anymore but pretend to be. Deciding to go or stay doesn’t matter as the narrator knows whatever they choose; he won’t love either way.

Positive Reception

Thought-provoking lyrics are the trademark of Chris Stapleton songs, and “Either Way” fits that description. Rolling Stone’s Will Hermes described the country ballad like a broken whisper turning to a chilling holler. Moreover, Robert Crawford shared how impressive it is that Stapleton’s studio version doesn’t differ from his first live performance. He even complimented the show as simple and stunning.

Taste of Country reviewer Billy Dukes commended the country singer as a gold standard. He further took notice of Stapleton’s tremendous voice contrasting to the nature of his lyrics. Critics are all praises for the rising country star.

Click on the link below and feel the painful hopelessness in Chris Stapleton’s “Either Way.”

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...