Sugarland – “Already Gone”
Songwriters: Kristian Bush, Jennifer Nettles, and Bobby Pinson
I gotta hand it to Sugarland and their management for knowing how to build up and maintain the hype for their latest album release, Love On The Inside. The first single, “All I Want To Do” was debuted in front of a large audience on the ACM Awards show, building anticipation for the album. Then they release a deluxe version of the album first, generating goodwill for not ripping off their fans and extending press surrounding the release by putting out the standard edition a week later, and as the album press begins to die, they have the next single, “Already Gone,” ready to go–and the lawsuit can’t hurt, at least not yet. Tim McGraw, call Mercury. Pronto!
“Already Gone” provides a little more substance than Sugarland’s first single, but when it comes down to it, more emphasis is placed on constructing an interesting melody–which is done admirably–than creating a narrative that’s anything more than average. And for a song of this caliber, four minutes and thirty-six seconds is a little excessive, especially considering it’s significantly longer than anything currently in the top 40.
The song does begin by laying the groundwork for what could turn into an interesting story as Nettles slows things down, builds up the anticpation, lets us know that she had to gooo… and while we’re waiting to find out what happens, the next lame, uninspired line, “And hangout, make lots of noise,” completely deflates the sails and the song fails to regain momentum.
The song structure takes advantage of the fairly standard usage of recoloration, presenting three different scenarios within the verses and tying them together with the same chorus, but when the chorus does roll around, the song leaves us hanging with three repetitions of the hook and a generic phrase about life being “a runaway train that you can’t wait to jump on.” It’s kinda like leaving work on payday with empty pockets. Bummer.
Jennifer Nettles has the ability to knock anything out of the park when she doesn’t succumb to exaggerating her already pronounced twang and she does a great job here, but Bush sounds a little awkward when he joins in. Luckily, he pops in just after Nettles sings about laying out late with a boy, but the song really doesn’t lend itself well to having him jump in at the end. Actually, rather than a nuanced vocal decrescendo when Bush does start singing, it sounds as if Nettles’ vocal track was faded while Bush jumps in amped up; the disparity is a little jarring. The production on Sugarland’s new album has been described as stripped and raw, and while I can understand the stripped description, raw just isn’t apt unless we’re talking about Bush’s vocals.
Listen: Sugarland – “Already Gone”
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- Matt B.: Rick, James (or his label) tweeted the review.
- Rick: Wow, the crazed fangurls and fanboyz found this one quick! (lol) James has one of the best voices in contemporary country ...
- Rick: Wow, how could you not include Marty Robbins' "Little Joe The Wrangler"! Tsk, tsk....
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- sam (sam): I don't think someone (man, woman or neither) is stupid and shallow merely because they listen to Rodney Atkins. I have ...
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Trackback URI for this postAugust 31, 2008
[...] Sugarland – “Already Gone” (Single Review): “…Sugarland has done some creative things with their music and shows, but [...]
October 9, 2008
[...] ALREADY GONE LYRICS SUGARLAND Already Gone provides a little more substance than Sugarland’s first single, but when it comes down to it, more emphasis is placed on constructing an interesting melody–which is done admirably–than creating a narrative that’s anything more than average. And for a song of this caliber, four minutes and thirty-six seconds is a little excessive, especially considering it’s significantly longer than anything currently in the top 40 — the9513.com [...]
26 Comments
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August 23, 2008 at 8:44 pm Permalink
I don’t think its just the instruments that are lacking on this album. I think the writing is not up to speed either.
I even like some of sugarland’s old acoustic stuff- “april showers” and “hello” were two of my favorites. But this album is just unimpressive in so many ways. It almost seems like it was rushed.
“All I Wanna Do” is starting to drop on the charts, which should be no surprise. Sugarland has done some creative things with their music and shows, but I think they got a little too cute and sloppy at the same time. I still like them but I’m hoping for a major course correction before the next album
August 23, 2008 at 8:44 pm Permalink
Good choice here, this is one of my top 3 songs on the album and was hoping any of them would be selected as the next single. It should chart well, and Sugarland wants to continue to gain popularity to finally usurp Kix & Ronnie for top duo at the awards shows.
August 23, 2008 at 10:20 pm Permalink
Wow this song sucks.
August 23, 2008 at 10:20 pm Permalink
Scooter said: “”All I Wanna Do” is starting to drop on the charts, which should be no surprise. Sugarland has done some creative things with their music and shows, but I think they got a little too cute and sloppy at the same time.”
Well, songs tend to drop after they hit #1- there’s nowhere else to go.
Anyway, I particularly like the second and third verses, they are much better than the first one. The line about “Pictures, dishes and socks, it’s our whole life down to one box” really hits hard, I think. It’s honestly one of my favorite songs on the album- but I love all of them, unlike most people.
Also, I saw on the packaging of Love on the Inside, that it seems that “Keep You” will be the third single, most likely. I was guessing “Very Last Country Song”, but “Keep You” is great as well.
August 23, 2008 at 10:27 pm Permalink
“Very Last Country Song” would not be a good choice at all for a single… that would bomb seriously on the charts after all the momentum they’ve got. It’s a very good song, but it’d be just like Rodney Atkins’ “Invisibly Shaken” all over again.
August 23, 2008 at 10:28 pm Permalink
And I have no idea what the point was of saying “All I Wanna Do is starting to drop on the charts”… ummm, DUH, it already peaked at #1!
August 23, 2008 at 10:34 pm Permalink
What it was was I was trying to predict their next singles after “already gone” and I figured they would pick either “Keep You” or “VLCS”, and I bet on the latter because in every review I have read of the album, the reviewer has loved that song -and I do too. I just guessed wrong, though. I think the 4th single will be “Take Me As I Am”, though.
I guess I feel weird because at least around here, I feel like I’m the only one who likes Love on the Inside, most people around here seem to hate it.
August 23, 2008 at 11:37 pm Permalink
Maybe that was a little unfair saying that the single only spent one week at number one. I guess looking at Taylor Swift and Carrie underwood at number one for six weeks kind of raises the bar.
I really don’t hate this album, just very disappointed because i’m a big fan. The album is still number one so i guess a lot of people disagree with me.
August 23, 2008 at 11:40 pm Permalink
Most often the difference between a multi-week #1 and a single-week #1 is the other songs right behind it on the charts, including both their quality and their momentum. Ok, I’m done defending “All I Wanna Do”, which is in my opinion Sugarland’s worst single to date.
August 24, 2008 at 6:01 am Permalink
90 seconds later and christian bush’s singing would have just fitted perfectly.
August 24, 2008 at 10:12 am Permalink
What happened to the emotional rawness and realness of “Stay”? The problem this group really has is that it is overwhelmed by the attention it has gained. Maybe Sugarland needed more time to really think through some of their songs. This one and the last one sounded like they were the first things off the top of their heads. I have always thought that this group might have a short shelf life. So far I think I am right based on this song. Or they could be the new Rascal Flatts- trying so hard to stay on the pop/country fence that are becoming bland and stupid just to do it.
August 24, 2008 at 12:57 pm Permalink
Most often the difference between a multi-week #1 and a single-week #1 is the other songs right behind it on the charts
I would have to disagree with is comment because if a song is popular enough it would stay on the chart longer like the song Umbrella by Rihanna or Our Song by Taylor Swift. If enough people are buying the song and the radio is playing it the most it will stay number one for more weeks
August 24, 2008 at 4:24 pm Permalink
I actually kind of like this one, to my surprise. I agree that Bush’s vocal toward the end is a bit jarring. It’s as if they threw it in there as an afterthought because he wanted a more audible role in the duo.
I think from the beginning Sugarland has been very hit or miss. I bought the first CD. I really liked the singles on that CD, but the rest of the album didn’t make much of an impression on me. When the second CD came out, I just downloaded the songs I liked – “Want To”, “Settlin’”, and “Stay” from iTunes. “Everyday America” was the first thing they did that I really didn’t like. I intensely dislike “All I Wanna Do” and more or less assumed that the whole album would be bad. Admittedly my expectations were low, but this new single is better than most of what can be heard on mainstream country radio these days, if that isn’t being damned by faint praise.
August 25, 2008 at 10:19 am Permalink
I was also a bit surprised this was picked for the next single. The use of the word generic fits, as it doesn’t stand out as much as singles on the other albums have. Maybe that’s because our expectations for Sugarland is that much higher now? Those of us that like Sugarland, that is! ;)
(Side note, any idea when that info request for the contest winners goes out?)
August 25, 2008 at 11:46 am Permalink
I would have selected “Love” as the second single. I think it’s the biggest possible crossover hit they’ve had their hands on.
August 25, 2008 at 6:54 pm Permalink
Agree with the reviewer’s assessment. I never got this group – not in a bad sense. Seems, to me, like the Hanna Montana-groupie-like crazies that keep them around. Not much substance at all – especially to this track. I listened objectively and was left scratching my head why the guy chimed in at all. Would imagine he’s sick of standing behind her for her 15 minutes and wants the shine to hit him some.
August 26, 2008 at 7:33 am Permalink
Oh my God! I did not just read that Sugarland’s a kind of Hannah Montana groupie!
So you’ll have to face the fact that they’re going to win “Country Album of The Year” next Grammys. Poor you. Don’t like it? Just don’t listen to it.
August 26, 2008 at 9:32 am Permalink
I agree that this song isn’t perfect, but it totally gets bonus points from me for being in 6/8 time. I like that, melodically at least, it won’t sound like everything else on the radio.
August 29, 2008 at 12:04 pm Permalink
You’re correct you didn’t read: “that Sugarland’s a kind of Hannah Montana groupie!” The way it is written is for you to read – was if not for the Hanna Montana-like GROUPIES, like you, their 15 minutes would’ve expired hours ago. Great chance to misinterpret tho, to get in a loyalist blurb.
September 10, 2008 at 9:35 am Permalink
her whiny voice gets on my last nerve
September 16, 2008 at 7:29 pm Permalink
If you listeners did not get the deluxe addition then you are missing some of the best songs. Fall Into Me and Wishing are as good as anything they have ever done. Great songwriting. Jennifer’s great voice. A truly enjoyable experience.
I feel sorry for all those other thin voiced females in pop and country. They all lack the depth, power, and range of Jennifer Nettles. Does Jennifer sound twangy on some of the songs? Sure, growing up 40 miles from the Okeefenokee swamp will do that. But when she gets the right key and the right song (“Wishing” for instance)the end result is special.
November 13, 2008 at 10:31 pm Permalink
You People Have NO Taste In Music,SugarLand Is a wonderful band,yes jennifer nettles has a twaggy,really southern voice,but the lyrics she sings is absolutly wonderful.For all you people you don’t have sugarlands albums,i feel sorry for you because you are misssing a hell of a band.And For the ones who like sugarland( Like Jim) you all are the only nice ones on this post.And if you don’t like them,well heres an idea,DON’T LISTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 14, 2008 at 8:16 am Permalink
We love Sugarland around here, Ricky. If you check out our Last FM group (for the9513), you will see that they are our #1 played artist this week and if you would take the time to read the forum, you would see that the opinions of one reviewer do not necessarily reflect those of everybody who posts here at the9513.
Likewise, you should come up with a more compelling argument when somebody disagrees with your favorites than ‘you people have no taste’. Your ignorance shows in comments like that …
November 29, 2008 at 11:37 pm Permalink
Geez…..I really don’t understand what critics are for…..Lots of people base their love for a song or a band solely on what that critic says, which is soooooo stupid…..People need to just give them a chance. Sure, her voice is twangy, but I love it….it makes me smile. All of their music makes me smile…My opinion is that ALL “critics” should find a new job and let people form their own damn opinions. Like Ricky said, If you don’t like it….don’t listen!!!!
November 30, 2008 at 1:44 pm Permalink
Critics are there to give an audience information about the strengths and weaknesses of an act so they can make an informed choice.
March 16, 2009 at 12:55 pm Permalink
I’ve never liked sugarland…..the songs are to whinny, not to mention her twangy, whinning voice. The lyrics don’t match her singing(excuse me howling voice)
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