Kellie Pickler, ‘Feeling Tonight’ [Listen]
With “Feeling Tonight,” Kellie Pickler breaks from the traditional mold she’s worked within for two straight albums. The uptempo love song is more reminiscent of her early singles, but it’s infused with the strength and confidence of a woman who has grown up exponentially in the years since first signing a record deal.
Husband Kyle Jacobs and his co-producer Matt McClure really make this song pop. An early guitar intro paired with the heavy thumb of a kick drum make sure one doesn’t miss the vocal performance that’s to come. “Feeling Tonight” isn’t a vocal or lyrical showcase necessarily, but the three elements work together to create a single with teeth.
“Put your hand in my pocket / Spin me ‘round, spin me ‘round / Catch my heart before I drop it on the ground, on the ground / Promise me you ain’t stopping what you’re doing right now because what you’re doing right now is sunshine and red wine,” she sings just before the chorus. It’s the song’s most melodic moment.
“Hey are you feeling / Just what I’m feeling / Cause I’m up for feeling any kind of feeling you feel like feeling tonight / How you feeling tonight.”
Sarah Buxton, Josh Osborne and Jimmy Robbins wrote “Feeling Tonight.” There’s great optimism here — gone is any sense of hurt or heartache (cynicism?) that accompanied those early songs. Perhaps that’s what’s most refreshing about “Feeling Tonight.”
“Would you fall with me / Let go completely / Write our names in a heart / Bright red graffiti on a white wall / Would you run with me all night long,” she sings to begin the second verse.
This first taste of Pickler’s fifth studio album does something each of her previous two lead singles has done: It’s redefines her sound without straying so far that fans are left pining for yesterday’s version. That's a blueprint for a lengthy career. Don't look now, but next year will be Pickler's 10th as an established and relevant artist.
Why Fans Will Love It: Pickler is forever confident in her style and sound, and that strength drives "Feeling Tonight" deep into one's conscience.
Key Lyrics: "Hey are you feeling / Just what I’m feeling / Cause I’m up for feeling any kind of feeling you feel like feeling tonight / How you feeling tonight.”
Did You Know?: Pickler and husband Kyle Jacobs are currently filming a reality series for CMT.
Listen to Kellie Pickler, “Feeling Tonight”
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