"Handle on You" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Parker McCollum. It was released on August 15, 2022 as the lead single from his fourth studio album Never Enough. McCollum wrote the song with Monty Criswell and it was produced by Jon Randall.
| "Handle on You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Parker McCollum | ||||
| from the album Never Enough | ||||
| Released | August 15, 2022 | |||
| Recorded | 2022 | |||
| Studio | Blackbird Studios, Nashville | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:40 | |||
| Label | MCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Jon Randall | |||
| Parker McCollum singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Handle On You" on YouTube | ||||
Composition
edit"Handle on You" is about a breakup between the narrator and an unidentified former romantic partner. The track features reference to the Merle Haggard hit "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" in the chorus.[1]
McCollum said he wanted to write something different from his usual songs, and that he chose to focus on the verses after his brother told him that "the best songwriters save their best lines for the verses and not the hooks". Criswell explained that the idea for the song came from alcohol advertisements that he would see on billboards while traveling to visit his daughter at the University of Kentucky.[1] Taste of Country's Billy Dukes called the song a "boozy mid-tempo track" and noted the use of steel guitar.[2]
Production
editMcCollum revealed that his label initially wanted to release another track, "Hurricane", as the lead single but that he convinced them that "Handle on You" was special.[1]
McCollum worked on the demo with Julian King and later recorded the final version with Randall, who worked to differentiate the sound from that of George Strait, noting "that demo's really country, which there's nothing wrong with, other than going that throwback — you know, like super throwback—was just not going to work." Randall then contemporized the track with McCollum and the musicians.[1]
Reception
editOut of McCollum's released singles to that point, "Handle on You" is his fastest growing one, surpassing 120 million global streams.[3]
Tom Roland of Billboard compared the composition of the track to those of George Strait, noting "it's built around a lyrical twist that's obvious without beating the listener over the head. It features a catchy chorus that lifts a little higher than the verses, but maintains a range compact enough that just about anybody can sing it. And it reveals the sensitive heart of its protagonist without compromising his masculinity." McCollum dismissed these comparisons, noting that while he was inspired by Strait, "there's only one king" and joking "maybe one day, there'll be a prince of country music".[1]
Personnel
edit- Dan Dugmore – steel guitar
- Parker McCollum – vocals
- Rob McNelley – electric guitar
- Jon Randall – production
- Bryan Sutton – acoustic guitar
- Jimmy Wallace – piano
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Tom Roland (September 7, 2022). "Makin' Tracks: Parker McCollum Gets a 'Handle' on His George Strait Influences". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Billy Dukes (September 26, 2022). "Parker McCollum Was Living 'Handle on You' When He Wrote It [Listen]". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Michael Major (March 29, 2023). "Parker McCollum Receives RIAA Gold Certification for Hit Single 'Handle On You'". broadwayworld. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Parker McCollum – Handle On You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 15, 2023.