The Truth (Trent Willmon song)
Encyclopedia
"The Truth" is the title of a country music
song written by Brett James
and Ashley Monroe
, and recorded by two different artists. It was first recorded by Trent Willmon
on his 2008 album Broken In
, and one year later by Jason Aldean
on his album Wide Open
. Aldean's version was released to radio on September 28, 2009 as the third single
from the album, following the Number One hits "She's Country
" and "Big Green Tractor
."
The song was recorded by Trent Willmon
on his 2008 album Broken In
before Aldean recorded it for his third studio album, 2009's Wide Open
. Regarding the song, Aldean told the website Country Standard Time
, "This is one of those songs that I heard the first time and knew I wanted to cut[…]He's basically begging[…]saying 'make up whatever story you want, tell 'em I left town or whatever you need to say[…]just don't tell 'em the truth.' I don't know a guy who hasn't been through that before."
Ashley Monroe
told Country Weekly
magazine that she began writing the song with Brett James
after having dinner at his house. She was "missing a boy" at the time, and used her former relationship as the inspiration for the song. She and James thought that it would be "more interesting to write about stuff that's not the truth, rather than the truth itself." James said that he enjoyed Aldean's recording because "he sounds just like the character I had in mind when I hear him sing it."
Jason Aldean has stated "The Truth" is his favorite song from the Wide Open
album.
, premiered to CMT on November 10, 2009. The video pictures Aldean mailing a letter, then getting on a bus. He gets off at a motel (Drake Motel in downtown Nashville
) and checks in, then goes out to sit by the pool as some people come outside to the pool, including some kids to swim, until it starts raining, and Aldean stays there and continues singing. Even though the video is supposed to have a summer-like setting, it was actually filmed on a cold day in October, according to Aldean on a segment on CMT's Top 20 Countdown with Lance Smith back in late 2009.
-influenced songs such as "She's Country
." He also described Aldean's vocal performance favorably.
and moved up the following week to #78. It has since reached a peak of #40. It became his fourth Number One song on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs
chart week of February 6, 2010. at #86 on Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of March 4, 2010.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
song written by Brett James
Brett James
Brett James Cornelius is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Signed to Career Records as a solo artist in 1995, James charted three singles and released a self-titled debut album that year...
and Ashley Monroe
Ashley Monroe
Ashley Monroe is an American country music singer-songwriter. She has released two solo singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The singles "Satisfied" and "I Don't Want To" reached #43 and #37, respectively...
, and recorded by two different artists. It was first recorded by Trent Willmon
Trent Willmon
Trent Willmon is an American country music artist. Active since 1998 as a songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee, Willmon was signed to Columbia Records in 2004. He released two albums for the label and charted six singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts before exiting Columbia in 2006...
on his 2008 album Broken In
Broken In
Broken In is the third album by American country music singer Trent Willmon. It was released in February 2008 on the independent Compadre Records label. None of its singles — the title track, "There Is a God" or "Cold Beer and a Fishing Pole" — entered the Hot Country Songs charts...
, and one year later by Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldine Williams is an American country music singer, known professionally as Jason Aldean. Since 2005, Aldean has recorded for Broken Bow Records, an independent record label for which he has released four albums and twelve singles...
on his album Wide Open
Wide Open (Jason Aldean album)
-Album:-Certifications:-End of year charts:-Singles:...
. Aldean's version was released to radio on September 28, 2009 as the third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from the album, following the Number One hits "She's Country
She's Country
"She's Country" is a song written by Danny Myrick and Bridgette Tatum, and recorded by American country artist Jason Aldean. It was released in late 2008 as the seventh single of his career, which served as the lead-off single to his third studio album, Wide Open...
" and "Big Green Tractor
Big Green Tractor
"Big Green Tractor" is a song written by Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy, and recorded by American country music artist Jason Aldean. It is the second single release from his 2009 album Wide Open, as well as the eighth single of his career...
."
Content
"The Truth" is a mid-tempo in which a male looks at his failing relationship, asking his (ex)girlfriend not to tell others "the truth" about it. The final line reveals that the "truth" is that he still needs her.The song was recorded by Trent Willmon
Trent Willmon
Trent Willmon is an American country music artist. Active since 1998 as a songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee, Willmon was signed to Columbia Records in 2004. He released two albums for the label and charted six singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts before exiting Columbia in 2006...
on his 2008 album Broken In
Broken In
Broken In is the third album by American country music singer Trent Willmon. It was released in February 2008 on the independent Compadre Records label. None of its singles — the title track, "There Is a God" or "Cold Beer and a Fishing Pole" — entered the Hot Country Songs charts...
before Aldean recorded it for his third studio album, 2009's Wide Open
Wide Open (Jason Aldean album)
-Album:-Certifications:-End of year charts:-Singles:...
. Regarding the song, Aldean told the website Country Standard Time
Country Standard Time
Country Standard Time is a website dedicated to country music and related genres such as Bluegrass and Rockabilly. It provides news and musical reviews pertaining to the genre. It was established in 1992 by Jeffrey B. Remz as a print magazine, which was first published only in New England but went...
, "This is one of those songs that I heard the first time and knew I wanted to cut[…]He's basically begging[…]saying 'make up whatever story you want, tell 'em I left town or whatever you need to say[…]just don't tell 'em the truth.' I don't know a guy who hasn't been through that before."
Ashley Monroe
Ashley Monroe
Ashley Monroe is an American country music singer-songwriter. She has released two solo singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The singles "Satisfied" and "I Don't Want To" reached #43 and #37, respectively...
told Country Weekly
Country Weekly
Country Weekly is an American tabloid style weekly magazine established in 1994. The magazine focuses on country music stars and events, and regularly features exclusive interviews with recording artists and country music news...
magazine that she began writing the song with Brett James
Brett James
Brett James Cornelius is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Signed to Career Records as a solo artist in 1995, James charted three singles and released a self-titled debut album that year...
after having dinner at his house. She was "missing a boy" at the time, and used her former relationship as the inspiration for the song. She and James thought that it would be "more interesting to write about stuff that's not the truth, rather than the truth itself." James said that he enjoyed Aldean's recording because "he sounds just like the character I had in mind when I hear him sing it."
Jason Aldean has stated "The Truth" is his favorite song from the Wide Open
Wide Open (Jason Aldean album)
-Album:-Certifications:-End of year charts:-Singles:...
album.
Music video
The music video, directed by Deaton-Flanigen ProductionsDeaton-Flanigen Productions
Deaton-Flanigen Productions is a music video directing duo composed of Robert Deaton III and George Flanigen IV. The two have directed multiple music videos, primarily in the field of country music...
, premiered to CMT on November 10, 2009. The video pictures Aldean mailing a letter, then getting on a bus. He gets off at a motel (Drake Motel in downtown Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
) and checks in, then goes out to sit by the pool as some people come outside to the pool, including some kids to swim, until it starts raining, and Aldean stays there and continues singing. Even though the video is supposed to have a summer-like setting, it was actually filmed on a cold day in October, according to Aldean on a segment on CMT's Top 20 Countdown with Lance Smith back in late 2009.
Critical reception
The song was met with generally positive reviews. Sam Gazdziak of The 9513 gave the song a thumbs-up, with his review saying that it "may be the most country-sounding song he’s ever released," also making note of Aldean's "understated vocal." Bobby Peacock of Roughstock also gave a positive review, saying that its production was "dialed down" and more neotraditionalist country in sound, compared to Aldean's more rock musicRock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
-influenced songs such as "She's Country
She's Country
"She's Country" is a song written by Danny Myrick and Bridgette Tatum, and recorded by American country artist Jason Aldean. It was released in late 2008 as the seventh single of his career, which served as the lead-off single to his third studio album, Wide Open...
." He also described Aldean's vocal performance favorably.
Chart performance
On the week ending November 21, 2009, "The Truth" debuted at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and moved up the following week to #78. It has since reached a peak of #40. It became his fourth Number One song on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart week of February 6, 2010. at #86 on Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of March 4, 2010.
| Chart (2009-2010) | Peak position |
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