Millionaire (Chris Stapleton song)
"Millionaire" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton for his third studio album From A Room: Volume 2 (2017). It was written by Kevin Welch in 2002,[2] and soul singer Solomon Burke included it on his 2006 country music tribute album Nashville.
The song was released as a promotional single of Volume 2 on October 20, 2017,[3] and was released to country radio as the album's first single on April 23, 2018.[1] The song received a nomination for Best Country Solo Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[4]
Composition[edit]
"Millionaire" is a mid-tempo soul-influenced heartland rock and country rock ballad driven by acoustic guitar.[5][6] Lyrically, the song is about "spare love" and appreciating relationship closeness over material wealth.[3][5] Stapleton sings on the chorus accompanied by his wife and collaborator, Morgane.[3]
The song is composed in the key of B-flat major with a slow tempo. It primarily follows the chord pattern B♭5-F5-E♭add9-B♭5-E♭add9-B♭5.[7]
Song was recorded and sung by Chris LeDoux on After the Storm in 2002
Critical reception[edit]
Robert Crawford of Rolling Stone said the song "gets a swinging, Heartbreakers-worthy update by Stapleton and company," and considered Morgane's harmonies as "the song's secret weapon" which "trace her husband's melodies at every twist and turn."[5] Ari Shapiro of NPR felt Stapleton's reading of "Millionaire" "has a laidback, Petty-esque jangle and, thanks to the Stapletons' cozy harmonizing throughout, a feeling of equanimity."[8]
Live performances[edit]
On December 4, 2017, Stapleton performed "Millionaire" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and on December 6 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[10]