"Wastin' Whiskey" is a song recorded by Canadian country group James Barker Band. The group's frontman James Barker wrote the song with Jared Keim and Travis Wood, while Todd Clark produced the track.[1]
| "Wastin' Whiskey" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by James Barker Band | ||||
| Released | March 25, 2022 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:10 | |||
| Label | Starseed | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Todd Clark | |||
| James Barker Band singles chronology | ||||
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| Lyric Video | ||||
| "Wastin' Whiskey" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editThe band previewed "Wastin' Whiskey" on multiple social media platforms including Twitter and TikTok prior to its release.[2][3] They also promoted the release of the track with a video titled "Wastin' Whiskey Roulette" where each of the band members took sips of unknown liquids out of shot glasses.[4] The song is part of a large crop of new music the band intended to release as a potential album including "Over All Over Again" and "New Old Trucks".[2] James Barker cited the song as the group's first "fan-driven" single, as the initial clip of the song that the band posted to TikTok quickly received over one million views in under a month,[5] prompting the band to choose it as their next release to radio.[3] He said that the song "came together in just a few hours – everything from the lyrics to production" and that most of the original vocals are the ones on the final version of the track.[3]
Critical reception
editNanci Dagg of Canadian Beats Media stated that the song "takes listeners back to the all-too-relatable agony of not being able to get over a broken heart, regardless of how many drinks you down," noting "heartbreak-fuelled electric guitar licks and Barker's smooth vocals".[3] Lauren Lee of Front Porch Music favourably reviewed the track, saying that the band "perfectly [captures] that oh-so-relatable feeling of desperation that comes with the end of a relationship – the inability to move on, no matter how deeply you try to drown your sorrows".[6]
Accolades
edit| Year | Association | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canadian Country Music Association | Single of the Year | Nominated | [7] |
Commercial performance
edit"Wastin' Whiskey" reached a peak of number two on the Billboard Canada Country chart for the week of August 27, 2022,[8] marking the band's tenth top ten hit.[9] It also reached a peak of number 67 on the Canadian Hot 100 for the same week.[10] It has been certified Gold by Music Canada.[11]
Charts
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] | 67 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[8] | 2 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[11] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "Wastin' Whiskey - Single by James Barker Band". Spotify. March 25, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Weaver, Matthew (January 27, 2022). "[LISTEN] James Barker Band preview another new song... and it sounds fantastic [UPDATED]". Country 104.
- ^ a b c d Dagg, Nanci (March 29, 2022). "James Barker Band delivers what could be another #1 single with the release of "Wastin' Whiskey"". Canadian Beats Media.
- ^ Gosse, Ryan (March 23, 2022). "James Barker Band Play "Wastin' Whiskey Roulette"". 93.5 Country.
- ^ Derdeyn, Stuart (June 3, 2022). "Q&A: James Barker Band talks platinum hits, Tik Tok and more". Vancouver Sun.
- ^ Lee, Lauren (May 19, 2022). "James Barker Band Helps Drown Your Sorrows In "Wastin' Whiskey"". Front Porch Music. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ "2023 CCMA Awards Nominees". Canadian Country Music Association. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Canada Country chart for August 27, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Canada Country peaks:
- Before December 1, 2021: "James Barker Band Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
- "Wastin' Whiskey": "Canada Country chart for August 27, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2022.(subscription required)
- ^ a b "Canadian Hot 100: August 27, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – James Barker Band – Wastin' Whiskey". Music Canada. Retrieved October 11, 2022.