Faith Hill - Fireflies

[drock89]

Borman and his team have high expectations for the album's first-week sales. In fact, Warner Bros. plans on shipping about 1 million copies. However, he adds, "Let's just say we're not manic about it. I'm more concerned with where we are on this record in six months, 12 months and 18 months . . . Our fantasy is selling as many records in the third month as the first month."

This is what bothers me about record labels. Why should this matter? If the music is good, it will sell good. If not, the result won't be in Hill's favor. But why do record execs say stuff like this? It makes them look stingy. Luke Lewis said almost the exact thing about UP, it just makes them look more like idiots.

[kyhomeg]

Don't worry this album is going to sell, people that have heard it says it her best. My DJ was bragging about yesterday, he has heard the complete album. She is going to blow them a way with this one.

[musicbuff78]

Blow who away? Certainly not me....

[kyhomeg]

Steelo I am sure you have not heard the album yet so how can you have a opinion.

[musicfan_84]

Wow... "Dearly Beloved" is so country and hilarious! Great to hear Faith singin songs like this.

www.wbrnashville.com/faithhill/

[kyhomeg]

I love Dearly Beloved and can't wait to hear the complete song. They have added a few more like the duet. This album is going to be amazing and huge I have no doubt.

[George Tropicana]

The clips are blowing me away!

[kyhomeg]

They have added two more, the song, "I Ain't Going To Take It Anymore" is blowing me away, so country and so powerful her voice. It reminds me of her song, "I Can't Do That Anymore" except her voice has matured and gotten so much more richer.

[kyhomeg]

shaniagotchagood said:

The reason I said UP is because this album most definetly isn't "There's More Where That Came From". Is it country? Yes, but it's the same country on Breathe and Shania's and Martina's albums. I haven't listened to the whole duet, but it's not a slow song..

And musicfan is right, and btw, don't expect everyone here to love the album. I know there are some Faith haters here.

One more note, I will buy the album, but I was hoping for more "Mississippi Girl" stuff, the 4 songs I heard aren't like that, the high power music stuff. Good, but MG is better.

After listening to all the clips from the album, I have a feeling you will be EATING your words. Breathe I don't thinks so it is light years away from the POP sound of Breathe. It is different than ANY thing she has ever done, and her voice just soars, amazing. She should be very proud of this album and so are her fans.

[Gitar Strang]

Clips.
1. pop country (Some will THINK it's country because it has a banjo)
2. country, for the most part
3. country
4. country ballad (Haven't heard the rest of the song, but probably transforms into a power ballad)
5. country ballad
6. country
7. power ballad (But not NEAR as overproduced as her Breathe stuff)
8. poppy overproduced power ballad.
9. melodic progressive country (I like this one, though)
10. country ballad
12. pop country
13. country ballad
14. country ballad (this sounds like it will be my favorite ballad on the album)
15. Piano ballad (What's up with her voice on this one??)

So for the most part, she has taken a closer step back to some more 'real' sounding country. This has convinced me to go and buy the album. Thanks for posting the clips!

[countrywoman]

I listened to it and won't be buying it. She is crawling back to country music because her attempts at international stardom on the scale of a huge star like Shania failed.
SHe has nowhere to turn and doesn't have the mass fan base of Shania worldwide so she turns back to country music which will accept her. I think Faith is a weak person.
Quite honestly I can't see the album selling too much at all. They are only shipping 1 million to start off with. That means pre sales aren't going to well.
She can't compete with the real big stars. That is why she is releasing it in August and not the holliday season when there is so much competition on the charts.

[kyhomeg]

countrywoman said:

I listened to it and won't be buying it. She is  crawling back to country music because her attempts at international stardom on the scale of a huge star like Shania failed.
SHe has nowhere to turn and doesn't have the mass fan base of Shania worldwide so she turns back to country music which will accept her. I think Faith is a weak person.
Quite honestly I can't see the album selling too much at all. They are only shipping 1 million to start off with. That means pre sales aren't going to well.
She can't compete with the real big stars. That is why she is releasing it in August and not the holliday season when there is so much competition on the charts.

I think you will be eating your words to. As for shipping a million her label has never shipped more than a million so why should this be any different.

Next she has to get past the stigma and press of her last album, Once this album is out there for all to hear, I have no doubt she will get passed it. Her label said in a interview they are NOT focused on first weeks sales, that is not as important to them. They said the music business has become like the movie business is they go after them HUGE first week sales. Their focus on this album is a LONG RANGE plan. They are more concern with IT having staying power, they are looking at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and for the album holding up. Their goal is for the album to be selling at 3 months what it was selling at 1 month. So like I said their focus is more than huge 1st week sales. They have faith that once it is out there and people get passed her last album and judge this one on its quality and not Cry's quality they have a winner on their hands.


Again you had to bring Shania into it, they are not in competition and they are light years away from each other in voice and style. Sorry I would take Faith's amazing voice anyday over the weak Shania's voice,


As for releasing it in August just so you know her husband Tim, you do know him don't you ,release his last album in August too and it sold 766,000 copies in the first week. That was MORE than Shania sold in her first week and her's came out in the holiday season. That was also the the 4th highest first week of the year and the #1 in country music. So did he release his in August cause he couldn't compete.

[musicbuff78]

countrywoman said:

I listened to it and won't be buying it. She is  crawling back to country music because her attempts at international stardom on the scale of a huge star like Shania failed.
SHe has nowhere to turn and doesn't have the mass fan base of Shania worldwide so she turns back to country music which will accept her. I think Faith is a weak person.
Quite honestly I can't see the album selling too much at all. They are only shipping 1 million to start off with. That means pre sales aren't going to well.
She can't compete with the real big stars. That is why she is releasing it in August and not the holliday season when there is so much competition on the charts.

And you were the one thiking I was probably jealous?? EAT YOUR WORDS.

[musicfan_84]

countrywoman said:

I listened to it and won't be buying it. She is  crawling back to country music because her attempts at international stardom on the scale of a huge star like Shania failed.
SHe has nowhere to turn and doesn't have the mass fan base of Shania worldwide so she turns back to country music which will accept her. I think Faith is a weak person.
Quite honestly I can't see the album selling too much at all. They are only shipping 1 million to start off with. That means pre sales aren't going to well.
She can't compete with the real big stars. That is why she is releasing it in August and not the holliday season when there is so much competition on the charts.

Whadday know... another newbie who comes in and posts a bunch of unsubstantiated garbage...

[kyhomeg]

Okay, I've listen to all the snipets(also have the complete songs of 4 of them) and I just love the variety from the fun of Dearly Beloved, to the really upbeat Sunshine and Summertine, to the wishfulness in Wish For You, to the grace of If You Ask, and, of course, to the emotion of Like We Never Loved At All.

I can see that this is going to be an album where I listen to each and every song each time. I'm really really looking forward to hearing the full versions of all these songs.

I wanted songs that would remind me of her earlier albums and many of these do, but they are also different. I don't remember hearing a song a funny as Dearly Beloved on any of her other albums - is there one?

[kyhomeg]

I regards to the comment she can't compete with the big stars. Are you serious? What do you think Faith is? She has put out 5 albums and sold almost 25 million. How much bigger do you want, she is consider one of the superstars in the business, you do realize that. She will have her 3rd MAJOR Network TV Special in November, they don't pass out TV specials to anybody you know. I hope you were just joking and didn't mean that comment, it was silly.


Now my view on Faith.

Faith has always had a pop/country sound. The album Cry was probably the first time that you could actually pick each individual song and categorize it as a pop song, an R&B song, a gospel song, a rock song or a country song. Before, she seemed to blend the different styles into each song (hope that makes sense) on Cry she didn't. Fireflies is without question a country album, with much less pop flavor. It's gorgeous

[sbp17]

My favorite Faith cd is "Faith". After two cds that just paled in comparison (Breathe, Cry), I think she's finally released a cd to rival "Faith". I love the clips (except Paris) and can't wait to hear the whole songs.

[drock89]

Always remember too, and I'm not attacking you kyhomeg, but after Garth the meaning of country changed. A true country album is something like Lee Ann Womack's new album, so no one recently has put out a country album by definition. But, I do like this album, have always planned on getting it, because Faith has a great voice no matter what she does, what she looks like, or what others say about her.

[WakeUpOlder]

I've always been a fan of Faith no matter the direction of the music, but I am honestly impressed with what i've heard from this album so far. after listening to all the clips (and hearing a few of the full-length) songs....the thing that jumps out at me most is the maturity and rich tone to her voice. She sounds absolutely amazing!!

So far, my two favorite cuts are "Fireflies" and "If You Ask" I love the country/folk/bluegrass/pop feel to them.

My only complaint so far is number of ballads vs. the number of uptempo songs.

BTW --- I have no doubt in my mind that "Dearly Beloved" will be the 3rd single. I could easily see it being Faith's biggest country hit so far.

[kyhomeg]

I agree I am impressed with the richness and maturity in her voice, she has never sounded better. I love the songs you mention but I also love Stealing Kisses, it is one of my favorites.

The song that might be my favorite is WISH FOR YOU, I am blown away by that song. Her voice is like a angel soft, full and gentle. Like she is singing a lullaby to her children.

Beautiful song, I have heard the complete song, and it brought tears to my eyes. Here is the lyrics, a few words I missed and was unsure.

A setting sun that paints a tie-dyed sky,
A feather-bed, an ancient lullaby,
A kiss goodnight from one whose love is true,
That's the kind of day I wish for you.

A field of flowers dancing in the spring,
A little creek, a tree, an old rope swing,
Cotton candy clouds against the blue
That's the kind of day I wish for you.

First love with all it's storm,
Ragin' like fire within,
Tossing your heart to chance (???)
You swear the dance will never end.

Bbut then it does, and someone says goodbye
And after all those empty nights you cried
Morning that (?) you wake up good as new
That's the kind of day I wish for you.

The faith of knowing deep inside your heart,
That heaven holds more than just some stars
Someone's up there watching over you.
That's the kind of day I wish for you.

[jacksonfan]

I listened to the whole album - complete version of every song - and I think it will be a great album for Faith. My only complaint is the duet - it's a great song - but it would sound better if Faith had sung it solo. Tim doesn't really add anything to it. JMO - but I think it would be much better with Faith alone.

[kyhomeg]

jacksonfan thank you for your opinion. I do disgree though about the duet. IMO Tim does add something to the song, and to me their voices together are magic, they were born to sing together. Faith would of been great by herself, but with Tim's voice mixing with hers, it is just that much special.

Faith's Track By Track Diary:

SUNSHINE AND SUMMERTIME
(JOHN RICH/RODNEY CLAWSON/KYLIE SACKLEY)
It’s about a comfortable feeling. The first time that I heard that song I really craved summer. I could already smell the coconut suntan lotion.

MISSISSIPPI GIRL
(JOHN RICH/ADAM SHOENFIELD)
John Rich had this idea about who I was and he’d written this song. But he realized that he didn’t have a clue about how normal I would be and about how connected I stayed to my upbringing. To this day it remains a big part of who I am. And I guess John felt that it was important for people to know that about me. There are a lot of people who do know it, but in John’s words, “There are a lot of people who don’t.”

DEARLY BELOVED
(GEORGIA MIDDLEMAN/FRED WILHELM)
We always need laughter in our lives and I love a good laugh. I thought this song was hilarious. Will people read into it and what it says about marriage? Sure, and that’s what makes it even more fun!

I AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE
(KEVIN BRANDT/BOBBY TERRY)
I always love a great country song with a strong woman. It reminds me of Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn and the way that they would stand up and say “You’re not gonna roll all over me, big guy.”

STEALING KISSES
(LORI MCKENNA)
That song slays me. It is just so real – like a snapshot out of someone’s life. I feel as though I’m standing in that kitchen with her. It’s such a deep and powerful song. I haven’t met Lori yet, but through her songs, I feel like I already know her.

FIREFLIES
(LORI MCKENNA)
It’s a song about dreaming. Sometimes in this life you can’t explain why things are happening and you can’t control the way things are, but you can certainly dream about things. I know I did.

LIKE WE NEVER LOVED AT ALL
(JOHN RICH/SCOTT SAX/VICKIE MCGEHEE)
John Rich brought me a compilation tape of six songs from his catalogue. Tim had heard them and told me that if I didn’t cut the one song, `Like We Never Loved At All,’ that he would. Luckily John had pitched it to me first.

I WANT YOU
(RIVERS RUTHERFORD/BOBBY TOMBERLIN)
Dann Huff and I were in the studio and Rivers Rutherford was next door working. So Dann popped his head in and asked him if he had any new songs that he wanted to play for us. He played “I Want You” for us and I just died. I say now what I said then – it’s an incredible song.

THE LUCKY ONE
(BRETT WARREN/BRAD WARREN/JAY JOYCE)
Those Warren boys and Jay Joyce wrote this one and to me it’s just a great, fun summer song. I love the verses talking about how things aren’t easy, but I’ve got you and that’s all I need. I love that sentiment. It’s a great attitude.

IF YOU ASK
(LORI MCKENNA)
That’s the first one of Lori McKenna’s songs that I heard. I said, `I’ve never heard writing like this.’ It was like a dagger in my heart -- the pain and anguish and the power of her storytelling. That song hit me right in my soul. It was so honest. It’s a peek into a very serious subject matter and I’d never heard the subject of living with an alcoholic written about in that way.

WE’VE GOT NOTHING BUT LOVE TO PROVE
(DARRELL SCOTT)
When that song came to me I had just been watching the news and saw a horrible story about a child put in foster care, then lost and then found after he’d been abused. I remember thinking, “Is that okay in America, because I’m not okay with this. There are so many horrible stories out there. When I heard the song it touched me. I thought about the children growing up in this world with so much violence. I think as an American citizen and a supporter of our troops, it’s okay to ask if we’re okay with everything going on in our world. To me this is a song about asking questions so that we can work together to make our world a better place.

YOU STAY WITH ME
(JOHN KENNEDY/ANDREA STOLPE)
It really all starts with the song. A song like that with so much soul makes it easy to sing. I was brought up in a Baptist Church in Mississippi – that’s where I cut my teeth as a teenager. I spent a lot of time singing at churches. I feel like the more that I record, the deeper down I go into my roots. That experience and exposure brings me back to my childhood and reaches deep into my soul.

WISH FOR YOU
(CRAIG WISEMAN/DARRELL BROWN)
It’s a classic lullaby - a beautiful, simple sentiment and message of love.

BONUS TRACK: PARIS
(BLAIR DALY/GORDIE SAMPSON/TROY VERGES)
When I first heard this song, I didn’t quite know what it meant and I’m not sure if I know exactly what it means even now. But I was haunted by the melody and some of the images -- like tearing up the Mona Lisa and laying the pieces at your feet. I couldn’t get the song out of my head and I knew I had to put it on the album.


Them are some great writers, Darrell Scott is one of the best in the businees and I love Criag Wiseman's writing.

[jacksonfan]

kyhomeg said:

jacksonfan thank you for your opinion. I do disgree though about the duet. IMO Tim does add something to the song, and to me their voices together are magic, they were born to sing together. Faith would of been great by herself, but with Tim's voice mixing with hers, it is just that much special.

No problem. They are good together - I don't disagree - but on this song I don't think Tim's voice adds anything to the song - you barely hear him. I do however think that Faith was great by herself on this song.

[Bigchief]

jacksonfan said:

I listened to the whole album - complete version of every song - and I think it will be a great album for Faith.  My only complaint is the duet - it's a great song - but it would sound better if Faith had sung it solo.  Tim doesn't really add anything to it.  JMO - but I think it would be much better with Faith alone.

Where did you hear the complete version?

[drock89]

Go to the Upcoming Albums thread..I have it linked. :)

[musicbuff78]

I went to her site and checked out all of the snippets....I really wanna try to like her, but I must say I didnt like any of them and a few, especially Paris, were dowright DREADFUL. But hey, at least I tried.

[Bigchief]

I liked pretty much all of them - my least fav were the McKenna songs. I really liked "I Want You", "You Stay With Me", "Like We Never Loved At All" and "Wish For You" - I even liked "Sunshine And Summertime". This album is strong. Dude - if you think "Paris" is dreadful, then you''ve just lost a lot of cred.

[Perp]

Here's the link Gotcha is referring to: www.bestbuy.com/faithhill

[musicbuff78]

I dont think Paris is dreadful, I know it is...well at least my ears do. Like I said, I'm not a Faith fan at all by any means, but at least I went and listened to all of the snippets to see if my mind could be changed. Fortunately, it couldn't.

Just because I don't like a certain song doesn't mean I'm less credible. Hell, it could mean the opposite since I dont jump on the bandwagon like many others seem to do.

[kyhomeg]

The album is country, stealler selection of songs that Faith nailed to perfection. Powerful when needed and soft and gentle at all the right times and I am NOT following any bandwagon . Since I did not like at all her last two albums and actually hated her Cry album. Welcome back to country Faith, you still have that killer voice and I'm so glad you show it INSTEAD of letting the production drown it out. Love hearing that Tammy tear in your voice again ,that you've always had.