Joe Nichols - "Freaks Like Me"

[sabre14]

Artist: Joe Nichols
Single: "Freaks Like Me"
Writers: Monty Criswell, Josh Thompson, Lynn Hutton
Label: Red Bow
Add Date: September 21st, 2015
Source




Audio

Joe Nichols had an interview with the Sioux City Journal yesterday (ahead of his show there next week) and during the discussion, he said the first cut which will come out in the next month or so is called "Three O'Clock Me".

Now, he says, he’s already 10 songs into the next one. The first cut – likely to come out in the next month or so – is called “Three O’Clock Me” and deals with “being an abnormal person.” The album should land sometime next year.

These are a few more quotes I found interesting from Joe:

“It’ll swing back to something more traditional,” the veteran singer says. “I can’t predict that with certainty, but if you look at the way the pendulum swings, it’s gone pop and then it’s gone back to traditional. Now we’re on to hip hop, so who knows what might happen.”

Nichols knows he won’t start rapping anytime soon. He’s certainly not heading to hip hop. “I’m not good at. If it’s something I have to do to change who I am, I’m all right with being broke.”

“In a climate like this, which is more progressive rock and hip hop, I like our chances. As long as these new (sounds) don’t affect me, I’m fine with ‘em.”

He said in an interview with Buzz Brainard of Sirius/XM's The Highway two weeks ago that the single would drop within a month, so this falls right in line with that. I'm expecting an official announcement by month's end with an add date in September.

Edit: Title is "Freaks Like Me".

[.indulgecountry]

I can't wait! I love his voice and the Crickets era got me totally on board with him as a fan!

Song title is different and interesting. I really like it.

[Deleted]

I love Joe's style of music and I thought Crickets was a great attempt at being neo-traditional. I think he nailed it.

I also love how he tells it like it is. I was watching CMA Fest the other night and it almost made me sick when Kimberly and Karen (LBT) were oogling over Sam Hunt and how awesome it was that Montevallo was certified gold. Does nobody care that the music is crashing and burning?

Anyway, Joe just lays it out. "Yep, this is pop and hip hop." I remember him making a similar statement last time I saw him live--about not rapping "like some country artists" and instead he played the I Like Big Butts song in a very traditionally country manner.

Good for him wanting to go broke before selling his soul.

I can't imagine a traditional song would fare well on radio but he did say he was trying to be the most playable traditional artist so we'll see. I know I'll buy his album hands down.

[.indulgecountry]

Aug 7, 2015 15:36:34 GMT -5 @nickv1025 said:

Anyway, Joe just lays it out. "Yep, this is pop and hip hop." I remember him making a similar statement last time I saw him live--about not rapping "like some country artists" and instead he played the I Like Big Butts song in a very traditionally country manner.

"Baby Got Back" and I saw him perform that too last year when he opened for Sara Evans at the Missouri State Fair! Hilarious, lmao. It was actually kind of good and somehow it kind of worked, too. It looks like it's been a staple of his live show for several years now.



I'm also glad Joe is keeping it country in his music. His voice just fits that style of music so well. But he did prove with his last era's two #1 smashes that he can still have hits at country radio today with the right balance.

[dm2081]

The title and description have me really looking forward to this one. Joe was 3/3 with singles last era, so I hope he can keep up the momentum.

[Kentucky25]

That title...something about it either bothers or intrigues the heck out of me.

[codyj100]

It's weird to hear of the song change because when I saw him in concert two weeks ago, he said the new single would be, "Freaks Like Me." Nevertheless, any music from Joe is good music. So, I am excited. 

[Deleted]

Aug 8, 2015 12:51:11 GMT -5 codyj100 said:

It's weird to hear of the song change because when I saw him in concert two weeks ago, he said the new single would be, "Freaks Like Me." Nevertheless, any music from Joe is good music. So, I am excited. 

Didn't he say "Freaks Like Me" was kind of about him going against the current trends in country? The article says that "Three O'Clock Me" is about him being an abnormal person.

I guess they could be the same song, just a title change? I think the latter sounds a bit more traditional and also safer if it's going to radio.

Did he play any new songs or just talk about them?

[sabre14]

Aug 8, 2015 12:51:11 GMT -5 codyj100 said:

It's weird to hear of the song change because when I saw him in concert two weeks ago, he said the new single would be, "Freaks Like Me." Nevertheless, any music from Joe is good music. So, I am excited. 

"Freaks Like Me" is what I originally heard a couple weeks back as well. I definitely think this is either a title change or a miscommunication from interview to article. If the title is indeed "Freaks Like Me" (which would go right in line with the song description) then I'll change the title -- no biggie. :)

[rjz]

So excited-love Joe Nichols, his voice! And I agree with nickzcountry-Joe has the perfect blend of a country sound that is current enough to get play. Not so easy to do.

[sabre14]

WIN (98.5) in Michigan is now reporting that "Three O'Clock Me" is the single that Joe Nichols will be soon releasing to country radio, so I think that will in fact be the title for this lead single.

[phil1996]

Yeah, with his heavy accent I could understand how someone could mistake "3:00 me" for "Freaks Like Me". Can't wait to hear it. Crickets was the best album he's ever released by a long shot imo

[davidj]

I have respect for Joe because he realizes that his music must be a bit more pop for radio to play and has done that with 'Sunny and 75', 'Love Has a Way' and 'Yeah'. That's not selling out. That's called survival. And there's more traditional stuff on 'Crickets' too like 'Old School Country Song' and 'Billy Graham's Bible'.

[sabre14]

The title appears to in fact be "Freaks Like Me" as there's an add in Country Aircheck this evening simply stating "FREAKS", and the label is Red Bow. So I put 2 and 2 together, lol. :)

Not the best live audio but it's all I could find.

[zjames]

"Freaks Likes Me" goes for adds on September 21st, acccording to R&R.

[ezherman]

Here is one with a little bit better audio.

[sabre14]

This was just shipped to radio through Play Mpe.

[ezherman]

There's a 30 second clip you can listen to at Freaks Like Me.com.

[defying gravity]

Does he usually sing like that? It sounds like he's slurring his words. Sounds like it will be a good song though.

[rsmatto]

Lyrics: roughstock.com/lyrics/2015/08/37403-joe-nichols-freaks-like-me

[sabre14]

This single will be available for purchase on September 18th, three days before the add date.

[dm2081]

Lyrics are pretty promising. Wish it would go in depth a little more about why people like him are so rare, but I definitely appreciate the message, especially the first line about opening doors.

[robenglund]

Studio version is up on AllAccess!

www.allaccess.com/country/cool-new-music (Just scroll down to J)


Here my thoughts:

The lyrics are excellent. As for the production, it's certainly a mix of traditional and contemporary especially the percussion instruments but it's not poppy at all. I wish the steel guitar was used more. Very good use of it in the chorus.

Very good song though! It's getting better each time I listen to it. Very country for what's considered country nowadays...

[sabre14]

Sept 10, 2015 14:45:42 GMT -5 robenglund said:

Studio version is up on AllAccess!

www.allaccess.com/country/cool-new-music (Just scroll down to J)

Thanks, I was just about to post this. :)

This song sounds exactly how I thought it would sound...country but has that contemporary sound and production that Joe has said numerous times he's been going for in regards to radio airplay. It sounds like it would have fit in sonically with Crickets, particularly his last single "Hard To Be Cool." I can totally see Monty Criswell and John Thompson's writing on this song and it's nice to see Josh get a single co-write.

I liked "Sunny And 75" better but this is still pretty good. I do think it can be a hit for Joe as Red Bow is a label that has quickly become a very impressive imprint of Broken Bow and Joe's name recognition, along with the radio-friendliness of the track, should spell at least a top 15 peak.

[Deleted]

Just a reminder that this is available on Spotify and iTunes today...I like this one a lot. It's definitely a continuation of the methodology he used for the songs for the Crickets album. Good stuff. Also creeping up on the iTunes charts. I'll be rooting for Joe and rooting for this one for sure.

[rbundy1987]

[Deleted]

Lyrics are kind of silly. Basically what he's saying is that his opinions may make him seem like a freak or an outsider, but he'll proudly defend the things he's proud of even if they're frowned upon. Then he names the most cliched, mundane, generic stereotypical country boy symbols that we hear about regularly in country songs, such as 4-wheel drives, beer, trucks, tractors, and boots. I am so glad Joe is bold enough to speak out for these things because these days if you tell someone you like drinking beer or driving a tractor you will be subject to endless ridicule and humiliation. But of course this type of pandering will always rope in a sizable amount of like-minded fans. I'm not ready to say this will be a good seller since digital sales are always front-loaded but there will be some sort of market for this song.

[codyj100]

I really liked the lyric video. It made me enjoy the song far more than I had previously. I do agree the lyrics are a bit bland, but for some reason they are delivered in a more fresh manner. It's much more country than much of what we are hearing today, and it's Joe. Joe rarely ever goes wrong. Lovin' it.

[matty005]

Man, this is such a disappoint for me. I was hoping for another "Sunny and 75," masterpiece but knew that would be tough to do. I don't hate this, but the lyrics drive me nuts. No, you're not a freak for drinking a beer at 5pm. Or holding a door for a woman. In fact, MOST people do this. Yeah there are a few a-holes every now and then, but most people I encounter are decent human beings. Nothing about that is being a, "freak."

[Deleted]

This isn't nearly as good as I thought it might be given the hype surrounding it and some of Joe's recent comments. It doesn't SOUND bad but the lyrics are so freaking checklist it isn't even funny. Don't love it, don't hate it

Eh