Kill a Word

"Kill a Word" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Eric Church as a duet with American musician Rhiannon Giddens. It was released in August 2016 as the third single from Church's 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood. Church wrote this song with Luke Dick and Jeff Hyde.

"Kill a Word"
Single by Eric Church featuring Rhiannon Giddens
from the album Mr. Misunderstood
ReleasedAugust 29, 2016 (2016-08-29)
Recorded2015
GenreCountry
Length3:20
LabelEMI Nashville
Songwriter(s)
  • Eric Church
  • Luke Dick
  • Jeff Hyde
Producer(s)Jay Joyce
Eric Church singles chronology
"Record Year"
(2016)		 "Kill a Word"
(2016)		 "Round Here Buzz"
(2017)
Rhiannon Giddens singles chronology
"Lay Your Money Down"
(2012)		 "Kill a Word"
(2016)		 "Come Sunday"
(2016)

Content

The song is about the power and importance of words, and wanting to "kill" words with negative meanings, such as "hate."[1][2] The album version features Andrea Davidson and Rhiannon Giddens, the latter a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, on backing vocals. For the single edit, Giddens sings some lines of the song by herself.

Church told Rolling Stone that the 2016 presidential election was influential in picking "Kill a Word" as a single: "I would have regretted not putting out 'Kill a Word,' and let this season pass, not knowing if I would get a chance again where it was this relevant, this timely."[3]

Music video

The music video was directed by Shaun Silva and premiered on CMT, GAC, and Vevo in 2016.

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country wrote that "Soulful production and the addition of Rhiannon Giddens gives [sic] a more casual listener something to enjoy if he or she chooses not to dive into Church’s statement."[2] Giving it an "A", Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe wrote that "Songs that aim for utopia usually stumble along the way because they are either too preachy or too woefully naive. Church avoids this trap by zeroing in on the obstacles rather than the goal, and personalizes the proceedings by tackling what gets in the way of individual pursuit of happiness."[4]

Church and Giddens were nominated for Musical Event of the Year at the 51st Annual Country Music Association Awards in 2017.

Commercial performance

The song debuted on the Country Airplay chart at No. 58 for the chart dated September 10, 2016, and entered the Hot Country Songs chart three weeks later at No. 41.[5][6] The song has sold 194,000 copies in the United States as of March 2017.[7] The song was certified Gold by the RIAA on August 17, 2017 for 500,000 units in sales and streams.[8]

Chart performance

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Horton, Carrie (September 1, 2016). "Hear Eric Church's 'Relevant', 'Timely' New Single, 'Kill a Word'". The Boot. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. Dukes, Billy (September 1, 2016). "Eric Church (Feat. Rhiannon Giddens), 'Kill a Word' [Listen]". Taste of Country. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. Hudak, Joseph (August 23, 2016). "See Eric Church's Thought-Provoking 'Kill a Word' From Amazing Solo Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  4. Coyne, Kevin John (September 28, 2016). "Single Review: Eric Church featuring Rhiannon Giddens, "Kill a Word"". Country Universe. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  5. "Hot Country Songs". Billboard. October 1, 2016.
  6. "Country Airplay". Billboard. September 10, 2016.
  7. Bjorke, Matt (March 22, 2017). "Top 30 Digital Single Sales Chart: March 22, 2017". Roughstock.
  8. "American single certifications – Eric Church – Kill A Word". Recording Industry Association of America.
  9. "Eric Church Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  10. "Eric Church Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  11. "Eric Church Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  12. "Eric Church Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  13. "Eric Church Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  14. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  15. "Billboard Canada Year-End Country Airplay of 2017". Billboard. 22 December 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  16. "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  17. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  18. "American single certifications – Eric Church – Kill a Word". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
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