Eric Church is easily one of the most interesting country artists today for a multitude of reasons. Known for his fearless approach to music, he blends traditional country roots with a rock ‘n’ roll edge, creating a sound that’s uniquely his own.
Church’s commitment to authenticity shines through in his songwriting, often delving into deep, personal narratives that resonate with his fans. “Chief”, as he’s known to many, has eleven no. 1 singles in his discography, including the 7x platinum Springsteen, which is one of the quintessential country songs of the last few decades.
Church’s albums are extremely authentic and loaded with deep stories, hitting emotional notes that many artists can’t quite reach.
His remarkable storytelling abilities shine in many of his deeper cuts, featuring raw, unfiltered glimpses into experiences of his own and captivating stories of others. These qualities make Church’s deep cuts some of the most unforgettable in the genre, cementing his status as one of the most notable icons in country music.
Let’s take a look at some of Eric Church’s most underrated deep cuts:
Lightning
This acoustic-heavy tune comes off of Church’s first studio album, Sinners Like Me, and tells a fascinating story about the last moments of a man’s life before being sentenced to death by the electric chair.
You simply don’t hear many country songs written about this kind of subject, and that is a large part of why it’s such an intriguing track. While listening, the progression of the story and the melody rise up on you, leaving you captivated when it reaches its conclusion. Church obviously didn’t write this about his own experience, however, the song still feels personal to him thanks to his deeply emotional storytelling. The combination of well-crafted lyrics and a passionate vocal delivery from Church make Lightning a deep cut for the ages.
Pledge Allegiance To The Hag
Also reigning from Church’s debut album is another deeply personal track about one of his idols, the great Merle Haggard. This tune is essentially a heartfelt tribute to the iconic performer, whom Church has gone on record saying he thinks is the greatest country artist of all time.
Church is known for his rebel spirit, which is tremendously similar to that of Haggard’s signature rebel persona. The song tells a wonderful story of dive bar patrons paying respect to the country music legend when his song is played on the jukebox, all raising their glasses in recognition of his greatness.
It’s quite a simple story and message, but Church’s authenticity and commitment to his identity shine bright, allowing for greater appreciation of the tune as a listener. Pledge Allegiance To The Hag is a great representation of Eric Church’s style and serves as a fun, heartfelt tribute to a legend of the country genre.
Jack Daniels
Featured on 2011’s Chief, Church’s most commercially successful album to date, Jack Daniels is a quieter tune with one of the funkiest, most interesting acoustic guitar riffs in country music.
Despite being surrounded by some of the most beloved hits of his discography, it still stands out in terms of story, instrumentation, and vocal delivery. While the tale being told here isn’t by any means Church’s most emotional, much of the beauty lies in its simplicity. He is able to deliver a rather straightforward idea, dealing with the consequences of drinking too much whiskey, in a way that is compelling and catchy. Church’s signature strong, raspy vocals add a layer of authenticity to the storytelling, making the song feel genuinely heartfelt and raw.
Knives Of New Orleans
Coming off of 2015’s Mr. Misunderstood, this is easily one of Chruch’s most interesting songs to date. Knives Of New Orleans features a steady melodic build-up, leading to a vocal and instrumental explosion that hits every single time.
At the heart of this song is a haunting tale of a man trying to escape dangerous affairs while being pursued by the titular “Knives Of New Orleans,” representing unseen perils that are catching up to him. Church is able to convey a sense of vulnerability and emotion that is very rarely reached in modern country music. It’s easily one of the most gripping pieces of storytelling he has created and as a listener, you become engulfed by the story as it progresses.
It’s a true testament to Eric Church’s ability to craft songs that are both musically compelling and emotionally engaging. Any fan of his who hasn’t gotten the chance to give it a listen should absolutely do so.
Hippie Radio
Hippie Radio, featured on 2018’s Desperate Man, is a soulful, relaxing tune of nostalgia. In the song, Church reflects on listening to the radio beside his loved ones in their “beiger side of yellow” Pontiac.
The acoustic melody is delightful to listen to and the story is told in a way that makes connecting to the lyrics come naturally as the song goes on, which is one of Church’s many strengths as an artist. This is a perfect tune to throw on while sitting around a fire or relaxing in a calm environment as it gives off such a comforting, emotionally evocative feeling. He does a great job capturing nostalgia and helping listeners feel the sentiments he’s singing about.
Eric Church’s contributions to country music not only showcase his immense musical prowess but also his unwavering commitment to the rich traditions and narratives that have defined the genre for generations. He continues to impress album to album, leaving us with not only incredible hits but also lots of underrated deeper cuts as well.