Track of the Moment

Country Time For Kelly Clarkson

October 30, 2012 2 Comments

Kelly Clarkson has debuted the second of three new tracks that will appear on Greatest Hits – Chapter One, out November 19. While the midtempo “Catch My Breath” is aimed at pop audiences, “Don’t Rush” looks to curry favor with the country-lovin’ contingent.

Featuring background vocals by Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush” isn’t Clarkson’s first time at the rodeo. In 2007, the Burleson, Texas native teamed up with Reba McEntire for a remake of “Because of You,” reaching #2 on the Billboard Country Songs chart and besting the original’s #7 peak on the Hot 100. In 2010, Clarkon’s duet with Jason Aldean, “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” became her first country chart-topper, spending three weeks at #1. And just last year, she released a twangier take on “Mr. Know It All,” which topped out at #21. Clarkson can also be heard on Blake Shelton’s new Christmas album, dueting on “There’s A New Kid In Town” (Caution: It’s very, um, Bethlehem-y.)

I’ll bet “Don’t Rush” does well. Not only does it help Clarkson to have a country legend like Vince Gill in her corner — support that will only be cemented by the pair’s live performance of “Don’t Rush” at the Country Music Association Awards on November 1 — but the tune itself is strong. Co-written by Blu Sanders, Natalie Hemby (Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood), and Lindsay Chapman, the gentle breeze of “Don’t Rush” takes me back to the country crossover hits of the 1980s (and Janet Jackson’s “Together Again” when Clarkson hits “Sunday / You’re right next to me” in the chorus).

Here’s the tracklisting for Greatest Hits – Chapter One:

01 “Since U Been Gone”
02 “My Life Would Suck Without You”
03 “Miss Independent”
04 “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
05 “Behind These Hazel Eyes”
06 “Because Of You”
07 “Never Again”
08 “Already Gone”
09 “Mr. Know It All”
10 “Breakaway”
11 “Don’t You Wanna Stay” (with Jason Aldean)
12 “Walk Away”
13 “Catch My Breath”
14 “People Like Us”
15 “Don’t Rush” (featuring Vince Gill)
16 “A Moment Like This”
17 “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

Purchase Kelly Clarkson feat. Vince Gill – “Don’t Rush” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.