NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (May 22, 2018) – Critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter and entertainer Chris Janson trades in his “fiery harmonica licks” (Los Angeles Times) for “a sensitive sitting-at-the-piano song” that “turns expectations on their head” (Philadelphia Inquirer) with his latest single, “Drunk Girl,” written by Janson, Tom Douglas, and Scooter Carusoe. Today, he puts a new story to the poignant song with the release of its official music video, directed by Jeff Venable. The song was written from a concerned father’s perspective, and the music video paints a realistic portrait of a young girl as she experiences relationships throughout her life.
People.com premiered the video that contains sensitive topics this morning. “We don’t ever want to offend anybody,” says Janson. “but man, it’s almost a disservice if you don’t bring light to some subjects that are so important and don’t get talked about nearly as much as they should.”
Rolling Stone Country’s feature on the video states, “Chris Janson offers a stark look at the issue of consent in the new music video for ‘Drunk Girl.’” Janson tells Rolling Stone, “If my daughters were in that situation, I hope someone would treat them with that respect.”
In addition to its powerful message, the piece offers a rare look at an illuminated but empty lower Broadway. Janson and the crew shut down Nashville’s famed downtown street to capture the visual. He will discuss the making of the video and more today at 5:30 p.m. CT on a special YouTube Live from the stage at the Grand Ole Opry.
“Drunk Girl” has made waves in Music City and beyond from the outset, with CMT calling it “quite possibly the most important song to come out of Nashville in years.” Now approaching Top 25 at country radio with more than 18 million streams, the single has earned a nomination for Music Row’s “Song of the Year” award. Upon the release of “Drunk Girl” the publication declared, “Each vocal performance seems more expressive than the one before… extraordinary intimacy… a wonderfully inventive lyric about behaving like a gentleman. A superb record.”
Janson is the newest and youngest living Opry member. His high-octane live performances are heavily praised. He closed out the 53rd Annual ACM Awards in Las Vegas with an up-tempo rocker that Billboard described and “rip-roaring” and “hyper-turnt.” iHeartRadio’s Bobby Bones has declared “there is no stage too big for [Janson],” and now fans can see for themselves all summer on Jake Owen’s “Life’s Whatcha Make It 2018 Tour.” He will also bring his party-starting dynamism to festival and headlining dates throughout the nation, including Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing! Music City’s July 4th concert.