On July 21, 2023, Chris Stapleton released “White Horse” as the lead single from his upcoming fifth studio album, Higher. The song immediately became a hit, peaking at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and ranking No. 31 on Billboard Hot 100.
It only shows that fans are welcoming the Kentucky native with arms wide open. Higher (Which will be released on November 10) is actually Stapleton’s first project since 2021’s Starting Over.
The Song Was Written Ten Years Before Its Release
Written by Chris Stapleton alongside frequent collaborator songwriter Dan Wilson, “White Horse” is a man’s plea to his lover for patience as he tells her he needs more time to unlock his heart.
He tells her he is not the kind of cowboy to jump on a white horse and ride off into the sunset for love. Instead, he’s a man who looks for a way out of a commitment that, to him, feels “like it’s a loaded gun.”
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In an interview, Chris Stapleton showed how the song came to life. According to the singer, he wrote “White Horse” while he and Wilson were in Los Angeles in late 2012 when the American Western action film Lone Ranger (starring Johnny Depp ) was about to be released and was looking for tracks to feature. So, the duo teamed up for a song that might sound like the movie.
Ten years later, “White Horse” did not disappoint. It was taken straight out of the hitmaker’s artistic book and blended into his gritty vocals and bluesy country sound, which we all enjoy hearing.
Without a doubt, this country, bluesy sound is making fans’ anticipation for brand-new songs by Chris Stapleton skyrocket. So, while waiting for his new album to be released, you can listen to “White Horse” by playing the video below.