| Do You Know | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Jessica Simpson | ||||
| Released | September 9, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2007–2008 | |||
| Genre | Pop, country pop, country | |||
| Length | 43:38 | |||
| Label | Epic, Columbia Nashville | |||
| Producer | Brett James, John Shanks | |||
| Jessica Simpson chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Do You Know | ||||
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Do You Know is the sixth studio album by American singer Jessica Simpson. The album was released on September 9, 2008,[1] in the United States by a joint-venture between Columbia Nashville and Epic Records. The album is her first effort in an attempt to cross over to country music. Songwriter Brett James produced the album along with John Shanks. The album debuted at #1 in the Billboard Country Charts and at #4 in the Billboard 200 with sales of 65,000.[2]
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After the release of her 2006 pop album A Public Affair, Simpson stated she wanted to go back to her roots and do country music because she "has been brought up around country music", and wants to give something back.[3] Simpson had already sung country themed songs previous like "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'". She started her country move by appearing in the music video for "You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore", by country legend Willie Nelson. She then went to Nashville to start recording her album.
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [4] |
| Boston Herald | D[5] |
| Dallas Morning News | C+[6] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C+[7] |
| Los Angeles Times | [8] |
| New York Post | [9] |
| Rolling Stone | [10] |
| Worcester Telegram | [11] |
| Slant Magazine | [12] |
| Sputnikmusic | [13] |
The album was largely given mixed to mediocre reception from music critics.
Simpson's hometown paper, the Dallas Morning News, rated it a C+, saying, "How much should we expect from Jessica Simpson's country music debut CD? If your answer is not much, then you won't be disappointed."[14] Entertainment Weekly also awarded the album a C+, and, while acknowledging the quality of the writers associated with the project, offered this conclusion: "And though teaming up with frequent Carrie Underwood songwriter Hillary Lindsey for five tracks was a savvy move, we already have a Carrie Underwood, honey...and she probably turned these songs down."[15] The Boston Herald said the effort "represents the worst in a genre that's come to deify Michael Bolton schmaltz while kicking Hank Williams' legacy to the curb," and awarded it a grade of D.[16]
Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle felt that the album "lacks pizazz," and that, although "Simpson co-wrote several of the other tunes ... there's almost no emotional spark or sense of connection."[17] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, rating the album only two stars (out of five), questioned how Simpson could "squander the talents of Dolly Parton? The pair's title-track duet is an oversung misfire."[18] The Miami Herald's Howard Cohen, in another two star review, concluded that Simpson failed to make a good country album, and instead made one that is "undistinguished" and "forgettable".[19]
The Los Angeles Times gave the effort 2.5 stars (out of five), saying "Her struggle is most striking on the title track, written by Dolly Parton, who shows up to harmonize with Simpson ... The gap between novice and master couldn't be clearer."[20]
Slant Magazine awarded only 1.5 stars (of five), saying Simpson "operates in precisely three modes as a singer: a mewling, whispered coo; a nasal, dead-eyed middle volume; and belting glory notes at full volume with a strangled, unappealing tone."[21] Allmusic seemed to share Slant's view of Simpson's vocal skills, finding her performance "unfailingly listless no matter how many theatrical gestures she attempts to cram in her big boring ballad."[22]
Awarding only one star, Las Vegas Weekly found the album to be filled with "tiresome ballads" performed with "no tooth, no gut, just monotony and palpable disinterest; even Jessica Simpson sounds bored with Jessica Simpson."[23] The Worcester Telegram, while awarding 2 stars, was less charitable, finding that "Simpson sounds, at best, like a cat being tasered."[24]
One of the few exceptions, the New York Post said that "she's created an album where she consistently shows off her full-bodied voice with solid, yet simple tunes that don't overthink the music." and "Do You Know is the CD's best song and the one that is bound to earn her a country Grammy in February."[25] Also, Country Weekly magazine gave a three-star rating out of five, with critic Chris Neal saying that although Simpson seemed to be "trying a little too hard" on some songs, the album was "solid pop-country fare with a lyrical emphasis on sensuality and self-esteem."[26]
Despite selling only 65,000 copies in its first week, Do You Know debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, but fell rapidly, dropping out of that list in only nine weeks.[27] At the same time, it dropped rapidly out of the top twenty on the Country Albums Chart, where it had held the top spot for only one week. Overall, the album has dramatically underperformed compared to the sales of Simpson's previous album, which was also widely regarded as a commercial failure. As of early 2009, it has sold 173,000 copies in the United States.[28] Sales in Australia and the UK were far more poor, with the album barely managing to enter the top 100 in Australia, at #95.
Simpson made many promotional appearances to show her country crossover. She appeared in the Willie Nelson "You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore" video. Upon the release of her debut single, Simpson has been on many country radio stations promoting the record. On June 25, she performed 'Come on Over' on the U.S talk show The View, and also appeared on The View again in September, performing "Remember That". She has made appearances and has performed at country festivals such as the Country Thunder Festival, Monterey County Fair, Palms Casino Resort. She has also promoted the album on television with performances at the Grand Ole Opry, on Good Morning America, Late Show with David Letterman and on Rachael Ray and The Early Show. On September 30, she performed on Dancing with the Stars. On November 19, Simpson appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. On February 11, Simpson appeared on The Early Show live from Nashville to announce the nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards, She also performed her 3rd single "Pray Out Loud". It was announced that Simpson would be supporting the Rascal Flatts on tour this January[29] as they continue their final leg of their "Bob That Head Tour". The tour kicks off on January 17, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri running over 20 shows ending on March 14, 2009 in Irvine, California. She has also stated that her clothing line, the Jessica Simpson Collection, will be designing country clothing.
Her debut country single, "Come on Over" was sent to radio on May 27, 2008. It was received with positive reviews. The single debuted at #41, a record high for a first charting song by a solo artist on the Hot Country Songs chart, and peaking at #18. The single was released to digital downloads on June 24, 2008, along with the physical release in July 2008. The second single, "Remember That", was released in October, and peaked at #42 on the Hot Country Songs chart and third single "Pray Out Loud" failed to chart.[30]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Come On Over" | Jessica Simpson, Rachel Proctor, Victoria Banks | 2:54 |
| 2. | "Remember That" | Proctor, Banks | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Pray Out Loud" | Simpson, Brett James, John Shanks | 3:45 |
| 4. | "You're My Sunday" | Simpson, Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey | 4:40 |
| 5. | "Sipping on History" | Simpson, Laird, H. Lindsey | 4:14 |
| 6. | "Still Beautiful" | James, Shanks, Simpson | 3:44 |
| 7. | "Still Don't Stop Me" | James, H. Lindsey, Simpson | 3:27 |
| 8. | "When I Loved You Like That" | Simpson, Aimee Mayo, H. Lindsey, Chris Lindsey | 4:06 |
| 9. | "Might as Well Be Making Love" | Gordie Sampson, Verges, H. Lindsey | 3:51 |
| 10. | "Man Enough" | Simpson, James, Verges | 4:19 |
| 11. | "Do You Know" (featuring Dolly Parton) | Dolly Parton | 5:04 |
| 12. | "Never Not Beautiful" (bonus track) | Simpson, Laird | 3:46 |
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 4 |
| U.S. Top Internet Albums | 4 |
| Canada Top 100 Albums | 13 |
| Australian ARIA Albums Chart | 95 |
| Australian ARIA Country Chart[31] | 6 |
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| United States | September 9, 2008 |
| Canada | |
| Australia | September 13, 2008 |
| Germany | September 19, 2008 |
| United Kingdom | October 13, 2008 |
| Japan | December 10, 2008 |
| Preceded by Love on the Inside by Sugarland |
Billboard Top Country Albums number-one album September 27, 2008 |
Succeeded by Learn to Live by Darius Rucker |
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