"Hell of a View" is a song by American country artist Eric Church. He co-wrote the track with Casey Beathard and Monty Criswell.[1] It is the lead single from Church's album Soul, part of a triple album set.[2] The track features backing vocals from Church's longtime collaborator Joanna Cotten.[3]

"Hell of a View"
Single by Eric Church
from the album Soul
ReleasedNovember 9, 2020 (2020-11-09)
Genre
Length2:55
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Eric Church singles chronology
"Stick That in Your Country Song"
(2020)
"Hell of a View"
(2020)
"Heart on Fire"
(2021)
Music video
"Hell of a View" (In Studio Performance) on YouTube

Background edit

Church was in the mountains of North Carolina when he returned from a jog to hear co-writer Casey Beathard play the song which he had been working on with Monty Criswell. Church said it felt like a "big hit but at the same time it has that timeless quality to it". The men finished writing the song and recorded it that same night.[4]

Critical reception edit

"Hell of a View" received generally positive reviews, with many positively noting the presence of Joanna Cotten's vocals. Craig Shelburne of CMT called the song a "romantic new single", noting Cotten's "powerful harmony" as a backing vocalist.[4] Jon Freeman of Rolling Stone referred to the track as a "tender mid-tempo ballad", saying it "depicts the thrill of a life on the move with the one you love". Freeman also noted Cotten's "soulful voice" as a "big presence".[5] Angela Stefano of Taste of Country called the song a "a love song for rebels".[6]

Commercial performance edit

"Hell of a View" is Church's highest charting single since 2012's "Springsteen", as well as the second highest of his career, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Live performance edit

Church performed "Hell of a View" at the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards in November 2020.[7]

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Certifications for "Hell of a View"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[18] Platinum 80,000
United States (RIAA)[19] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Release history for "Hell of a View"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various October 2, 2020
  • Digital download
[1]
  • Streaming
Canada November 9, 2020 Country radio [3]
United States

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Hell of a View – Eric Church". AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Hudak, Joseph (January 21, 2021). "Eric Church Is Releasing Three New Albums". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Casey, Jim (November 5, 2020). "Eric Church to Send New Single, "Hell of a View," to Country Radio [Listen]". The Country Daily.
  4. ^ a b Shelburne, Craig (November 11, 2020). "After a Jog in the Mountains, Eric Church Discovers "Hell of a View"". CMT.
  5. ^ Freeman, Jon (October 2, 2020). "Eric Church Celebrates a 'Reckless' Love in New Song 'Hell of a View'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  6. ^ Stefano, Angela (October 2, 2020). "Eric Church's 'Hell of a View' Is a Love Song for Rebels [Listen]". Taste of Country.
  7. ^ Chan, Anna (November 11, 2020). "Eric Church Offers a 'Hell of a View' at the 2020 CMA Awards". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Eric Church Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "Eric Church Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  10. ^ "Eric Church Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  11. ^ "Eric Church Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  12. ^ "Eric Church Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  13. ^ "Eric Church Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  14. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  16. ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  17. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Eric Church – Hell of a View". Music Canada. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  19. ^ "American single certifications – Eric Church – Hell of a View". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 21, 2023.