Do You Know (Jessica Simpson album)

Do You Know is the sixth studio album by American singer Jessica Simpson. The album was first released digitally on September 5, 2008 for the US iTunes Store and physically on September 9, 2008 in the United States, Canada and Russia through a joint-venture between Columbia Nashville and Epic Records.[3] The album was her first effort in an attempt to cross over with country music. Songwriter Brett James produced the album along with John Shanks. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard Country Albums and at number four on the US Billboard 200 with sales of 65,000.[4] It received mixed reviews from music critics.

Do You Know
Studio album by
Jessica Simpson
ReleasedSeptember 9, 2008
Recorded2007–2008
Studio
Genre
Length41:48 (standard)
72:54 (deluxe)
Label
Producer
Jessica Simpson chronology
A Public Affair
(2006)		 Do You Know
(2008)		 Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson
(2010)
Singles from Do You Know
  1. "Come on Over"
    Released: May 27, 2008
  2. "Remember That"
    Released: September 29, 2008

Background

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.[5] 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.

Music and lyrics

The album opens with the lead single "Come On Over", which was co-written by country music artist Rachel Proctor, Victoria Banks and Simpson herself. The lyrics of the uptempo single focus on the narrator's paramour. Simpson said, "The fun thing about the song is that anxiety of wanting the guy to come over right then and there. Everybody's felt that before."[6] The next track "Remember That" was co-written by country music writers Rachel Proctor and Victoria Banks. The lyrics of the single focus on a history of anger, violence and the strength that it takes for the victim to leave the abuser.[7] In "Remember That" she sings: "It doesn’t matter how he hurts you / With his hands or with his words / You don’t deserve it / It ain’t worth it / Take your heart and run."[8] The third track of the album "Pray Out Loud" is a mid-tempo song in the key of B major backed with acoustic guitar. The fourth track "You're My Sunday" is a moderate up-tempo song in the key of G minor backed by electric guitar, written by Simpson, Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey. "Sipping on History" is a love ballad in the key of B major backed primarily by an acoustic guitar. The sixth track "Still Beautiful" is a moderate up-tempo song in the key of B♭ major backed primarily by steel guitar. The seventh track "Still Don't Stop Me" is a ballad in the key of E major about a love gone bad, driven by acoustic guitar and percussion.[9] "When I Loved You Like That", the eighth track, is an up-tempo song in the key of A♭ major backed by electric and steel guitars and percussion.[10] "Might as Well Be Making Love" track number nine, is a country-pop ballad in the key of F major driven primarily by acoustic guitar with steel guitar fills. "Man Enough" is an uptempo country in the key of A♭ major song backed primarily by electric guitar, banjo, and steel guitar. "Do You Know" is a moderate up-tempo song written by Dolly Parton.[11]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic(58/100)[12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Boston HeraldD[14]
Dallas Morning NewsC+[15]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[16]
Los Angeles Times[17]
New York Post[18]
Rolling Stone[19]
Worcester Telegram[20]
Slant Magazine[21]
Sputnikmusic[22]

The album received generally mixed reviews from critics. The album was given a score of 58 out of 100 from Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews" from music critics.[12]

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."[15] 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."[16] 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.[14]

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."[23] 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."[24] 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".[25]

The Los Angeles Times gave the effort 2.5 stars (out of four), 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."[17]

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."[13]

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."[26] The Worcester Telegram, while awarding 2 stars, was less charitable, finding that "Simpson sounds, at best, like a cat being tasered."[20]

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."[18] 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."[27]

Commercial performance

Despite selling only 65,000 copies in its first week, Do You Know debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, but fell rapidly, dropping out of that list in only nine weeks.[28] 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 flop. As of early 2012, it has sold 178,000 copies in the United States.[29] Worldwide, it has sold over 200,000 copies so far.[30]

Promotion

Simpson made many promotional appearances to show her country crossover. She appeared in Willie Nelson's music video "You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore". Upon the release of the lead single, Simpson has been on many country radio stations promoting the record. On June 25, she performed "Come On Over" on the American 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, 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 the third single "Pray Out Loud". It was announced that Simpson would be supporting the Rascal Flatts on tour this January[31] 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 twenty 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.

Singles

Her debut country single, "Come On Over" was sent to radio on May 27, 2008. It was received with positive reviews from music critics. The single debuted at number forty-one, a record high for a first charting song by a solo artist on the Hot Country Songs chart, and peaking at number eighteen. 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 number forty-two on the Hot Country Songs chart.[32] To date, "Remember That" has sold 207,000 paid digital downloads according to Nielsen Soundscan.[33]

Track listing
Do You Know – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Come On Over"
2:54
2."Remember That"
  • Proctor
  • Banks
3:44
3."Pray Out Loud"
3:45
4."You're My Sunday"
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"
4:06
9."Might as Well Be Making Love"
3:51
10."Man Enough"
  • Simpson
  • James
  • Verges
4:19
11."Do You Know" (featuring Dolly Parton)Dolly Parton5:04
Total length:41:48
Do You Know – Japanese edition (bonus track)[34]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Never Not Beautiful"
  • Simpson
  • Laird
3:46
Total length:45:34
Do You Know – Deluxe edition (bonus DVD)[34]
No.TitleLength
1."The Making of the Video: Come On Over"28:06
2."Come On Over" (Music video)3:00
Total length:31:06

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[35] 95
Australian Country Albums (ARIA)[36] 6
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[37] 13
US Billboard 200[38] 4
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[39] 3
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[40] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (2008) Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[41] 53

Release history
List of release dates, showing region, edition(s), format(s), record label(s), catalog number(s) and reference(s).
Region Date Edition(s) Format(s) Label(s) Catalog Ref.
United States September 5, 2008 Standard Digital download
N/A [42]
Canada September 9, 2008
  • Standard
  • deluxe
Sony BMG
  • 88697217462 (standard)
  • 88697361142 (deluxe)
 [43][44][1]
Russia Standard CD 88697429082 [45]
United States
  • Standard
  • deluxe
  • CD
  • CD+DVD
  • Epic
  • Columbia Nashville
  • 88697217462 (standard)
  • 88697361142 (deluxe)
 [46][47][48]
Australia September 13, 2008 Standard
  • CD
  • digital download
 Sony BMG B001EWR60K [49]
New Zealand [49]
Germany September 19, 2008 88697217462 [50][51]
United Kingdom October 13, 2008 [51]
Japan December 10, 2008
  • Standard
  • deluxe
  • CD
  • digital download
  • CD+DVD
  • EICP 1080 (standard)
  • EICP 1081 (deluxe)
 [34]
gollark: I misread it when I was writing it, apparently.
gollark: But yes, it should be ||.
gollark: > Add the digit's value to A. The digit is NOT contained in square brackets and [Digit] is a placeholder for any digit.
gollark: I clarified it.
gollark: You misread it.

References
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  2. "Do You Know - Jessica Simpson". AllMusic. September 9, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  3. "Do You Know" out 9/9/2008 Archived 2008-09-15 at the Wayback Machine at Jessica Simpson's official site
  4. "Metallica Scores Fifth Straight No. 1 Album". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  5. Jessica Simpson's Country Record Due in 2008 at CMT.com
  6. Tucker, Ken (June 6, 2008). "Simpson Turns Heads With Debut Country Single". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  7. jessicasimpson's channel (September 23, 2008). "Jessica Simpson Talks About Remember That". YouTube. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  8. "Jessica Simpson Was In An Abusive Relationship". poponthepop.com. July 31, 2008. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  9. "Still Don't Stop Me - Jessica Simpson". AllMusic. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  10. "When I Loved You Like That - Jessica Simpson". AllMusic. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  11. "Do You Know - Jessica Simpson". AllMusic. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  12. Metacritic score
  13. Allmusic review
  14. "Boston Herald review". Archived from the original on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  15. "Dallas Morning News review". Archived from the original on September 11, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-11.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  16. "Do You Know - EW.com".
  17. Lewis, Randy (9 September 2008). "Spurs on Simpson's high heels" – via LA Times.
  18. Aquilante, Dan (September 9, 2008). "Simpson Country". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2012-07-27.
  19. "Do You Know".
  20. "Worchester Telegram review". Archived from the original on 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  21. "Jessica Simpson Do You Know - Album Review - Slant Magazine".
  22. "Review: Jessica Simpson - Do You Know - Sputnikmusic".
  23. Houston Chronicle Music Review Retrieved 12 September 2008
  24. Ft. Worth Star-Telegram Music Review Retrieved 12 September 2008
  25. Miami Herald Album Review Retrieved 13 September 2008
  26. Las Vegas Weekly review retrieved 27 October 2008
  27. Neal, Chris (2008-10-20). "Album reviews". Country Weekly. 15 (21): 59.
  28. "Music Albums, Top 200 Albums & Music Album Charts". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  29. "Billboard.com - Ask Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  30. Billboard.com - Ask Billboard Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012
  31. "News : Jessica Simpson Will Open for Rascal Flatts in 2009". CMT. 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  32. Hot Country Songs at CMT.com
  33. "Billboard.com - Ask Billboard". Billboard. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  34. "Jessica Simpson – Do You Know (CD, Album + DVD-V, NTSC, Reg) at Discogs". Discogs.com. December 10, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  35. "Australiancharts.com – Jessica Simpson – Do You Know". Hung Medien.
  36. "Top 20 Country Chart - Australian Record Industry Association". Ariacharts.com.au. Archived from the original on 2012-05-13. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  37. "Jessica Simpson Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  38. "Jessica Simpson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  39. "Jessica Simpson Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard.
  40. "Jessica Simpson Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard.
  41. US Billboard Top Country Albums year-end charts Billboard.com. Retrieved November 5, 2016
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  43. "Jessica Simpson - Do You Know - Amazon.com Music". Amazon Music. September 9, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
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  45. "Jessica Simpson – Do You Know (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. September 9, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  46. "Do You Know by Jessica Simpson on Apple Music - iTunes". itunes.apple.com. September 9, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  47. "Jessica Simpson – Do You Know (CD, Album + DVD-V, NTSC) at Discogs". Discogs.com. September 9, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
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  49. "Jessica Simpson - Do You Know - Amazon.com: Australia & New Zealand: CDs & Vinyl". Amazon Music. September 13, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  50. "Do You Know - Jessica Simpson: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. September 19, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
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