We Don't Fight Anymore

Album

Single

Label

Big Machine Records

Genre

Bluegrass

Composer(s)

Carly Pearce featuring Chris Stapleton

Entered Chart

Nov 18, 2023

Peak Date

Jan 13, 2024

Released

June 16, 2023

Recorded

November 15, 2022 Studio Sound Emporium

Here, Carly Pearce teams up with Chris Stapleton for a soul-stirring ballad that unravels the chilling dynamics of a love on ice. These country powerhouses croon about the stifled battle of a worn-out couple trudging through life's mundane grind. We don't yell, 'cause what the hell difference would it make? We don't cuss and we don't care enough to even hate We could tear up the house, we could burn the whole thing down But, boy, what for? 'Cause we don't even fight anymore Neither side has the resources or the will to fix the wreckage caused by their cold war. "We Don't Fight Anymore" delves into the disenchanted realm of a couple who have lost their passion and ceased the battle. "This song embodies a place that I think, if we are honest with ourselves, we've all felt at some point in a relationship," Pearce shared. "The distance that feels heartbreaking, yet you're also indifferent." In real-life, it's the lethargic lull that often prevails, far more common than the feverish adoration or agonizing animosity so often glorified in country lyrics. We exist within that middle ground, seldom needing or having the chance to venture into the extreme realms of human sentiment. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood's 2011 duet "Remind Me" shares similar sentiments. Hailing from Taylor Mill, Kentucky, Carly Pearce's roots lie a mere 82 miles north on I-75 from Chris Stapleton's very own stomping grounds in Lexington. Despite their shared Kentucky heritage, this is their first collaboration. Carly Pearce, Shane McAnally, and Pete Good joined forces to pen this poignant anthem. McAnally co-wrote seven out of the 15 tracks on Carly Pearce's 2021 29: Written in Stone album, including the singles "Next Girl" and "Never Wanted To Be That Girl." Pete Good is one of Walker Hayes' go-to collaborators, with credits on "Black Sheep," "Goldest," and "Y'all Life." Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne's unadorned bluegrass-tinged arrangement sets the stage. Jenee Fleenor's somber fiddle weaves through, rising like a haunting specter to evoke cherished recollections before fading away once more. The musicians are: Craig Young: bass guitar Jenee Fleenor: fiddle Josh Matheny: dobro Sol Philcox-Littlefield: electric guitar Ilya Toshinskiy: acoustic guitar Alex Wright: piano Fred Eltringham: percussion Ryan Gore: percussion Aaron Sterling: percussion and drums Pearce, Good, and McNally were at a creative roadblock during their session at Good's studio in Nashville's Berry Hill neighborhood. Their initial ideas for a new song failed to come together, and they were feeling frustrated. But then, in a moment of inspiration, they had a conversation that sparked the idea for "Fight." The song emerged from this conversation, breathing new life into their creative process. "I don't remember who said, 'We don't fight anymore' - it was probably Shane - and I was like, 'Let's go sad. Let's do it,'" Pearce recalled to Billboard. "Pete played this riff that was so inspiring. He has such a good melodic sense and also such a way of building a track that inspires you. From five minutes in, I just felt like we were on to something." "Many of us have been in a relationship at some point where it's kind of running on fumes," added Good, "so there's enough to tap into and then, obviously, take liberties to be a storyteller." Directed by Alexa Campbell, the music video stars Lucy Hale and Shiloh Fernandez as a couple in a crumbling relationship. When a fire breaks out, instead of rushing to each other, they fixate on their crumbling home. It's a fiery symbol of the disconnection in their union. The video marks a reunion for Pearce and Hale, as Pearce previously served as Hale's backing singer during promotion for her 2014 debut album, Road Between.

I couldn't make you jealous if I tried
You couldn't care less if I stayed out all night
I don't even look into your eyes
'Cause the truth is I don't even care if you're lying

In this bed we
Might as well be
Across the ocean tonight

We don't yell 'cause what the hell difference would it make?
We don't cuss and we don't care enough to even hate
We could tear up the house, we could burn the whole thing down
But boy what for?
'Cause we don't even fight anymore

The only time we ever touch is in the hall
We talk about the weather if we talk at all
If your phone rings in the middle of the night
I don't even try to look to see who's calling

I had a bad day but
You don't know it 'cause
You don't ask and I don't show it

We don't yell 'cause what the hell difference would it make?
We don't cuss and we don't care enough to even hate
We could tear up the house, we could burn the whole thing down
But boy what for?
'Cause we don't even fight anymore

I wish you would say something (say anything)
You wish I would say something (say anything)
I would never say nothing
No, we'd never say nothing

We don't yell 'cause what the hell difference would it make?
We don't cuss and we don't care enough to even hate
We could tear up the house, we could burn the whole thing down
But boy what for?
'Cause we don't even fight anymore

No, we don't (no, we don't even), mm
Writer/s: Carly Slusser, Peter Good, Shane McAnally