Best Chris Stapleton Songs
Lyrics, Chords & Acoustic Lessons  

Whether you love the bluesy grit of "Nobody to Blame," the heartfelt country storytelling of "Broken Halos," or the smooth, soulful feel of "Tennessee Whiskey," there's something here for every guitarist.

Chris Stapleton's music blends country, blues, and folk, making his songs a joy to play on acoustic guitar. Dive into the lessons, grab the free chord sheets, and start mastering his greatest hits today!

More Of You appears on Traveller, the breakthrough 2015 debut album that introduced Chris Stapleton to a broad audience. Stapleton wrote the song with Ronnie Bowman and Barry Bales, two longtime friends from the bluegrass world.

Although it was never released as a single, the track became one of the album’s most beloved love songs. The lyric is simple and direct, expressing the desire to know someone more deeply with each passing day. Traveller reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and went on to win Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.

No official music video was produced for More of You, but live performances have made it a concert favorite. Its heartfelt message shows the quieter, more intimate side of Stapleton’s songwriting.

Nobody To Blame was the fourth single from Traveller and became Chris Stapleton’s first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Written by Stapleton and Barry Bales, the track uses a touch of humor to tell the story of a man whose marriage falls apart because of his own reckless choices.

An official music video was released, featuring Stapleton performing in a dimly lit room as the song’s events unfold. The single also climbed into the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Traveller had already transformed Stapleton from respected songwriter to major recording star, and Nobody to Blame proved he could deliver radio hits without sacrificing honesty.

Its sharp storytelling and gritty vocal helped make it one of the defining country singles of 2016.

Sometimes I Cry is one of the most emotionally powerful tracks on Traveller, released in 2015. Chris Stapleton wrote the song by himself, and its spare arrangement puts the focus squarely on his soulful vocal performance.

Although it was never issued as an official single, the song gained wide attention after Stapleton delivered a stunning live performance at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards. No dedicated music video was produced, but the televised performance introduced many listeners to the raw intensity of the song.

The lyric explores the private pain of heartbreak and the moments when grief surfaces unexpectedly. Traveller topped Billboard’s country albums chart and became one of the decade’s most acclaimed releases. Sometimes I Cry shows how Stapleton can turn a simple blues structure into a deeply moving and unforgettable recording.

Tennessee Whiskey was first recorded by David Allan Coe in 1981, but Chris Stapleton transformed the song into one of the signature performances of his career on Traveller.

Written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, the ballad compares a lover’s affection to the smooth warmth of whiskey. Stapleton’s version was not initially released as a single, but after his celebrated duet with Justin Timberlake at the 2015 CMA Awards, it surged in popularity and later reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

An official music video followed, featuring Stapleton and his wife Morgane. George Jones had also taken the song to No. 2 in 1983, yet Stapleton’s blues-soaked interpretation introduced this country standard to a new generation.

Traveller is the title track of Traveller, released in 2015 and widely considered the song that defines Chris Stapleton’s solo career. Stapleton wrote it alone after a cross-country road trip with his wife, Morgane, following the death of his father. Although it was not released as a radio single, the song became one of the album’s emotional centerpieces.

No official music video was produced, but its reflective lyrics and haunting melody resonated deeply with listeners. The song explores grief, healing, and the search for peace on the open road. Traveller won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album and transformed Stapleton from a respected songwriter into a major recording artist.

The title track captures the restless spirit and hard-earned wisdom that run throughout the entire record.

What Are You Listening To was recorded by Chris Stapleton for his 2017 album From A Room: Volume 1. Written by Stapleton with Lee Thomas Miller, the song had first been a Top 20 country hit for Luke Bryan in 2013.

Stapleton’s version was not released as a single, but many fans were eager to hear him perform a song he helped create. The lyric follows a man who wonders if a favorite song reminds his former lover of the time they shared together.

No separate music video was produced, though live performances became fan favorites. Stapleton’s soulful interpretation gives the song a more intimate and reflective feel, highlighting the strength of his songwriting and his ability to breathe new life into his own compositions.

When The stars Come Out appears on Traveller and was written by Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson, and Barry Bales. Although it was not released as a single, the song became a standout album track thanks to its vivid look at life behind the spotlight.

The lyric follows a performer who appears larger than life on stage but still carries private hopes and fears. No official music video was created, but Stapleton has often included the song in his live shows. Dan Wilson, known for his work with Semisonic and Adele, helped shape the song’s atmospheric feel.

Traveller’s huge success introduced millions to Stapleton’s blend of country, rock, and soul, and When the Stars Come Out offers a thoughtful glimpse into the emotional side of a life spent under bright lights.

Broken Halos was released in 2017 as the first single from From A Room: Volume 1. Written by Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson, the song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and earned the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

An official music video featured Stapleton performing on the road with his band. The lyric was inspired by friends who died unexpectedly, reflecting on the idea that some people leave this world too soon. Stapleton’s gritty vocal and the song’s uplifting message connected strongly with audiences.

It became one of his most successful recordings and further established him as one of country music’s most respected songwriters and performers.

Either Way was first recorded by Lee Ann Womack for her 2008 album Call Me Crazy. Chris Stapleton later recorded his own version for From A Room: Volume 1 in 2017. Written by Stapleton with Kendall Marvel and Tim James, the song was released as a promotional single and earned praise for its deeply emotional portrait of a marriage that has quietly fallen apart.

A live performance video helped introduce Stapleton’s interpretation to a wider audience. His stripped-down arrangement and aching vocal turned the song into one of the most powerful recordings of his career.

Many listeners discovered the song through Stapleton, even though he had written it nearly a decade earlier for another artist.

Midnight Train To Memphis appears on From A Room: Volume 2, released in 2017. Chris Stapleton wrote the song with Mike Henderson, and it grew out of an earlier bluegrass recording titled “Midnight Train to Raleigh,” which Stapleton recorded with The SteelDrivers.

This updated version trades banjos for a driving Southern rock arrangement that became a concert favorite. The song was not released as a single, and no official music video was produced. Its lyrics tell the story of a man rushing home to the woman he loves after serving time in prison.

Stapleton’s powerful vocal and the song’s relentless rhythm helped make it one of the standout tracks on the album, showing how he often reshapes older material into something fresh and electrifying.

Scarecrow In The Garden was featured on From A Room: Volume 2 and written by Chris Stapleton with Mike Henderson. Although it was not issued as a single, the song drew strong praise for its vivid portrait of a family farm struggling to survive.

The lyric reflects on generations of hard work and the fear that rural traditions may disappear. No official music video was released, but Stapleton performed the song live on television, bringing its message to a wider audience. Its acoustic arrangement and mournful tone echo the storytelling style of classic country and folk music.

Many listeners saw the song as a heartfelt tribute to America’s farming communities, giving it a special place among Stapleton’s most thoughtful and socially relevant recordings.

Trying To Untangle My Mind was written by Chris Stapleton and first recorded by Andrew Combs in 2013. Stapleton later included his own version on From A Room: Volume 2. The song was not released as a single and did not receive an official music video, but its weary, introspective lyrics made it a favorite among longtime fans.

The narrator struggles to sort through regret and confusion after a troubled relationship. Stapleton’s restrained performance allows the words to take center stage, showing his gift for conveying deep emotion with simple phrasing.

By recording songs he had written years earlier, Stapleton gave listeners a chance to hear his own interpretations of material already admired within Nashville songwriting circles.

Another Try was recorded by Josh Turner for his 2007 album Everything Is Fine. Written by Chris Stapleton and Jamey Johnson, the song was released as the album’s third single and reached No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2008.

An official music video accompanied the release, telling the story of a couple struggling to save their marriage. Turner’s deep baritone and the song’s honest lyric connected strongly with listeners facing similar challenges.

At the time, Stapleton was known primarily as one of Nashville’s top songwriters, and Another Try helped establish his reputation for crafting emotionally powerful material. The song remains one of the finest examples of his early songwriting success for other artists.

Drink A Beer was recorded by Luke Bryan for his 2013 album Crash My Party. Chris Stapleton wrote the song with Jim Beavers, drawing on themes of grief and remembrance after losing someone close.

Released as the fifth single from the album, it became Bryan’s seventh No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and also topped the Hot Country Songs chart. A moving music video featured Bryan visiting the graves of his late siblings.

The song’s quiet, heartfelt approach stood apart from Bryan’s more upbeat hits and introduced many listeners to Stapleton’s skill as a songwriter. Its emotional honesty helped make it one of the most powerful country ballads of the decade.

Starting Over was released in 2020 as the lead single and title track from Starting Over. Chris Stapleton wrote the song with Mike Henderson, and its relaxed groove reflects a couple leaving the pressures of life behind to begin again somewhere new.

The single reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song. An official music video, filmed in the desert with Stapleton and his band, matched the song’s themes of freedom and renewal. Released during a period of uncertainty around the world, the recording struck a chord with listeners looking for hope.

Its warm, understated message became one of Stapleton’s most enduring and widely celebrated songs.

To Be A Man is a 2023 collaboration between Chris Stapleton and Dax, released on Dax’s album What Is Life?. Written by Dax, Chris Stapleton, and Lex Nour, the song explores the pressures men often feel to hide emotion and carry life’s burdens in silence.

It was released as a single and quickly drew millions of online views, supported by a widely shared music video. Stapleton’s soulful chorus adds emotional depth to Dax’s spoken verses, creating an unusual but powerful blend of country and hip-hop.

The song resonated strongly with listeners from many backgrounds and became one of Dax’s most successful releases, showing Stapleton’s willingness to lend his voice to meaningful songs beyond traditional country music.

Ghosts Of Mississippi appears on Higher, released in 2023. Written by Chris Stapleton with Dan Wilson and Mike Henderson, the song was not issued as a single, and no official music video was produced. The lyric uses haunting Southern imagery to explore memory, loss, and the lingering weight of the past.

Stapleton delivers the song with a restrained but deeply emotional vocal, supported by a moody arrangement that blends country, blues, and soul. Higher debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim. Among the album’s reflective tracks,

Ghosts of Mississippi stands out for its evocative storytelling and atmospheric sound, revealing Stapleton’s ability to create songs that feel both personal and timeless.

Run Maggie Run closes Higher, released in 2023. Written by Chris Stapleton, the song is a joyful instrumental built around his spirited guitar work and a loose, rootsy band performance.

Unlike most of his recordings, it contains no lead vocal, serving as a playful showcase for his musicianship. The track was not released as a single and has no official music video, but it quickly became a fan favorite for its upbeat energy. Stapleton has said the tune was inspired by his dog Maggie, whose name gives the piece its lighthearted title.

Ending the album on such an unexpected note, Run Maggie Run offers a reminder that even a serious songwriter can leave listeners smiling.