Kenny Chesney + P!NK Hit No. 1 with “Setting The World On Fire”
Already a Two Week Hot Country No. 1, “Fire” is No. 25 Bullet on Hot AC
NASHVILLE, Tenn.: As Cosmic Hallelujah gets ready to drop this Friday, Oct. 28, Kenny Chesney and P!NK slide into the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard Country Airplay and the Media Base Country Airplay charts – as well as already spending two weeks topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs, which combines streaming, sales and airplay with “Setting The World On Fire.” With all that momentum and his chemistry with his duet partner, it’s not surprising the song is now making its way up the Hot AC charts as well.
“I knew the moment I heard this song, it was exactly the moment of life and love exploding, and everything turning Technicolor,” Chesney says of the song. “Finding songs that are in the moment are harder, but in this kind of moment, it’s almost impossible. And the idea of bringing P!NK in adds to that sense of this song is happening as we sing it. It’s funny how people respond to stuff that feels real and right now.”
Recorded in Los Angeles, the Josh Osborne/Ross Copperman/Matt Jenkins song surges with the kind of jubilance that occurs in real life. Whether it’s the “I love you” written in lipstick on a mirror, screaming out the car windows from euphoria or having the band on your t-shirt coming out of the radio, “Setting The World On Fire” is a pure expression of a peak moment – and the two people in it.
“I was really happy we were going to be able to release this second,” says the man The Los Angeles Times called “The People’s Superstar” of his 29thNo. 1 single. “To have Country radio respond to P!NK the way they have, to be so welcoming, that makes me proud. I think when you bring an artist into country, you need to play to their strengths, but you also want them to feel caught up in what we do.”
Moving “Fire” into the second single position not only put Chesney’s follow-up to the four No. 1 yielding The Big Revival, it also brought a sense of buoyance to his always life affirming approach to music. The extra time afforded the 8-time Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year to align some new songs with his latest No. 1’s effervescence – creating what is now known as Cosmic Hallelujah.
“Sometimes a record turns, and it takes a moment to catch up,” Chesney admits with a laugh. “When we moved into ‘Setting The World On Fire,’ I think the whole vision fell into a new place – and it was a really good place. With the songs we brought in, suddenly this album was about the thrill you can find in any given moment, peak things that happen that are so every day. Watching the response, it makes me feel like a lot of people feel like I do – so this record should hit’em right where they live.”
Again co-produced with Buddy Cannon (Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard), Cosmic Hallelujah continues Chesney’s ongoing dialogue with his No Shoes Nation, kindred spirits as voracious to live life, unwind as hard they work and embrace all the good that life has to offer. After several twists and turns, including a trip to the top of the Country Airplay charts, it’s finally here.