Time Well Wasted
Time Well Wasted is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley, released on August 16, 2005, by Arista Nashville.[1] The album consists of 15 original tracks, blending traditional country elements with Paisley's signature humor, heartfelt ballads, and instrumental prowess, produced by Frank Rogers.[2] Notable singles include "Alcohol", a humorous ode to drinking that peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart; "When I Get Where I'm Going", a duet with Dolly Parton that also topped the country charts; and "The World", which topped the country charts.[3] Commercially, Time Well Wasted debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, selling 192,000 copies in its first week, and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.[4] The album has been certified double platinum by the RIAA for shipments of two million copies in the United States, marking Paisley's fastest-selling record at the time.[5] It propelled Paisley's career forward, following his previous double-platinum album Mud on the Tires (2003), and solidified his status as a leading figure in contemporary country music.[6] Critically, the album received widespread acclaim for its authentic country sound, witty songwriting, and Paisley's guitar work, with reviewers praising tracks like "Waitin' on a Woman" for their emotional depth and "You Need a Man Around Here" for their clever humor.[2] It won Album of the Year honors at both the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards and the 2006 Country Music Association Awards, while "When I Get Where I'm Going" earned the ACM for Vocal Event of the Year.[5] A bonus edition included outtakes and a collaboration with William Shatner, adding to its playful tone.[2]Background and recording
Development
Time Well Wasted served as the follow-up to Brad Paisley's third studio album, Mud on the Tires (2003), which achieved double platinum certification from the RIAA by 2006. As his fourth studio effort, the album represented Paisley's ongoing evolution within country music, prioritizing a mix of heartfelt ballads, humorous interludes, and high-profile collaborations to maintain his momentum following earlier successes like the platinum-certified Who Needs Pictures (1999).[7] Paisley approached the project with an emphasis on authenticity, creating content geared toward fans and live audiences rather than critical acclaim.[8] Key creative decisions during pre-production included integrating comedy sketches to inject levity and variety, exemplified by the "Cornography" segment featuring country veterans George Jones, Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Dolly Parton.[8] Duets were also prioritized to broaden the album's appeal and explore its core themes, such as the collaboration with Alan Jackson on a track about relationships and with Dolly Parton on a reflective piece touching on life and faith.[8] These elements were selected to balance emotional depth with entertainment, drawing from Paisley's influences like Buck Owens while avoiding pretense in his songcraft.[3] Songwriting contributions centered on Paisley, producer Frank Rogers, and Chris DuBois, who together founded the publishing company Sea Gayle Music in 1999 to foster their collaborative output.[9] The trio focused on personal anecdotes drawn from relationships and daily experiences, infusing the material with observational humor and insights into love and life's lighter moments.[8] For instance, Paisley penned one key track independently in just two days, refining its lyrics to capture a celebratory, anthemic tone reflective of his live show energy.[8] The album generated pre-release anticipation tied to Paisley's ascending profile after his prior releases, including the platinum-certified Part II (2001) and the multi-platinum trajectory of Mud on the Tires, positioning him as a leading figure in contemporary country.[7] This buzz was amplified by early fan responses to demoed material during tours, underscoring the project's fan-centric conception.[8]Production process
The recording of Time Well Wasted took place across several studios in Tennessee, including The Castle and Sound Kitchen in Franklin, as well as Emerald Entertainment and Thelma’s East in Nashville.[10][11] The album's production was primarily led by Frank Rogers, with Chris DuBois serving as executive producer; the process emphasized capturing the raw energy of Paisley's live road band during tracking sessions, complemented by refined overdubs to enhance the overall polish.[11][12] Recording engineering was handled by Richard Barrow and Brian David Willis, while Justin Niebank oversaw mixing at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, and Hank Williams managed mastering at MasterMix in Nashville.[11] Notable aspects of the production included the integration of instrumental tracks such as "Time Warp," along with hidden outtakes like the comedic "Shatner Says Goodbye" sketches featuring William Shatner, which served as playful Easter eggs and contributed to the album's extended runtime of 65:30.[11][13]Musical content
Style and composition
Time Well Wasted is rooted in traditional country music, incorporating influences from rock, pop, and humor to create a dynamic sound that blends uptempo tracks, heartfelt ballads, and comedic interludes. The album draws on classic country elements like fiddle, pedal steel guitar, and twangy solos, while modernizing the genre with references to suburban life, such as malls and pickup trucks, and subtle rock-infused guitar riffs. This fusion allows Paisley to honor the genre's past while appealing to contemporary audiences, evident in the balance of serious reflections and lighthearted satire that defines the record's eclectic energy.[2][14][15] Compositionally, the album features Paisley's signature acoustic and electric guitar-driven arrangements, showcasing his virtuosic playing that elevates tracks across the board. Themes of love are explored in tender ballads like "She’s Everything," which celebrates domestic bliss and unwavering affection, while loss and spirituality appear in poignant songs such as "When I Get Where I'm Going," enhanced by Dolly Parton's nostalgic harmonies. Satirical elements shine through in humorous takes on drinking, as in "Alcohol," which personifies booze with witty irony, and the album's overall lyrical focus on life's ironies, relationships, and small-town experiences adds depth without veering into preachiness. Duets, including Parton's contributions and a collaboration with Alan Jackson on "Out in the Parkin' Lot," provide emotional layers and reinforce the relational themes.[16][15][2] The album's structure comprises 15 main tracks supplemented by hidden segments, including outtakes and comedic sketches like "Cornography," which feature celebrity cameos and maintain a playful tone. This setup balances introspective moments—such as the restrained, Chris Isaak-like ballad "Rainin' You"—with upbeat, guitar-heavy instrumentals like "Time Warp," ensuring a varied listening experience that mixes profound reflections on fidelity and piety with irreverent humor. Influences from bluegrass, jazz, and Bakersfield country further enrich the compositions, allowing Paisley to demonstrate his Telecaster mastery while keeping the songcraft at the forefront.[16][2][14][15]Track listing
The standard edition of Time Well Wasted features 15 main tracks plus the bonus comedic sketch "Cornography," followed by five hidden bonus tracks consisting of outtakes and a spoken segment.[17]| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The World" | 4:02 | ||
| 2 | "Alcohol" | 4:52 | ||
| 3 | "Waitin' on a Woman" | 4:33 | ||
| 4 | "I'll Take You Back" | 4:24 | ||
| 5 | "She's Everything" | 4:27 | ||
| 6 | "You Need a Man Around Here" | 3:33 | ||
| 7 | "Out in the Parkin' Lot" | Alan Jackson | 4:44 | |
| 8 | "Rainin' You" | 4:16 | ||
| 9 | "Flowers" | 3:50 | ||
| 10 | "Love Is Never-Ending" | 3:59 | ||
| 11 | "The Uncloudy Day" | 0:53 | ||
| 12 | "When I Get Where I'm Going" | Dolly Parton | 4:08 | |
| 13 | "Easy Money" | 4:15 | ||
| 14 | "Time Warp" | 3:56 | Instrumental[18] | |
| 15 | "Time Well Wasted" | 3:56 | ||
| 16 | "Cornography" | James Burton, The Kung Pao Buckaroos | 3:56 | Comedy sketch[19] |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Outtake 1 | 0:16 |
| 18 | Outtake 2 | 0:13 |
| 19 | Outtake 3 | 0:36 |
| 20 | Outtake 4 | 0:35 |
| 21 | Shatner Says Goodbye | 0:27 |
Release and promotion
Singles
The album Time Well Wasted spawned four primary singles, all of which were released to country radio and accompanied by music videos to build anticipation and sustain chart momentum. The lead single, "Alcohol", was released on May 9, 2005, and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, marking Paisley's first release from the album and introducing its humorous tone through widespread radio airplay and a video directed by Jim Shea.) The second single, "When I Get Where I'm Going" featuring Dolly Parton, followed on October 10, 2005, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for one week in early 2006; this marked Paisley's fifth number 1 overall and Parton's 25th career number 1 on the chart.[20][21][22][23] The track's duet format and inspirational lyrics drove significant radio promotion, with the music video, also directed by Jim Shea, emphasizing themes of heaven and loss to connect with audiences. "The World", released as the third single on March 13, 2006, debuted at number 37 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart before ascending to number 1 for three weeks, Paisley's sixth number 1 hit.[24][25] The song's romantic perspective on everyday life was supported by radio campaigns and a video directed by Scott Scovill, featuring global imagery to highlight its title. Closing the primary single run, "She's Everything" was issued on August 28, 2006, and topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks starting in January 2007, becoming Paisley's seventh number 1.[26][25][27] Its heartfelt tribute to love benefited from targeted radio play and a Scovill-directed video showcasing personal anecdotes from Paisley. Additionally, "Waitin' on a Woman" (featuring Andy Griffith in its re-recording) was originally included on the album but re-recorded in 2008 for Paisley's greatest hits compilation Hits Alive, where it was released as a single in June and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for one week in September, extending Paisley's streak of consecutive number 1s to eight.[28] These singles' radio dominance and visual storytelling significantly propelled the album's overall chart presence.[29]Marketing and touring
The album Time Well Wasted was released on August 16, 2005, by Arista Nashville, with marketing strategies focusing on Brad Paisley's renowned guitar skills and the record's blend of humor and country traditions through media interviews and radio features.[30][3] In a contemporary Today show profile, promoters highlighted Paisley's instrumental prowess on tracks like the fast-paced "Time Warp," while emphasizing comedic elements such as the spoken-word sketch "Cornography," featuring veteran country figures like Little Jimmy Dickens, to showcase his lighthearted approach and draw in diverse listeners.[30] Promotional tie-ins centered on a strategic singles rollout, including "Alcohol" and collaborations like "When I Get Where I'm Going" with Dolly Parton, to generate buzz ahead of the full release, while interviews often spotlighted the album's humorous sketches and Paisley's guitar-driven style to broaden appeal beyond traditional country fans.[5][3] The release was supported by the Time Well Wasted Tour (2005–2006), Paisley's first major headlining outing, which featured arena performances across the United States and Canada with setlists emphasizing material from the new album.[5] The 2005 leg, sponsored by CMT, kicked off on September 23 in Portland, Oregon, and encompassed over 30 dates, primarily in arenas, with opening acts including Sara Evans on most shows and Sugarland as a special guest.[31] The tour extension into 2006 included additional support from artists like Billy Currington, playing to sold-out crowds and incorporating guest spots to enhance the live experience.[4] Further efforts involved radio campaigns tied to Grand Ole Opry broadcasts and fan-oriented promotions, such as exclusive content on Paisley's website, which collectively drove the album to over 2 million units sold in the United States.[30][5] The 2005 tour portion alone attracted more than 200,000 attendees and generated over $7 million in gross revenue across its 30 dates.[4]Commercial performance
Chart performance
Time Well Wasted debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart with 193,000 copies sold in its first week, marking Brad Paisley's highest entry on the all-genre ranking at the time, and reached number one on the US Top Country Albums chart, where it held the top position for two weeks.[32][33] The album sustained a top 10 presence on the Billboard 200 for several months following its release, remaining on the chart for a total of 78 weeks and demonstrating enduring popularity driven in part by the success of its singles on country radio.[34] On year-end Billboard 200 rankings, Time Well Wasted placed at number 130 in 2005, number 62 in 2006, and number 79 in 2007, reflecting consistent performance across multiple years.[35][36][37] Similarly, it ranked number 20 on the 2005 Top Country Albums year-end chart, number 17 in 2006, and number 17 in 2007, underscoring its dominance in the country genre.[38] Internationally, the album achieved limited chart success outside the United States, with its domestic performance primarily propelled by robust airplay of its singles on US country radio stations.[39]| Year | Billboard 200 Year-End Rank | Top Country Albums Year-End Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 130 | 20 |
| 2006 | 62 | 17 |
| 2007 | 79 | 17 |