Do You Know (Jessica Simpson album)

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. 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." 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. 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." 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. "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. "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.

Critical reception

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

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." 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." 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.

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." 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." 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".

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."

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." 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."

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

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." 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."

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. 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 250,000 copies in the United States. Worldwide, it has sold over 400,000 copies so far.

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 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. To date, "Remember That" has sold 207,000 paid digital downloads according to Nielsen Soundscan.