| Do You Know | |
| Type: | Studio album |
| Artist: | Jessica Simpson |
| Cover: | Do_You_Know_Album_Cover.jpg |
| Released: | September 9, 2008 |
| Recorded: | 2007–2008 |
| Studio: |
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| Genre: | |
| Length: | 41:48 |
| Label: | |
| Producer: | |
| Prev Title: | A Public Affair |
| Prev Year: | 2006 |
| Next Year: | 2010 |
Do You Know is the sixth studio album by American singer Jessica Simpson. The album was first released digitally on September 5, 2008 for the US iTunes Store and physically on September 9, 2008 in the United States, Canada and Russia through a joint-venture between Columbia Nashville and Epic Records.[3] The album was her first effort in an attempt to cross over with country music. Songwriter Brett James produced the album along with John Shanks. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard Country Albums and at number four on the US Billboard 200 with sales of 65,000.[4] It received mixed reviews from music critics.
Two singles were released from the record. The lead single, "Come on Over" debuted at number 41 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It broke a record held by Miranda Lambert ("Me and Charlie Talking") and Brad Cotter ("I Meant To") for highest-debuting first chart entry by a solo artist; both artists debuted at number 42 on that same chart.[5] The song peaked at number 18 on the Hot Country Songs chart.[6] The second single, "Remember That", was released in October, and peaked at number forty-two on the Hot Country Songs chart.[7]
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.[8] In promotion of the album, Simpson supported Rascal Flatts on tour as their opening act.[9]
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."[10] 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.[11]
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.[12] "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.[13] "Do You Know" is a moderate up-tempo song written by Dolly Parton.[14]
The album received generally mixed reviews from critics. The album was given a score of 58 out of 100 from Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews" from music critics.
The Dallas Morning News called the first single "Come on Over" a "terrific slice of sultry pop-country", but described the rest of the album as "totally listless". Entertainment Weekly noted: "teaming up with frequent Carrie Underwood songwriter Hillary Lindsey for five tracks was a savvy move, [but] we already have a Carrie Underwood [...] and she probably turned these songs down." The Boston Herald praised the track "Come on Over", but criticized the album for having "way too many embarrassing ballads". The Miami Heralds Howard Cohen concluded that Simpson made a country album that is "undistinguished" and "forgettable".[15]
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram called Simpson's duet with Parton "an oversung misfire."[16] The Los Angeles Times said "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 said 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 found her performance "unfailingly listless no matter how many theatrical gestures she attempts to cram in her big boring ballad." The Worcester Telegram praised "Come on Over" but found that "Simpson sounds, at best, like a cat being tasered" on the title track. Las Vegas Weekly found the album to be filled with "tiresome ballads" performed with "no tooth, no gut, just monotony and palpable disinterest."[17] Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle wrote that although "Simpson co-wrote several of the other tunes ... there's almost no emotional spark or sense of connection."[18]
In a more positive review, 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."[19] Country Weekly magazine's Chris Neal said 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."[20]
Selling 65,000 copies in its first week, Do You Know debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, charting for nine weeks.[21] As February 2009, it has sold 173,000 copies in the United States.[22]
The first single from the album, "Come On Over", was released on June 24, 2008. In the United States, "Come on Over" became the most-added song to country radio for the week of June 6, 2008, debuting at number 41 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It broke a record held by Miranda Lambert ("Me and Charlie Talking") and Brad Cotter ("I Meant To") for highest-debuting first chart entry by a solo artist; both artists debuted at number 42 on that same chart.[5] The song peaked at number 18 on the chart. On July 12, 2008, the song peaked at number sixty-five on the Billboard Hot 100. As of July 2014, "Come on Over" has sold 470,000 paid digital downloads in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[23]
The second single, "Remember That", was released in October, and peaked at number forty-two on the Hot Country Songs chart.[7] "Remember That" has sold 207,000 paid digital downloads according to Nielsen Soundscan.[24]
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] | 95 |
| Australian Country Albums (ARIA)[26] | 6 |
| US Digital Albums (Billboard)[27] | 3 |
| United States | September 5, 2008 | Standard | Digital download | [29] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | September 9, 2008 | Sony BMG | [30] [31] | |||
| Russia | Standard | CD | 88697429082 | [32] | ||
| United States | [33] [34] [35] | |||||
| Australia | September 13, 2008 | Standard | Sony BMG | B001EWR60K | [36] | |
| New Zealand | ||||||
| Germany | September 19, 2008 | 88697217462 | [37] [38] | |||
| United Kingdom | October 13, 2008 | |||||
| Japan | December 10, 2008 |