REVIEW: Chris Chitsey — Chasing Taillights (SINGLE/VIDEO)
Chris Chitsey, the native Texan country star who’s been topping charts for decades, is back with a powerful new track, “Chasing Taillights”. With three consecutive #1 hits under his belt and a legacy that spans four decades, Chitsey is proving that he’s not slowing down anytime soon. This latest single delves deep into the bittersweet emotions of letting go of a love that once felt like it was built to last forever. It’s raw, it’s real, and it hits right in the heart.
URL: https://www.chrischitseymusic.com/
Written by Rob Martin and Frank Maroney, “Chasing Taillights” takes listeners on a journey of realization and painful acceptance. The lyrics explore the end of a relationship from a man’s perspective, which is a refreshing shift from the usual narrative we see in country music. “It ain’t your fault girl / And it ain’t mine,” Chitsey sings, setting the tone for a conversation about love lost, without blaming anyone. It’s not about anger; it’s about the inevitability of change and the heartbreaking process of letting go. “The love we’ve been holding on to, is fading like a falling star,” he confesses, as the couple faces the undeniable truth that their connection has dimmed.
The chorus is where the emotional punch really lands: “Yeah, all that’s left to do is say goodbye / We’re just chasing taillights.” The metaphor of chasing taillights is genius. It captures that feeling of desperately trying to hold onto something that’s already slipping away, knowing you can’t catch up. It’s the perfect representation of those final moments in a relationship when both people realize they’ve come to the end of the road. No matter how hard they try, it’s just not going to work anymore.
What really makes “Chasing Taillights” stand out is Chris Chitsey’s voice. With his deep, confident tone, Chitsey navigates the complexities of the song with ease. His voice has this perfect balance of strength and sensitivity, making it one of the most compelling sounds on country radio today. You can hear the sorrow and acceptance in every note as he moves through the painful decision to walk away, even when love still lingers in the air.
The production is top-notch, with Chitsey teaming up with Stanley and Jo Anne Izard to executive produce the track. It has a polished feel but still maintains that authentic country edge. And of course, the fiddle work from Jenee Fleenor, a five-time CMA Musician of the Year, adds another layer of emotion to the track. Her playing is rich and haunting, elevating the already powerful lyrics to new heights.
In the music video, filmed in the authentic Texas setting of Chitsey’s very own Los Trece, TX, the mood of the song is brought to life. The visual elements — a 1958 Oldsmobile 88, a country-western tavern, and an outdoor bonfire at night — create the perfect backdrop for the song’s themes of nostalgia and farewell. It’s a fitting setting for a song about saying goodbye to something once beautiful but now fading away.
Chris Chitsey has always had a way of telling stories that feel personal yet universal, and “Chasing Taillights” is no exception. It’s a song about tough decisions, doing the right thing, and accepting the end of something that was once everything. For fans of Chitsey and lovers of heart-wrenching country ballads, this track is a must-listen. With “Chasing Taillights,” Chitsey proves once again why he remains a powerhouse in the genre. The song will leave you reflecting on your own relationships, and the powerful emotions that come with knowing when it’s time to say goodbye.
Colin Jordan
