Parker McCollum Secures Third Consecutive No. 1 With ‘Handle On You’

Parker McCollum’s fan-favorite, “Handle On You” has seen a massive amount of success since its release in August of 2022. After climbing up the charts for weeks, the song has finally made its way to the top of the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart, earning McCollum his third consecutive No. 1 hit. 

“Thank y’all for making “Handle On You” my third #1,” McCollum shared in a press release. “Releasing a new album with a #1 already on it is really special and I’m glad Country radio digs it. Thank you to my fans and thank you Country Radio!”

Follows A String Of No.1s

This song follows the country star’s previous string of No. 1 hits including his multi-Platinum debut “Pretty Heart,” and Platinum “To Be Loved By You.”

After playing to a “killer crowd” in Missouri, McCollum took to social media to share the good news through a series of photos from his recent show as well as a congratulatory cookie cake in honor of his latest feat.  

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The Texas native previously opened up to Country Now about the moment of darkness that led him to write “Handle On You.” At the time, the only thing that could pull him out from the difficult moment in his life was his now-wife Hallie Ray Light. 

“She’s such a wonderful person. I mean, as good as God makes ‘em. You’re around someone like that enough, it’s gonna make you want to get your shit together,” he shared.

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He Co-Wrote The Song

Co-written with Monty Criswell, the powerful single depicts the turmoil that can be caused by true heartbreak. McCollum sings from the perspective of someone who resorts to alcohol to try and get a grip on losing the one they loved and lost. 

“Tennessee and Kentucky ’cause you ain’t here to love me / I drink now that there’s nothing to lose / I’ve been fightin’ with your memory, I hate the way it hits me / I wake up every day, black and blue / After all this back and forth, a fifth won’t do / Yeah, I finally got a handle, finally got a handle on you,” he sings in the chorus. 

For him, writing sad songs proved to be successful among his fanbase and he revealed he would intentionally put himself in a low state in order to achieve the popular sorrowful tracks. But this time, it was different because his emotions were not intentional, they were real and raw.

Real and Raw Emotions

“I feel like I’ve kind of gotten really good at writing those songs even when life is good. There’s still always that little part of me I think that’ll always hurt and that’s kind of where those songs come from.”

After writing “Handle On You,” he and Light were back together within just a month or two. Now that he has her by his side again, McCollum finds that those feelings are not as present anymore.

“That was probably the last time that I’ll be truly that down in the dumps.”

The accompanying music video was directed by Jim Wright and features a shift in perspective from getting a handle on heartbreak to finding the right balance of maintaining a steady work schedule while also having plenty of time at home with his wife. 

The footage flips between a behind-the-scenes look at one of McCollum’s shows and some scenic visuals from the countryside. 

“Shot half of the video at a sold-out show in my hometown – 20,000 people at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Shot the other half at our Family Ranch in East Texas. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to get to come home and showcase, on-camera, the place I love the most while doing what I love to do the most,” McCollum shared of the clip. 

See The Music Video

“Handle On You” is the lead single from his highly anticipated forthcoming album, Never Enough, which is set to drop May 12 and follow his breakout major label debut, Gold Chain Cowboy.

The new collection will feature “Handle On You,” as well as recent releases “Stoned,” “I Ain’t Going Nowhere,” “Speed,” and “Tails I Lose.” 

Album Drops Soon

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The multi-Platinum MCA Nashville singer-songwriter kicked off his busy 2023 touring schedule in February with sold-out shows in Columbus, Detroit and Cincinnati. 

His headlining dates are stacked with an impressive group of rising County artists including Corey Kent, Catie Offerman, Larry Fleet, Jackson Dean, Flatland Cavalry, and Texas staple, the Randy Rogers Band. 

Additionally, he’s scheduled to appear at some of country music’s high-profile festivals including Stagecoach, Country Thunder, and iHeartCountry Festival before hitting the road in support of Morgan Wallen and Eric Church later this year.