After serving as the frontman of bluegrass group The SteelDrivers from 2008 to 2010, Stapleton released his debut studio album Traveller in 2015, which reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Among several accolades, he won the Country Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards for Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, and the Grammy Award for Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Performance at the 58th annual ceremony. His second studio album, From A Room: Volume 1 was released on May 5, 2017, reached number two on the US Billboard 200, and to date has surpassed 500,000 units sold. Six months later, Stapleton released follow-up album, From A Room: Volume 2, which, like its predecessor, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200.
Stapleton was born in a Lexington, Kentucky hospital. His mother worked at the local health department and his father was a coal miner. He comes from a family of coal miners.[12][13] He has an older brother and younger sister.[14][15]
Stapleton grew up in the small town of Staffordsville, Kentucky, which is located just outside of Paintsville, located between the city and the Paintsville lake. He graduated from Johnson Central High School where he was his class valedictorian and attended Vanderbilt University where he studied engineering, but dropped out after a year.
Stapleton is married to singer-songwriter Morgane Hayes, who co-wrote Carrie Underwood's 2006 single "Don't Forget to Remember Me". She had a recording deal with Arista Nashville. The couple met when they were working at adjacent publishing houses. They have two children and live in Nashville.
Up to No Good Livin'
Chris Stapleton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And not have ya checkin' my breath
I'm tired of her turning her questions
Into the Gettysburg Address
There's no reason why she shouldn't trust me
The fact that she don't makes me mad
Can't count all the times that I begged her
I used to drink like a fish and run like a dog
Done a whole lotta shit not permitted by law
People call me the Picasso of paintin' the town
But I've finally grown up
And I finally changed from that someone I was to somebody I ain't
But she finds it hard to believe that she's turned me around
You know I'll probably die before I live all mine
Up to no good livin' down
Gave up on bringing her flowers
And that just kept making things worse
I ain't been guilty of nothin'
Of being the man she deserves
I used to drink like a fish, run like a dog
Done a whole lotta shit not permitted by law
People call me the Picasso of paintin' the town
But I've finally grown up
I finally changed from that someone I was to somebody I ain't
But she finds it hard to believe that she's turned me around
You know I'll probably die before I live all mine
Up to no good livin' down
I used to cuse like a sailor and howl at the moon
And I woke up some mornings with I don't know who
But I never dreamed back then that I'd have to pay for it now
You know I'll probably die before I live all mine
Up to no good livin' now
Yeah I'd hate to die before I live all mine
Up to no good livin' down
The lyrics of "Up to No Good Livin'" by Chris Stapleton reveal the frustration and guilt of a man who has made mistakes in the past but has since changed his ways. He wishes that his partner could trust him and let go of his past, but it seems that she can't. He expresses his exhaustion with her constant checking of his breath, which implies she suspects him of drinking alcohol or possibly cheating. He feels hurt that she can't see the progress he has made and continues to question him as if he hasn't changed at all.
The tone of the song is remorseful yet determined to move forward. The man accepts that he has made mistakes in the past, and he has learned from them. However, he is frustrated that his partner can't let go of his past and trust him. He acknowledges that he used to live recklessly by drinking excessively, engaging in illegal activities, and being unfaithful to his partner. But he has since matured and changed for the better, and he believes that he is worthy of her trust and love.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the complexities of relationships, particularly when past mistakes come into play. It highlights the importance of trust and the need for forgiveness, even when it is difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish I could come home from workin'
I wish I could return from work without any suspicion or scrutiny from my partner.
And not have ya checkin' my breath
I don't want my partner to check if I am sober or drunk when I come home.
I'm tired of her turning her questions
I am tired of my partner constantly doubting me and questioning my actions.
Into the Gettysburg Address
My partner asks so many questions that it feels like a never-ending speech, similar to the famous Gettysburg Address.
There's no reason why she shouldn't trust me
I have done nothing to break my partner's trust, so there is no reason why she shouldn't have faith in me.
The fact that she don't makes me mad
Her lack of trust in me angers me, especially since I have not done anything wrong.
Can't count all the times that I begged her
I have pleaded with my partner on numerous occasions to trust me, but to no avail.
Honey, just let my past be the past
I am asking my partner to forget about my past mistakes and not hold them against me now.
I used to drink like a fish and run like a dog
I used to drink excessively and live a wild and carefree lifestyle.
Done a whole lotta shit not permitted by law
I have engaged in illegal activities in the past.
People call me the Picasso of paintin' the town
I was once known for partying hard and causing a scene everywhere I went, just like Picasso was known for his unique style of painting.
But I've finally grown up
I have matured and left my wild ways behind.
And I finally changed from that someone I was to somebody I ain't
I have changed for the better and become a different person than I used to be.
But she finds it hard to believe that she's turned me around
My partner has a hard time believing that I have changed and left my old ways behind.
You know I'll probably die before I live all mine
I may not have much time left, so I want to live life on my own terms and not regret anything.
Up to no good livin' down
I don't want to live my remaining time engaging in harmful or negative behavior.
Gave up on bringing her flowers
I stopped buying my partner flowers because it did not improve our relationship and only made things worse.
And that just kept making things worse
Stopping the flower-giving only made our relationship deteriorate further.
I ain't been guilty of nothin'
I have not done anything wrong or broken my partner's trust recently.
Of being the man she deserves
I want to be the man my partner deserves, but she does not seem to see that I have changed for the better.
I used to cuse like a sailor and howl at the moon
I used to swear excessively and act recklessly, just like a sailor and howling at the moon symbolizes recklessness.
And I woke up some mornings with I don't know who
I have woken up next to people I did not know, as a result of my wild and drunken lifestyle.
But I never dreamed back then that I'd have to pay for it now
I did not realize the consequences of my actions back then, but I am now paying the price for my past mistakes.
Yeah I'd hate to die before I live all mine
I would hate to die before I got the chance to live life on my own terms and not have any regrets.
Up to no good livin' down
I don't want to waste any more of my life on negative or harmful behavior.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Casey Beathard, Christopher Stapleton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C Lee
lyrics ......
Wish I could come home from workin'
And not have her checking my breath
I'm tired of her turning her questions
Into the Gettysburg Address
There's no reason why she shouldn't trust me
The fact that she don't makes me mad
Can't count all the times that I've begged her
Honey, just let my past be the past
I used to drink like a fish and run like a dog
Done a whole lotta shit not permitted by law
People called me the Picasso of painting the town
I've finally grown up
I've finally changed and that someone I was
Is somebody I ain't
But she finds it hard to believe that she's turned me around
So I'll probably die before I live all my
Up to no good livin' down
Gave up on bringing her flowers
That just kept making things worse
I ain't been guilty of nothing
But being the man she deserves
I used to drink like a fish and run like a dog
Done a whole lotta shit not permitted by law
People called me the Picasso of painting the town
I've finally grown up
I've finally changed and that someone I was
Is somebody I ain't
But she finds it hard to believe that she's turned me around
So I'll probably die before I live all my
Up to no good livin' down
Joey Kruger
This guy is putting old school country music back on the map keep up the good work
Matthew Riedell
Absolutely one of the best songs I've heard in the last 25 years.
Amber Lindstrom
Agreed. Full Body Goosebumps.
Valerie Chiari
I could listen to Stapleton for hours.......over and over and still not tire
T Graham Brown
@Valerie Chiari That's so sweet of you to say Dear🤠. Well thanks once again for the love and support you've shown towards my music career 😉 it really means a lot, I'm so overwhelmed🤠 may I know how long you’ve been a fan of my music 🎶
Lil Uzumaki Vert
This old time country sound got me feelin extra hillbilly today. Crackin a beer open to you Chris Stapleton👍
GARDEN TRACTOR GEEK
This is real Outlaw country music!! Keep it up Chris!!
Pamela McDonald
GARDEN TRACTOR GEEK he'll yeah Tenn Whis was done by David Allen Coe the ole George Jones then my man and Chris does it so much better
Michael Bruce
Amen to that brother
Βασίλης Κυριακίδης
Willie, Waylon and Chris Stapleton. The three best of outlaw country.