"Staying's Worse Than Leaving" is a song co-written and recorded by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

artist

Sunny Sweeney Sunny Michaela Sweeney (born December 7, 1976) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is signed to the Thirty Tigers label. She was formerly with the Republic Nashville label and Big Machine Records. Her debut album, ''Heartbrea ...

. It was released in May 2011 as the second single from her album ''

Concrete Concrete is a composite material composed of fine and coarse aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement (cement paste) that hardens (cures) over time. Concrete is the second-most-used substance in the world after water, and is the most wid ...

''. Sweeney wrote the song with

Radney Foster Radney Muckleroy Foster (born July 20, 1959) is an American country music singer-songwriter, musician and music producer. Initially a songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee, Foster made his recording debut as part of the Foster & Lloyd duo, recording ...

and Jay Clementi.

Content

"Staying's Worse Than Leaving" is a moderate-tempo ballad. The song's female narrator describes being in a failed relationship that has gone on for quite some time, because she felt like staying was easier ("Leaving's hard / Trust me it's really bad"). Although she acknowledges that the best option she can do at this point is walk away, because she knows that "staying's worse than leaving."

Critical reception

Matt Bjorke of Roughstock gave the song a three-and-a-half star review, complimenting the song's neo-traditional sound thanks to an "able and rustic production," and favorably compared Sweeney's vocals to Natalie Maines of the

Dixie Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and ...

. Blake Boldt of Engine 145 gave the song a thumbs up rating. He notes that Sweeney's "songs often carry an emotional heft and insight into that little thing called heartache," and favored the song's production, which he believed "puts the stamp on this dying romance."

Music video

The music video, which was directed by

Roman White Roman White is a music video and film director who has directed most of Carrie Underwood's videos. He has also directed music videos for Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, Cassadee Pope, Josh Groban, Easton Corbin ...

, premiered on CMT on May 19, 2011. In the video, Sweeney and her husband are shown walking around their spacious home separately, both appearing distraught; Sweeney tears up, and the man frequently wrings his hands. At the end of the video, the two finally come together to sleep in the same bed.

Chart performance

"Staying's Worse Than Leaving" debuted at number 60 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart for the week ending May 7, 2011. It ultimately peaked at #38 in August 2011.

References

{{Sunny Sweeney 2011 singles 2011 songs Sunny Sweeney songs Songs written by Radney Foster Music videos directed by Roman White Songs written by Sunny Sweeney Song recordings produced by Brett Beavers Republic Nashville singles