Clint Black “Killin’ Time” hit #1 on country chart

Killin’ Time Clint Black

Writer(s): Clint Black, Hayden Nicholas (see lyrics here) First Charted: July 15, 1989 Peak: 11 CW, 12 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 43.98 video, 60.4 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Country singer Clint Black was born in New Jersey in 1962. He signed to RCA Nashville and released his debut album, Killin’ Time, in 1989. The album produced four country chart-topping songs, including the title cut and “A Better Time,” which ranked #2 and #1 respectively on the Billboard year-end country chart. The Country Music Association awarded Black with the Horizon award for new and/or developing acts the same week that “Killin’ Time” hit #1 on the country chart. The song might be the album’s “most enduring and recognizable song, but it was also one of the last to be added to the record.” TB Black and guitarist Hayden Nicholas were driving around in the car and Black was expressing his frustration with the waiting time involved in album production. He said, “’This killin’ time is killin’ me.’ We looked at each other, our eyes got real big, and we knew we had a hook.” TR Nicholas ended up co-writing “Killin’ Time” with Black. Black said it took them about a month to finish the song. The first part came quickly, but then they got stuck on an ending to the chorus. Black finally came up with, “Just might find I’ll be killing time for eternity.” TB Black said “the record company was just over the moon about it” TB and it ended up the title of the album. Nicholas met Black before signing his record deal. Black had a gig in 1987 and wasn’t overly excited with the backup band he was playing with. However, the original guitarist ended up replaced by Nicholas Hayden and Black was blown away by his playing. TR They decided to record an eight-track demo together at the in-home studio at Hayden’s house and it was the resulting demo tape that got Black signed. TR Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Clint BLack TB TheBoot.com (7/11/2019). “Story Behind the Song: Clit Black, ‘Killin’ Time’” by Carena Liptak TR Tom Roland (1991). The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits. Billboard Books: New York, NY. Pages 565-6. WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 1/18/2023.