| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Chicago Tribune | [2] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | A–[3] |
| Los Angeles Times | (favorable) [4] |
| Q |  [5] |
| Rolling Stone | [6] |
Killin' Time is the 1989 (see 1989 in music) debut album by American swing-country singer-songwriter Clint Black. The album, buoyed by the chart-topping success of its first four singles, was a huge hit upon its release, and established Black as one of the biggest new stars in country music. The album is currently certified triple platinum by the RIAA.
"A Better Man", "Nothing's News", "Walking Away", "Nobody's Home", and "Killin' Time" were all huge hit songs. All of these except "Nothing's News" reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart, while "Nothing's News" reached #3. In addition, "A Better Man" and "Nobody's Home" were declared the Number One songs of 1989 and 1990, respectively, according to Billboard.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Clint Black and Hayden Nicholas except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Straight from the Factory" | 2:18 | |
| 2. | "A Better Man" | 3:04 | |
| 3. | "Nobody's Home" | Black | 3:29 |
| 4. | "Walkin' Away" | Black, Nicholas, Dick Gay | 2:47 |
| 5. | "You're Gonna Leave Me Again" | 3:43 | |
| 6. | "I'll Be Gone" (Omitted from LP/Cassette version) | 2:28 | |
| 7. | "Nothing's News" | Black | 3:02 |
| 8. | "Winding Down" | Black | 3:38 |
| 9. | "Killin' Time" (Track 6 on LP/Cassette version) | 2:47 | |
| 10. | "Live and Learn" | Black | 3:14 |
Personnel
Band
- Clint Black – acoustic guitar, harmonica, lead vocals, background vocals
- Dick Gay – drums
- Rob Hajacos – fiddle
- Jana King – background vocals
- Randy McCormick – keyboards
- Craig Morris – background vocals
- Hayden Nicholas – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals
- Mark O'Connor – fiddle
- John Permenter – fiddle
- Jeff Peterson – Dobro, steel guitar
- Jim Photoglo – background vocals
- Donna Rhodes – background vocals
- Brent Rowan – electric guitar
- Harry Stinson – background vocals
- Wendy Waldman – background vocals
- Jake Willemain – bass guitar
- Reggie Young - electric guitar
Production
- Milan Bogdan – editing
- Bill Ham – executive producer
- Steve Lindsey – production coordinator
- Glenn Meadows – mastering
- Lynn Peterzell – engineer, mixing
- Scott Poston – production coordinator
- James Stroud – producer
- Mark Wright – producer
Chart positions
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | CAN Country | ||
| 1989 | "A Better Man" | 1 | 1 |
| "Killin' Time" | 1 | 1 | |
| "Nobody's Home" | 1 | 1 | |
| 1990 | "Walkin' Away" | 1 | 1 |
| "Nothing's News" | 3 | 1 | |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[14] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[15] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Mansfield, Brian. Killin' Time at AllMusic
- ^ Hurst, Jack (May 4, 1989). "Clint Black Killin' Time (RCA)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "B". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (July 9, 1989). "Black Is Bountiful". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ "Clint Black - Killin' Time CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ Gleason, Holly (August 24, 1989). "Clint Black: Killin' Time : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 30, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ "Clint Black Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Clint Black Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 1989". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 1991". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 1992". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Clint Black – Killin' Time". Music Canada. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "American album certifications – Clint Black – Killin' Time". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 3, 2021. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.
- Killin' Time [CD liner notes]. 1989. RCA Records.
- Killin' Time Credits. AllMusic. Retrieved on March 10, 2003.
- Artist Chart History (Singles). Billboard. Retrieved on March 10, 2003.
- Artist Chart History (Albums). Billboard. Retrieved on March 10, 2003.