Somebody's Gonna Pay
| Company type | Studio album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | May 7, 2013 |
| Founder | Mickie James |
| Products | Country music album |
| Parent | Entertainment One Music |
Somebody's Gonna Pay represents the sophomore studio effort by American country artist and professional wrestler Mickie James. Released on May 7, 2013, through Entertainment One, the album merges traditional country with influences from blues and southern rock. Under the production guidance of R.S. Field, it includes the bonus track "Hardcore Country," which was utilized as James' entrance theme during her time competing in Impact Wrestling, where she earned multiple world championship titles. Significantly, she made her entrance at the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble using this song while carrying the Impact Knockouts World Championship belt, marking a historic moment as the first wrestler to appear in WWE while holding an active Impact title.
Background
Initially conceived as a six-song Extended play, the project expanded into a full album after a successful Kickstarter campaign raised more than $16,500—far surpassing James' initial $5,000 target. Subsequently, James secured a deal with Entertainment One Music, which facilitated the album’s marketing and distribution efforts.
The album’s lead track, "Somebody's Gonna Pay," came to James through producer R.S. Field. Originally performed by Jamie Hartford in a classic country arrangement, James was reluctant to record it until Field proposed incorporating electric guitars for a rock-infused sound, resulting in its selection as the focal point of the record.
Recording and production
The official music video for "Somebody's Gonna Pay" was shot at Nashville’s Red Rooster bar and directed by Blake Judd, who has collaborated with artists such as Bucky Covington and Shooter Jennings. The video features appearances from fellow professional wrestlers Trish Stratus and James’ future spouse Nick Aldis. James described working alongside other wrestlers during filming as "very special."
Charts
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chart| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
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