Beautiful (A Course of Action song)
{{Article for deletion/dated|page=A Course of Action|timestamp=20250416132027|year=2025|month=April|day=16|substed=yes}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Beautiful
| cover = A_Course_of_Action_-_Beautiful_(Single_Cover_Art).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = A Course of Action
| album = Treason
| released = April 17, 2015
| recorded = 2014–2015
| studio = SevenMoore Studios
| genre = Alternative rock, Post-grunge, Hard rock
| length = 4:24
| label = Star 1 Records
| writer = Jonathan Byrd, John Culberson, Wes Johnson, J. T. Silvestri
| producer = Beau Hill
| prev_title = Never There
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Who We Are
| next_year = 2015
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|6X1Wx5oLHwA|"Beautiful"}}}}
}}
"Beautiful" is a song by American rock band A Course of Action.{{cite web |title=Treason - A Course of Action (2015) |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/03sPjHvjHtSVrok6oQzNQl |website=Spotify Web Player |publisher=INgrooves Music Group |access-date=15 April 2025}} Beautiful was released as the lead single from their second album Treason on April 17, 2015, via Star 1 Records.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action signs record deal with Star 1 Records |url=https://www.prlog.org/12418252-nationally-acclaimed-north-carolina-hard-rock-band-course-of-action-signs-with-star-1-records.html |website=PRlog.com |publisher=Star 1 Records |access-date=26 January 2015}}
Background and recording
The writing and recording sessions for "Beautiful" took place between late 2013 and early 2014 at SevenMoore Studios in North Carolina.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action – Backstory & Review |url=https://myglobalmind.com/2013/01/27/a-course-of-action-dark-before-the-dawn-review/ |website=My Global Mind |publisher=Myglobalmind_Webzine |access-date=27 January 2013}}
In early 2014 the band uploaded a rough demo version of the song to their ReverbNation profile for fans to stream for free and raise excitement for the new music being written and recorded for their then-upcoming second studio album.
Prior to the uploading of the "Beautiful" demo to ReverbNation, the band achieved widespread attention thanks to their viral success in the demo for their song, "Who We Are" which lead to A Course of Action being selected and recruited to tour with various nationally-known acts and large music festivals such as the Rocklahoma music festival and on the main stage at the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally alongside the bands Sevendust and Buckcherry.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action to Rock The Legendary Buffalo Chip |url=https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/389627/a-course-of-action-to-rock-the-legendary-buffalo-chip |website=24/7 Press Release |publisher=Staff |access-date=11 July 2014}}{{cite web |title=A Course of Action Brings Metal Edge and Southern Roots to Final Night of August Music Festival |url=https://www.buffalochip.com/bands/2014-bands-and-entertainment/a-course-of-action/ |website=Buffalo Chip |publisher=Buffalo Chip Staff |access-date=12 July 2014}}
To capitalize on their growing popularity, and expose their music to new fans at Rocklahoma who would be hearing them the first time,{{cite web |title=North Carolina's A Course of Action Lands Gig at Rocklahoma |url=https://musictalkers.com/latest-news/2945-a-course-of-action-lands-a-spot-on-the-rocklahoma-lineup |website=Music Talkers |publisher=WiFi PR Group |access-date=22 January 2015}} the band who were already working with producer Beau Hill writing and recording for their upcoming album decided to take a select few of the tracks already recorded finished,{{cite web |title=A Course of Action / Biography |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318045530/http://acourseofaction.com/biography/ |website=A Course of Action |publisher=Sheree Bryd |access-date=18 March 2016}} and release them on a new EP titled Rocklahoma specifically for promotional use during their performance at the Rocklahoma music festival in 2014 and "Beautiful" would be included as one of the four songs on the new EP.{{cite web |title=ROCKLAHOMA Band Performance Times Announced |url=https://switchbitchnoise.com/rocklahoma-band-performance-times-announced/ |website=SwitchBitch Noise |publisher=Hanna Yando |access-date=9 May 2014}}
On April 17, 2015 during a concert opening for Puddle of Mudd,{{cite web |title=Puddle of Mudd, A Course of Action, Failure Anthem at Ziggy's - April 17th, 2015 |url=https://www.reverbnation.com/show/15368704 |website=Bandsintown |publisher=INgrooves |access-date=17 April 2015}} the band announced "Beautiful" was released as a single and sent to radio stations that same day, and revealed it will be the lead single for their second album coming out later in the summer.{{cite web |title=A Course Of Action – Beautiful (CD Single) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/33644889-A-Course-Of-Action-Beautiful |website=Discogs |publisher=Universal Music Group |access-date=17 April 2015}}
Release and promotion
"Beautiful" was distributed independently through digital platforms on April 17, 2015, ahead of the full release of Treason. While not issued to mainstream rock radio nationally, the single was circulated to several regional rock stations on satellite radio online music streaming services.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
The single was promoted by the band by performing it live in concert throughout all their 2015 tour dates.
An official music video was released for "Beautiful" on August 15, 2015.{{cite web |title=Beautiful is OUT! The video for Beautiful is finished! Watch it now… |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318230900/http://acourseofaction.com/2015/08/15/beautiful-is-out/ |website=A Course of Action |publisher=A Course of Action |access-date=15 August 2015}}
Critical reception
"Beautiful" received positive feedback from music critic Edwin van Hoof, writing for Unrated Metal. He described the track as "ominous" and praised its emotionally resonant lyrics, noting how they align seamlessly with the song's melodic structure. Van Hoof highlighted the song’s dynamic progression, pointing to the "sudden unleashed power" that emerges following its haunting introduction. He also drew favorable comparisons to Soundgarden during their prime, emphasizing the track's ability to be both "mega melodic and in your face."{{cite web |title=A Course of Action: Treason (Review) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250408140412/https://www.unratedmetal.com/a-course-of-action-treason-2008/ |website=Internet Archive |publisher=Unrated Metal |access-date=8 April 2025}} The review underscored "Beautiful" as one of the standout tracks from Treason, commending its blend of melody and aggression, and its strong potential for both radio play and live performance impact.{{cite web |title=ACOA-BEAUTIFUL (REVIEW) |url=https://www.unratedmetal.com/a-course-of-action-treason-2008/ |website=Unrated Metal |publisher=Edwin van Hoof |access-date=8 June 2015}}
Personnel
=Band members=
- John Culberson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar{{cite web |title=A Course of Action (ACOA) Short Bio |url=https://www.last.fm/music/A+Course+of+Action/+wiki |website=Last.fm |publisher=Staff |access-date=14 April 2025}}
- Jonathan Byrd – lead guitar{{cite web |title=A Course Of Action Band Members And Bio |url=https://www.sonicbids.com/band/acourseofaction/ |website=SonicBirds |publisher=Staff |access-date=14 April 2025}}
- Wes Johnson – bass guitar{{cite web |title=North Carolina Band, A Course of Action, Headed to Rocklahoma 2014 |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/north_carolina_band_a_course_of_action_headed_to_rocklahoma_2014/prweb11752163.htm |website=prweb.com |publisher=Sheree Bryd |access-date=11 April 2014}}
- J. T. Silvestri – drums{{cite web |title=A Course Of Action / Bio |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527145226/http://www.reverbnation.com/artist_1663401/bio |website=ReverbNation.com |publisher=ReverbNation |access-date=27 May 2014}}
=Production=
- Beau Hill – producer, engineering, mastering{{cite web |title=Beau Hill - A Course of Action - Treason - Production Credits |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/260743-Beau-Hill?searchParam=A+Course+Of+Action |website=discogs.com |publisher=Beau Hill |access-date=8 June 2015}}
- Jonathan Byrd – co-producer{{cite web |title=Jonathan Bryd - A Course of Action - Copperhead (Credits List) |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/7968106-Jon-Byrd-2?superFilter=Production |website=Discogs |publisher=Jonathan Bryd |access-date=14 April 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{A Course of Action}}
{{Authority control}}