Carly Pearce presented an emotional live performance of her current song, “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” starring Chris Stapleton, at the 57th Annual CMA Awards on November 8, 2023. The event took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and was the first broadcast performance of the heartbreaking song.
Pearce, Shane McAnally, and Pete Good co-wrote the song, which explores the devastating realization of emotional apathy in a relationship. The words evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and melancholy, making them relatable to everyone who has felt disconnected in the past. Pearce stated that she wanted to make music that evoked true feelings, whether they were uplifting or uncomfortable. She stated that working with Stapleton not only brought her vision to life but also gave an unanticipated dimension to the story.
Visually, the concert was impressive, with a crimson-lit stage setting a melancholy mood. Both singers donned black, which added to the emotional weight of the song. The duet’s smokey and sympathetic delivery drew the listener into the tragic narration in the lyrics. Pearce conveyed her excitement about performing with Stapleton, describing it as a realization of her dream.
“We Don’t Fight Anymore” is part of Pearce’s next musical phase, after the critically acclaimed album 29: Written in Stone. The song’s music video, featuring Lucy Hale and Shiloh Fernandez, has already gained popularity. Pearce’s performance at the CMA Awards established her place in the country music world, alongside Stapleton, who won Male Vocalist of the Year that night.