Director Running Bear depicts a heaven full of family reunions and disco dance floors
Remember how Chris Stapleton’s powerful video for “Fire Away” knocked viewers off their feet despite the country star barely appearing in the clip? Then say hello to “Think I’m in Love With You,” the singer’s jubilant new music video that depicts an afterlife full of family reunions and disco dancing — and features clever, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them cameos by Stapleton and his wife and singing partner, Morgane Stapleton.
Directed by Running Bear and featuring choreography from JaQuel Knight, the video stars The Wire’s Andre Royo as a recently deceased patriarch whose spirit rises from his body to enter the pearly gates with flair. Royo, in a bright red Western suit, struts behind the hearse, sashays through the cemetery, and ultimately arrives on a heavenly dance floor, where he’s joined by his wife, who preceded him in death. It’s both sad and joyous, but it renders an afterlife so comforting that we’d almost be happy to hasten our demise.
“Think I’m in Love With You” appears on Stapleton’s latest album, 2023’s Higher. It’s a funky, groovy studio recording that received some extra oomph during the ACM Awards in May when Dua Lipa joined Stapleton to perform it as a duet. In a subsequent interview, the pop star said she approached Stapleton to suggest the collaboration. “I’m such a fan of Chris and I just reached out and said, ‘Want to do something together?’ And this came about,” she told radio personality Bobby Bones.
Stapleton is currently on his All-American Road Show Tour, which will make stops at the Austin City Limits Festival during the first two weekends of October before heading to the U.K. for shows in England, Scotland, and Ireland.