Body Like a Back Road
| "Body Like a Back Road" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
Single by Sam Hunt | ||||
| Released | February 2, 2017 (2017-02-02)[1] | |||
| Format |
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| Recorded | 2017 | |||
| Genre | Country pop[2] | |||
| Length | 2:40 | |||
| Label | MCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Zach Crowell | |||
Sam Hunt singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
"Body Like a Back Road" (Lyric video) on YouTube | ||||
"Body Like a Back Road" is a song co-written and recorded by American singer Sam Hunt. It was released to country radio, by MCA Nashville on February 2, 2017 as the first single from his upcoming second studio album. The song is written by Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.[3][4] It was released to American hot adult contemporary radio on April 3, 2017, becoming his second crossover single promoted to a pop music format.[5]
The song is Hunt's most successful song to date. It broke two records within a month of one another; in early June 2017, the song broke a 55-year-old-record previously held by Leroy Van Dyke's "Walk On By", with 20 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart – this made Hunt the solo country artist with the longest run at the top of the 59-year old Hot Country Songs chart.[6] The song broke records again in late July 2017, becoming the only song in the history of the Hot Country Songs chart to stay at number one for more than 24 weeks, a record previously held since 2012 by Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise".[7] The song has spent a total of 34 weeks on top of the Hot Country Songs chart. Additionally, the song peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Hunt's highest-charting single, and his first top 10 single overall, on that chart. With this peak, the song became the highest-charting country song on the US Billboard Hot 100 since "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line, which reached number four in 2013.
Contents
1 Background
2 Commercial performance
3 Criticism
4 Charts
4.1 Weekly charts
4.2 Year-end charts
5 Certifications
6 Notes
7 References
Background
The song was written by Hunt with his producer Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally. According to Hunt, the song was written after his engagement to Hannah Lee Fowler. Hunt described it as "a lighthearted song" as he wanted to release something lighter than the "heavy direction" that his new album was taking. Hunt said: "I connect music to the emotions that come from relationships, so most of the songs that I write are inspired by those circumstances, emotions, feelings, all that kind of stuff."[8] He had previously broken up with Fowler, and wrote "Drinkin' Too Much" as an apology (the break-up also inspired a few other songs in Montevallo).[9] The couple got back together, and a few days after "Drinkin' Too Much" was released in January 2017, he announced their engagement.[10]
Commercial performance
In the US, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and remained there for 34 consecutive weeks until it was knocked off by "What Ifs" performed by Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina,[11] breaking the record set by "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line for the most weeks atop the chart (24 weeks).[12] The record was later broken by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line's collaboration "Meant to Be" which stayed atop the chart for 38 consecutive weeks. It is Hunt's longest chart-topping single, overtaking "Take Your Time", which stayed on top of the Hot Country Songs chart for 11 weeks.[13]
"Body Like a Back Road" also reached number one on the Country Airplay chart and stayed at that spot for three consecutive weeks. On the week after Hunt's performance at the ACM Awards, the song sold 70,000 copies and jumped up six places from number 12 to number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Hunt's highest-charting single, and his first top 10 single overall, on that chart. With this peak, the song became the highest-charting country song on the US Billboard Hot 100 since "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line, which reached number four in 2013.[14] The song also crossed over to pop radio.[15]
The song was certified 4× Platinum on October 16, 2017.[16] It was the third best-selling song in the US in 2017, and the best-selling country song, with 1,818,000 copies (3,723,000 units including streams) sold in the year.[17][18] It has sold 1,951,000 copies in the United States as of June 2018.[19]
Criticism
The song has however been in the midst of controversy and being called out by some reporters and neo-traditional country artists for lack of similarity to country music's "roots."[20][21][22] Many also took issue with the comparison between a woman's body and a back road. Multiple critics have cited "Body Like a Back Road" as one of the worst songs of 2017.[23][24][25][26]
Charts
|
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[27] | 9 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] | 16 |
| Canada AC (Billboard)[29] | 33 |
| Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[30] | 37 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[31] | 1 |
| Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[32] | 35 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[33] | 77 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] | 24 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[35] | 73 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[36] | 6 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[37] | 15 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[38] | 6 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[39] | 1 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[40] | 1 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[41] | 11 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2017) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[42] | 27 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[43] | 21 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[44] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[45] | 8 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[46] | 36 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[47] | 24 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[48] | 1 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[49] | 1 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[50] | 43 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[51] | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[52] | 6× Platinum | 480,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[53] | Gold | 15,000* |
| United States (RIAA)[16] | 5× Platinum | 1,951,000[19] |
*sales figures based on certification alone | ||
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone
Notes
References
^ "SAM HUNT RELEASES "BODY LIKE A BACK ROAD" -". ventsmagazine.com..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ Yahr, Emily (August 7, 2017). "How Sam Hunt's 'Body Like a Back Road' became a top contender for song of the summer". Retrieved December 18, 2017 – via www.WashingtonPost.com.
^ Dukes, Billy (January 25, 2017). "Sam Hunt's New Song 'Body Like a Back Road' Written After Engagement [Listen]". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
^ Casey, Jim (January 25, 2017). "Sam Hunt Announces New "Body Like a Back Road" Single [Listen], New "15 in a 30 Tour" & Talks "Spiritual" Engagement Details". Nash Country Weekly. American Media, Inc. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
^ Angela Stefano (June 29, 2017). "Sam Hunt's 'Body Like a Back Road' Breaks 55-Year Hot Country Songs Chart Record". The Boot.
^ Hall, Kristin M. (July 31, 2017). "Sam Hunt Makes Chart History With 'Body Like a Back Road'". US News.
^ Casey, Jim (January 25, 2017). "Sam Hunt Announces New "Body Like a Back Road" Single [Listen], New "15 in a 30 Tour" & Talks "Spiritual" Engagement Details". Nash Country Daily.
^ Stefano, Angela (January 1, 2017). "Sam Hunt Drops Brand-New Song, 'Drinkin' Too Much' [LISTEN]". The Boot. Townsquare Media.
^ McKenna, Brittney (February 1, 2017). "Hear Sam Hunt's Breezy New Song 'Body Like a Back Road'". Rolling Stone.
^ Asker, Jim (October 10, 2017). "Kane Brown's 'What Ifs' Featuring Lauren Alaina Tops Hot Country Songs, Stopping Sam Hunt's Record Run". Billboard.
^ Asker, Jim (August 1, 2017). "Sam Hunt's 'Body Like a Back Road' Breaks Record for Most Weeks Atop Hot Country Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
^ Asker, Jim (May 2, 2017). "Brad Paisley's 'War' Breaks Out at No. 1; John Mayer Makes Country Chart Debut". Billboard.
^ Trust, Gary (April 10, 2017). "Ed Sheeran Stays No. 1 on Hot 100, Kendrick Lamar Debuts at No. 2". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
^ Trust, Gary (April 7, 2017). "Sam Hunt's Country Hit 'Body Like a Back Road' Speeds to Pop Radio".
^ ab "American single certifications – Sam Hunt – Body Like a Back Road". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
^ Rau,, Nate (January 4, 2018). "Revealed: Country music's most listened to artists in 2017". Tennessean. USA Today.
^ Keith Caulfield (3 January 2018). "Ed Sheeran's 'Divide' Is Nielsen Music's Top Album of 2017 in U.S." Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
^ ab Bjorke, Matt (June 5, 2018). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles: June 6, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
^ Waldron, Travis (November 30, 2017). "The Most Upsetting Grammy Nominee Is Sam Hunt's 'Body Like A Back Road'". Retrieved December 18, 2017 – via Huff Post.
^ "Sam Hunt Is the Future of Country Music - The Ringer". www.TheRinger.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
^ "Aaron Lewis Says Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt Are 'Choking' Country Music". RollingStone.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
^ "Ranking The 11 Worst Songs Of 2017". 19 December 2017.
^ "7 Worst Songs of 2017".
^ https://themusicalhype.com/2017/12/01/the-worst-songs-of-2017-year-in-review/14/
^ "The Top 10 Worst Songs of 2017". Time Magazine. December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2017 – via Time.
^ "Australian-charts.com – Sam Hunt – Body Like a Back Road". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201709 into search. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
^ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201709 into search. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
^ "Sam Hunt Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
^ Billboard https://musiccanada.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/billboard-canada-year-end-country-airplay-of-2017. Retrieved December 31, 2017. Missing or empty|title=(help)
^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
^ "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
^ "ARIA Chart Watch #458". auspOp. February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Sam Hunt – Body Like a Back Road". Music Canada. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Sam Hunt – Body Like a Back Road". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
