Backroad Song

"Backroad Song" is a song recorded by American country music artist Granger Smith. It was initially released to radio independently on March 24, 2015, but was officially re-released to radio on October 5, 2015 via Wheelhouse Records. It is included on his major label debut album, Remington, released March 4, 2016.[2] The song was written by Smith and Frank Rogers. It garnered positive reviews from music critics who praised Smith's vocal performance and his detail-oriented lyrics with Rogers.

"Backroad Song"
Single by Granger Smith
from the album Remington
ReleasedOctober 5, 2015 (2015-10-05)
Recorded2015
GenreCountry
Length3:56
LabelWheelhouse
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Frank Rogers[1]
  • Granger Smith
Granger Smith singles chronology
"Bury Me in Blue Jeans"
(2014)		 "Backroad Song"
(2015)		 "If the Boot Fits"
(2016)

"Backroad Song" peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, giving Smith his only number-one country hit. It also reached numbers 4 and 49 on both the Hot Country Songs and Hot 100 charts respectively. The song has sold 293,000 copies in the United States as of March 2016. It received similar chart success in Canada, peaking at number 2 on the Country chart and number 69 on the Canadian Hot 100.

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Chris Hicky.

Content

The song is a "descriptive picture of a country back road".[3]

Critical reception

Giving it a "B+", Bob Paxman of Nash Country Weekly praised Smith's "warm, rich voice" and the detail of the lyrics, also writing that "Thematically...'Backroad Song' isn't high on originality, but it bubbles over with the brightness of a summer day."[3] An uncredited review from Taste of Country similarly praised the lyrics, saying that "'Backroad Song' is country music you can see and nearly smell. The addition of Rogers is meant to fine-tune Smith’s sound so he can reach a wider audience. He’s already got a nice head start over those looking for the same thing."[1]

Commercial performance

The song first entered the Hot Country Song chart at number 25 on chart dated April 11, 2015 on its initial release,[4] selling 33,000 copies in its first week.[5] It debuted at number 58 on the Country Airplay chart for the chart week of July 18, 2015. The song reached number 1 on its 32nd week on that chart in February 2016.[6] It also peaked at number 4 on Hot Country Songs, and number 49 on the Hot 100 chart. The song has sold over 500,000 copies in the US as of February 2020.[7]

Music video

The music video was directed by Chris Hicky and premiered in January 2016.[8]

Chart performance

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Granger Smith, 'Backroad Song' [Listen]". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  2. Whitaker, Sterling (January 14, 2016). "Granger Smith to Fire Off New Album 'Remington' in March". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  3. Paxman, Bob (12 October 2015). "Reviews: Granger Smith - 'Backroad Song'". Nash Country Weekly. 22 (41): 23. ISSN 2379-9137.
  4. "Hot Country Songs". Billboard.
  5. Bjorke, Matt (April 1, 2015). "Country Music's Top 30 Digital Singles: Week of April 1, 2015". Roughstock.
  6. Asker, Jim (February 27, 2016). "Granger Smith Takes 'Backroad' to No. 1; Charles Kelley Makes Solo Bow". Billboard.
  7. Bjorke, Matt (March 27, 2016). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: March 29, 2016". Roughstock.
  8. Whitaker, Sterling (January 14, 2016). "Go Behind the Scenes of Granger Smith's 'Backroad Song' Video [Exclusive Premiere]". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  9. "Granger Smith Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  10. "Granger Smith Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  11. "Granger Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  12. "Granger Smith Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  13. "Granger Smith Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  14. "Billboard Country Update for December 14, 2015" (PDF). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 14, 2015. p. 7. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  15. "Country Airplay Songs - Year-End 2016". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  16. "Hot Country Songs - Year-End 2016". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  17. "American single certifications – Granger Smith – Backroad Song". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
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