Damn Strait

"Damn Strait" is a song by American country music singer Scotty McCreery. It was released on October 18, 2021, as the second single from his fifth studio album Same Truck. The song was written by Jim Collins and Trent Tomlinson, and produced by Frank Rogers, Aaron Eshuis, and Derek Wells.[1]

"Damn Strait"
Single by Scotty McCreery
from the album Same Truck
ReleasedOctober 18, 2021
GenreCountry
Length3:50
LabelTriple Tigers
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Scotty McCreery singles chronology
"You Time"
(2020)		 "Damn Strait"
(2021)		 "It Matters to Her"
(2022)
Music video
"Damn Strait" on YouTube

Background

"Damn Strait" is a tribute to country music singer George Strait.[2] McCreery told Everything Nash the story behind the song: "I was writing songs left and right, we had the songs put on there, but for me, when I heard a song 'Damn Strait', I immediately raised my hand and said, 'Me, me, me.' It's such a cool song. It's so cleverly written. And obviously I'm a massive George Strait fan. It just sounded so much like me."[3] When talking about Strait, McCreery said in a press release: "I grew up as a huge George Strait fan, and when I heard this song, I raised my hand to say, 'I want this one.' Every country fan has a George Strait story, and everyone has a memory attached to their favorite songs."[4]

Content

Aaron Ryan of Whiskey Riff described the song as "a heartbreaker that tells the story of a relationship gone bad – a relationship that, like many in the '80s and '90s, was filled with George Strait tunes as its soundtrack."[5] Lauren Boisvert of Outsider wrote that it is "a picture of a relationship ended and the scars that music can leave on you when you associate it with a certain time or person in your life" that quotes the George Strait songs "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her" (1986), "Marina del Rey" (1982), "Blue Clear Sky" (1996), "Give It Away" (2006), "I Hate Everything" (2004), and "Baby Blue" (1988).[6]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country called the title "clever" and McCreery's delivery "warm and personal", writing that the "twist on the phrase 'Damn Strait' [...] takes this song to a new level."[7]

Music video

The music video premiered on February 8, 2022. It was directed by Jeff Ray and filmed at the historic Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, a venue frequently played by Strait in his early career before he signed his record deal.[8]

Live performance

On October 19, 2021, McCreery performed the song on The Kelly Clarkson Show.[9]

Chart performance

"Damn Strait" peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated July 23, 2022, holding that position for three weeks and becoming McCreery's fifth consecutive number one single on that chart. In addition, it peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first Top 40 single on that chart since his debut single "I Love You This Big" peaked at number 11 in 2011.

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Damn Strait"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release history for "Damn Strait"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 17, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Triple Tigers [19]
United States October 18, 2021 Country radio [20]

References
  1. Iahn, Buddy (September 14, 2021). "Scotty McCreery releases 'Damn Strait'". The Music Universe. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  2. "Scotty McCreery Tributes The 'King Of Country Music' George Strait On Upcoming New Song "Damn Strait"". Music Mayhem Magazine. August 14, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  3. "Scotty McCreery Shares the Story Behind 'Damn Strait' [EXCLUSIVE]". Everything Nash. September 14, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  4. O'Connell, Madeleine (September 16, 2021). "LISTEN: Scotty McCreery Gives Nod to George Strait in 'Damn Strait' Single". Country Now. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  5. Ryan, Aaron (September 16, 2021). "Scotty McCreery Releases "Damn Strait," A Tribute To The King And The Painful Memories Of A Love Gone Wrong". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  6. Boisvert, Lauren (September 16, 2021). "Scotty McCreery Releases Tribute to George Strait 'Damn Strait,' Listen Now". Outsider. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  7. Dukes, Billy (October 19, 2021). "Scotty McCreery Has Beef With King George in 'Damn Strait' [Listen]". Taste of Country. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  8. Cindy Watts (February 9, 2022). "Scotty McCreery Shares George Strait-Approved Video for "Damn Strait"". CMT. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  9. "Watch Scotty McCreery Perform "Damn Strait" On 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'". Music Mayhem Magazine. October 19, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  10. "Scotty McCreery Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  11. "Scotty McCreery Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  12. "Scotty McCreery Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  13. "Scotty McCreery Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  14. "Scotty McCreery Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  15. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  16. "Country Airplay – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  17. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  18. "American single certifications – Scotty McCreery – Damn Strait". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  19. "Damn Strait - Scotty McCreery". Retrieved December 5, 2021 – via Amazon.
  20. "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
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