You and Tequila

"You and Tequila" is a song written by Matraca Berg and Deana Carter, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in May 2011 as the fourth single from his album Hemingway's Whiskey (2010). Chesney's version of the song features a guest vocal from Grace Potter, lead singer of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. On November 30, the song received two nominations in 54th Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. A live version of the song appears on Chesney's 2012 album Welcome to the Fishbowl.

"You and Tequila"
Single by Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
from the album Hemingway's Whiskey
ReleasedMay 31, 2011 (2011-05-31)
Recorded2010
GenreCountry
Length4:03
LabelBNA
Songwriter(s)Matraca Berg
Deana Carter
Producer(s)Buddy Cannon
Kenny Chesney singles chronology
"Live a Little"
(2011)		 "You and Tequila"
(2011)		 "Reality"
(2011)

Background and writing

Deana Carter and Matraca Berg co-wrote the song, and both recorded their own versions: Carter on her album I'm Just a Girl (2003),[1] and Berg on her 2011 album The Dreaming Fields.[2]

Carter told Taste of Country that Berg was inspired to write the song after having been out on the town. According to Carter, the two began talking about relationships, when Carter said, "Yeah, it's just like men… they get in your blood!" Also, Carter added several references to California, because she was living there at the time.[3]

Chesney first heard the song when he and Carter toured together back in 2003.[3] He said that he identified with it more after he rented a house in Malibu, California. Chesney said that he chose to record the song because it reminded him of driving the Pacific Coast Highway.[4] He also told National Public Radio host David Green that "there are some commonalities about getting someone out of your mind and drinking and trying to quit."[5]

Song information

Chesney and Potter's version of the song is set in the key of G♭ major with a vocal range from G♭3 to E♭5. The main chord pattern is G♭5-G♭/B♭-B♭sus2-G♭5.[6]

Critical reception

Chesney's version of the song has received positive reviews from music critics. Chris Talbott of the Associated Press called it a "melancholy love-hate song",[7] and an uncredited review in HitFix called the song "exquisite" and one of Chesney's "career high notes".[8] Bobby Peacock of Roughstock rated the song four-and-a-half stars out of five, praising Chesney's and Potter's vocals and the "understated simplicity" of the lyrics.[9] Bill Friskics-Warren of The Washington Post thought that the song had an Americana influence and made the album Chesney's "most stylistically wide-ranging to date."[10]

Music video

Potter appears in the song's music video, which was filmed in Malibu, California and directed by Shaun Silva.[11]

Chart performance
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 62
Canada Country (Billboard)[13] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 33
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] 3

Year-end charts
Chart (2011) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[16] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 98

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "I'm Just a Girl review". Allmusic. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  2. Jurek, Thom. "The Dreaming Fields review". Allmusic. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  3. Conaway, Alanna. "Kenny Chesney Feat. Grace Potter, 'You and Tequila' – Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  4. Bonaguro, Alison (September 15, 2010). "Kenny Chesney, Grace Potter, "You and Tequila"". CMT. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  5. "Kenny Chesney: Hemingway And Country Music". National Public Radio. September 24, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  6. ""You and Tequila" sheet music". Musicnotes.com. July 11, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011. The sheet music indicates that the song is recorded a semitone lower than written.
  7. Talbott, Chris (October 3, 2010). "So much for taking a break During his year of 'rest,' Kenny Chesney works overtime on his new album". Associated Press. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  8. "Review: Kenny Chesney's 'Hemingway's Whiskey'". Hitfix.com. September 29, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  9. Peacock, Bobby (May 17, 2011). ""You and Tequila" review". Roughstock. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  10. Friskics-Warren, Bill (September 28, 2010). "Click Track – Album review: Kenny Chesney, "Hemingway's Whiskey"". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  11. "Kenny Chesney Chooses "You and Tequila" for Next Single". CMT. April 26, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  12. "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  13. "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  14. "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  15. "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  16. "Best of 2011: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  17. "Best of 2011: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  18. "American single certifications – Kenny Chesney – You and Tequila (feat. Grace Potter)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
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