Highway 20 Ride
Encyclopedia
"Highway 20 Ride" is the title of a song recorded by American country music
group Zac Brown Band
, written by lead singer Zac Brown and Wyatt Durette. The song was released in November 2009 as the fourth single
from the band's 2009 album The Foundation
. It is the band's third Number One on the U.S. country singles chart.
between Atlanta, Georgia
and the Georgia/South Carolina state line in Augusta, Georgia
to drop off his son, Wyatt IV, so that his mother could pick him up. Durette told Country Weekly
magazine that, during one such trip, he began to think about "how [Wyatt IV] would perceive [him] as a father." After he showed some of his lyrics to Zac Brown, Brown helped Durette finish the song.
and was released on December 22, 2009.
.'" Leeann Ward of Country Universe gave the song an A, referring to it as "touching and tastefully constructed" and saying that it "may turn out to be one of the best singles of 2009." Mark Deming of Allmusic, in his review of the album, stated that the song, as well as "Free," "show the influence of the more sentimental branches of the Texas singer-songwriter tradition." Pierce Greenberg of the 9513, in his review of the album, referred to the song as a "geographical heartbreak song." Jessica Phillips of Country Weekly
magazine gave it four stars out of five, with her review calling it "honest, not syrupy" and describing Brown's "powerful vocals" as a standout.
. In April 2010, the song became Zac Brown Band's third Number One single on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
group Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band is an American country music, southern rock, and folk band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The lineup consists of Zac Brown , Jimmy De Martini , John Driskell Hopkins , Coy Bowles , Chris Fryar and Clay Cook...
, written by lead singer Zac Brown and Wyatt Durette. The song was released in November 2009 as the fourth single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from the band's 2009 album The Foundation
The Foundation (Zac Brown Band album)
The Foundation is the first major-label studio album by the Zac Brown Band, an American country music band. It was released on November 18, 2008. Originally slated for release on the Home Grown label and Big Picture Records, the album is distributed by Atlantic Nashville in association with those...
. It is the band's third Number One on the U.S. country singles chart.
History
Wyatt Durette was inspired to write "Highway 20 Ride" while driving along Interstate 20Interstate 20
Interstate 20 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. I‑20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
between Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and the Georgia/South Carolina state line in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
to drop off his son, Wyatt IV, so that his mother could pick him up. Durette told Country Weekly
Country Weekly
Country Weekly is an American tabloid style weekly magazine established in 1994. The magazine focuses on country music stars and events, and regularly features exclusive interviews with recording artists and country music news...
magazine that, during one such trip, he began to think about "how [Wyatt IV] would perceive [him] as a father." After he showed some of his lyrics to Zac Brown, Brown helped Durette finish the song.
Music video
The music video was directed by Darren DoaneDarren Doane
Darren Doane is a Christian filmmaker and music video director. In 2007, Darren formed a new commercial, music video and branded content production company called LEVEL4 with Executive Producer Josh Karchmer...
and was released on December 22, 2009.
Critical reception
The song received many positive reviews. Matt Bjorke of Roughstock stated that it "give[s] country music their 'new AlabamaAlabama (band)
Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
.'" Leeann Ward of Country Universe gave the song an A, referring to it as "touching and tastefully constructed" and saying that it "may turn out to be one of the best singles of 2009." Mark Deming of Allmusic, in his review of the album, stated that the song, as well as "Free," "show the influence of the more sentimental branches of the Texas singer-songwriter tradition." Pierce Greenberg of the 9513, in his review of the album, referred to the song as a "geographical heartbreak song." Jessica Phillips of Country Weekly
Country Weekly
Country Weekly is an American tabloid style weekly magazine established in 1994. The magazine focuses on country music stars and events, and regularly features exclusive interviews with recording artists and country music news...
magazine gave it four stars out of five, with her review calling it "honest, not syrupy" and describing Brown's "powerful vocals" as a standout.
Chart performance
On the week ending December 19, 2009, the song became Zac Brown Band's fourth consecutive Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. It debuted on the Hot 100 at #98 on the week ending January 30, 2010. It has since reached #40, becoming their fourth consecutive Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. In April 2010, the song became Zac Brown Band's third Number One single on the Hot Country Songs chart.
| Chart (2009-2010) | Peak position |
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