Why Don't We Just Dance
Encyclopedia
"Why Don't We Just Dance" is the title of a song written by Jim Beavers
, Jonathan Singleton
, and Darrell Brown
, and recorded by American country
artist Josh Turner
. It was released in August 2009 as the lead-off single to his fourth studio album, Haywire
, which was released on February 9, 2010. The song became Turner's third Number One hit in February 2010, his first since "Would You Go With Me
" in October 2006, and his longest stay at the top with four weeks. In June 2010, the single was his fourth to be certified Gold by the RIAA.
Turner said the song, which was written by Jim Beavers
, Jonathan Singleton, and Darrell Brown, caught his attention the first listen. "It's an up-tempo, traditional country song that has a very catchy melody with a lyric that poses the question 'why don't we just dance?' and forget about all of the bad stuff going on the world and just concentrate on each other."
’s 1995 single "They're Playin' Our Song
" and Turner's 2007 single "Firecracker
." Bobby Peacock of Roughstock gave a positive review, describing the song as "a step in the right direction." He thought Turner's performance "recall[ed] the seductive swagger of Conway Twitty
" and praised the production for having "an infectious, syncopated rhythm and a catchy melody that shows off the deeper end of Josh's range quite effectively." Kevin J. Coyne of Country Universe gave the song a B rating. Although he thought that "Turner is charming as ever," he added that "he has a bit of trouble keeping up with the beat as he tosses off the lyrics" and said the song is "about as deep as Vegas rainfall."
, premiered on GAC
's Monday Music Mania on October 5, 2009 and on CMT
on October 8, 2009. Turner is shown inside a house, observing a couple (played by real-life couple Ciaran McCarthy and Ashley Anderson) dancing in the living room. Throughout the video, the couple changes clothes and dancing styles, showcasing different decades beginning with the 1950s through present day. According to Country Weekly
magazine, Turner was "elated to discover that he wouldn't have to do any acting" in the video.
The video was ranked #39 on GAC's Top 50 Videos of the Year.
chart for the week of September 5, 2009. On the week ending November 28, 2009, it also debuted at #99 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In January 2010, it became his first Top 10 single since "Firecracker
" reached #2 in 2007. On the chart week of February 20, 2010, it became his third Number One song and his first since "Would You Go with Me
" in October 2006. It also debuted at #97 on the Canadian Hot 100
chart for the week of February 20, 2010.
Jim Beavers
-Life and career:Jim Beavers grew up in Texas. His educational background includes a BBA from Baylor University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. Beavers moved to Nashville, TN in 1991 to pursue a career on the business side of music...
, Jonathan Singleton
Jonathan Singleton
Jonathan Singleton is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is known for co-writing the songs "Don't" by Billy Currington, "Watching Airplanes" by Gary Allan, "Red Light" and "Let It Rain" by David Nail and "Why Don't We Just Dance" by Josh Turner...
, and Darrell Brown
Darrell Brown (musician)
Darrell Brown is an American songwriter, arranger and record producer.Brown co-writing and producing songs with Robby Armstrong for upcoming Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz and film titled "Gambit". Filming in London and scripted by the Coen Brothers...
, and recorded by American country
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...
artist Josh Turner
Josh Turner
Joshua Otis "Josh" Turner is a country music singer and actor signed to MCA Nashville Records in 2003, Turner has released four studio albums for the label. The first of these was 2003's Long Black Train, whose title track was his breakthrough single release...
. It was released in August 2009 as the lead-off single to his fourth studio album, Haywire
Haywire (Josh Turner album)
Upon its release, Haywire received generally positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 63, based on 5 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".Thom...
, which was released on February 9, 2010. The song became Turner's third Number One hit in February 2010, his first since "Would You Go With Me
Would You Go with Me
"Would You Go with Me" is the title of a song written by Shawn Camp and John Scott Sherrill, and recorded by American country artist Josh Turner. It was released in April 2006 as the second single from his album, Your Man. It is the first track on Your Man.-Reception:The song went on to become...
" in October 2006, and his longest stay at the top with four weeks. In June 2010, the single was his fourth to be certified Gold by the RIAA.
Content
"Why Don't We Just Dance" is a moderate up-tempo, featuring a production with piano, steel guitar fills, and fiddle. The song's narrator suggests to his lover that they dance in the living room to forget each other's troubles.Turner said the song, which was written by Jim Beavers
Jim Beavers
-Life and career:Jim Beavers grew up in Texas. His educational background includes a BBA from Baylor University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. Beavers moved to Nashville, TN in 1991 to pursue a career on the business side of music...
, Jonathan Singleton, and Darrell Brown, caught his attention the first listen. "It's an up-tempo, traditional country song that has a very catchy melody with a lyric that poses the question 'why don't we just dance?' and forget about all of the bad stuff going on the world and just concentrate on each other."
Reception
"Why Don't We Just Dance" received mostly positive feedback from critics. Juli Thanki of The 9513 gave the song a thumbs up, describing it as "three minutes of escapist fun, and Turner’s charming performance on the track is further proof that he’s one of country music’s most talented young A-listers; this may not be the greatest vocal turn of his career but it’s still a pleasure to listen to." She also drew comparisons to Neal McCoyNeal McCoy
Hubert Neal McGaughey, Jr. is an American country music singer of mixed Irish and Filipino descent. Known professionally as Neal McCoy, he has released ten studio albums on various labels, and has released 34 singles to country radio...
’s 1995 single "They're Playin' Our Song
They're Playin' Our Song
"They're Playin' Our Song" is the title of a song recorded by American country music singer Neal McCoy. It was released in April 1995 as the second single from his album, You Gotta Love That. The song peaked at number 3 on the U.S...
" and Turner's 2007 single "Firecracker
Firecracker (song)
"Firecracker" is a single by American country music artist Josh Turner. Released in June 2007, "Firecracker" is the lead-off single to Turner's third studio album, Everything Is Fine, which was released on MCA Nashville Records on October 30, 2007...
." Bobby Peacock of Roughstock gave a positive review, describing the song as "a step in the right direction." He thought Turner's performance "recall[ed] the seductive swagger of Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
" and praised the production for having "an infectious, syncopated rhythm and a catchy melody that shows off the deeper end of Josh's range quite effectively." Kevin J. Coyne of Country Universe gave the song a B rating. Although he thought that "Turner is charming as ever," he added that "he has a bit of trouble keeping up with the beat as he tosses off the lyrics" and said the song is "about as deep as Vegas rainfall."
Music video
The music video, which was directed by Deaton-Flanigen ProductionsDeaton-Flanigen Productions
Deaton-Flanigen Productions is a music video directing duo composed of Robert Deaton III and George Flanigen IV. The two have directed multiple music videos, primarily in the field of country music...
, premiered on GAC
Great American Country
Great American Country , is a Nashville, Tennessee-based country music cable television network.-History:The station launched December 31, 1995 and Garth Brooks' video "The Thunder Rolls" was the first video to air on GAC....
's Monday Music Mania on October 5, 2009 and on CMT
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
on October 8, 2009. Turner is shown inside a house, observing a couple (played by real-life couple Ciaran McCarthy and Ashley Anderson) dancing in the living room. Throughout the video, the couple changes clothes and dancing styles, showcasing different decades beginning with the 1950s through present day. According to 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, Turner was "elated to discover that he wouldn't have to do any acting" in the video.
The video was ranked #39 on GAC's Top 50 Videos of the Year.
Personnel
- Lead Vocal by Josh Turner
- Background Vocals by Wes Hightower and Russell Terrell
- Written by Jim Beavers, Jonathan Singleton and Darrell Brown
- Drums: Shannon Forrest
- Bass: Kevin "Swine" Greantt
- Acoustic guitar: Bryan Sutton
- Electric guitar: JT Corenflos and Brent Rowan
- Piano: Gordon Mote
- Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
- Steel: Steve Hinson
- Percussion: Eric Darken
Chart performance
"Why Don't We Just Dance" debuted at #57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country SongsHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart for the week of September 5, 2009. On the week ending November 28, 2009, it also debuted at #99 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In January 2010, it became his first Top 10 single since "Firecracker
Firecracker (song)
"Firecracker" is a single by American country music artist Josh Turner. Released in June 2007, "Firecracker" is the lead-off single to Turner's third studio album, Everything Is Fine, which was released on MCA Nashville Records on October 30, 2007...
" reached #2 in 2007. On the chart week of February 20, 2010, it became his third Number One song and his first since "Would You Go with Me
Would You Go with Me
"Would You Go with Me" is the title of a song written by Shawn Camp and John Scott Sherrill, and recorded by American country artist Josh Turner. It was released in April 2006 as the second single from his album, Your Man. It is the first track on Your Man.-Reception:The song went on to become...
" in October 2006. It also debuted at #97 on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
chart for the week of February 20, 2010.
| Chart (2009-2010) | Peak position |
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