Find Out Who Your Friends Are

Last updated
"Find Out Who Your Friends Are"
Tracy Lawrence - Find Out Who Your Friends Are.jpg
Single by Tracy Lawrence
from the album For the Love
ReleasedAugust 21, 2006 (2006-08-21)
Genre Country, country rock
Length3:49
Label Rocky Comfort
Songwriter(s) Casey Beathard
Ed Hill
Producer(s) Julian King
Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence singles chronology
"If I Don't Make It Back"
(2005)
"Find Out Who Your Friends Are"
(2006)
"Til I Was a Daddy Too"
(2007)

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are" is a song written by Casey Beathard and Ed Hill, and recorded by American country music artist Tracy Lawrence. It was the lead-off single for his album For the Love , which was released in early 2007 on Rocky Comfort Records, a label which Lawrence owns. The song was originally released to radio stations on August 21, 2006, ahead of its album release on January 30, 2007. [1] The single did not enter the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart until January 2007.

Contents

After the release of For the Love, radio stations began to play an alternate version of the song which featured guest vocals from Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, thus helping to boost the song to Number One on both the Billboard and Mediabase country singles charts. [1] Upon reaching Number One in June 2007, "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" set a new record for the slowest-climbing Number One single in the history of the Billboard country music chart, as well as the second-slowest climbing on any Billboard singles chart. In addition, it became Lawrence's first Billboard Number One since 1996's "Time Marches On", ten years earlier.

Content

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are" is a mid-tempo in which the narrator tells of various situations where a person might be in trouble, and thus might need a friend's help – such as having a car stuck in a ditch, or being short on money. The song's chorus states that in such moments, a person finds out who his or her friends are.

Upon hearing the song, Lawrence said that he immediately identified with its message, and thought that it would be a good choice for a lead-off single to his album. According to him, "The message is universal for everybody you know […] I enjoy singing stuff that has a good message." [2]

Chart performance

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are" made its debut on the Hot Country Songs chart dated September 19, 2006. The song did not enter Top 40 until the chart dated for January 13, 2007, although it fell out of the Top 40 a week later. By the January 27 charts, the song had re-entered.

It reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 23, 2007, where it stayed for one week. The song became Lawrence's first Billboard Number One single since "Time Marches On" in 1996, and his first Number One on any major trade chart since 1997's "Is That a Tear", which reached Number One on the former Radio & Records country chart. [1]

Having reached the top of the chart in its 41st chart week, the song also set a new record for the slowest climb to Number One on the country chart, [3] as well as a record for the second-slowest climb for a Number One single on any Billboard chart behind only "If You're Gone" by Matchbox Twenty, which peaked on the Adult Contemporary chart in its 42nd week. [4] "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" also replaced Emerson Drive's "Moments" at Number One, marking the first time since 1950 that two artists on independently distributed labels reached Number One back-to-back on the singles chart. [5] In addition, Lawrence became the first artist to reach Number One with the first release from a self-owned record label. [6] [7]

Cease and desist order

Lawrence's album For the Love features two versions of the song: one version sung by Lawrence himself, and a remixed version featuring guest vocals from country music artists Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, both of whom are friends of Lawrence's. [8] Only the solo version was released to radio as a single; however, upon the release of Lawrence's album, several radio stations began playing the version with McGraw and Chesney's vocals instead. (Both versions were counted as one song when the singles charts were tabulated.) [8]

The week before the single reached Number One, Sony BMG (the parent company of BNA Records, the label to which Chesney was signed at the time) e-mailed a cease-and-desist order to several radio stations that were monitored by Billboard, demanding that these stations cease playing the version featuring McGraw and Chesney's vocals. According to the letter, which was written by Sony BMG's president, Sony BMG "did not grant 'singles' rights to Rocky Comfort with respect to the album versions of this song and has not authorized any radio station to play this recording". [9] Despite the demands from Sony BMG, radio stations did not stop playing the version with McGraw and Chesney. [10] One day after the release of that letter, Sony BMG issued a formal apology to the radio stations to which the cease-and-desist order had been sent. [10]

Music video

A music video for the song debuted on the television network CMT on August 16, 2007, at which point the song had fallen from the charts and entered recurrent rotation. In the video, a man (Ronnie Gilley of Enterprise, AL) hits a circumstance similar to the lyrics of the song and finds himself stranded "in the middle of nowhere." Though his cellular reception is very poor, he is able to contact George Jones, who then calls Darryl Worley (who is relaxing in a pool with several women) and several others. Worley then calls Roy Oswalt who is working out with several other athletes; everyone contacted arrives in a cavalcade of vehicles to help with the predicament. Larry the Cable Guy makes a cameo in the video. The video is directed by Flick Wiltshire.

Chart performance

Chart (2006-2007)Peak
position
Canada Country ( Billboard ) [11] 6
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [12] 69
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [13] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 [14] 61
US Billboard Pop 100 96

Year-end charts

Chart (2007)Position
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [15] 16

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Lawrence</span> American musician

Tracy Lee Lawrence is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Atlanta, Texas, and raised in Foreman, Arkansas, Lawrence began performing at age 15 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1990 to begin his country music career. He signed to Atlantic Records Nashville in 1991 and made his debut late that year with the album Sticks and Stones. Five more studio albums, as well as a live album and a compilation album, followed throughout the 1990s and into 2000 on Atlantic before the label's country division was closed in 2001. Afterward, he recorded for Warner Bros. Records, DreamWorks Records, Mercury Records Nashville, and his own labels, Rocky Comfort Records and Lawrence Music Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim McGraw</span> American country singer and actor (born 1967)

Samuel Timothy McGraw is an American country singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has released 16 studio albums. 10 of those albums have reached number one on the Top Country Albums charts, with his 1994 breakthrough album Not a Moment Too Soon being the top country album of 1994. In total, McGraw's albums have produced 65 singles, 25 of which have reached number one on the Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay charts. Three of these singles – "It's Your Love", "Just to See You Smile", and "Live Like You Were Dying" – were respectively the top country songs of 1997, 1998, and 2004 according to Billboard Year-End. He has also won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 11 Country Music Association (CMA) awards, 10 American Music Awards, and three People's Choice Awards. His Soul2Soul II Tour, which was done in partnership with his wife, Faith Hill, is one of the highest-grossing tours in country music history, and one of the top five among all genres of music. He has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Chesney</span> American country musician (born 1968)

Kenneth Arnold Chesney is an American country singer. He has recorded more than 20 albums that include more than 40 Top 10 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, 33 of which have reached number one. Many of these also have charted within the Top 40 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making him one of the most successful crossover country artists. He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Because of You (Kelly Clarkson song)</span> 2005 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Because of You" is a song recorded by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). It was written by Clarkson along with its producers David Hodges and Ben Moody, both from Evanescence. It was released on August 16, 2005, by RCA Records, as the third single from Breakaway. Clarkson originally wrote "Because of You" when she was 16 years old to cope with the emotional distress caused by her parents' divorce. She wanted the song to be included on her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), but her record label rejected the song. She then polished the song with Hodges and Moody before successfully convincing her label to include it on Breakaway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Holy</span> American country music singer

Stephen Kyle Holy is an American country music singer. Signed to Curb Records since 1999, he has released three studio albums: 2000's Blue Moon, 2006's Brand New Girlfriend, and 2011's Love Don't Run. Fifteen of his singles have entered the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including the Number One hits "Good Morning Beautiful" and "Brand New Girlfriend".

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Have Your Babies</span> 2007 single by Natasha Bedingfield

"I Wanna Have Your Babies" is a song by British recording artist Natasha Bedingfield. It was written by Steve Kipner, Andrew Frampton, Wayne Wilkins and Bedingfield for her second album, N.B. (2007). The song's musical-style and production was inspired by hip hop music, and its lyrics discuss a woman's battle to stop herself from rushing into relationships in an effort to find the right man to be the father of her children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazed</span> 1999 single by Lonestar

"Amazed" is a song by American country music group Lonestar, released on March 22, 1999, to country radio as the second single from their third studio album Lonely Grill (1999). The power ballad is the band's longest-lasting number one single and biggest hit, spending eight weeks at the top of the Billboard country chart. The song was written by Marv Green, Aimee Mayo, and Chris Lindsey. A pop remix of the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts in 2000. The song has sold over 1,650,000 digital copies in the US as of February 2016.

<i>For the Love</i> 2007 studio album by Tracy Lawrence

For the Love is the ninth studio album by American country music artist Tracy Lawrence. It was released on January 30, 2007 by Rocky Comfort Records. It debuted at #53 on the Billboard 200. Three singles were released from the album: "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became Lawrence's first chart-topping song since "Time Marches On" in mid-1996. The album's second single, "Til I Was a Daddy Too", reached #32 on the same chart, which would be his final Top 40 Hit on that chart, "You Can't Hide Redneck" was released in October 2008 as the third single, peaking at #56 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faith Hill discography</span>

American country music singer Faith Hill has released seven studio albums, four compilation albums, and 46 singles. All of Hill's studio albums have been certified Gold or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole song)</span> 1949 song by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

"Mona Lisa" is a popular song written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston for the Paramount Pictures film Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1949), in which it was performed by Sergio de Karlo and a recurrent accordion motif. The title and lyrics refer to the renaissance portrait Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Forever Feels</span> 1998 single by Kenny Chesney

"How Forever Feels" is a song written by Wendell Mobley and Tony Mullins and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in December 1998 as the first single from Chesney's 1999 album Everywhere We Go. The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada. It also peaked at number 27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making it Chesney's first Top 40 hit on the pop chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">For a Little While</span> 1998 single by Tim McGraw

"For A Little While" is a song written by Steve Mandile, Jerry Vandiver and Phil Vassar, and recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in November 1998 as the sixth and final single from his album Everywhere. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart but reached number-one on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorrie Morgan discography</span>

The discography of American country music artist Lorrie Morgan contains 19 studio albums, nine compilation albums, two video albums, one live album, one extended play, 51 singles and 21 music videos. Morgan early releases were singles that reached lower-charting positions on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Morgan's 1988 single, "Trainwreck of Emotion", was her first to reach the Billboard country top 20. It was followed by her debut studio album in 1989 named Leave the Light On. It reached number six on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. The disc spawned three more top ten singles: "Dear Me", "Out of Your Shoes" and "He Talks to Me". Its fourth single, "Five Minutes", topped the Billboard country chart. Her second album was released in 1991 titled Something in Red. It reached number eight on the country albums chart and number 13 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums chart. In addition to certifying platinum by the RIAA, the disc included three top ten Billboard and RPM country songs: "We Both Walk", "A Picture of Me Without You" and "Except for Monday".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Lawrence discography</span>

Tracy Lawrence is an American country music singer. His discography comprises fourteen studio albums, one live album, eight compilation albums, one box set, and 46 singles. Of his albums, the highest-certified are 1993's Alibis and 1996's Time Marches On, each certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Greatest Hits 3</i> (Tim McGraw album) 2008 greatest hits album by Tim McGraw

Greatest Hits 3 is the third compilation album by American country music singer Tim McGraw. The album was released on October 7, 2008.

Christopher G. Tompkins is an American songwriter based in Nashville. Since 2002 he has co-written songs for pop, rock, and country artists Jimmy Buffett, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, and Nickelback and has written charting singles for artists such as Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, and Tim McGraw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel Like a Rock Star</span> 2012 single by Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw

"Feel Like a Rock Star" is a song written by Chris Tompkins and Rodney Clawson and recorded by American country music artists Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. It was released in April 2012 as the first single from Chesney's 2012 album Welcome to the Fishbowl. It is also Chesney’s last single to be released by BNA Records, a label he had been with since 1995.

Country Airplay is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States since October 20, 2012, although the magazine also retrospectively recognizes the Hot Country Songs charts from January 20, 1990, through October 13, 2012, as part of the history of the Country Airplay listing. The chart lists the 60 most-listened-to records played on 150 mainstream country radio stations across the country as monitored by Nielsen BDS, weighted to each station's Nielsen ratings.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tracy Lawrence Make History With Hit Single "Find Out Who Your Friends Are"". Top40-Charts.com. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  2. Tracy Lawrence Identified Immediately With "Friends"
  3. Rihanna's Hot 100 hat trick with 'Umbrella'
  4. Chart Beat Chat
  5. "T-Pain toasts first No. 1 album". Archived from the original on 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2007-06-26.
  6. Tracy Lawrence finds out he's number one
  7. Tracy Lawrence Makes History on Country Singles Chart
  8. 1 2 "Sony BMG Nashville 'Demands' Radio Stop Playing Album Cut". Archived from the original on 2007-06-20. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  9. Sony BMG Nashville Demands Radio Cease Playing Song
  10. 1 2 "Sony BMG Nashville Apologizes To Radio". Archived from the original on 2007-06-24. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  11. "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  12. "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  13. "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  14. "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  15. "Best of 2007: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.