Meet in the Middle

Last updated
"Meet in the Middle"
Meet in the middle single.jpg
Single by Diamond Rio
from the album Diamond Rio
B-side "The Ballad of Conley and Billy"
ReleasedFebruary 11, 1991
Recorded1990
Genre Country
Length3:20
Label Arista Nashville 2182
Songwriter(s) Chapin Hartford, Jim Foster, Don Pfrimmer
Producer(s) Monty Powell, Tim DuBois
Diamond Rio singles chronology
"Meet in the Middle"
(1991)
"Mirror, Mirror"
(1991)

"Meet in the Middle" is a song recorded by American country music band Diamond Rio. It was released in February 1991 as their debut single, and served as the first single in the album Diamond Rio . The single reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, making Diamond Rio the first country music band in history to have its debut single reach number one. The song was written by Don Pfrimmer, Chapin Hartford and Jim Foster.

Contents

Content

"Meet in the Middle" is a mid-tempo describing two people who learn how to "meet in the middle". In the first verse, they are friends who live far apart, and agree to meet at a tree between their houses. By the second verse, they are married (the ceremony taking place underneath said tree), and upon looking at the tree (now in their back yard), they are reminded to put their differences aside when they disagree.

The song features accompaniment from banjo and mandolin, with some Hammond organ flourishes.

Music video

This was their first music video and it was directed by Eric Straton and premiered in early 1991.

Legacy

Canadian country singer Brett Kissel sampled part of "Meet in the Middle" for his song "Slidin' Your Way" on his 2021 album What Is Life , calling the track "an ode to Diamond Rio". [1]

Chart positions

"Meet in the Middle" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts in mid-1991, making Diamond Rio the first country music band in history to have its debut single reach Number One. [2] [3] It would remain the band's only number one single until six years later, when they topped the chart again with "How Your Love Makes Me Feel".

Chart (1991)Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [4] 1
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [5] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1991)Position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [6] 46
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [7] 16

Certifications

Certifications for Meet in the Middle
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [8] Platinum1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Rio</span> American country and Christian music band

Diamond Rio is an American country music band. The band was founded in 1982 as an attraction for the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee, and was originally known as the Grizzly River Boys, then the Tennessee River Boys. It was founded by Matt Davenport, Danny Gregg, and Ty Herndon, the last of whom became a solo artist in the mid-1990s. After undergoing several membership changes in its initial years, the band consisted of the same six members from 1989 to 2022: Marty Roe, Gene Johnson, Jimmy Olander, Brian Prout (drums), Dan Truman (keyboards), and Dana Williams. After Prout and Johnson both departed in 2022, they were replaced by Micah Schweinsberg and Carson McKee respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolyn Dawn Johnson</span> Canadian country music singer-songwriter

Carolyn Dawn Johnson is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter. Johnson co-wrote Chely Wright's 1999 single, "Single White Female," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in September 1999. Johnson was signed, in 2000, to record label Arista Nashville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyin' Eyes</span> 1975 single by Eagles

"Lyin' Eyes" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and recorded in 1975 by the American rock band Eagles, with Frey singing lead vocals. It was the second single from their album One of These Nights, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Country chart. It remained their only top 40 country hit until "How Long" in 2007–2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boot Scootin' Boogie</span> 1992 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Boot Scootin' Boogie" is a song first recorded by the band Asleep at the Wheel for their 1990 album, Keepin' Me Up Nights. American country music duo Brooks & Dunn recorded a cover version, which was included as the eighth track on their 1991 debut album, Brand New Man. It originally served as the B-side to their second single, "My Next Broken Heart". It became the duo's fourth single release and fourth consecutive number-one single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. A dance remix of the song features as the eleventh and final track on their 1993 album Hard Workin' Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlene (song)</span> 1999 single by Phil Vassar

"Carlene" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Phil Vassar. It was released in October 1999 as Vassar's debut single, from his self-titled debut album (2000). "Carlene" reached a peak of number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts and number 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and it reached number 1 in Canada. The song was written by Vassar, Charlie Black and Rory Bourke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Your Love Makes Me Feel</span> 1997 single by Diamond Rio

"How Your Love Makes Me Feel" is a song written by Trey Bruce and Max T. Barnes, and recorded by American country music group Diamond Rio that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was released in May 1997 as the first single from their Greatest Hits compilation album. Having held the Number One position for three weeks in the United States, it is the band's longest-lasting Number One hit. It became the band's second number one hit and their first since their debut single "Meet in the Middle" in 1991. It also reached number one in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love, Me</span> 1991 single by Collin Raye

"Love, Me" is a song written by Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes, and recorded by American country music artist Collin Raye. It was released in October 1991 as the second single from the album All I Can Be. In January 1992, the single became Raye's first Number One single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts; the same year, the song received a Song of the Year nomination from the Country Music Association. The single has been cited as a popular choice for funerals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unbelievable (Diamond Rio song)</span> 1998 single by Diamond Rio

"Unbelievable" is a song written by Jeffrey Steele and Al Anderson, and recorded by American country music band Diamond Rio. It was released in October 1998 as the second single and title track from their album also titled Unbelievable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brand New Man (song)</span> 1991 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Brand New Man" is a song recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn, written by Kix Brooks, Don Cook and Ronnie Dunn. It was released in June 1991 as their debut single, and was served as the first single and title track from their debut album of the same name, and their first Number One single on the country charts, thus making them only the second country music band in history to have its debut single reach Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Rio discography</span>

Diamond Rio is an American country music band founded in 1982. Their discography consists of 10 studio albums, 36 singles, six compilation albums, one live album, and 20 music videos. Founded in 1984, Diamond Rio released their self-titled debut album in 1991. "Meet in the Middle", the lead-off single, reached number one on the Billboard country singles chart, making the band the first country group in history to have their debut single reach that position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin' on Love</span> 1994 single by Alan Jackson

"Livin' on Love" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Alan Jackson. It was released in August 1994 as the second single from his album Who I Am. In late 1994, it became his ninth Number One hit on the Billboard country charts. It also reached number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.

"I Don't Call Him Daddy" is a song written by American songwriter Reed Nielsen. It was initially recorded by Kenny Rogers on his 1987 album I Prefer the Moonlight, and was released in October 1993 by Doug Supernaw as the third single from his debut album Red and Rio Grande. Supernaw's version was his only number-one single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, peaking there in December 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holdin'</span> 1996 single by Diamond Rio

"Holdin'" is a song written by Kelly Garrett and Craig Wiseman, and recorded by American country music group Diamond Rio. It was released in December 1996 as the fourth and final single from their album IV. It peaked at number 4 in the United States, and number 5 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">For My Broken Heart (song)</span> 1991 single by Reba McEntire

"For My Broken Heart" is a song written by Keith Palmer and Liz Hengber, and recorded by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released in September 1991 as the first single and title track from her album For My Broken Heart. The song was a Number One hit for McEntire, topping the country singles charts in both the U.S. and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Midnight Cinderella</span> 1996 single by Garth Brooks

"It's Midnight Cinderella" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Garth Brooks. It was released in June 1996 as the fifth single from his album Fresh Horses. The song reached a peak of number 5 on the U.S. country charts in mid-1996. It was written by Brooks, Kent Blazy and Kim Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Behind Closed Doors (Charlie Rich song)</span> 1973 single by Charlie Rich

"Behind Closed Doors" is a country song written by Kenny O'Dell. It was first recorded by Charlie Rich for his 1973 album Behind Closed Doors. The single was Rich's first No.1 hit on the country charts, spent 20 weeks on this chart, and was also a crossover hit on the pop charts. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA for U. S. sales in excess of two million copies. Background vocals were provided by The Nashville Edition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't You See (The Marshall Tucker Band song)</span> 1973 single by The Marshall Tucker Band

"Can't You See" is a song written by Toy Caldwell of The Marshall Tucker Band. The song was originally recorded by the band on their 1973 debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, and released as the album's first single. Record World called it "a strong rhythm item that continually builds and builds." It was re-released in 1977 and peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cover versions of "Can't You See" have charted for Waylon Jennings and the Zac Brown Band with Kid Rock (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know How the River Feels</span> 1999 single by Diamond Rio

"I Know How the River Feels" is a song written by Steven Dale Jones and Amy Powers. First recorded by Ty Herndon, it has been released as a single by both Diamond Rio and McAlyster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make a Life, Not a Living</span> 2021 Brett Kissel song

"Make a Life, Not a Living" is a song by Canadian country artist Brett Kissel. The track was co-written by Cary Barlowe, Brandon Day, and Steven Lee Olsen. It is the lead single from Kissel's album What Is Life?

<i>What Is Life?</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Brett Kissel

What Is Life? is the fifth major-label studio album by Canadian country music artist Brett Kissel. It was released on April 9, 2021, through Warner Music Canada, and ONErpm in the United States. It includes the #1 Canada Country hit single "Make a Life, Not a Living", as well as "Night in the Life".

References

  1. Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (April 8, 2021). "Interview: Brett Kissel Opens Up About How The Pandemic Inspired His New Album 'What Is Life?'". Entertainment Focus.
  2. Huey, Steve. "Allmusic ((( Diamond Rio > Biography )))". Allmusic . Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  3. "Diamond Rio Biography". GAC.com . Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  4. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1544." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. June 15, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  5. "Diamond Rio Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1991". RPM . December 21, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  7. "Best of 1991: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  8. "American single certifications – Diamond Rio – Meet in the Middle". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 12, 2022.