Yesterday's Song
| "Yesterday's Song" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Hunter Hayes | ||||
| Released | October 24, 2016 | |||
| Format | Digital download | |||
| Genre | Country rock | |||
| Length | 3:43 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Writer(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Hunter Hayes singles chronology | ||||
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"Yesterday's Song" is a song recorded by American singer Hunter Hayes as the lead single for his upcoming fourth studio album. Hayes co-wrote the track with Barry Dean and Martin Johnson and also assisted Dann Huff with production. It was released to digital retailers on September 23, 2016 and is scheduled to officially impact American country radio on October 24, 2016.[1][2]
Content
"Yesterday's Song" is a song written by Hunter Hayes, Barry Dean, and Martin Johnson about the "emotional shift" that occurs when someone important to you ceases to be a part of your life.[3] The song's hook compares this person to a song that Hayes used to play "on repeat" but who is now "just an echo where the feeling is gone."[3] According to Hayes, the song represents a "joyous realization that you're moving on and starting this fresh, new chapter."[4] Musically, it is a country song with rock influences and features prominent guitar work, performed by Hayes.[5] The track employs a wall of sound approach to its production.[5] Hayes co-produced the song with long-term collaborator Dann Huff.
Background and release
Hayes released three then-new songs ("Yesterday's Song", "Amen", and "Young Blood") to his SoundCloud page on his 25th birthday: September 9, 2016. The songs were available to stream for a limited time before they were pulled.[6] On the writing process behind the songs, Hayes said that "this is the first time I've really been able to kind of step back from [the pressure of releasing new music] and just let my instincts and creativity flow."[4]
All three songs were then released to digital retailers and Spotify on September 23, 2016 through Atlantic Records (in the United States) and Warner Music Group (internationally).[1][7] "Yesterday's Song" was selected as an official single and was sent to American country radio stations on October 3, 2016 through Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music Nashville.[4] It is scheduled to officially impact the format on October 24, 2016.[2]
Reception
Critical
Billy Dukes of Taste of Country praised the song's fun nature and catchy hook, writing, "there’s some new spontaneity that results in a less perfect, but more enjoyable first single."[5]
Commercial
"Yesterday's Song" sold 6,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 29 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.[8] This resulted in the song entering the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated October 15, 2016 at number 43.[9]
In Canada, "Yesterday's Song" did not enter the Canadian Hot 100, but did chart at number 37 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales component chart dated October 15, 2016.[10]
Live performances and promotion
Hayes debuted the song at a benefit concert hosted in Nashville, Tennessee for the 2016 Louisiana floods, which took place September 13, 2016.[11]
Chart performance
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Digital Songs (Billboard)[10] | 37 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 52 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] | 43 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | September 9, 2016 | Streaming (limited time via SoundCloud) |
Self-released | [6] |
| September 23, 2016 | Digital download | [1][14] | ||
| United States | October 24, 2016 | Country radio | [2] | |
References
- 1 2 3 "Yesterday's Song - Single by Hunter Hayes". iTunes Store (Canada). Apple Inc. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Future Release for Country Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- 1 2 Wicks, Amanda (October 3, 2016). "Hunter Hayes Premieres 'Yesterday's Song'". Radio.com. CBS Radio. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- 1 2 3 "HUNTER HAYES' HIGH-OCTANE NEW SINGLE, "YESTERDAY'S SONG," ARRIVES AT COUNTRY RADIO TODAY, OCTOBER 3" (Press Release). Warner Music Canada. October 3, 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- 1 2 3 Dukes, Billy (October 3, 2016). "ToC Critic's Pick: Hunter Hayes, 'Yesterday's Song' [Listen]". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- 1 2 Betts, Stephen L. (September 12, 2016). "Hear Hunter Hayes' High-Octane Trio of New Songs". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- ↑ "Spotify Web Player - "Yesterday's Song"" (single). Spotify. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- ↑ Bjorke, Matt (October 5, 2016). "Top 30 Digital Singles Chart: October 3, 2016". Roughstock. Cheri Media. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- ↑ ""Yesterday's Song" on Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- 1 2 "Hunter Hayes – Chart history". Billboard Canadian Digital Song Sales for Hunter Hayes. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- ↑ Casey, Jim (September 14, 2016). "Watch Hunter Hayes Sing New "Yesterday's Song" at Nashville Benefit for Louisiana Flood Victims". Nash Country Daily. Cumulus Media. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
- ↑ "Hunter Hayes – Chart history" Billboard Country Airplay for Hunter Hayes. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ↑ "Hunter Hayes – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Hunter Hayes. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Yesterday's Song - Single by Hunter Hayes". iTunes Store (UK). Apple Inc. Retrieved 10 October 2016.