"How Country Feels"
Single by Randy Houser
from the album How Country Feels
ReleasedMay 7, 2012 (2012-05-07)
RecordedApril 16, 2012
GenreCountry
Length3:05
LabelStoney Creek
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Derek George
Randy Houser singles chronology
"In God's Time"
(2011) 		"How Country Feels"
(2012) 		"Runnin' Outta Moonlight"
(2013)

"How Country Feels" is a song written by Vicky McGehee, Wendell Mobley, and Neil Thrasher[1] and recorded by American country music artist Randy Houser. It was released in May 2012 as the first single and title track from Houser's album of the same name.[2] The song would become semi-famous for being the first song on a majority of stations nationwide joining Cumulus Media's "Nash FM" format, starting with WNSH in New York in January 2013; as a fitting bookend, when the format signed off the station in October 2021, station DJ Kelly Ford, the first under the format, would use it to sign off the station's live farewell show.

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song three and a half stars out of five, writing that "the lyrics are sharp but familiar, and there isn’t a whole lot of attitude until a guitar solo late in the song."[3] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock gave the song a favorable review, calling it "a strong, melodic single that is immediate and hook-filled and sung perfectly."[4]

Commercial performance

"How Country Feels" debuted at number 55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of May 12, 2012.[5] It debuted at number 81 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of November 21, 2012. It debuted at number 55 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of December 15, 2012. On the Country Airplay chart dated February 2, 2013, "How Country Feels" became Houser's first Number One country hit. The song has sold over a million copies in the US as of March 2015.[6]

Music video

The music video was filmed at Glen Leven Farm in Nashville, Tennessee. It was directed by Wes Edwards and premiered on August 31, 2012.[7]

The video stars a female office worker in her cubicle as she chats with her friend online. Her friend asks if she is able to hang out with her and their other friends in the country, but she can't because she is working during the weekend. Her friend sends her a link to the song "How Country Feels". When she clicks on it, she takes off her glasses and enters a daydream of herself in the countryside.

She wanders around in the field and accepts a ride with a young man with a pick up truck. He takes her to a country cottage with many of his friends. Near the end, Houser performs the song with his band at the cottage. As she leans to kiss the man who picked her up, the girl wakes up in her cubicle, realizing it was a dream. But seeing she is still wearing her boots suggests otherwise.

Charts and certifications

References

  1. ^ Conaway, Alanna (July 27, 2012). "Randy Houser, 'How Country Feels' – Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  2. ^ Conaway, Alanna (April 22, 2012). "Randy Houser Reveals Forthcoming Album Will Reflect New 'Domesticated' Lifestyle". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  3. ^ Dukes, Billy (April 17, 2012). "Randy Houser, 'How Country Feels' – Song Review". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  4. ^ Bjorke, Matt (April 13, 2012). "The Weekly Single Recap: April 12, 2012". Roughstock. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  5. ^ Morris, Edward (May 5, 2012). "Rascal Flatts' "Banjo" Rings as Week's Top Song". Country Music Television. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Matt Bjorke (March 18, 2015). "Country Music's Top 30 Digital Singles: Week of March 18, 2015". Roughstock.
  7. ^ "CMT Hosts Premiere For Randy Houser's "How Country Feels" Video". All Access. August 28, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  8. ^ "Randy Houser Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "Randy Houser Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  10. ^ "Randy Houser Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  11. ^ "Randy Houser Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Randy Houser Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Best of 2012: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  14. ^ "Best of 2013: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  15. ^ "Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  16. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Randy Houser – How Country Feels". Music Canada. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Randy Houser – How Country Feels". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
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