"Swing"
Single by Trace Adkins
from the album Dangerous Man
ReleasedMay 15, 2006 (2006-05-15)
GenreCountry
Length3:38
LabelCapitol Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Frank Rogers
Trace Adkins singles chronology
"Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"
(2005) 		"Swing"
(2006) 		"Ladies Love Country Boys"
(2006)

"Swing" is a song written by Chris Stapleton and Frank Rogers, and recorded by American country music artist Trace Adkins. It was released in May 2006 as the first single from his album Dangerous Man.

Content

Main article: Baseball metaphors for sex

The song uses a typical baseball batting practice to set up a woman's night at a tavern, and several men's attempts to pick her up. The first man "strikes out" using cheap pick-up lines, such as "what's your sign?". The second lies about his background (claiming he attended Harvard University as a pre-med major) and reaches first but then tells her he quit because it was too hard, thus getting "picked off". Finally, the third man "hits a home run" successfully gaining the woman's interest and leaves the bar with her.

Critical reception

Allmusic reviewed "Swing" as "glossy and anthemic."[1] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe called the song "a train wreck."[2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered in June 2006.[3] The video depicts a baseball team's practice. The team can't get one batter to hit against the pitcher, who is a self-centered egomaniac and thinks he is God's gift to women. The crowd of fans starts to leave when the groundskeeper (Trace Adkins) steps up to the plate and asks for a pitch. The pitcher is more than happy to oblige, as he had just managed to strike out the whole team. The groundskeeper is successful hitting a home run on a fastball and runs the bases, all the time making fun of the pitch. When crossing home, the girl jumps into his arms.

Chart performance

The song debuted at number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of May 13, 2006.[4]

Chart (2006) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 76
US Billboard Pop 100[7] 75

Certifications

Certifications for Swing
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Dangerous Man Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  2. ^ Coyne, Kevin John (August 17, 2006). "Single Reviews: August 17, 2006". Country Universe. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  3. ^ "CMT : Videos : Trace Adkins : Swing". Country Music Television. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  4. ^ Gilbert, Calvin (May 6, 2006). "Bon Jovi, Nettles and Rascal Flatts Continue Chart Dominance". Country Music Television. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  5. ^ "Trace Adkins Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. ^ "Trace Adkins Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. ^ "Trace Adkins Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  8. ^ "American single certifications – Trace Adkins – Swing". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
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