"Then"
Single by Brad Paisley
from the album American Saturday Night
ReleasedMarch 23, 2009 (2009-03-23)
GenreCountry
Length4:16 (single edit)
5:21 (album version)
LabelArista Nashville
Songwriter(s)Chris DuBois
Ashley Gorley
Brad Paisley
Producer(s)Frank Rogers
Brad Paisley singles chronology
"Start a Band"
(2008) 		"Then"
(2009) 		"Welcome to the Future"
(2009)

"Then" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Brad Paisley. It is his twenty-third entry on the Billboard country charts, debuting at number 26 on the chart week of April 4, 2009. The song is the lead-off single from his seventh studio album, American Saturday Night, which was released via Arista Nashville on June 30, 2009. It is one of Paisley's four songs certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, the others being "She's Everything", "Whiskey Lullaby", and "Remind Me". Paisley wrote this song with Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois.

Content

"Then" is a ballad, backed primarily by piano and electric guitar. In it, the male narrator expresses his love for his female partner. In the verses, he recalls various events in their relationship, such as meeting for the first time, kissing on her porch, and then proposing to her at the place where they first met. In the chorus, he says how much stronger his love has become since their first meeting.

Critical reception

The song has been given mixed critical reviews. Robert Christgau included it at number 12 in his ballot for Rolling Stone's list of the decades' best songs.[1] Liz Jungers gave a favorable review on Roughstock, saying that the song was well written and produced, and that it showed a more serious side to Paisley, in contrast to his novelty songs such as "Ticks" and "Online".[2] Leeann Ward of Country Universe gave it a B− rating, saying that it was largely cliché but adding that it was "an admirable enough sentiment with an inoffensive production, but it’s not at all impressive coming from an artist with so many years of songwriting experience behind him."[3] Juli Thanki of Engine 145, however, gave the song a thumbs-down rating. Thanki's review criticized the song for lacking lyrical depth, and called it "a bland collection of memories and observations about an anonymous girl who is now Paisley’s whole life and world."[4]

Personnel

As listed in liner notes[5]

Gang Vocals (album version only)

Chart performance

"Then" debuted at number 26 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts dated for the week of April 4, 2009. It became his tenth consecutive Number One hit for the week of June 6, 2009. In August of the same year, "Then" became Paisley's first entry on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts, debuting at number 30.[6]

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[14] Platinum 80,000‡
United States (RIAA)[15] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Robert Christgau: Rolling Stone Ballot: The 00's Best Songs & Albums". www.robertchristgau.com.
  2. ^ Jungers, Liz (2009-03-25). "Brad Paisley — "Then"". Roughstock. Archived from the original on 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  3. ^ Ward, Leeann (2009-03-22). "Brad Paisley — "Then"". Country Universe. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  4. ^ Thanki, Juli (2009-03-25). "Brad Paisley - "Then"". Engine 145. Archived from the original on 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  5. ^ American Saturday Night (CD). Brad Paisley. Arista Records. 2009. 47352.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Trust, Gary (2009-08-05). "Chart Beat: Darius Rucker, Mariah Carey, Brad Paisley, Wilco". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  7. ^ "Brad Paisley Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Brad Paisley Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  9. ^ "Brad Paisley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  10. ^ "Brad Paisley Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  11. ^ "Brad Paisley Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  12. ^ "Year End Charts - Year-end songs - The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  13. ^ "Best of 2009: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  14. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Brad Paisley – Then". Music Canada. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  15. ^ "American single certifications – Brad Paisley – Then". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
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