Thinking 'Bout You (Dustin Lynch song)

"Thinking 'Bout You" is a song written by American country music singer Dustin Lynch with Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly. It was first recorded by Lynch as a duet with fellow American country singer Lauren Alaina for Lynch's fourth studio album, Tullahoma (2020). Due to promotional conflicts, the song was re-recorded in 2021 featuring Canadian country singer MacKenzie Porter for release as the album's fifth single. The single version with Porter debuted to American country radio on May 3, 2021.[2]

"Thinking 'Bout You"
Single by Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter or Lauren Alaina
from the album Tullahoma and Blue in the Sky
ReleasedMay 3, 2021 (2021-05-03)
GenreCountry[1]
Length2:50
LabelBroken Bow
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Zach Crowell
Dustin Lynch singles chronology
"Red Dirt, Blue Eyes"
(2020)
"Thinking 'Bout You"
(2021)
"Party Mode"
(2022)
MacKenzie Porter singles chronology
"Drinkin' Songs"
(2020)
"Thinking 'Bout You"
(2021)
"This Sucks."
(2021)
Music video
"Thinking 'Bout You" on YouTube

The latter version of the song was also included on Lynch's 2022 album Blue in the Sky as its lead single.[3]

Background

edit

Lynch co-wrote "Thinking 'Bout You" with Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly for his fourth studio album, Tullahoma. The song is structured as a "call-and-response" conversation between ex-partners and represents the first true duet Lynch has recorded.[4] It was originally recorded as a duet between Lynch and Lauren Alaina. When the song was selected as the next single from Tullahoma, Alaina had recently released her latest single (at the time) "Getting Over Him" with Jon Pardi and Alaina's record label had concerns over her having two male-female duets at radio concurrently.[5] As a compromise between the artists, "Thinking 'Bout You" was re-recorded for its single release. Lynch held a blind audition for a new female vocalist and ultimately chose Canadian singer and actress MacKenzie Porter as his new duet partner.[6][7] The remix with Porter was released to digital retailers and streaming services March 19, 2021, and was serviced to American country radio on May 3, 2021.

Critical reception

edit

Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal praised the combination of Lynch and Porter's voices and described the song as "catchy and worthy of the repeat button."[1] Off the Record UK wrote that the "passionate power duet" featured "heart-pounding hooks and memory-soaked vocals."[8]

Chart performance

edit

"Thinking 'Bout You" became Lynch's eighth number one hit, Porter's first, and Alaina's fourth (being officially credited to "Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter or Lauren Alaina") on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated December 11, 2021, and stayed at the top for six consecutive weeks.[9] It is Lynch's longest-running number one on the chart and has spent a record-breaking 28 weeks in the top ten, besting Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood's "If I Didn't Love You".[10] With a peak of number 30, it is Lynch's highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Music video

edit

An accompanying music video premiered March 19, 2021, concurrent with the remix's digital release. Directed by Justin Nolan Key, the "cinematic" video builds on the song's conversational tone and features Lynch and Porter as former lovers reminiscing over the phone.[11][12]

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications for Thinking 'Bout You
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[24] 2× Platinum 160,000
United States (RIAA)[25] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Release history and formats for "Thinking 'Bout You"
Country Date Format Label Version Ref.
Various March 19, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
Broken Bow Single version with MacKenzie Porter [26]
United States May 3, 2021 Country radio [2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Papadatos, Markos (March 19, 2021). "Review: Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter stun on refreshing country duet (Includes first-hand account)". Digital Journal. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Dustin Lynch - Blue in the Sky". Amazon. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  4. ^ Liptak, Carena (March 20, 2021). "Dustin Lynch Teams With MacKenzie Porter for 'Thinking 'Bout You'". Taste of Country. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Hackett, Vernett (March 19, 2021). "Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter Team Up For 'Thinking 'Bout You'". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Scott, Jason (March 19, 2021). "Dustin Lynch Revamps "Thinking 'Bout You" With MacKenzie Porter". American Songwriter. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Tracy, Brianne (March 25, 2021). "Go Behind-the-Scenes of Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter's New 'Thinking 'Bout You' Music Video". People. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "SINGLE REVIEW: Thinking 'Bout You (ft. Mackenzie Porter) – Dustin Lynch". Off the Record UK. March 21, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "Country Airplay chart for January 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Jim Asker (April 22, 2022). "Country Radio's Chart Slowdown: 'We Must Still Take Chances … or We Will Become Irrelevant'". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Liptak, Carena (March 19, 2021). "Dustin Lynch trades verses with MacKenzie Porter for a re-imagined "Thinking 'Bout You"". ABC News Radio. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Cantrell, LB (March 19, 2021). "Dustin Lynch Enlists MacKenzie Porter For Stirring Duet, 'Thinking 'Bout You' [Interview]". MusicRow. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  13. ^ "Country Hot 50: Issue 136'". The Music Network. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  15. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  16. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  19. ^ "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  20. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  21. ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  22. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  23. ^ "Radio Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  24. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Dustin Lynch – Thinking 'Bout You". Music Canada. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  25. ^ "American single certifications – Dustin Lynch – Thinking 'Bout You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  26. ^ "Thinking 'Bout You - Dustin Lynch | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved August 16, 2021.