Learning How to Bend
"Learning How to Bend" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Gary Allan | ||||
from the album Living Hard | ||||
Released | March 17, 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2007 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:27 | |||
Label | MCA Nashville | |||
Songwriter(s) | Gary Allan, James LeBlanc, Matt Warren | |||
Producer(s) | Mark Wright, Gary Allan | |||
Gary Allan singles chronology | ||||
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"Learning How to Bend" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Gary Allan. It was released in March 2008 as the second single from his 2007 album Living Hard. The song peaked at number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Allan wrote the song with James LeBlanc and Matt Warren.
Critical reception
Thom Jurek of Allmusic thought that the song had better production than the others on the album, saying, "With the echo effects on the vocal and the big strings at the same volume as those ringing, jangling guitars, [the musicians] can't miss."[1]
Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine also made note of Allan's "effective falsetto."[2]
Leeann Ward of CountryUniverse.net gave it an A rating, citing Allan's "raw and powerful delivery" and his use of falsetto in the chorus, as well as the "interesting production."[3]
Music video
The music video was shot in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and at live performances, and was directed by Stephen Shephard, who also directed his previous music video "Watching Airplanes" in 2007.
Chart performance
"Learning How to Bend" debuted at number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated April 5, 2008.
Chart (2008) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Country (Billboard)[4] | 23 |
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 13 |
US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 96 |
References
- ^ Jurek, Thom. "Living Hard review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
- ^ Keefe, Jonathan (28 October 2007). "Gary Allan: Living Hard". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
- ^ "Gary Allan, "Learning How to Bend"". 5 March 2008.
- ^ "Gary Allan Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
- ^ "Gary Allan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Gary Allan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- v
- t
- e
- Used Heart for Sale
- It Would Be You
- Smoke Rings in the Dark
- Alright Guy
- See If I Care
- Tough All Over
- Living Hard
- Get Off on the Pain
- Set You Free
- Ruthless
- Greatest Hits
- Icon
- "Her Man"
- "It Would Be You"
- "Smoke Rings in the Dark"
- "Lovin' You Against My Will"
- "Right Where I Need to Be"
- "Man of Me"
- "The One"
- "Man to Man"
- "Tough Little Boys"
- "Songs About Rain"
- "Nothing On but the Radio"
- "Best I Ever Had"
- "Life Ain't Always Beautiful"
- "A Feelin' Like That"
- "Watching Airplanes"
- "Learning How to Bend"
- "She's So California"
- "Today"
- "Get Off on the Pain"
- "Kiss Me When I'm Down"
- "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)"
- "Pieces"
- "It Ain't the Whiskey"
- "Hangover Tonight"