Cowboys and Angels (Dustin Lynch song)

"Cowboys and Angels"
Single by Dustin Lynch
from the album Dustin Lynch
ReleasedJanuary 16, 2012 (2012-01-16)
Recorded2011
GenreCountry
Length3:47
LabelBroken Bow
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Dustin Lynch singles chronology
"Cowboys and Angels"
(2012) 		"She Cranks My Tractor"
(2012)

"Cowboys and Angels" is a debut song recorded by American country music artist Dustin Lynch. It was released in January 2012 as the first single from his self-titled debut album. Lynch co-wrote the song with Josh Leo and Tim Nichols.[1]

Content

The song is a mid-tempo in the key of B-flat major, although it ends on an E♭M7 chord. Its verse are in alternating measures of 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures, with a chorus mainly in 4/4 time.[2] It is mainly accompanied by guitars and light percussion.

In it, the male narrator compares his personality to that of his lover, saying that the two are like "cowboys and angels".

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song four stars out of five, praising Lynch's "sturdy voice" while saying that the chorus "showcases his natural talent."[3] The song also received a favorable review from Matt Bjorke of Roughstock, who wrote that Lynch's "smooth baritone is clear and effective and the lyric is sweet and right on point."[4]

Music video

The music video was directed by Peter Zavadil and filmed in Elgin, Texas.[5] It premiered in April 2012 as part of CMT Big New Music Weekend.[6]

An acoustic music video was also filmed for the song, directed by Jessica Wardwell.[7]

Chart performance

"Cowboys and Angels" debuted at number 59 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of January 21, 2012.[8] It reached number 2 on that chart in October, behind Jason Aldean's "Take a Little Ride". It also debuted at number 100 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of June 2, 2012 and at number 89 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of August 25, 2012.

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 64
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 40
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[11] 2
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2012) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[13] 4

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Skates, Sarah (January 18, 2012). "New Artists Jessie James and Dustin Lynch Debut Singles". MusicRow. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  2. ^ "'Cowboys and Angels' sheet music". MusicNotes.com. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  3. ^ Dukes, Billy (January 5, 2012). "Dustin Lynch, 'Cowboys and Angels' – Song Review". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  4. ^ Bjorke, Matt (March 22, 2012). "The Weekly Single Recap: March 22, 2012". Roughstock. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  5. ^ Shelburne, Craig (May 9, 2012). "Dustin Lynch Rides High With "Cowboys and Angels"". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  6. ^ "CMT Big New Music Weekend Begins Friday". Country Music Television. April 24, 2012. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  7. ^ "CMT : Videos : Dustin Lynch : Cowboys and Angels (Acoustic Version)". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  8. ^ Morris, Edward (January 14, 2012). "Charts: David Nail Scores First No. 1 Song With "Let It Rain"". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  9. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  10. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  11. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Dustin Lynch Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  14. ^ "American single certifications – Dustin Lynch – Cowboys and Angels". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 9, 2013.