Slow Down Summer

"Slow Down Summer"
Single by Thomas Rhett
from the album Where We Started
ReleasedNovember 5, 2021 (2021-11-05)
GenreCountry
Length3:36
LabelValory
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Thomas Rhett singles chronology
"Thank You Lord"
(2021) 		"Slow Down Summer"
(2021) 		"Half of Me"
(2022)
Music video
"Slow Down Summer" on YouTube

"Slow Down Summer" is a song by American country music singer Thomas Rhett. It was released on November 5, 2021 as the lead single from his sixth studio album, Where We Started. The song was written by Rhett with his father Rhett Akins, as well as Ashley Gorley, Sean Douglas, and Jesse Frasure.[1]

Background

In a press release, Rhett stated: "I wrote this song from the point of view of two people who are in love during senior year of high school, I envisioned them headed off to different schools and they're starting to understand that the moment the weather starts to change, they've got a 99-percent chance this relationship is not going to work. I know that myself and a lot of people have been there before, wishing the fireworks stage doesn't have to end."[2]

Content

Carena Liptak of ABC Audio wrote that the lyrics "follow a couple who are soaking up every minute of their summer love together, knowing that when the weather cools, so will their relationship."[3] Chris Parton of Sounds Like Nashville described the storyline as "two lovers locked in a summer they'll never forget—but knowing all too well their time together will soon end".[4]

Composition

The song includes instrumentation from a 14-piece string section as well as a piano melody.[5] It is written in the key of B major, with a tempo of 156 beats per minute.[6]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country opined that the track is "a nostalgic summer love song that stings just like it should".[7]

Music video

The music video was released on December 3, 2021, and directed by P. Tracy. It described a story of "two young people holding on to the last moments of a summer together, as they prepare to embark on a new season apart".[8] It features as Rhett plays the piano in different seasons.[9]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Slow Down Summer"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various November 5, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Valory [18]
United States November 8, 2021 Country radio [19]

References

  1. ^ Ianh, Buddy (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett releases 'Slow Down Summer'". The Music Universe. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Thomas Rhett Shares Romantic Thriller, "Slow Down Summer" as New Single". Big Machine Records. November 5, 2021. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Liptak, Carena (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett is hoping for a "Slow Down Summer" in first single off a new musical chapter". ABC Audio. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Parton, Chris (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett Previews New Album With 'Slow Down Summer'". Sounds Like Nashville. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Krol, Jacklyn (November 7, 2021). "Thomas Rhett Shares First Taste of 6th Studio Album With Release of Lead Single, 'Slow Down Summer'". Outsider. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  6. ^ "Slow Down Summer - Thomas Rhett Album Information". Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Dukes, Billy (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett's 'Slow Down Summer' Is A Progressive Piece of Country Nostalgia [Listen]". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  8. ^ Parton, Chris (December 3, 2021). "Thomas Rhett Makes Time Stop in 'Slow Down Summer' Music Video". Sounds Like Nashville. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Dukes, Billy (December 3, 2021). "Thomas Rhett's 'Slow Down Summer' Video Stings With Each Passing Season [Watch]". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  10. ^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  12. ^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  16. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Thomas Rhett – Slow Down Summer". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "Slow Down Summer - Single by Thomas Rhett". November 5, 2021. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  19. ^ "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.