"Gonna Get a Life" is a song written by Jim Lauderdale and Frank Dycus, and recorded by American country music singer Mark Chesnutt. It was released in February 1995 as the third single from his album What a Way to Live. The song became Chesnutt's sixth U.S. Country Music charts Number One in May of that year.[2]
| "Gonna Get a Life" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Mark Chesnutt | ||||
| from the album What a Way to Live | ||||
| B-side | "Half of Everything (And All of My Heart)"[2] | |||
| Released | February 21, 1995[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1994 | |||
| Studio | Javelina (Nashville, Tennessee)[3] | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:43 | |||
| Label | Decca | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jim Lauderdale, Frank Dycus[4] | |||
| Producer(s) | Mark Wright | |||
| Mark Chesnutt singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and writing
editJim Lauderdale told Taste of Country that he was working at co-writer Frank Dycus' house that day and while taking a break he played a melody that he came up with. Dycus came up with the title and then wrote the rest of the lyrics.[5]
Critical reception
editBillboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a "spicy mix of country and cajun."[6]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Sherman Halsey and premiered in early 1995. It was filmed in Lafayette, Louisiana. It features Chesnutt performing the song in concert, in a treehouse, and at a cajun party surrounded by various people.
Chart performance
edit"Gonna Get a Life" debuted at number 68 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of February 25, 1995.
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[7] | 2 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] | 1 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (1995) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[9] | 66 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[10] | 22 |
References
edit- ^ [1]
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 92–93. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Studio Action". Billboard. 27 May 1995. p. 90. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "What a Way to Live". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
- ^ Conaway, Alanna (July 2011). ""Gonna Get a Life" — Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
- ^ "Reviews". Billboard. 4 March 1995. p. 67.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 8999." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 15, 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ "Mark Chesnutt Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1995". RPM. December 18, 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1995: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
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