Southern Belle (song)
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Southern Belle
| cover = Southern_belle.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Scotty McCreery
| album =
| released = {{Start date|2015|8|17}}
| recorded = 2015
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Country
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=20}}
| label = Mercury Nashville
| writer = {{hlist|Sean McConnell|Jason Saenz}}
| producer = Frank Rogers
| prev_title = Feelin' It
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = Five More Minutes
| next_year = 2017
}}
"Southern Belle" is a song recorded by American country music singer Scotty McCreery. It was released on August 17, 2015, to digital retailers and released to radio on August 31, 2015, by Mercury Nashville.{{cite web|title=Roughstock|date=August 17, 2015|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2015/08/37045-scotty-mccreerys-southern-belle-hits-itunes|accessdate=August 17, 2015}} The song only charted at 45 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, resulting in Mercury Nashville dropping McCreery from the label.{{Cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/scotty-mccreery-leaves-universal-music-group/|title = Scotty McCreery and Record Label Part Ways| date=February 3, 2016 }}
Content
The song was written by Sean McConnell and Jason Saenz. It moves McCreery away from traditional country and more towards pop.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/scotty-mccreery-southern-belle//|title=Scotty McCreery, 'Southern Belle' [Listen]|date=17 August 2015|work=Taste of Country|accessdate=23 August 2015}} In an interview with Rolling Stone Country, McCreery said "This is probably about as far left as we'll go."{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/scotty-mccreery-on-southern-belle-this-is-as-far-left-as-well-go-20150810|title=Scotty McCreery on 'Southern Belle': 'This Is as Far Left as We'll Go' |date=10 August 2015|work=Rolling Stone Country|accessdate=23 August 2015}} "Southern Belle" contains more mature themes than McCreery's previous releases.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/scotty-mccreery-southern-belle-as-far-as-well-go/|title=Sterling Whitaker|date=20 August 2015|work=Taste of Country|accessdate=23 August 2015}} McCreery acknowledges that it shows a different side of him than his public image.
Critical reception
Taste of Country said that McCreery breaks expectations. McCreery's performance evolves throughout the song.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/scotty-mccreery-southern-belle//|title=Scotty McCreery, 'Southern Belle' [Listen]|date=17 August 2015|work=Taste of Country|accessdate=August 23, 2015}} Matt Bjorke of Roughstock says the song will appeal to a wide range of audiences and blends traditional and contemporary country well.{{cite web|url=http://roughstock.com/track/2015/08/37119-scotty-mccreery-southern-belle|title=Scotty McCreery - "Southern Belle"|last=Bjorke|first=Matt|date=August 18, 2015|work=Roughstock|accessdate=August 23, 2015}}
Commercial performance
In its first week, it sold 7,000 copies and debuted at number 36 on the Country Digital Songs charts.{{Cite web|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2015/08/37199-top-30-digital-country-singles-chart-for-august-24-2015|title=Top 30 Digital Country Singles chart for August 24, 2015|date=August 24, 2015}} It also debuted at number 58 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of October 3, 2015. It reached a peak of number 45, becoming his lowest-charting single and first to miss the top 40.
Live performances
McCreery debuted the song on Fox & Friends on July 31, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/scotty-mccreery-southern-belle-fox-and-friends/|title=Scotty McCreery Debuts New Single 'Southern Belle' on 'Fox and Friends'|author=Laura Hostelley|date=July 31, 2015|publisher=Taste of Country|accessdate=August 23, 2015}}
Music video
The music video was directed by Roman White and premiered in November 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/scotty-mccreery/Southern-Belle/QMTM61500081|title=Southern Belle - Scotty McCreery {{!}} Music Video {{!}} VEVO|publisher=VEVO|accessdate=November 9, 2015}}
Chart performance
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (2015–16)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Billboardcountryairplay|45|artist=Scotty McCreery}} |
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Scotty McCreery}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Mercury Nashville singles
Category:Scotty McCreery songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Frank Rogers (record producer)