The Only Way I Know

This song is about hard work, loyalty, small town values, and southern work ethic. The singers explain that they were raised in a small town southern atmosphere and were taught to work hard to earn a living. They had not realized that other lifestyles existed and were practiced and the one by which they grew up is "the only way [they] know." The song's verses are largely spoken-word, with Aldean on the first verse, Bryan on the second, and Church on the third. Aldean also sings the choruses.

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave "The Only Way I Know" a four-star review, saying that it "sounds best at neighbor-irritating volumes."{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/jason-aldean-luke-bryan-and-eric-church-the-only-way-i-know/|title=Jason Aldean (Featuring Luke Bryan and Eric Church), 'The Only Way I Know' – Song Review|publisher=Taste of Country|date=November 1, 2012|access-date=December 4, 2012}}

Ashley Cooke of Roughstock also gave the song a four-star review, stating that the song "has a powerful chorus which allows listeners to get a little rowdy and let their inner badass out."{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/single-review-jason-aldean-feat-luke-bryan-eric-church-the-only-way-i-know-how|title=Single Review: Jason Aldean (Feat. Luke Bryan & Eric Church) - "The Only Way I Know How"|publisher=Roughstock|date=November 7, 2012|access-date=December 4, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110233706/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/single-review-jason-aldean-feat-luke-bryan-eric-church-the-only-way-i-know-how|archive-date=November 10, 2012}} Conversely, Tara Seetharam of Country Universe gave the song a D, stating "the song sinks because of its empty lyrics, its jarring theme of “humble pride” against a needlessly aggressive arrangement, and its subtle implication that a work ethic cut from a different cloth than the narrators’ is a lesser one."{{cite web|url=http://www.countryuniverse.net/2012/11/19/single-reviews-round-up-katie-armiger-brett-eldredge-justin-moore-kelly-clarkson-ft-vince-gill-miss-willie-brown-jason-aldean-ft-luke-bryan-and-eric-church/|title=Single Reviews Round-Up: Katie Armiger, Brett Eldredge, Justin Moore, Kelly Clarkson ft. Vince Gill, Miss Willie Brown, & Jason Aldean ft. Luke Bryan and Eric Church|publisher=Country Universe|date=November 19, 2012|access-date=January 21, 2015}}

Aldean, Bryan, and Church opened the 46th Country Music Association Awards with "The Only Way I Know" on November 1, 2012 and received an standing ovation.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104054540/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8872298] On November 13, 2012, Aldean performed the song on NBC's The Voice. Two contestants, Bryan Keith and Dez Duron joined him for the performance doing Luke Bryan's and Church's vocal parts.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/jason-aldean-the-only-way-i-know-the-voice/|title=Jason Aldean Brings Country to 'The Voice' With 'The Only Way I Know'|publisher=Taste of Country|access-date=December 4, 2012}}

Footage from the 46th Country Music Association Award performance were used to comprise a music video for "The Only Way I Know", directed by Paul Miller.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/videos/jason-aldean/856474/the-only-way-i-know-from-cma-awards.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117180541/http://www.cmt.com/videos/jason-aldean/856474/the-only-way-i-know-from-cma-awards.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 17, 2012|title=Jason Aldean - "The Only Way I Know (From CMA Awards)"|publisher=CMT.com|date=November 13, 2012|access-date=December 4, 2012}}

"The Only Way I Know" debuted at number 28 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/photos/pdf/2012/Cmw1025.pdf|title=BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE|publisher=Billboard.biz|date=October 25, 2012|access-date=December 4, 2012}} and number 63 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of November 3, 2012, as an album cut from downloads. It also debuted at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of November 24, 2012. On the Country Airplay chart dated of February 16, 2013, the song reached number one, becoming Aldean's ninth number one hit, Bryan's sixth, and Church's third. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA on February 12, 2014 for a million units in sales.

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{{certification Table Entry|type=single|digital=true|region=Canada|artist=Jason Aldean|title=The Only Way I Know|award=Gold|certyear=2014|certmonth=1|relyear=2012|access-date=February 16, 2013}}

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Category:2012 singles

Category:Jason Aldean songs

Category:Luke Bryan songs

Category:Eric Church songs

Category:Vocal collaborations

Category:Songs written by David Lee Murphy

Category:Songs written by Ben Hayslip

Category:BBR Music Group singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Knox (record producer)

Category:2012 songs