Thinking 'Bout You (Dustin Lynch song)

{{infobox song

| name = Thinking 'Bout You

| type = single

| artist = Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter or Lauren Alaina

| album = Tullahoma {{no italic|and}} Blue in the Sky

| cover = Thinking Bout You.jpeg

| alt =

| caption =

| released = {{start date|2021|05|03}}

| recorded =

| genre = Country

| label = Broken Bow

| length = 2:50

| writer =

Dustin Lynch
Andy Albert
Hunter Phelps
Will Weatherly

| producer = Zach Crowell

| chronology = Dustin Lynch singles

| prev_title = Red Dirt, Blue Eyes

| prev_year = 2020

| next_title = Party Mode

| next_year = 2022

| misc =

{{Extra chronology

| artist = MacKenzie Porter singles

| type = single

| prev_title = Drinkin' Songs

| prev_year = 2020

| title = Thinking 'Bout You

| year = 2021

| next_title = This Sucks.

| next_year = 2021

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|nqCQfwhYfXE|"Thinking 'Bout You"}}}}

}}

"Thinking 'Bout You" is a song written by American country music singer Dustin Lynch with Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly. It was first recorded by Lynch as a duet with fellow American country singer Lauren Alaina for Lynch's fourth studio album, Tullahoma (2020). Due to promotional conflicts, the song was re-recorded in 2021 featuring Canadian country singer MacKenzie Porter for release as the album's fifth single. The single version with Porter debuted to American country radio on May 3, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases |work=All Access |title=Future Releases for Country Radio Stations

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425000237/https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases |archivedate=April 25, 2021 |accessdate=August 16, 2021}}

The latter version of the song was also included on Lynch's 2022 album Blue in the Sky as its lead single.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sky-Dustin-Lynch/dp/B09PRSTZ8S|title=Dustin Lynch - Blue in the Sky|website=Amazon|accessdate=January 14, 2022}}

Background

Lynch co-wrote "Thinking 'Bout You" with Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly for his fourth studio album, Tullahoma. The song is structured as a "call-and-response" conversation between ex-partners and represents the first true duet Lynch has recorded.{{cite news |last1=Liptak |first1=Carena |title=Dustin Lynch Teams With MacKenzie Porter for 'Thinking 'Bout You' |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/dustin-lynch-mackenzie-porter-thinking-bout-you/ |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=Taste of Country |date=March 20, 2021}} It was originally recorded as a duet between Lynch and Lauren Alaina. When the song was selected as the next single from Tullahoma, Alaina had recently released her latest single (at the time) "Getting Over Him" with Jon Pardi and Alaina's record label had concerns over her having two male-female duets at radio concurrently.{{cite news |last1=Hackett |first1=Vernett |title=Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter Team Up For 'Thinking 'Bout You' |url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/dustin-lynch-mackenzie-porter-thinking-bout-you/ |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=Sounds Like Nashville |date=March 19, 2021}} As a compromise between the artists, "Thinking 'Bout You" was re-recorded for its single release. Lynch held a blind audition for a new female vocalist and ultimately chose Canadian singer and actress MacKenzie Porter as his new duet partner.{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Jason |title=Dustin Lynch Revamps "Thinking 'Bout You" With MacKenzie Porter |url=https://americansongwriter.com/dustin-lynch-mackenzie-porter-thinking-bout-you-song-interview/ |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=American Songwriter |date=March 19, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Tracy |first1=Brianne |title=Go Behind-the-Scenes of Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter's New 'Thinking 'Bout You' Music Video |url=https://people.com/country/dustin-lynch-mackenzie-porter-thinking-bout-you-music-video-bts/ |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=People |date=March 25, 2021}} The remix with Porter was released to digital retailers and streaming services March 19, 2021, and was serviced to American country radio on May 3, 2021.

Critical reception

Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal praised the combination of Lynch and Porter's voices and described the song as "catchy and worthy of the repeat button."{{cite news |last1=Papadatos |first1=Markos |title=Review: Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter stun on refreshing country duet (Includes first-hand account) |url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-dustin-lynch-and-mackenzie-porter-stun-on-refreshing-country-duet/article/587233 |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=Digital Journal |date=March 19, 2021}} Off the Record UK wrote that the "passionate power duet" featured "heart-pounding hooks and memory-soaked vocals."{{cite news |title=SINGLE REVIEW: Thinking 'Bout You (ft. Mackenzie Porter) – Dustin Lynch |url=https://www.offtherecorduk.com/thinking-bout-you-dustin-lynch-mackenzie-porter/ |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=Off the Record UK |date=March 21, 2021}}

Chart performance

"Thinking 'Bout You" became Lynch's eighth number one hit, Porter's first, and Alaina's fourth (being officially credited to "Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter or Lauren Alaina") on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated December 11, 2021, and stayed at the top for six consecutive weeks.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-airplay/2022-01-15|title=Country Airplay chart for January 15, 2022|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 11, 2022}} It is Lynch's longest-running number one on the chart and has spent a record-breaking 28 weeks in the top ten, besting Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood's "If I Didn't Love You".{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/country-radio-chart-slowdown-dustin-lynch-tops-country-airplay-1235062380/|title=Country Radio's Chart Slowdown: 'We Must Still Take Chances … or We Will Become Irrelevant'|author=Jim Asker|date=April 22, 2022|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=April 24, 2022}} The record was later broken by Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" in February 2024, spending 33 weeks in the top ten. With a peak of number 30, it is Lynch's highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Music video

An accompanying music video premiered March 19, 2021, concurrent with the remix's digital release. Directed by Justin Nolan Key, the "cinematic" video builds on the song's conversational tone and features Lynch and Porter as former lovers reminiscing over the phone.{{cite news |last1=Liptak |first1=Carena |title=Dustin Lynch trades verses with MacKenzie Porter for a re-imagined "Thinking 'Bout You" |url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2021/3/19/dustin-lynch-trades-verses-with-mackenzie-porter-for-a-re-im.html |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=ABC News Radio |date=March 19, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Cantrell |first1=LB |title=Dustin Lynch Enlists MacKenzie Porter For Stirring Duet, 'Thinking 'Bout You' [Interview] |url=https://musicrow.com/2021/03/dustin-lynch-enlists-mackenzie-porter-for-stirring-duet-thinking-bout-you-interview/ |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=MusicRow |date=March 19, 2021}}

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\| Australia Country Hot 50 (TMN){{cite web\|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/charts/issues/1368/chart/?list=Countrytown-HOT-50 \|title=Country Hot 50: Issue 136'\|work=The Music Network\|accessdate=November 21, 2021}} \| 11
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Weekly chart performance for "Thinking 'Bout You" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2021–2022) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
{{single chart\|Canada\|46\|artist=Dustin Lynch\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 11, 2022}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcanadacountry\|2\|artist=Dustin Lynch\|rowheader=true\|access-date=December 14, 2021}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|30\|artist=Dustin Lynch\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcountryairplay\|1\|artist=Dustin Lynch\|rowheader=true\|access-date=December 7, 2021}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcountrysongs\|2\|artist=Dustin Lynch\|rowheader=true\|access-date=December 21, 2021}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Year-end chart performance for "Thinking 'Bout You" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| US Country Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/country-airplay-songs\|title=Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 2, 2021}} \| 58
scope="row"\| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/hot-country-songs\|title=Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 2, 2021}} \| 59

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Year-end chart performance for "Thinking 'Bout You"

! scope="col"| Chart (2021)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Country Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/country-airplay-songs|title=Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 2, 2021}}

| 58

scope="row"| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/hot-country-songs|title=Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 2, 2021}}

| 59

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" ! Chart (2022) ! Position
scope="row"\| US Country Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine\|title=Country Airplay – Year-End 2022\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/country-airplay-songs\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 1, 2022}} \| 2
scope="row"\| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|title=Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/hot-country-songs\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 1, 2022}} \| 26
scope="row"\| US Radio Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|title=Radio Songs – Year-End 2022\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/radio-songs\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 31, 2022}} \| 50

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

! Chart (2022)

! Position

scope="row"| US Country Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Country Airplay – Year-End 2022|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/country-airplay-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 1, 2022}}

| 2

scope="row"| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/hot-country-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 1, 2022}}

| 26

scope="row"| US Radio Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Radio Songs – Year-End 2022|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/radio-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 31, 2022}}

| 50

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Thinking 'Bout You}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Dustin Lynch|title=Thinking 'Bout You|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=August 10, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2023|title=Thinking 'Bout You|artist=Dustin Lynch|type=single|access-date=November 8, 2022|relyear=2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ Release history and formats for "Thinking 'Bout You" ! Country ! Date ! Format ! Label ! Version ! {{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row"\| Various \| March 19, 2021 \| {{hlist\|Digital download\|streaming}} \| rowspan="2"\| Broken Bow \| rowspan="2"\| Single version with MacKenzie Porter \| {{cite web \|title=Thinking 'Bout You - Dustin Lynch {{!}} Release Info \|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/thinking-bout-you-mr0005362570 \|website=AllMusic \|access-date=August 16, 2021}}
scope="row"\| United States \| May 3, 2021 \| Country radio \|

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release history and formats for "Thinking 'Bout You"

! Country

! Date

! Format

! Label

! Version

! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| Various

| March 19, 2021

| {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}}

| rowspan="2"| Broken Bow

| rowspan="2"| Single version with MacKenzie Porter

| {{cite web |title=Thinking 'Bout You - Dustin Lynch {{!}} Release Info |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/thinking-bout-you-mr0005362570 |website=AllMusic |access-date=August 16, 2021}}

scope="row"| United States

| May 3, 2021

| Country radio

References

Category:Dustin Lynch songs

Category:MacKenzie Porter songs

Category:Lauren Alaina songs

Category:Songs written by Dustin Lynch

Category:Songs written by Andy Albert

Category:2020 songs

Category:2021 singles

Category:BBR Music Group singles

Category:Male–female vocal duets

Category:Song recordings produced by Zach Crowell