The Only Way I Know

"The Only Way I Know"
Single by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Eric Church
from the album Night Train
Released	November 12, 2012
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2012
Genre	Country rock spoken word
Length	3:14
Label	Broken Bow
Writer(s)	David Lee Murphy Ben Hayslip
Producer(s)	Michael Knox
Jason Aldean singles chronology
"Take a Little Ride" (2012) "The Only Way I Know" (2012) "1994" (2013)
Luke Bryan singles chronology "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (2012) "The Only Way I Know" (2012) "Crash My Party" (2013) Eric Church singles chronology "Creepin'" (2012) "The Only Way I Know" (2012) "Like Jesus Does" (2013)

"The Only Way I Know" is a song written by David Lee Murphy and Ben Hayslip and recorded by American country artist Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church. It is the second single released from Aldean's 2012 album, Night Train.

Content

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 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." Its 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.

Critical reception

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."^[1] 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."^[2] 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."^[3]

Live performances

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Eric Church opened the 46th Country Music Association Awards with "The Only Way I Know" on November 1, 2012 and received an standing ovation.^[4] 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 instead of Luke Bryan and Eric Church.^[5]

Music video

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.^[6]

Commercial performance

"The Only Way I Know" debuted at number 28 on the Billboard Country Songs chart^[7] and number 63 on the Canadian Hot 100 for the week of November 3, 2012, as an album cut from downloads. It also debuted at number 93 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of November 24, 2012. On the Country Airplay chart dated February 16, 2013, it reached number one, becoming Aldean's ninth number one, Bryan's sixth, and Church's third.

Charts and certifications

Chart (2012–13) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 53 Canada Country (Billboard)[9] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[10] 40 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 5 US Country Airplay (Billboard)[12] 1 Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position US Country Airplay (Billboard)[13] 42 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[14] 43

Certifications Region Certification Sales/shipments Canada (Music Canada)[15] Gold 40,000 United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000 ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Jason Aldean (Featuring Luke Bryan and Eric Church), ‘The Only Way I Know’ – Song Review". Taste of Country. November 1, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
2. "Single Review: Jason Aldean (Feat. Luke Bryan & Eric Church) - "The Only Way I Know How"". Roughstock. November 7, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
3. "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". Country Universe. November 19, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
4. http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8872298
5. "Jason Aldean Brings Country to ‘The Voice’ With ‘The Only Way I Know’". Taste of Country. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
6. "Jason Aldean - "The Only Way I Know (From CMA Awards)"". CMT.com. November 13, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
7. "BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE" (PDF). Billboard.biz. October 25, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
8. "Jason Aldean – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Jason Aldean. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
9. "Jason Aldean – Chart history" Billboard Canada Country for Jason Aldean. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
10. "Jason Aldean – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Jason Aldean. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
11. "Jason Aldean – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Jason Aldean. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
12. "Jason Aldean – Chart history" Billboard Country Airplay for Jason Aldean. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
13. "Best of 2013: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
14. "Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
15. "Canadian single certifications – Jason Aldean – The Only Way I Know". Music Canada. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
16. "American single certifications – Jason Aldean – The Only Way I Know". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 12, 2014. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH