"Fast" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan. It was released in November 2016 as the sixth and final single from his 2015 album Kill the Lights.
| "Fast" | ||||
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| Single by Luke Bryan | ||||
| from the album Kill the Lights | ||||
| Released | November 28, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:26 | |||
| Label | Capitol Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Luke Bryan singles chronology | ||||
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Content
editThe song is about "contemplating the speed of life" and noting how events in life move "fast", especially as one ages.[1]
Bryan told Billboard that the song came about during a writing session with Luke Laird and Rodney Clawson. They were having little success with one song idea until Laird provided the word "fast", and the writers came up with the song's first two lines. The verses take place while the male narrator is a teenager and aspiring for things that are "fast", while the chorus shifts to the narrator's adulthood, where he observes that he is frustrated by his inability to "slow down the passage of time" as stated in the lyric "60 seconds now feels more like 30", a lyric provided by Bryan.[2]
The song's recording session includes drums from Greg Morrow overlaid by programmed drum sounds provided by Jody Stevens, along with electric piano from Mike Rojas and "glassy whole notes" from session guitarist J.T. Corenflos.[2]
Critical reception
editTaste of Country's review of the song was positive, saying that "Rodney Clawson and Luke Laird lend a hand with lyrics that are sure to compel men to hold their women tight as he’s singing it live in 2017."[3] In April 2017, the song became Bryan's fifteenth consecutive number one hit.
Music video
editThe official music video for "Fast" was directed by Michael Monaco and premiered March 2, 2017.[4] The "nostalgic" video features Bryan playing guitar on an empty stage, interspersed with personal photos that chronicle his career and family life.[5]
Chart performance
editThe song reached the No. 1 position on Country Airplay, making Bryan the first artist to have six No. 1 Country Airplay singles from an album.[6] The song has sold 172,000 copies in the United States as of May 2017.[7]
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (2016–2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] | 91 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[9] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 58 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[11] | 1 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] | 5 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2017) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country (Billboard)[13] | 13 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[14] | 26 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] | 35 |
| US Radio Songs (Billboard)[16] | 72 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Stefano, Angela (December 12, 2016). "Hear Luke Bryan's New Single, 'Fast'". The Boot. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ a b Roland, Tom (January 3, 2017). "Luke Bryan Gets A 'Fast' Reaction From Sixth Kill the Lights Single" (PDF). Billboard Country Update. p. 14. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ Dukes, Billy (December 9, 2016). "Luke Bryan, 'Fast'". Taste of Country. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ "Luke Bryan | Fast | Music Video". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ McClellan, Laura (March 3, 2017). "Luke Bryan Reflects on Life Gone By in New Video for 'Fast'". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ Asker, Jim (April 3, 2017). "Luke Bryan Becomes First Artist to Earn 6 Country Airplay No. 1s From an Album". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
- ^ Bjorke, Matt (May 2, 2017). "Country's Top 30 Digital Singles Sales Chart: May 1, 2017". Roughstock. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ "Luke Bryan Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ^ "Luke Bryan Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ^ "Luke Bryan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ "Luke Bryan Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
- ^ "Luke Bryan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ^ "Billboard Canada Year-End Country Airplay of 2017". Billboard. 22 December 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "Radio Songs - Year-End". Billboard. 2017. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "American single certifications – Luke Bryan – Fast". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 25, 2021.