If He Ain't Gonna Love You

"If He Ain't Gonna Love You" is a song recorded by American country music singer Jake Owen. Released on October 17, 2016, it is the second single from his fifth studio album for RCA Nashville, American Love. The song stalled on the charts at its peak of number 37 for several weeks, and became Owen's lowest-charting single of his career.

"If He Ain't Gonna Love You"
Single by Jake Owen
from the album American Love
ReleasedOctober 17, 2016 (2016-10-17)
Recorded2016
Genre
Length3:36
LabelRCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Jake Owen singles chronology
"American Country Love Song"
(2016)
"If He Ain't Gonna Love You"
(2016)
"Good Company"
(2017)

Content

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The song is an R&B-influenced country song featuring backing vocals from Chris Stapleton, who co-wrote song with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. It features "heavy bass and guitar",[1] and is about a man pleading a woman to leave an unsatisfactory relationship in favor of starting one with him instead.[2] Owen said that he chose to include Stapleton, who did not yet have a solo album at the time of the song's recording, after hearing him sing on demos, including the one for "If He Ain't Gonna Love You".[3]

Critical reception

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Billy Dukes of Taste of Country reviewed the single favorably, praising the "progressive production" while saying that the song is "an all-out jam that dares you not to dance."[1] An article on the song in Rolling Stone called it " a sharp right turn from the laid-back beach vibe Owen's often associated with. It also reflects some of the angsty, battle-cry turmoil of his recent divorce."[3]

Charts

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Chart (2016–2017) Peak
position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[4] 37
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 45

References

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  1. ^ a b Dukes, Billy (September 20, 2016). "ToC Critic's Pick: Jake Owen (Feat. Chris Stapleton), 'If He Ain't Gonna Love You' [Listen] Read More: Jake Owen, Chris Stapleton, 'If He Ain't Gonna Love You'". Taste of Country. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  2. ^ Stefano, Angela (September 26, 2016). "Hear Jake Owen's Collaboration With Chris Stapleton, 'If He Ain't Gonna Love You'". The Boot. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b Moss, Marissa R. (July 14, 2016). "Hear Jake Owen and Chris Stapleton's Ferocious New Collaboration". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Jake Owen Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  5. ^ "Jake Owen Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2017.