"Smoke Rings in the Dark" is a song written by Rivers Rutherford and Houston Robert and recorded by American country music artist Gary Allan. It was released in August 1999 as the first single and title track from Allan's 1999 album of the same name. The song peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 2000. It also reached 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his highest-charting single in Canada at number 5.
| "Smoke Rings in the Dark" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Gary Allan | ||||
| from the album Smoke Rings in the Dark | ||||
| B-side | "Right Where I Need to Be"[1] | |||
| Released | August 9, 1999 | |||
| Recorded | 1999 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:18 | |||
| Label | MCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rivers Rutherford Houston Robert | |||
| Producer(s) | Mark Wright Tony Brown Byron Hill | |||
| Gary Allan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Content
editThe song deals with the pain of unrequited love. The narrator states that all he will leave his significant other like "smoke rings in the dark."
Critical reception
editChuck Taylor of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that "the production, songwriting, and performance combine to create a record that leaves a stunning impression." Taylor calls Allan's performance "wonderfully nuanced" and saying that the production has a "decidedly retro feel."[2]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Chris Rogers.
Chart positions
edit"Smoke Rings in the Dark" debuted at number 71 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of August 14, 1999.
| Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[3] | 5 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 76 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 12 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2000) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 66 |
References
edit- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 21–22. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ Billboard, August 14, 1999
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 9725." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. February 7, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "Gary Allan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Gary Allan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2000: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2000. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
