"That's Why I Pray" is a song recorded by American country music duo Big & Rich. It was released in May 2012 as the first single from their album Hillbilly Jedi. The song was written by Danelle Leverett (formerly of the JaneDear girls and Gone West), Blair Daly and Sarah Buxton.[1] An extended play of the same name was released on June 26, 2012 and featured the new single as well as three previously released songs.
| "That's Why I Pray" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Big & Rich | ||||
| from the album Hillbilly Jedi | ||||
| Released | May 21, 2012 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:12 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Danelle Leverett Blair Daly Sarah Buxton | |||
| Producer(s) | Dann Huff | |||
| Big & Rich singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Content
edit"That's Why I Pray" is a mid-tempo song in which the narrators address social problems, saying that such problems are the reason that they pray.[2]
Critical reception
editMatt Bjorke of Roughstock gave it a perfect five-star rating, praising Big & Rich's vocal harmonies and calling the song "well-crafted".[1] Rating it three-and-a-half stars out of five, Jessica Nicholson of Country Weekly said that "The duo's airtight harmonies enhance the urgency in this well-crafted tune".[2]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Kristin Barlowe and premiered on CMT on May 22, 2012.[3]
Chart performance
edit"That's Why I Pray" debuted at number 24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 9, 2012.
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 82 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 16 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2012) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 58 |
References
edit- ^ a b Bjorke, Matt (May 29, 2012).""Single Review: Big & Rich - "That's Why I Pray" | New Country Music, Listen to Songs & Video | Roughstock.com". Archived from the original on 2012-06-02. Retrieved 2012-06-13.". Roughstock. Retrieved June 13, 2012
- ^ a b Nicholson, Jessica (July 2, 2012). "Reviews — 'That's Why I Pray'". Country Weekly. 19 (27): 50. ISSN 1074-3235.
- ^ May 22, 2012."[1]".CMT. Retrieved June 13, 2012
- ^ "Big & Rich Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Big & Rich Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.