Here (Rascal Flatts song)
Encyclopedia
"Here" is the title of a song recorded by the American country music
group Rascal Flatts
. The song was released in September 2008 as the fifth single from their 2007 studio album Still Feels Good
. "Here" was co-written by Jeffrey Steele
and Steve Robson
, both of whom also co-wrote the group's crossover hit "What Hurts the Most
" from late 2005-early 2006. Steele has also co-written several other singles for the group.
The song is part of the tracklist for Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2
.
" (which also describes the narrator's attempt to find his love). Vercher also stated "the lyrics are really fairly bland [and]…are purposefully generic so that listeners can attach meaning to the song and make it applicable to their own situation." Jim Malec, who reviewed Still Feels Good for the same website, also called it a "much less poignant rewrite" of "Bless the Broken Road". Stephen Thomas Erlewine
, in his review of Still Feels Good for Allmusic, said that it "has a surging chorus ideal for both arenas and offices", and that like most of the other tracks on the album, it "settle[s] into a soft mosaic of smooth pop that is as soothing as a warm bath."
chart at number 49 for the week of September 20, 2008. In its fifth week on the charts, it reached the Top 20 and made its debut on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number 94. "Here" became Rascal Flatts' ninth number 1 single for the weeks of January 3, 2009-January 10, 2009.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
group Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney...
. The song was released in September 2008 as the fifth single from their 2007 studio album Still Feels Good
Still Feels Good
-Rascal Flatts:*Jay DeMarcus – bass guitar on all tracks, piano on "Better Now", background vocals on all tracks*Gary LeVox – lead vocals*Joe Don Rooney – electric and acoustic guitars, background vocals-Additional musicians:*Bruce Bouton – steel guitar...
. "Here" was co-written by Jeffrey Steele
Jeffrey Steele
Jeffrey LeVasseur is an American country music singer and songwriter, more commonly known by the name Jeffrey Steele...
and Steve Robson
Steve Robson
Steve Robson is an English songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist.-Career:He was nominated for a Grammy Award for the song, "What Hurts the Most" co-written with Jeffrey Steele and recorded by Rascal Flatts as well as winning a Brit award and Ivor Novello award for the song "Shine"...
, both of whom also co-wrote the group's crossover hit "What Hurts the Most
What Hurts the Most
"What Hurts the Most" is the title of a song written by American songwriter Jeffrey Steele and English songwriter Steve Robson. Initially recorded by country music artist Mark Wills in 2003 on his album And the Crowd Goes Wild, it was covered by Bellefire a year later...
" from late 2005-early 2006. Steele has also co-written several other singles for the group.
The song is part of the tracklist for Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2
Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2
Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2 is the second country music compilation album from the Now! series, released on August 25, 2009....
.
Content
"Here" is a mid-tempo country pop ballad that describes the narrator's attempts to find "a place [he's] been looking for", which ultimately turns out to be his lover ("The place that I was trying to reach / Was you right here in front of me"). In the chorus, the narrator says that he "wouldn't change a thing" about the events that led him to her.Reception
Brady Vercher of The 9513 gave the song a "thumbs down" rating. He considered it a "rehash" of the group's late 2004-early 2005 single "Bless the Broken RoadBless the Broken Road
"Bless the Broken Road" is a song that has been recorded by several American country music artists. It was co-written by Marcus Hummon and members of the country music group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1994, and recorded by Hummon a year later...
" (which also describes the narrator's attempt to find his love). Vercher also stated "the lyrics are really fairly bland [and]…are purposefully generic so that listeners can attach meaning to the song and make it applicable to their own situation." Jim Malec, who reviewed Still Feels Good for the same website, also called it a "much less poignant rewrite" of "Bless the Broken Road". Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
, in his review of Still Feels Good for Allmusic, said that it "has a surging chorus ideal for both arenas and offices", and that like most of the other tracks on the album, it "settle[s] into a soft mosaic of smooth pop that is as soothing as a warm bath."
Chart performance
"Here" debuted on the Hot Country SongsHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart at number 49 for the week of September 20, 2008. In its fifth week on the charts, it reached the Top 20 and made its debut on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number 94. "Here" became Rascal Flatts' ninth number 1 single for the weeks of January 3, 2009-January 10, 2009.
| Chart (2008-2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|