Rumor Has It (Clay Walker song)
Encyclopedia
"Rumor Has It" is a single co-written and recorded by country music
singer Clay Walker
that reached the top of the Billboard
Hot Country Songs
chart. It was the first single released from his album of the same name
.
, Walker said, "The lyric and content have become a lot more positive. [Strait's] 'Check Yes or No
'--very positive; my song 'Rumor Has It'--very positive. When I do a concert, I can sing for 3- and 4- and 5-year-old kids and not have a guilty conscience about it. I don't want to go out there and depress people. I want them to smile and feel good and feel the way I feel. We don't live that long, and that's one thing that having MS made me realize. My God, you need to love your family, you need to love your friends, and you don't need to carry bitterness in your heart because you don't live that doggone long. That's about as simple as I can say it."
Rumor Has It premiered on Walker's website on January 8 1997. Danny O'Brian, Walker's manager said, "We thought it would be a great idea to let Clay's fans all over the world get a sneak peak at Clay's new material, and what better way than the internet."
gave the song a mixed review by writing "The steel guitar based production by the singer with James Stroud has bounce. Also, Walker turns in a solid vocal performance, but the song is nothing memorable".
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe listed "Rumor Has It" as the 219th best country single of the 1990s and wrote, "I find myself wanting to use the word “charming” every time I write about Walker, but that’s just what this is: a charming little record that he sings with sincerity."
Walker mentioned that he thought that Country Music Television
helped his career by saying, "I have been blessed by many things in my career, including the fact that my music videos can be seen by millions of people around the world because of CMT." Chris Parr, Director, Programming of CMT said, "Ten of Clay’s 11 videos have charted on CMT, which is an outstanding track record. These accomplishments speak well of the quality of Clay’s videos, his vocal performance and song selection, as well as favorable response from CMT viewers."
's "Prime Time Country" on September 03, 1997.
Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart dated . It climbed to Number One in April, where it held for two weeks. This song was Clay's sixth and final Number One single to date. "Rumor Has It" was also the 48th most played song of 1997.
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...
singer Clay Walker
Clay Walker
Ernest Clayton "Clay" Walker Jr. is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1993 with the single "What's It to You," which reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, as did its follow-up, 1994's "Live Until I Die." Both singles were included on...
that reached the top of the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Songs
Hot 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. It was the first single released from his album of the same name
Rumor Has It (Clay Walker album)
-Critical reception:Mikel Toombs of The San Diego Union-Tribune gave the album a negative review writing, "An overactive arrangement and a mess of vocal mannerisms fail to hide the song's mundane nature. And Walker's singing also doesn't benefit "Country Boy and City Girl," a failed attempt at a...
.
Background
In an interview with BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, Walker said, "The lyric and content have become a lot more positive. [Strait's] 'Check Yes or No
Check Yes or No
"Check Yes or No" is the title of a song written by Danny Wells and Dana Hunt, and recorded by American country singer George Strait. It was released in September 1995 as the lead single from his 1995 box set Strait Out of the Box. It peaked at number-one on both the U.S...
'--very positive; my song 'Rumor Has It'--very positive. When I do a concert, I can sing for 3- and 4- and 5-year-old kids and not have a guilty conscience about it. I don't want to go out there and depress people. I want them to smile and feel good and feel the way I feel. We don't live that long, and that's one thing that having MS made me realize. My God, you need to love your family, you need to love your friends, and you don't need to carry bitterness in your heart because you don't live that doggone long. That's about as simple as I can say it."
Rumor Has It premiered on Walker's website on January 8 1997. Danny O'Brian, Walker's manager said, "We thought it would be a great idea to let Clay's fans all over the world get a sneak peak at Clay's new material, and what better way than the internet."
Reception
Larry Flick of BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
gave the song a mixed review by writing "The steel guitar based production by the singer with James Stroud has bounce. Also, Walker turns in a solid vocal performance, but the song is nothing memorable".
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe listed "Rumor Has It" as the 219th best country single of the 1990s and wrote, "I find myself wanting to use the word “charming” every time I write about Walker, but that’s just what this is: a charming little record that he sings with sincerity."
Music video
The music video was directed by Bill Young. It features Walker singing on a stage, and a couple talking to each other through a computer.Walker mentioned that he thought that Country Music Television
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
helped his career by saying, "I have been blessed by many things in my career, including the fact that my music videos can be seen by millions of people around the world because of CMT." Chris Parr, Director, Programming of CMT said, "Ten of Clay’s 11 videos have charted on CMT, which is an outstanding track record. These accomplishments speak well of the quality of Clay’s videos, his vocal performance and song selection, as well as favorable response from CMT viewers."
Live performances
Walker performed "Rumor Has It" on TNNThe Nashville Network
The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows...
's "Prime Time Country" on September 03, 1997.
Charts
The song debuted at #48 on the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart dated . It climbed to Number One in April, where it held for two weeks. This song was Clay's sixth and final Number One single to date. "Rumor Has It" was also the 48th most played song of 1997.
Charts
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 6 |