Settle for a Slowdown
Encyclopedia
"Settle for a Slowdown" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American
country music singer Dierks Bentley
. It was released in January 2006 as the third and final single from his album, Modern Day Drifter
. The song reached the top of the Billboard
Hot Country Songs
chart. It is Bentley's third number-one single on the country charts. It was written by Bentley with Brett Beavers
and Tony Martin
.
that paints a picture of a man standing in the rain, watching as his loved one pulls away. He knows he cannot hold her back, but just hopes he will see brake lights indicating that she at least paused for a moment before leaving him behind. Just knowing she hesitated would be a measure of comfort, but it doesn't happen.
In the first verse, he is looking for a "slowdown" from his lover's vehicle while standing in the rain (in other words, "getting soaked to the bone.") All he wants is to see the brake lights flash, just once, to know that she once loved him enough for the slightest hesitation, but she never does.
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the song serves up the theme "with a creative lyric that finds a fresh way of saying what we have all heard before." She goes on to say that Bentley "turns in a beautifully measured, thoughtful performance that oozes hurt tempered with reluctant resignation."
and premiered in early 2006. The music video paints a picture of a woman leaving Bentley and their trailer in the desert for Hollywood. Bentley eventually shows up in Hollywood at a mansion and sings the chorus acoustically.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country music singer Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley is an American country music artist who has been signed to Capitol Records Nashville since 2003. That year, he released his self-titled debut album. Both it and its follow-up, 2005's Modern Day Drifter, are certified platinum in the United States. A third album, 2006's Long Trip...
. It was released in January 2006 as the third and final single from his album, Modern Day Drifter
Modern Day Drifter
- Album :- Singles :-Certifications:- Personnel :* Steve Brewster – drums* Jimmy Carter – bass guitar* J.T. Corenflos – electric guitar, Danelectro* Aubrey Haynie – fiddle* Lona Heins – background vocals* Wes Hightower – background vocals...
. The song 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 is Bentley's third number-one single on the country charts. It was written by Bentley with Brett Beavers
Brett Beavers
Brett Beavers, born in Waco, Texas, is an American country music songwriter and producer and the co-author of the book Something Worth Leaving Behind.-Background:...
and Tony Martin
Tony Martin (songwriter)
Tony Martin is a country music songwriter who has had twelve Number One hits as a songwriter. Among his compositions are "Third Rock from the Sun" by Joe Diffie and "Just to See You Smile" by Tim McGraw....
.
Content
The song is a mid-tempo balladBallad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
that paints a picture of a man standing in the rain, watching as his loved one pulls away. He knows he cannot hold her back, but just hopes he will see brake lights indicating that she at least paused for a moment before leaving him behind. Just knowing she hesitated would be a measure of comfort, but it doesn't happen.
In the first verse, he is looking for a "slowdown" from his lover's vehicle while standing in the rain (in other words, "getting soaked to the bone.") All he wants is to see the brake lights flash, just once, to know that she once loved him enough for the slightest hesitation, but she never does.
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, 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...
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the song serves up the theme "with a creative lyric that finds a fresh way of saying what we have all heard before." She goes on to say that Bentley "turns in a beautifully measured, thoughtful performance that oozes hurt tempered with reluctant resignation."
Music video
The music video was directed by Chris HickyChris Hicky
Chris Hicky is a Grammy nominated music video director from Forrest City, Arkansas, best known for directing many of Keith Urban's videos. Hicky has also directed videos for many other artists in the country music genre, including Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Deana Carter, Carrie Underwood, Lady...
and premiered in early 2006. The music video paints a picture of a woman leaving Bentley and their trailer in the desert for Hollywood. Bentley eventually shows up in Hollywood at a mansion and sings the chorus acoustically.
Chart positions
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|