What's It to You
Encyclopedia
"What's It To You" is the debut single of American
country music
singer Clay Walker
that reached the top of the Billboard
Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Released as the lead-off single from his self-titled debut album
, it was also Walker's first Number One single. Curtis Wright
, who co-wrote the song, previously recorded it on his 1992 self-titled debut.
and Alan Jackson
and he stated in an interview with Billboard "I'm real grateful for the opportunity to open for those guys," with only one hit record, it's hard to keep the audience's attention for 45 minutes, but it's working. I'm surprised, but lately when I go out there, they're going bonkers."
After the single hit the number one position, Walker stated "It used to be that having your song go No. 1 meant a certain degree of success. Now, there are so many acts who do it, you just gotta go right back out and do it again." In another interview, Walker said, "Having a No. 1 hit doesn't mean you're making any more money that you did a few years ago."
wrote that "What's It to You" is "A silly little song that could be dismissed if it weren't for the way Walker glides into the catchy chorus melody." Larry Daniels of KNIX
in Phoenix said What's It To You "Is one of our three best records right now." Dave Moulter of the Observer-Reporter
wrote, "What's It to You is representative of the Beaumont, Texas native style: good hard country with rock tinges that immediately make you want to dance." In 1999, while reviewing "Live Laugh Love", Lance Ringel of The Ledger
wrote, "...What's It To You - a song which could just as easily have scaled the pop charts, and which remains of the best country-rock tunes of the decade."
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe listed "What's It to You " as the 161st best country single of the 1990s and wrote, "He infuses his performance with such raw, electric energy that the song becomes an invigorating anthem for those who couldn’t be more convinced of their love for someone. And that final clap-along chorus? Pure joy."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country music
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 Singles & Tracks chart. Released as the lead-off single from his self-titled debut album
Clay Walker (album)
-Critical reception:Geoffrey Hines of The Washington Post wrote, "The impressive debut album by Clint Black mastermind James Stroud, reveals a young man still casting about for his own style but nonetheless bringing a handsome, personal tenor and a sure rhythmic instinct to every song he tries...
, it was also Walker's first Number One single. Curtis Wright
Curtis Wright
Curtis Blaine Wright is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1989 with the single "She's Got a Man on her Mind" on a branch of MCA Records, before recording a solo album in 1992 on Liberty Records...
, who co-wrote the song, previously recorded it on his 1992 self-titled debut.
Background
In 1993, Walker opened for George StraitGeorge Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
and Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson
Alan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
and he stated in an interview with Billboard "I'm real grateful for the opportunity to open for those guys," with only one hit record, it's hard to keep the audience's attention for 45 minutes, but it's working. I'm surprised, but lately when I go out there, they're going bonkers."
After the single hit the number one position, Walker stated "It used to be that having your song go No. 1 meant a certain degree of success. Now, there are so many acts who do it, you just gotta go right back out and do it again." In another interview, Walker said, "Having a No. 1 hit doesn't mean you're making any more money that you did a few years ago."
Content
The song is about a man who is confessing his love to a woman and explaining what love means to him. He wants to know what love is to her.Reception
Geoffrey Hines of The Washington PostThe Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
wrote that "What's It to You" is "A silly little song that could be dismissed if it weren't for the way Walker glides into the catchy chorus melody." Larry Daniels of KNIX
KNIX
KNIX-FM is an FM radio station broadcasting a Country music format. The station is based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts at 102.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 98 kW....
in Phoenix said What's It To You "Is one of our three best records right now." Dave Moulter of the Observer-Reporter
Observer-Reporter
The Observer-Reporter is a daily newspaper covering Washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania, with some overlap into the South Hills of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County. The newspaper is published by the Observer Publishing Company in Washington, Pennsylvania....
wrote, "What's It to You is representative of the Beaumont, Texas native style: good hard country with rock tinges that immediately make you want to dance." In 1999, while reviewing "Live Laugh Love", Lance Ringel of The Ledger
The Ledger
The Ledger is a daily newspaper serving Lakeland, Florida and the Polk County area. It is owned by The New York Times Company. Jerome Ferson became publisher of the newspaper on July 30, 2007....
wrote, "...What's It To You - a song which could just as easily have scaled the pop charts, and which remains of the best country-rock tunes of the decade."
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe listed "What's It to You " as the 161st best country single of the 1990s and wrote, "He infuses his performance with such raw, electric energy that the song becomes an invigorating anthem for those who couldn’t be more convinced of their love for someone. And that final clap-along chorus? Pure joy."
Music video
The music video was directed by Marc Ball. It features Walker and his band performing the song on stage and uses the aspect of a behind the scenes look at filming and production of the video.Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 73 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 2 |