The Only Way I Know

"The Only Way I Know" is a song written by David Lee Murphy and Ben Hayslip and recorded by American country music artist Jason Aldean featuring Luke Bryan and Eric Church. It was released in November 2012 as the second single from Aldean's 2012 album Night Train.

"The Only Way I Know"
Single by Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church
from the album Night Train
Released	November 12, 2012
Recorded	2012
Genre	Country rock spoken word
Length	3:13
Label	Broken Bow
Songwriter(s)	David Lee Murphy Ben Hayslip
Producer(s)	Michael Knox
Jason Aldean singles chronology
"Take a Little Ride" (2012) "The Only Way I Know" (2012) "1994" (2013)
Luke Bryan singles chronology
"Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (2012) "The Only Way I Know" (2012) "Crash My Party" (2013)
Eric Church singles chronology
"Creepin'" (2012) "The Only Way I Know" (2012) "Like Jesus Does" (2013)

Content

This song is about hard work, loyalty, small town values, and southern work ethic. The singers explain that they were raised in a small town southern atmosphere and were taught to work hard to earn a living. They had not realized that other lifestyles existed and were practiced and the one by which they grew up is "the only way [they] know." The song's verses are largely spoken-word, with Aldean on the first verse, Bryan on the second, and Church on the third. Aldean also sings the choruses.

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave "The Only Way I Know" a four-star review, saying that it "sounds best at neighbor-irritating volumes."^[1] Ashley Cooke of Roughstock also gave the song a four-star review, stating that the song "has a powerful chorus which allows listeners to get a little rowdy and let their inner badass out."^[2] Conversely, Tara Seetharam of Country Universe gave the song a D, stating "the song sinks because of its empty lyrics, its jarring theme of “humble pride” against a needlessly aggressive arrangement, and its subtle implication that a work ethic cut from a different cloth than the narrators’ is a lesser one."^[3]

Live performances

Aldean, Bryan, and Church opened the 46th Country Music Association Awards with "The Only Way I Know" on November 1, 2012 and received an standing ovation.^[4] On November 13, 2012, Aldean performed the song on NBC's The Voice. Two contestants, Bryan Keith and Dez Duron joined him for the performance doing Luke Bryan's and Church's vocal parts.^[5]

Music video

Footage from the 46th Country Music Association Award performance were used to comprise a music video for "The Only Way I Know", directed by Paul Miller.^[6]

Commercial performance

"The Only Way I Know" debuted at number 28 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart^[7] and number 63 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of November 3, 2012, as an album cut from downloads. It also debuted at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of November 24, 2012. On the Country Airplay chart dated of February 16, 2013, the song reached number one, becoming Aldean's ninth number one hit, Bryan's sixth, and Church's third. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA on February 12, 2014 for a million units in sales.^[8]

Charts and certifications

Chart (2012–2013) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 53 Canada Country (Billboard)[10] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[11] 40 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] 5 US Country Airplay (Billboard)[13] 1 Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position US Country Airplay (Billboard)[14] 42 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] 43

Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Canada (Music Canada)[16] Gold 40,000* United States (RIAA)[8] Platinum 1,000,000‡ * Sales figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Jason Aldean (Featuring Luke Bryan and Eric Church), 'The Only Way I Know' – Song Review". Taste of Country. November 1, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
2. "Single Review: Jason Aldean (Feat. Luke Bryan & Eric Church) - "The Only Way I Know How"". Roughstock. November 7, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
3. "Single Reviews Round-Up: Katie Armiger, Brett Eldredge, Justin Moore, Kelly Clarkson ft. Vince Gill, Miss Willie Brown, & Jason Aldean ft. Luke Bryan and Eric Church". Country Universe. November 19, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
5. "Jason Aldean Brings Country to 'The Voice' With 'The Only Way I Know'". Taste of Country. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
6. "Jason Aldean - "The Only Way I Know (From CMA Awards)"". CMT.com. November 13, 2012. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
7. "BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE" (PDF). Billboard.biz. October 25, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
8. "American single certifications – Jason Aldean – The Only Way I Know". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
9. "Jason Aldean Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
10. "Jason Aldean Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
11. "Jason Aldean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
12. "Jason Aldean Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
13. "Jason Aldean Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
14. "Best of 2013: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
15. "Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
16. "Canadian single certifications – Jason Aldean – The Only Way I Know". Music Canada. Retrieved February 16, 2013.