The Shape I'm In
Encyclopedia
"The Shape I'm In" is the title of a song written by Rhett Akins
, Dallas Davidson
and Ben Hayslip
, and recorded by American country music
singer Joe Nichols. It is the third single
from his sixth studio album, 2009's Old Things New
.
kind of song". Co-writer Ben Hayslip
told The Boot that the chorus came from his grandfather who said "I'm OK for the shape I'm in ..." when Hayslip asked him how he was. Hayslip said that he had the idea in his notebook for eight to ten years but never used it before. Co-writer Dallas Davidson
told The Boot that the morning they wrote the song he was hungover and he had a napkin on his desk that had a girl's phone number on it.
hadn't recorded in a long time.
talking to the camera and follows a couple of wounded US Army soldiers, Ivan Castro and Chad Fleming as they prepare for their day and a date. Nichols is also seen performing in a bed, and on a porch. It was directed by Trey Fanjoy.
Rhett Akins
Thomas Rhett Akins Sr. is an American country singer and songwriter. Signed to Decca Records between 1994 and 1997, he released two albums for the label , followed by 1998's What Livin's All About on MCA Nashville. Friday Night in Dixie was released in 2002 on Audium Entertainment...
, Dallas Davidson
Dallas Davidson
Dallas Davidson is an American country music singer-songwriter.Davidson moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2004 and joined Broadcast Music Incorporated for performing rights representation and signed a publishing deal with Big Borassa Music, which is administered worldwide by Third Tier Music.Trace...
and Ben Hayslip
Ben Hayslip
Ben Hayslip is an American country music songwriter. Hayslip attended Evans High School near Augusta, Georgia where he was an All-State first baseman leading the Evans baseball team to the 1988 Georgia state championship...
, and recorded by American 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 Joe Nichols. It is the third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from his sixth studio album, 2009's Old Things New
Old Things New
Old Things New is the sixth studio album recorded by country music artist Joe Nichols. It was released on October 27, 2009, on Universal South Records. The album has produced two singles: "Believers," which peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and "Gimmie That Girl" which...
.
Content
"The Shape I'm In" explains that his significant other left him and then describes his night out partying after the breakup. The song discusses moving on from the relationship. Nichols told KMPS-FM that he considered it "a very Muscle ShoalsMuscle Shoals Sound Studio
The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was formed in Muscle Shoals, Alabama,in 1969 when musicians Barry Beckett , Roger Hawkins , Jimmy Johnson and David Hood left FAME Studios to create their own studio...
kind of song". Co-writer Ben Hayslip
Ben Hayslip
Ben Hayslip is an American country music songwriter. Hayslip attended Evans High School near Augusta, Georgia where he was an All-State first baseman leading the Evans baseball team to the 1988 Georgia state championship...
told The Boot that the chorus came from his grandfather who said "I'm OK for the shape I'm in ..." when Hayslip asked him how he was. Hayslip said that he had the idea in his notebook for eight to ten years but never used it before. Co-writer Dallas Davidson
Dallas Davidson
Dallas Davidson is an American country music singer-songwriter.Davidson moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2004 and joined Broadcast Music Incorporated for performing rights representation and signed a publishing deal with Big Borassa Music, which is administered worldwide by Third Tier Music.Trace...
told The Boot that the morning they wrote the song he was hungover and he had a napkin on his desk that had a girl's phone number on it.
Critical reception
The song has been met with positive reviews among critics. Kyle Ward of Roughstock gave it four stars and thought that the lyrics are "somewhat understated, and but quite effective." Ward said that the sparse production really elevates the song because the "distraction is minimal" Karlie Justus of The 9513 gave it a thumbs-up, saying that the song has "loads of self-deprecating charm". Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave it an A, calling it a "classic country heartbreak theme, quite a few clever lines, and an altogether realistic account of a man begrudgingly coming to terms with the end of a relationship." He also calls it the best record 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...
hadn't recorded in a long time.
Music Video
The music video opens and closes with former US Navy Seal Marcus LuttrellMarcus Luttrell
Marcus Luttrell is a former Petty Officer First Class and United States Navy SEAL. He received the Navy Cross for his actions in 2005 facing Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wing.-Early life:...
talking to the camera and follows a couple of wounded US Army soldiers, Ivan Castro and Chad Fleming as they prepare for their day and a date. Nichols is also seen performing in a bed, and on a porch. It was directed by Trey Fanjoy.
Chart performance
"The Shape I'm In" debuted at number 55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs for the week of August 7, 2010. It also debuted at number 98 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for the week of March 12, 2011, and reached number 91 the following week. In March 2011, it peaked at number 17 on the country chart.| Chart (2010-2011) | Peak position |
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