Waves (Luke Bryan song)

"Waves" is a song recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan, it was released as the fifth single on April 12, 2021, from the deluxe version of his seventh studio album Born Here Live Here Die Here.^[1] The song was written by Chase McGill, Ryan Hurd and Zach Crowell, and produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens.^[2] “Waves” was certified “Gold” July 2022, crossing 500,000 units sold.

"Waves"
Single by Luke Bryan
from the album Born Here Live Here Die Here
Released	April 12, 2021 (2021-04-12)
Genre	Country
Length	3:48
Label	Capitol Nashville Row Crop
Songwriter(s)	Chase McGill Ryan Hurd Zach Crowell
Producer(s)	Jeff Stevens Jody Stevens
Luke Bryan singles chronology
"Down to One" (2020) "Waves" (2021) "Buy Dirt" (2021)
Music video
"Waves" on YouTube

Content

In a press release, Bryan explained: "'Waves' is a song about kids falling in love during the summer and just all the images and everything about how beautiful that summer love is and how the emotions just keep coming in waves, 'Waves' is kind of a play on words, and I fell in love with the song the second I heard it."^[3]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country called "Waves" a serious romance song with a more creative melody than Bryan's previous single "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset", which was also written by McGill, Hurd and Crowell.^[4]

Music video

The music video was released on April 9, 2021, directed by Dano Cerny. It was filmed on the beach in Malibu, California.^[5]

Live performance

On May 16, 2021, Bryan performed the song on American Idol, on which he serves as a judge.^[6][7]

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Waves" Chart (2021) Peak position Australia Country Hot 50 (TMN)^[8] 7 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[9] 56 Canada Country (Billboard)^[10] 1 US Billboard Hot 100^[11] 24 US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[12] 1 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[13] 2

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Waves" Chart (2021) Position US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[14] 11 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[15] 27

Certifications

Certifications for Waves

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[16]	Gold	500,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Kickin' Mayhem, Boot (April 9, 2021). "Luke Bryan Brings Summer Love Story To Life In Music Video For New Single "Waves" — Watch". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
2. Parton, Chris (April 12, 2021). "Luke Bryan Rides the 'Waves' of Passion in Romantic New Single". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
3. Lorge, Melinda (April 15, 2021). "Luke Bryan Captures a Summer Romance in Video for Brand New Single, 'Waves'". Country Now. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
4. Dukes, Billy (April 27, 2021). "LISTEN: Luke Bryan's 'Waves' Brings a Familiar Summer Vibe [Listen]". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
5. Nicholson, Jessica (April 19, 2021). "Exclusive: See Behind-the-Scenes Pics From Luke Bryan's "Waves" Video". CMT News. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
6. G, Holly (May 13, 2021). "Luke Bryan Bringing Live Performance of 'Waves' to 'American Idol' This Sunday". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
7. "Luke Bryan Performs Latest Single "Waves" - American Idol 2021". May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021 – via YouTube.
8. "Country Hot 50: Issue 1367". The Music Network. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
9. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
10. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
11. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
12. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
13. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
14. "Country Airplay – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
15. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
16. "American single certifications – Luke Bryan – Waves". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 10, 2022.