Luke Combs Side Steps “Six Feet Apart” for New Radio Single
Luke Combs announced recently that his new radio single will be “Lovin’ On You,” and I can’t help but think this decision is a one big boner. After Luke’s most recent single “Does To Me” featuring Eric Church spent two weeks atop the country radio charts, the decision of what to release next from arguably the biggest artist in country music at the moment was a big one. Every single one of Luke’s now eight radio singles have hit #1.
“Lovin’ On You” is fine I guess, but a very mild choice, a very list-like song, and a safe decision. But the worst part about it is that Luke already had another single out there gaining serious traction on radio, even as his previous one was cresting the charts. It’s the well-written and fiercely topical “Six Feet Apart” that Combs introduced during one of his quarantine acoustic performances and later cut in the studio. He co-wrote the song with Brent Cobb and Rob Snyder.
This situation feels very similar to Chris Stapleton’s label passing on releasing his version of “Tennessee Whiskey” as a single in 2015, even as it was becoming the most popular song in all of country music, and was hitting #1 on the consumption-based Hot Country Songs chart by Billboard. They also passed on Maddie & Tae’s “Die From a Broken Heart” as a radio single initially despite strong positive public sentiment (it’s a single now, and doing very well at #18). In these cases, just like with “Six Feet Apart,” there was clearly a groundswell of actual appeal for the song, as opposed to attempting to manufacture it through radio, which is the bane of many singles.
Furthermore, “Six Feet Apart” was already on its way to being a hit. After it was released as a proper standalone single on May 1st, it went #1 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart, and #10 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Even without being released as a proper radio single and having to compete with a current single, it still sits at #36 on the country radio charts this week as is continuing to gain in traction. Radio loves this song, as do fans. A few weeks of proper radio promotion, and it easily would have been Luke’s 9th #1, and a much better option than “Lovin’ On You.”
Now I know what some are going to say. By the time “Six Feet Apart” would make it to the top of the charts, maybe it would no longer be relevant with many of the COVID-19 restrictions lifting. But with the head start it had, it could have crested very quickly, and at the perfect time just as people are able to unite in larger groups and see their loved ones again (hopefully). Also, even though it wasn’t originally part of Luke’s current record What You See Is What You Get, “Six Feet Apart” has been added to the digital version of the album officially as opposed to being treated as a standalone single, so they would still be promoting the album by promoting the song.
And yeah, it also would be really cool to see Brent Cobb and Rob Snyder get some mailbox money for writing a #1 country song. It also would likely make “Six Feet Apart” more eligible for Song of the Year and Single of the Year consideration from awards shows.
Look, “Six Feet Apart” is not the be all country music song, or even the best one released as a response to the Coronavirus. But it’s good, and better than “Lovin’ On You.” Officially sending it to radio could have been an important moment, and it was guaranteed to hit #1. But once again we see how difficult it is for country’s major labels to diverge from the script. “Lovin’ On You” was their next single, and they ain’t budging.
June 9, 2020 @ 8:09 am
I was hoping he would release 1,2 Many with Brooks and Dunn
June 10, 2020 @ 10:30 am
I heard that one on country radio a few times, so I’m surprised it wasn’t released as a single.
June 9, 2020 @ 8:37 am
Yeah ya know we talked about it when it first came out and I really love the studio version but I kind of never thought it would be more than a niche type of ancillary song to throw out for a few spins rather than heavily promote it. Of course it could easily go #1 if they worked it. I think after seeing thousands of people marching up and down the street NOT 6 Feet Apart many are sick of the term at this point. The boyfriend friendly Lovin’ On You Ray Fulcher co-write is a layup for #1. It’s upbeat, happy, with his usual big hook/chorus to sing along with which I think people are in the mood for right now. I like both songs though. Brent Cobb will have to wait for his first #1 Trig sorry. I do love The World Is Ending though……ahhh the irony….lol
June 9, 2020 @ 9:06 am
“The World is Ending” is good, despite Cobb’s ocasionally pitchy singing. The song didn’t capture me during the covid panic quite as much as during the recent protest/rioting panic. “Shootin’ stars out my window, down the barrel of a gun” is a vivid and frightening image, more apt for these times of civil unrest. The guitars and melody oddly remind me of something that could’ve come off Beck’s albums Sea Change or Morning Phase.
June 9, 2020 @ 8:39 am
My take – It’s a really good topical song but, after the initial novelty of it, people don’t necessarily want to be reminded of a specific tragedy while they’re still actually living that specific tragedy.
I’d imagine many working class country music fans are suffering financially and many of them believe that financial downturn (stemming from the “six feet apart” social distancing policies themselves) was purposely manufactured by toxic, biased, lying politicians and activists during an election year.
It’s a good song, but does it have staying power? Are country fans going to look back on that song as a reminder of positive times, or really negative times? I don’t think people will want to even touch that song in a year or two when this is all (hopefully) over.
I think topical songs are best when they’re just ambiguous enough to apply to all sorts of different “topics”. That’s why mid-century soul music is evergreen, even though a lot of it was about black civil rights. The lyrics were just ambiguous enough.
June 9, 2020 @ 8:58 am
I think “Six Feet Apart” does a good job being upbeat despite the subject matter, which is the reason it resonates with fans. With a single like this, I’m not sure if it’s important how relevant it is in a year or two. What’s more important is if it’s relevant in a month or two. Radio doesn’t play ANYTHING without being told, and the song is already at #36 with a bullet. It could continue to rise even without being promoted.
If you think about “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning” by Alan Jackson, it was a great song for the time, won Song of the Year, and helped propel Jackson to the CMA Entertainer of the Year when people thought his was on the back end of his career. Granted, years later the song felt outmoded and mawkish. But as time has gone on, it has been rehabilitated as an important time capsule for a troubling moment. I think “Six Feet Apart” could’ve had that same legacy, and still might.
June 9, 2020 @ 9:28 am
I see your point, but I don’t necessarily agree that the two songs are analogous or had/have the same resonance among their intended audience.
9/11 was a genuinely galvanizing moment for most Americans, regardless of their politics or social standing. That moment was an unambiguous tragedy and an affront. It was a guerrilla attack on America that killed both white collar and blue collar workers, black and white, men, women, and children. Who wouldn’t get behind a song about that tragedy?
As an aside (but an important one), that tragedy was a single passing moment, and most Americans didn’t hurt from it where it counted – their wallet.
By contrast, Covid-19 and the government imposed policies surrounding it (whether warranted or not), have been incredibly polarizing and economically impactful to just about every single American. When people lose their jobs en masse because of questionable government imposed policies, especially blue collar fans of country music, they’ll have limited patience for sentimental (however upbeat) songs about those very policies.
People are tired of the actual “six feet apart” policy. I’d imagine they’re not gonna want to listen to a song about it for very long either. It’s definitely a “time capsule” of a song, and it has that value fo sure, but I doubt people are going to be including that in their playlists in near future (unless they want to relive some angry, painful memories).
June 9, 2020 @ 10:54 am
I totally agree with your sentiment here. 9/11 has very strong emotions attached to it. Despite the horrific tragedy we experienced, the nation seemed to come together, and I think the song brings back many of those powerful feelings. My wife was almost reduced to tears hearing it live in the AJ concert we went to last year, as it brought up such strong emotions and memories.
This whole coronavirus thing isn’t as visible a tragedy and I would agree the emotions are much different. Instead of feeling proud for my country, I’m ashamed of what’s been allowed to go on over the past bit and annoyed that I’ve had to sit in my house for such a long period of time. I for one don’t want to be reminded of this crappy period of history.
June 9, 2020 @ 11:38 am
Yeah, I’m trying to compare the songs or the two events directly. Obviously, they are different circumstances. But they’re both were inspired by real world situations that fundamentally reshaped American life, and those things tend to resonate deeper.
June 9, 2020 @ 12:20 pm
I totally get where you’re coming from Trigger, and I hope I don’t come across as a smart ass for comparing the two events.
The point I was wanting to make is that 9/11 ended up making us proud to be Americans -in general – so that’s the emotion it brings up when we hear Where Were You.
Coronavirus on the other hand… Take a look at some of the comments we’ve seen in the media, even on here. I’m not so sure we want to dig up those emotions again lol.
June 9, 2020 @ 8:52 am
Curious to see if “Die From a Broken Heart” will be able to crack the top ten. It really should’ve been promoted as soon as it was released, instead of pushing the bland “Friends Don’t.” Hoping it’s gets a song of the year nod at the CMA Awards this year!
June 9, 2020 @ 9:52 am
Record companies have their heads up their butts so far they would have to part their hair to take a dump.
June 9, 2020 @ 10:24 am
There are certain artists that are releasing so much new music at one time, I am not sure what is the radio single. Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Luke Combs released several songs it seems at the same time. Is “Be a Light” the new single from TR? Luke Combs releases new music it seems like every other day and I think radio is getting over-saturated with his voice. On another note, “I Hope” by Gabby Barrett was played last year on “On the Highway” Sirius radio channel and then they started playing another single. Just a few weeks ago, “I Hope” was the number one song. I understand streaming has a lot to do with it, but too much of a good thing (or artist) at one time leads to listener fatigue.
June 9, 2020 @ 11:44 am
“I Hope” cannot be gone from the airwaves soon enough. Such an annoying song.
Luke Combs is safe and inoffensive with an occasional great song.
June 9, 2020 @ 10:49 am
If I might add, this song seems a bit preachy. Like many, I’m sick of being preached to and being told I’m going to kill my grandma if I take my son to the park. I hear and read enough on social distancing; I don’t care to hear another song about it on the radio. I like Luke Combs, but I would turn this off if it came on my radio or feed.
June 9, 2020 @ 10:51 am
As bland as lovin on you is, it’s still very country with lots of piano and steel. I’d still take that all day over Keith urban or Russell Dickerson or Thomas rhetts shitty stuff
June 9, 2020 @ 11:36 am
My local radio stations are playing “1, 2 Many” all the time.
June 9, 2020 @ 1:27 pm
I have heard 1,2 Many on my station a lot recently. At this point, although the Covid-19 is still happening, people are over it. No one wants to be reminded anymore so I see why they passed on Six Feet Apart. Kind of disappointed with this single choice though. I think Luke has an impressive voice that stands out, but I feel like I’m getting over him because of his branding in general if that makes sense. Don’t know how to describe it, but it’s the red solo cup vibe type thing.
June 10, 2020 @ 11:52 am
“1,2 Many” sounds like a rejected Dad Country- Garth Brooks song to me…
June 9, 2020 @ 4:18 pm
There’s so many ultra-clever covid songs now, there just wasn’t room for one more…
June 9, 2020 @ 4:28 pm
Yeah, I’m seeing multiple comments from people saying the song doesn’t resonate for this reason, or people aren’t listening to it for that reason. With all due respect, that’s completely missing the point. The point is people ARE listening to it. “Six Feet Apart” IS a hit already without a label promoting it to the public or to radio. It hit #1 on the Digital Songs Sales chart. It hit #10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart without any radio play, which is extremely difficult. It’s currently a Top 40 hit on radio even as his label promotes other singles from him. There can be no theory of why the public doesn’t want to listen to it, because every single index we have to measure public sentiment says the public wants to hear this song, just like we had with Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey,” and Maddie & Tae’s “Die From a Broken Heart.” It’s just the label refuses to promote it as a proper single.
June 9, 2020 @ 4:18 pm
“Six feet apart” really missed the mark. It was written for that subgroup of people whose biggest inconvenience of this whole thing was just not being able to see family/friends or hang out where they want for a couple of months; and had to work from home. With unemployment spiraling out of control the way it has and the millions of people now struggling to get by, I think he missed out on a great opportunity to write something with a lot more substance that could’ve offer a little perspective to those very people who this current song is pandering to.
June 9, 2020 @ 4:56 pm
Country remains very archaic in its promo strategy, so I really wouldn’t be surprised if it’s something as simple as “he released two sentimental songs in a row – now we need something more lighthearted and fun, especially for the summer.” That’s the only logical explanation, for instance, for why “For My Daughter” – the best and most resonant song he’s ever released – wasn’t Kane Brown’s follow-up to “Homesick.”
There is a somewhat valid argument in recognizing Luke Combs as country’s next big stadium performer – and wanting to give him some more fun, signature, crowd-pleasing hits to play at those big shows. That was clearly the logic behind releasing the mediocre but charming “Beer Never Broke My Heart” as the lead single from his latest project.
But I still think the former is probably the real reason. And either way, I think it’s a mistake. Luke Combs is going to have plenty of chances to rack up more fun, crowd-pleasers … and he’d give himself even MORE of those chances by being the voice behind a nice time capsule song (that happens to just be flat-out good).
June 9, 2020 @ 6:37 pm
I agree that Six Feet Apart should be the next single because it’s timely and has exploded out of the gate without any help from the label. Also, I love the skng. But, I can understand their choice. Even Though I’m Leaving and Does to Me may be his best songs to date, but they’re more sentimental, kind of like Six Feet Apart. Loving on You is very fun to listen to and will be nice to hear on the radio, and is soooo much better than most songs on radio. In fact, if this is what boyfriend country sounded like (is it a boyfriend country song?) , country radio would be in a good place. A fun song that actually has some character to it could really be welcomed during these historical times.
June 9, 2020 @ 9:17 pm
“probably over wash my hands”. I hadn’t heard this song before and now I can’t stop. It really is the perfect song for the present moment.
June 9, 2020 @ 9:21 pm
I’m glad he chose this to be a single as it’s my favorite off the album and in my weird opinion, the strongest song on there.
June 10, 2020 @ 5:36 am
Mostly I’m annoyed because lovin on you is a boring song that will still somehow spend multiple weeks at #1. Luke Combs is popular, and a big star….but nobody loves him more then country radio.
June 10, 2020 @ 10:33 am
Personally, “Lovin’ On You” is one of my favorites from the album. It’s loud and boisterous, and reminds me a little bit of “Cigarettes & Alcohol” by Oasis.
June 10, 2020 @ 11:09 am
Combs had released two slower singles in a roll with “Even Though I’m Leaving” and “Does To Me”, so I actually feel that’s what factored into deciding the follow-up. Three consecutive sentmental tracks would have been overkill, especially in this pandemic.
I personally would have went with “1, 2 Many” as it just strikes me as a boisterous summer drinking song, but I get why they went with “Lovin’ On You”.
June 10, 2020 @ 11:47 am
“mild choice, a very list-like song, and a safe decision.”
Literally the definition of Luke’s entire career. He’s like “meat and potatoes” satisfying and good, but with little spice or kick to it. Bland but a reliable source of something decent in the mainstream world
June 10, 2020 @ 11:56 am
Lovin On You will likely peak at #1 by early September.
Next single will be out this fall and it will be “Better Together” ( a boring acoustic ballad)
By February, it will be time for likely the 6th single from his current album…
By Summer 2021, He’ll have a new lead single for his upcoming 3rd album.