Even If It Breaks Your Heart

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" is a song written by Will Hoge and Eric Paslay in April 2009 and originally recorded by Hoge on his seventh studio album, The Wreckage.[1] The song was made popular by American country music group the Eli Young Band. It was released in January 2012 as the sixth single of their career, and the second from their album Life at Best.

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart"
Single by Eli Young Band
from the album Life at Best
Released	January 23, 2012
Genre	Country
Length	3:40
Label	Republic Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Will Hoge Eric Paslay
Producer(s)	Frank Liddell Mike Wrucke
Eli Young Band singles chronology
"Crazy Girl" (2011) "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" (2012) "Say Goodnight" (2012)

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song four stars out of five, saying that it is "poetry set to music" but the lyrics are "difficult to relate to."[2] Jonathan Keefe of Country Universe wrote that it's a "good but not great song, given a credible performance by a competent band with the wherewithal not to want to sound like Journey" but "precious few guitar chords in the full duration of the performance actually ring to the full breadth of their tone, giving the single a clipped, tinny sound." He gave the song a B but the recording itself a D.[3]

Music video

The music video was directed by Brian Lazzaro and premiered in January 2012.[4]

Chart performance

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" debuted at number 60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of December 24, 2011.[5] It also debuted at number 91 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of March 31, 2012. The song became the group's second consecutive number-one single on the country chart for the week of July 28, 2012.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2012) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] 56 US Billboard Hot 100[7] 29 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] 1

Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales United States (RIAA)[9] 2× Platinum 2,000,000 sales+streaming figures based on certification alone Year-end charts Chart (2012) Position US Billboard Hot 100[10] 99 US Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 7

References

1. Conaway, Alanna (January 17, 2012). "Eli Young Band, 'Even if It Breaks Your Heart' – Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
2. Dukes, Billy (December 12, 2011). "Eli Young Band, 'Even if It Breaks Your Heart' – Song Review". Taste of Country. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
3. Keefe, Jonathan (January 15, 2012). "Single Review: Eli Young Band, "Even if It Breaks Your Heart"". Country Universe. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
4. Cooper, Brittany Joy (January 16, 2012). "Eli Young Band Release Emotional Video for 'Even if It Breaks Your Heart'". Taste of Country. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
5. Morris, Edward (December 17, 2011). "Scotty McCreery's Clear as Day Recaptures Album Peak". Country Music Television. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
6. "Eli Young Band Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
7. "Eli Young Band Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
8. "Eli Young Band Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
9. "American single certifications – Eli Young Band – Even If It Breaks Your Heart". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 11, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
10. "Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
11. "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.