Heartbeat (Carrie Underwood song)

"Heartbeat" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Carrie Underwood from her fifth studio album, Storyteller. It was written by Underwood, Ashley Gorley, and the song's producer, Zach Crowell. Country singer Sam Hunt sings backing vocals on the track. The song was released to the radio by Arista Nashville on November 30, 2015 as the album's second single, after "Smoke Break". Musically, "Heartbeat" is a country pop and a R&B song with lyrics that relate to the feeling of intimacy experienced by being alone with one's lover. It appears to be inspired by Underwood's marriage to Mike Fisher.

"Heartbeat"
Single by Carrie Underwood
from the album Storyteller
ReleasedNovember 30, 2015 (2015-11-30)
Genre
Length3:29
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Zach Crowell
Carrie Underwood singles chronology
"Smoke Break"
(2015)		 "Heartbeat"
(2015)		 "Church Bells"
(2016)
Music videos
"Heartbeat" on YouTube

"Heartbeat" was met with positive reviews from music critics and became a commercial success. It reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, becoming Underwood's fourteenth leader on the chart, widening her record for the most number-one's among women in the history of the chart. It also topped the Billboard Canada Country chart.

The song received its first televised performance on the twelfth season of The X Factor on November 29, 2015. Underwood has since performed the song live on television at the 2015 American Music Awards and at the 58th Grammy Awards (along with Hunt).

Composition

"Heartbeat" is a country pop[1][2] and R&B[3] song written by Carrie Underwood, Ashley Gorley, and Zach Crowell. It is a sentimental ballad composed in the key of B♭ minor and the sheet music designates a "slow" tempo of 140 BPM.[upper-alpha 1][4] The song alternates between "smooth" verses with a relatively low-key musical accompaniment and a "bombastic" chorus.[5][6] Country singer Sam Hunt, who is a frequent collaborator of Crowell's, sings backing vocals on the track, leading some publications to label the song a duet.[1][2][6] Hunt provides background vocals on the chorus and bridge, with Underwood's vocals layered over top of his to creating a "warm... echo" effect.[1][6]

Described as "the most real love song" Underwood has recorded, the lyrics of "Heartbeat" relate to the feeling of intimacy experienced by being alone with one's lover.[3][5][6] Critics noted a thematic similarity to then-recent single "Smoke Break" in that the song encourages finding time in a busy life for a private moment of bliss.[3] The song appears to be inspired by Underwood's marriage to Mike Fisher.[3][6]

Critical reception

"Heartbeat" was met with positive reviews from music critics. Will Hodge of Rolling Stone opined that, "Underwood is known for creatively blending intimate lyrics with bombastic choruses and the power-ballad boom of "Heartbeat" is no exception. Her molasses-smooth vocal delivery sets the mood, leaving the listener feeling as if they're eavesdropping on someone else's date night." He also complimented Sam Hunt's involvement in the song, stating "Hunt provides the perfect male counterpoint, doubling Underwood's vocals in the chorus."[7]

Renowned for Sound reviewed the song favorably giving it 3.5 stars out of 5 and praised Underwood's as well as Hunt's vocals by saying, "Rather than making waves with its instrumental, the song’s major shining point is Underwood’s vocals. The presence of frequent collaborator Sam Hunt as her backup singer complements her vocals perfectly, with the pairing of their vocals and the echoing effect it creates adding a deeper element to the song, both in terms of sound and aesthetic. At its core, "Heartbeat" is nothing new; it covers a familiar topic with a familiar sound behind it. However, the sentimental and thematic vocals bring the song to a whole other level."[8]

Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal reviewed the song positively by calling it "absolutely beautiful". He concluded his review by saying, "Carrie Underwood tackles the subject matter in "Heartbeat" with much delicacy and sentimentalism. It garners an A rating, and it should do well for her on the Billboard Hot Country charts."[9] Country Weekly awarded the song a B+ and commented, "Carrie interprets the message with real conviction and a passion that hits the right emotional notes without going overboard."[10]

Commercial performance

The song was first released to digital retailers as a promotional single from Storyteller on October 9, 2015.[5] It sold 23,000 digital copies in its first week, debuting at number five on the Country Digital Songs chart for the week of October 19, 2015.[11] That same week, it debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at number 26, and on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles extension chart at number 23.[12][13]

It was later confirmed, at the American Music Awards of 2015, that "Heartbeat" would serve as the second single from Storyteller.[14] It was then sent to country radio at 1:00 AM eastern time on the morning of November 23, 2015, and made its official radio impact on November 30, 2015.[15] The official release prompted it to debut at number 41 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The song also debuted at number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming that week's "Hot Shot Debut". Following Underwood's performance at the 58th Grammy Awards on February 15, 2016, the sales of the song increased by 133% and sold 37,000 copies for the week of March 5, 2016 [16] and jumped from number 55 to number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100. On the Hot Country Songs chart, it reached number two and stayed at that spot for two weeks. "Heartbeat" went on to reach number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of March 26, 2016, becoming Underwood's fourteenth number-one on the chart, widening her lead for the most among women. Reba McEntire ranks second with 11.[17] The song was certified Platinum by the RIAA on January 23, 2020.[18] As of May 2016, it sold 348,000 copies in the US.[19]

"Heartbeat" entered the Hot Canadian Digital Songs chart at number 31.[20] The song also reached number 60 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number one on the Canada Country chart, becoming her third single to do so, and the second from Storyteller.[21] It also became her third charting single in Scotland, debuting on the Scottish Singles Chart at number 80.[22]

Music video

The official music video for the single, directed by Randee St. Nicholas, was released on December 2, 2015.

The video shows Underwood in a sparkly gold flowing dress, walking barefoot through a lush forest, humming the melody of the song. She is seen wandering through the forest and singing the ballad.[23]

Live performances

Underwood performed the song live at the 2015 American Music Awards on November 22, 2015.[24] She also performed the song on the twelfth season of The X Factor on November 29, 2015.[25]

Underwood performed the song along with Sam Hunt at the 58th Grammy Awards on February 15, 2016. The pair also performed Hunt's song "Take Your Time".[26]

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[27] 60
Canada Country (Billboard)[28] 1
Scotland (OCC)[22] 80
US Billboard Hot 100[29] 42
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[30] 1
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[31] 2

Year-end charts
Chart (2016) Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[32] 35
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[33] 29

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18] Platinum 348,000[19]

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide October 9, 2015 Digital download
[34]
United States November 30, 2015 Country radio [15]

Notes
  1. 140 BPM is a moderately fast tempo, which contradicts the "slow" descriptor; however, this is the value designated by the official sheet music.

References
  1. Falcone, Dana Rose (October 14, 2015). "Hear Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt's duet 'Heartbeat'". Entertainment Weekly. Wenner Media. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. Sullivan, Lindsey (October 14, 2015). "Hear Carrie Underwood & Sam Hunt's 'Heartbeat' Duet". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  3. Dukes, Billy (October 23, 2015). "Carrie Underwood: 'Heartbeat' Is My Story". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  4. "Atlas Music Publishing – Carrie Underwood "Heartbeat"". Atlas Music Publishing via Sony Music Nashville. October 23, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  5. Schnurr, a (November 30, 2015). "Carrie Underwood Releases New Single "Heartbeat"—Listen Now!". E! Online. Bell Media. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  6. Hodge, Will (October 14, 2015). "Hear Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt's New 'Heartbeat' Duet". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  7. "Hear Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt's New 'Heartbeat' Duet". Rolling Stone.
  8. "Renowned for Sound – Single Review: Carrie Underwood – 'Heartbeat'". Renowned for Sound. December 6, 2015.
  9. "Review: Carrie Underwood stunning on new single 'Heartbeat' (Includes first-hand account)".
  10. ""Heartbeat" by Carrie Underwood". Nash Country Weekly. December 4, 2015.
  11. Bjorke, Matt (October 13, 2015). "Top 30 Digital Singles Chart: October 19, 2015". Roughstock. Cheri Media. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  12. "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 30, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  13. "Chart Search". Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles for Carrie Underwood. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  14. Vulpo, Mike (November 22, 2015). "Carrie Underwood Gushes About Her "Happy" Baby Boy, Reveals His New Milestone Keeping Mom and Dad Busy". E! Online. United States: NBCUniversal. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  15. "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Country". Radio & Records. Archived from the original (Week Of: November 30, 2015) on November 24, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  16. Roughstock. "The Top 30 Digital Singles: February 22, 2016". RoughStock.
  17. Asker, Jim (March 15, 2016). "Cole Swindell & Carrie Underwood Take Over Country Songs Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  18. "American single certifications – Carrie Underwood – Heartbeat". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  19. Bjorke, Matt (May 5, 2016). "Top 30 Digital Singles Report: May 5, 2016". Roughstock.
  20. "Carrie Underwood – Chart history". Billboard Hot Canadian Digital Songs for Carrie Underwood. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  21. "Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs Chart – Billboard". Billboard.
  22. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  24. "See Carrie Underwood's Ethereal 'Heartbeat' at 2015 AMAs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  25. "Watch Carrie Underwood & Rita Ora Perform Their New Singles On "The X Factor UK"!". Direct Lyrics. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  26. "2016 Grammy Performers: Carrie Underwood to Duet With Sam Hunt and More – Billboard". Billboard.
  27. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  28. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  29. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  30. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  31. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  32. "Best of 2016: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  33. "Best of 2016: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  34. References for international digital releases:
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