"Worth It"is a song recorded by the Americancountry musicsingerDanielle Bradberyfor her second studio album,I Don't Believe We've Met(2017). Bradbery co-wrote the song withJeff Pardoand Molly Reed; it was produced by Josh Kerr. "Worth It" was first released digitally as the album's fourth and finalpromotional singleon November 10, 2017, and was promoted to American country radio throughNashville Harbor Records & Entertainmenton March 5, 2018, as the second official single.
| "Worth It" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyDanielle Bradbery | ||||
| from the albumI Don't Believe We've Met | ||||
| Released | March 5, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2017 | |||
| Genre | Country blues | |||
| Length | 3:31(remix single) | |||
| Label | Nashville Harbor | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Josh Kerr | |||
| Danielle Bradberysingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Content and themes
edit"Worth It" is abluesy,piano-drivenballadin which Bradbery asserts her self-value.[1][2]The song's lyrics express both vulnerability and indignation towards the way Bradbery has been treated by former lovers,[2][3]while she claims on the chorus that she is not afraid to walk away from a relationship if she is not given the respect she deserves.[4]Bradbery employs amelismatechnique in her vocal delivery as well as "bending" notes to give the song a moresoulfulsound.[3]
According to Stephen L. Betts ofRolling Stone,the song captures the "zeitgeist of empowerment and self-worth" present at the time of the song's release, with its lyrical content being characterized asfeminist.[5]Bradbery reported that the song was written in response to her concerns about her career and, while applicable to a relationship, is ultimately about "standing up for yourself in any situation".[6]
Release and promotion
edit"Worth It" was released todigital retailersas the album's fourth and finalpromotional singleon November 10, 2017.[7]The song was announced as the second official single through theBillboardCountry Update newsletter on February 20, 2018, and was made available to country radio stations on February 26.[8][9]It officially impacted the format on March 5, 2018.[9]Aremixedversion of the song was released digitally on March 9, 2018.[10]
On December 1, 2017, Bradbery performed the song live onMegyn Kelly Today.[11]Her performance was praised for highlighting both her "powerhouse vocals" and the "emotional heft" of the song's message.[11]Bradbery appeared as a musical guest on the December 5, 2017, episode of thethirteenth seasonofThe Voiceand performed "Worth It".[12]Sterling Whitaker ofTaste of Countrywrote that her performance "demonstrated all over again why she dominated [her season]".[12]
Critical reception
editJewly Hight ofNPRwrote that Bradbery's melismatic delivery "brings a bit more authority to her indignation" on the track.[3]Praising the lyrical content, Stephen L. Betts ofRolling Stonewrote that Bradbery "could be poised for a major breakthrough" at country radio with "Worth It".[5]
Chart performance
edit"Worth It" sold 6,000 copies in its first week of release and entered the Country Digital Songs chart at number 23.[13]The song debuted at number 49 on theHot Country Songschart dated December 2, 2017,[14]becoming her first song to appear on the chart (outside of releases fromThe Voice) that was not actively being promoted as a single at the time.[15]After the song first became available to radio stations, "Worth It" debuted at number 55 on theCountry Airplaychart dated March 3, 2018.[16]It later reached a peak position of 46.[17]The song had sold 15,000 copies in the United States as by December 2017.[18]
Music video
editAn "instant grat" video was premiered on Bradbery'sVevochannel on November 10, 2017, following the song's digital release.[19]It was directed by Keith J. Leman. Bradbery is lit in shades of blue, red and purple throughout the video to convey her bruised spirit.[5]
The official music video for the song was directed byShaun Silvaand was premiered May 18, 2018. The video was inspired by Jenny Lind's performance of "Never Enough", as seen in the filmThe Greatest Showman.It was filmed at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.[20]
Track listing
edit- Digital download – promotional single[7]
- "Worth It" – 3:27
- Digital download – remix single[10]
- "Worth It"(Remix)– 3:31
Charts
edit| Chart (2017–18) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USCountry Airplay(Billboard)[17] | 46 |
| USHot Country Songs(Billboard)[15] | 49 |
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | November 10, 2017 | Digital download– promotional single | Big Machine | [7] |
| United States | March 5, 2018 | Country radio | BMLG | [9] |
| Worldwide | March 9, 2018 | Digital download –remixsingle | [10] |
References
edit- ^Hostelle, Laura (November 30, 2017)."Album Review: Danielle Bradbery's 'I Don't Believe We've Met'".Sounds Like Nashville.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abPapadatos, Markos (November 24, 2017)."Review: Danielle Bradbery wows on new album 'I Don't Believe We've Met'".Digital Journal.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abcHight, Jewly (November 23, 2017)."Review: Danielle Bradbery, 'I Don't Believe We've Met'".NPR.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^Houghton, Cillea (December 1, 2017)."Album Spotlight: Danielle Bradbery, 'I Don't Believe We've Met'".Taste of Country.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abcBetts, Stephen L. (November 10, 2017)."Watch Danielle Bradbery's Intense New 'Worth It' Video".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^Yahr, Emily (December 10, 2017)."Danielle Bradbery finds her own voice".Toronto Star.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abc"Worth It - Danielle Bradbery | Release Info".AllMusic.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^"BillboardCountry Update "(PDF).Billboard.February 20, 2018. p. 7.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abc"Danielle Bradbery – Worth It".Daily Play MPE.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abcSelect international releases of remix single:
- France:"Worth It (Remix) (Single) de Danielle Bradbery".Napster.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- United States:"Worth It (Remix) by Danielle Bradbery on Amazon Music".Amazon.com.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abMcKenna, Brittney (December 1, 2017)."See Danielle Bradbery's Slow-Burning 'Worth It' on 'Today'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^abWhitaker, Sterling (December 6, 2017)."Danielle Bradbery Returns to 'The Voice' to Perform 'Worth It'".Taste of Country.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^Bjorke, Matt (November 22, 2017)."Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: November 21, 2017".Roughstock.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^"Hot Country Songs: The Week Of December 2, 2017".Billboard.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^ab"Danielle Bradbery Chart History (Hot Country Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^"Country Airplay: The Week Of March 3, 2018".Billboard.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^ab"Danielle Bradbery Chart History (Country Airplay)".Billboard.Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^Bjorke, Matt (December 19, 2017)."Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: December 19, 2017".Roughstock.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^"Worth It (Instant Grat Video) - Danielle Bradbery".Vevo.RetrievedMarch 10,2018.
- ^"Danielle Bradbery Debuts Greatest Showman and The Voice-Inspired Music Video for 'Worth It'".People.com.RetrievedMay 17,2018.