"Why Don't We Just Dance" is a song written by

Jim Beavers Jim Beavers is an American country music songwriter. He is also the brother of songwriter Brett Beavers. Early life and education Jim Beavers grew up in Garland and Jacksonville, Texas. His educational background includes a BBA from Baylor U ...

Jonathan Singleton Jonathan David Singleton is an American country music singer and songwriter who resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been nominated for 2 Grammy Awards, and has won the ACM Song of The Year Award in 2022 for “Things a Man Oughtta Know” by ...

, and Darrell Brown, and recorded by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

artist

Josh Turner Joshua Otis Turner (born November 20, 1977) is an American Country music, country singer and songwriter. In 2003, he signed to Universal Music Group Nashville, MCA Nashville Records. That same year, his Long Black Train, debut album's title t ...

. It was released in August 2009 as the lead-off single from his album '' Haywire'', which was released on February 9, 2010. It became Turner's third number one hit in February 2010, his first since " Would You Go With Me" in October 2006, and his longest stay at the top---four weeks. On May 24, 2010, the single was his fourth to be certified Gold by the RIAA.

Content

"Why Don't We Just Dance" is a moderate up-tempo song, featuring a production with piano, steel guitar fills, and fiddle. The song's narrator suggests to his lover that they dance in the living room to forget each other's troubles. Turner said the song, which was written by

, Jonathan Singleton, and Darrell Brown, caught his attention the first listen. "It's an up-tempo, traditional country song that has a very catchy melody with a lyric that poses the question 'why don't we just dance?' and forget about all of the bad stuff going on the world and just concentrate on each other."

Critical reception

"Why Don't We Just Dance" received mostly positive feedback from critics. Juli Thanki of Engine 145 gave the song a thumbs up, describing it as "three minutes of escapist fun, and Turner’s charming performance on the track is further proof that he’s one of country music’s most talented young A-listers; this may not be the greatest vocal turn of his career but it’s still a pleasure to listen to." She also drew comparisons to

Neal McCoy Hubert Neal McGaughey Jr. (born July 30, 1958), known professionally as Neal McCoy and previously as Neal McGoy, is an American country music singer. He has released 10 studio albums on various labels, and has released 34 singles to country radio ...

’s 1995 single " They're Playin' Our Song" and Turner's 2007 single "

Firecracker A firecracker (cracker, noise maker, banger) is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang, usually for celebration or entertainment; any visual effect is incidental to ...

". Bobby Peacock of Roughstock gave a positive review, describing the song as "a step in the right direction." He thought Turner's performance "recall dthe seductive swagger of

Conway Twitty Harold Lloyd Jenkins (September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993), better known by his stage name Conway Twitty, was an American singer and songwriter. Initially a part of the 1950s rockabilly scene, Twitty was best known as a country music performer. ...

" and praised the production for having "an infectious, syncopated rhythm and a catchy melody that shows off the deeper end of Josh's range quite effectively." Kevin J. Coyne of Country Universe gave the song a B rating. Although he thought that "Turner is charming as ever," he added that "he has a bit of trouble keeping up with the beat as he tosses off the lyrics" and said the song is "about as deep as Vegas rainfall."

Music video

The music video, which was directed by

Deaton-Flanigen Productions Deaton-Flanigen Productions is an American film company based in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., headed by Robert Deaton. The company has between 10 and 50 employees. Overview The company was named after the surnames of founders Robert Deaton III ...

, premiered on

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's Monday Music Mania on October 5, 2009Country On Demand: Turner goes to GAC to debut 'Dance' video
and on CMT on October 8, 2009.CMT Videos: Music Binge - 10.8.09 : Why Don't We Just Dance
/ref> Turner is shown inside a house, observing a couple (played by real-life couple Ciaran McCarthy and Ashley Anderson) dancing in the living room. Throughout the video, the couple changes clothes and dancing styles, showcasing different decades beginning with the 1950s through present day. According to ''

Country Weekly ''Country Weekly'' (known as ''Nash Country Weekly'' from 2015–16) was an American magazine about country music. It was in circulation between April 1994 and May 2016. The publisher, Cumulus Media, now maintains the site Nash Country Daily. O ...

'' magazine, Turner was "elated to discover that he wouldn't have to do any acting" in the video. The video was ranked #39 on GAC's Top 50 Videos of the Year.

Personnel

* Lead Vocals: Josh Turner * Background Vocals: Wes Hightower and Russell Terrell * Drums:

Shannon Forrest Shannon Forrest (born August 22, 1973, in Easley, South Carolina) is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session work. As a session drummer, he has contributed to the work of many well-known artists, and he is also a p ...

* Bass: Kevin "Swine" Greantt * Acoustic guitar:

Bryan Sutton James Bryan Sutton (born 1973) is an American musician. Primarily known as a flatpicking acoustic guitar player, Sutton also plays mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and electric guitar. He also sings and writes songs. Biography Early career Sutton's gr ...

* Electric guitar: J. T. Corenflos and

Brent Rowan Brent Rowan (born May 28, 1956, in Waxahachie, Texas) is an American session musician and record producer who works primarily in country music. Active since the 1970s, Rowan began working with John Conlee through the recommendation of record produ ...

* Piano: Gordon Mote * Fiddle:

Aubrey Haynie Aubrey E. Haynie (born March 27, 1974) is an American bluegrass musician who plays the fiddle and mandolin. In his career, he has recorded three studio albums for the Sugar Hill Records label, all three of which contained mostly songs that he w ...

* Steel: Steve Hinson * Percussion: Eric Darken

Chart performance

"Why Don't We Just Dance" debuted at #57 on the U.S. ''Billboard''

Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. This 50-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly by collecting airplay data along with digital sales and streaming. ...

chart for the week of September 5, 2009. On the week ending November 28, 2009, it also debuted at #99 on the U.S. ''Billboard''

Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100, also known as simply the Hot 100, is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), o ...

. In January 2010, it became his first Top 10 single since "

" reached #2 in 2007. On the chart week of February 20, 2010, it became his third Number One song and his first since " Would You Go with Me" in October 2006. It also debuted at #97 on the

Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music industry record chart in Canada for songs, published weekly by ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' magazine. It was launched on the issue dated March 31, 2007 as the standard record chart in Canada; a new chart ...

chart for the week of February 20, 2010.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Decade-end charts

Certifications

References

{{Josh Turner 2009 singles Josh Turner songs Songs written by Jonathan Singleton Music videos directed by Deaton-Flanigen Productions Songs written by Darrell Brown (musician) Songs written by Jim Beavers Song recordings produced by Frank Rogers (record producer) MCA Nashville Records singles 2009 songs