Glad You Exist

2021 single by Dan + Shay

"Glad You Exist"
Single by Dan + Shay
from the album Good Things
ReleasedFebruary 5, 2021 (2021-02-05)
GenreCountry pop
Length2:25
LabelWarner Nashville
Songwriter(s)
  • Dan Smyers
  • Shay Mooney
  • Tayla Parx
  • Ryan Lewis
  • Jordan Reynolds
Producer(s)Dan Smyers
Dan + Shay singles chronology
"I Should Probably Go to Bed"
(2020) 		"Glad You Exist"
(2021) 		"Steal My Love"
(2021)
Lyric video
"Glad You Exist" on YouTube

"Glad You Exist" is a song by American country pop duo Dan + Shay. It was released as the third single from their fourth studio album, Good Things on February 5, 2021. The members of the duo, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney wrote the song along with Tayla Parx, Ryan Lewis, and Jordan Reynolds, the former of who produced it.[1]

Background

On February 2, 2021, Dan + Shay explained the meaning of the song with a note through an Instagram post:

to us, glad you exist is more than just a song. it's a message of gratitude and hope. a message to everyone in our lives: our fans, our friends, our families, to remind them all how grateful we are to be on the planet at the same time. it's truly remarkable when you think about it. we've spent the majority of the past year, like many others, searching for answers and a sense of normalcy, but finding comfort in memories of better days (that we all know will return soon). concerts, bonfires, road trips with friends, even the simple things like date night at a restaurant, or beers at a bar during a football game. this song has taken on new meaning not being able to see our loved ones in person, but throughout history, music has always had a special way of bringing people together, even when we are furthest apart. these words hold a special place in our hearts, and hopefully they will in yours too. we've said it before, and we'll say it again (and again). we're just so glad you exist. every. single. one of you.[2]

Speaking about the song, Dan Smyers told The Country Daily that he had the phrase "glad you exist" to be appreciative of his wife Abby Smyers and to be grateful that she is living in the same time that he is living. He brought it to Shay Mooney and the two were thinking of ideas, wanting to create a gratitude song about their friends, family, and fans.[3]

Critical reception

Tomás Mier of People described the song as a "sweet, pop-country track" and that "the upbeat pop-infused track and its positive lyrics provide for the perfect optimistic soundtrack of 2021."[4] CMT's Jessica Nicholson theorized that the duo was influenced by the loneliness of the COVID-19 pandemic to create the song and "it has also led many to find greater appreciation for the people they have in their lives.[5]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]

Dan + Shay

  • Dan Smyers – bass guitar, drums, piano, synthesizer, background vocals, production, programming, recording, songwriting
  • Shay Mooney – lead vocals, background vocals, songwriting

Other musicians and technical

  • Abby Smyers – background vocals
  • Bryan Sutton – acoustic guitar
  • Jeff Juliano – mixing
  • Andrew Mendelson – mastering
  • Josh Ditty – additional engineering

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Glad You Exist"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7] 45
Canada Country (Billboard)[8] 8
Global 200 (Billboard)[9] 105
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 21
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[11] 1
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] 2

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Glad You Exist"
Chart (2021) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 64
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[14] 16
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] 10

Certifications

Certifications for "Glad You Exist"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Freeman, Jon (February 5, 2021). "Dan + Shay Give Thanks in New Song 'Glad You Exist'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Dan + Shay on Instagram: "glad you exist // 2.5.21"". February 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ "Dan + Shay's New Song "Glad You Exist" Exists Because of Dan's Wife". The Country Daily. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Mier, Tomás (February 5, 2021). "Dan + Shay Drop 'Glad You Exist' as a Reminder of 'How Grateful We Are' for Fans and Family". People. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (February 2, 2021). "Dan + Shay Reveal New Song "glad you exist" and Share "It's A Message of Gratitude and Hope"". CMT. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "Credits / Glad You Exist / Dan + Shay". Tidal. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dan Shay Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  8. ^ "Dan Shay Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "Dan Shay Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Dan Shay Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "Dan Shay Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "Dan Shay Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  16. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Dan + Shay – Glad You Exist". Music Canada. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Dan + Shay – Glad You Exist". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Studio albums
  • Where It All Began (2014)
  • Obsessed (2016)
  • Dan + Shay (2018)
  • Good Things (2021)
  • Bigger Houses (2023)
Singles
Featured singlesOther songs
Tours
  • The (Arena) Tour