Slow Down Summer

2021 single by Thomas Rhett

"Slow Down Summer"

Single by Thomas Rhett

from the album Where We Started

Released

November 5, 2021 (2021-11-05)

Genre

Country

Length

3:36

Label

Valory

Songwriter(s)

Ashley Gorley
Sean Douglas
Jesse Frasure
Rhett Akins
Thomas Rhett

Producer(s)

Dann Huff
Jesse Frasure

Thomas Rhett singles chronology

"Thank You Lord"
(2021)

"Slow Down Summer"
(2021)

"Half of Me"
(2022)

Music video

"Slow Down Summer" on YouTube

"Slow Down Summer" is a song by American country music singer Thomas Rhett. It was released on November 5, 2021 as the lead single from his sixth studio album, Where We Started. The song was written by Rhett with his father Rhett Akins, as well as Ashley Gorley, Sean Douglas, and Jesse Frasure.^[1]

Background

In a press release, Rhett stated: "I wrote this song from the point of view of two people who are in love during senior year of high school, I envisioned them headed off to different schools and they're starting to understand that the moment the weather starts to change, they've got a 99-percent chance this relationship is not going to work. I know that myself and a lot of people have been there before, wishing the fireworks stage doesn't have to end."^[2]

Content

Carena Liptak of ABC Audio wrote that the lyrics "follow a couple who are soaking up every minute of their summer love together, knowing that when the weather cools, so will their relationship."^[3] Chris Parton of Sounds Like Nashville described the storyline as "two lovers locked in a summer they'll never forget—but knowing all too well their time together will soon end".^[4]

Composition

The song includes instrumentation from a 14-piece string section as well as a piano melody.^[5] It is written in the key of B major, with a tempo of 156 beats per minute.^[6]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country opined that the track is "a nostalgic summer love song that stings just like it should".^[7]

Music video

The music video was released on December 3, 2021, and directed by P. Tracy. It described a story of "two young people holding on to the last moments of a summer together, as they prepare to embark on a new season apart".^[8] It features as Rhett plays the piano in different seasons.^[9]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Slow Down Summer"
Chart (2021–2022)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[10]	64
Canada Country (Billboard)^[11]	4
US Billboard Hot 100^[12]	43
US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[13]	2
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[14]	9

Year-end charts

2022 year-end chart performance for "Slow Down Summer"
Chart (2022)	Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[15]	32
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[16]	32

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[17]	Gold	500,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Slow Down Summer"
Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	November 5, 2021	Digital download streaming	Valory	^[18]
United States	November 8, 2021	Country radio	Valory	^[19]

References

^ Ianh, Buddy (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett releases 'Slow Down Summer'". The Music Universe. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
^ "Thomas Rhett Shares Romantic Thriller, "Slow Down Summer" as New Single". Big Machine Records. November 5, 2021. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
^ Liptak, Carena (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett is hoping for a "Slow Down Summer" in first single off a new musical chapter". ABC Audio. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
^ Parton, Chris (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett Previews New Album With 'Slow Down Summer'". Sounds Like Nashville. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
^ Krol, Jacklyn (November 7, 2021). "Thomas Rhett Shares First Taste of 6th Studio Album With Release of Lead Single, 'Slow Down Summer'". Outsider. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
^ "Slow Down Summer - Thomas Rhett Album Information". Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
^ Dukes, Billy (November 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett's 'Slow Down Summer' Is A Progressive Piece of Country Nostalgia [Listen]". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
^ Parton, Chris (December 3, 2021). "Thomas Rhett Makes Time Stop in 'Slow Down Summer' Music Video". Sounds Like Nashville. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^ Dukes, Billy (December 3, 2021). "Thomas Rhett's 'Slow Down Summer' Video Stings With Each Passing Season [Watch]". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
^ "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
^ "American single certifications – Thomas Rhett – Slow Down Summer". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
^ "Slow Down Summer - Single by Thomas Rhett". November 5, 2021. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Apple Music.
^ "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.