H.O.L.Y. Explained

H.O.L.Y.
Cover:HolyFGL.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Florida Georgia Line
Album:Dig Your Roots
Genre:Country
Label:Republic Nashville
Producer:Joey Moi
Prev Title:Confession
Prev Year:2015
Next Title:May We All
Next Year:2016

"H.O.L.Y." (an acronym for "High on Loving You") is a song recorded by American country music duo Florida Georgia Line. It is the lead single from the duo's third studio album, Dig Your Roots, which was released on August 26, 2016. The song was written by busbee, Nate Cyphert, and William Wiik Larsen. "H.O.L.Y." was first released on April 29, 2016 by Republic Nashville.[1]

In its second week, "H.O.L.Y." jumped from number 39 to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the duo's fifth single to top that chart. It is also their third single to receive a crossover promotion, impacting American Hot AC radio on June 27, 2016.[2]

Critical reception

Jon Freeman of Rolling Stone commented positively on the song, applauding the group's musical evolution; though he did note caution regarding the song's Christian themes, saying "It's hard not to wonder if the FGL guys — both of whom have publicly proclaimed their faith on numerous occasions — will get some flak from religious listeners the way [Maren] Morris has for "My Church" and its perceived shunning of organized worship."[3] Included on Spotify's list of Picks of the Week, Billboard commented the song "takes FGL in a new direction while keeping the infectious sing-along hooks that made the band famous."[4] Modern Country Music Review deemed in on 3/23/2019 as the song of the decade

Commercial performance

The song debuted with 125,000 copies sold in the United States in its debut week, the second best-selling digital song of the week. It propelled the song to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart,[5] as well as number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[6] It has since stayed at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart for eighteen consecutive weeks [7] and peaked at number 14 on the Hot 100 chart. The song debuted on the Country Airplay chart at number 26 a week before it was released for sale,[8] and has peaked at number one. It has also reached number one on the Canada Country chart and number 24 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart. The song sold over a million copies in August 2016 in the United States,[9] and has sold 1,550,000 copies as of July 2017.[10] It was certified quadruple Platinum by the RIAA on March 15, 2018.

Music video

The music video was directed by TK McKamy and filmed at The Twelve Apostles, Australia.[11] It premiered on April 29, 2016.[12]

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2016)Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 65
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 49
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[16] 31
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[17] 1

Decade-end charts

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
North AmericaApril 28, 2016Digital download[19]
Asia[20]
Europe[21]
Oceania[22]
United StatesCountry radioRepublic Nashville
June 27, 2016Hot / Modern / AC radio
July 26, 2016Contemporary hit radio[23]

Notes and References

  1. Roland. Tom. Florida Georgia Line Connects New Sonic Dots With 'H.O.L.Y.'. 27 June 2016. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 13, 2016.
  2. Web site: Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases. All Access Media Group. June 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160627220816/http://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases. June 27, 2016.
  3. Hear Florida Georgia Line Blend Spirituality, Carnality on 'H.O.L.Y.'. Rolling Stone. 29 April 2016 .
  4. Spotify's New Music Friday: Editors' Picks of the Week. Billboard.
  5. Florida Georgia Line Flies to No. 1 on Hot Country Songs; Dierks Bentley's 'Beach' Blankets Radio. Jim Asker . May 10, 2016 . Billboard.
  6. Drake Scores First Hot 100 No. 1 as Lead Artist With 'One Dance' . May 9, 2016 . Gary Trust . Billboard.
  7. Web site: Florida Georgia Line's "H.O.L.Y." earns 18th week on #1 on Hot Country Songs . Headline Planet . September 6, 2016.
  8. Country Airplay . May 14, 2016 . Billboard .
  9. News: Top 30 Digital Singles Sales Report: August 9, 2016 . Matt . Bjorke . August 9, 2016 . Roughstock.
  10. News: Top 30 Digital Country Singles Sales Chart: July 11, 2017 . Matt . Bjorke . July 11, 2017 . Roughstock .
  11. News: Scott. Jason. Hear Florida Georgia Line's new single 'H.O.L.Y.'. April 29, 2016. AXS. April 29, 2016.
  12. News: Collins. Robyn. Florida Georgia Line Release Video For New Single 'H.O.L.Y.'. 27 June 2016. Radio.com. CBS Local Media. April 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161008165247/http://radio.com/2016/04/29/florida-georgia-line-release-video-for-new-single-h-o-l-y/. 8 October 2016. dead.
  13. Web site: ARIA Singles: Drake 'One Dance' Is the No 1 Song. Noise11. Ryan. Gavin. May 7, 2016. May 7, 2016.
  14. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2016. Billboard. December 9, 2016.
  15. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2016. Billboard. December 8, 2016.
  16. Country Airplay – Year-End 2016. Billboard. March 15, 2020.
  17. Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2016. Billboard. March 15, 2020.
  18. Decade-End Charts: Hot Country Songs. Billboard. January 5, 2020.
  19. Web site: H.O.L.Y. – Single by Florida Georgia Line . iTunes Store (US) . . 27 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160505082456/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/h.o.l.y.-single/id1105175647 . May 5, 2016 . unfit .
  20. Web site: Florida Georgia Lineの「H.O.L.Y. – Single」を iTunes で. iTunes Store (Japan). Apple Inc. 27 June 2016.
  21. Web site: H.O.L.Y. – Single by Florida Georgia Line. iTunes Store (UK). Apple Inc. 27 June 2016.
  22. Web site: H.O.L.Y. – Single by Florida Georgia Line. iTunes Store (Australia). Apple Inc. 27 June 2016.
  23. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases. All Access Media Group. 22 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160720021858/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. July 20, 2016.