Rumor (song) explained

Rumor
Cover:	Rumor (Official Single Cover) by Lee Brice.png
Type:	single
Artist:	Lee Brice
Album:	Lee Brice
Released:	^[1]
Genre:	Country
Length:	3:18 (album version) 3:32 (Glover mix)
Label:	Curb
Prev Title:	Boy
Prev Year:	2017
Next Title:	I Hope You're Happy Now
Next Year:	2019

"Rumor" is a song by American country music singer Lee Brice. It was written by Brice, along with Ashley Gorley and Kyle Jacobs. It was released to radio on July 16, 2018 as the second single from Brice's self-titled studio album. The song was also remixed by producer Bryan Todd.

Background

Brice wrote the song with Ashley Gorley and Kyle Jacobs. He said the song is a "natural throwback" to the small town he grew up in, where rumors travel quickly, be they true or false.^[2] The country song has been described as "blues-inflected ballad",^[3] and it is about a man and a woman who are so close together that people gossip about them, despite them not being in a relationship.^[4]

Commercial performance

The song was released for sale on September 4, 2018 followed by a video release. It first entered Billboards Country Airplay at number 59 and Hot Country Songs at number 44 on charts dated September 15, 2018.^{[5] [6]} In July 2019, it became Brice's fifth number one single on the Country Airplay chart, and his first since "I Don't Dance" in August 2014.^[7] It was the highest-charting song of his career, peaking at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, until it was surpassed by "One of Them Girls", which peaked at number 17 the following year. The song was certified five-times Platinum by the RIAA on August 22, 2023. It has sold 280,000 copies in the United States as of September 2019.^[8] It was nominated for single of the year at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards.

Music video

The music video for the song was released on September 5, 2018.^[9] It was directed by Ryan "Spidy" Smith and shot in Nashville. The video features Brice's wife Sara who plays the main love interest in the video.^[10]

Was featured in the Hallmark movie, My One and Only in 2019.

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[12]	81
US Country Airplay (Billboard)^[13]	10
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[14]	8
US Rolling Stone Top 100^[15]	93

Notes and References

1. Country Aircheck . Add Dates . June 25, 2018 . 607 .
2. Web site: Lee Brice Finds in the Soul in 'Rumor,' Self-Titled Album. Sounds Like Nashville . Cillea . Houghton . September 5, 2018.
3. News: The Playlist: Thom Yorke's Chilling Ballad, and 13 More New Songs . Jon . Caramanica . September 7, 2018. The New York Times .
4. Web site: Hear Lee Brice's 'Rumor' and More New Country Singles . Courtney . Carr. June 15, 2018 . The Boot .
5. Web site: Country Airplay . September 15, 2018 . Billboard .
6. Web site: Hot Country Songs . September 15, 2018 . Billboard .
7. Web site: Lee Brice's 'Rumor' Tops the Country Airplay Chart, Willie Nelson Takes a New 'Ride' . July 2, 2019 . Jim . Asker . Billboard .
8. Web site: Top 30 Digital Country Downloads: September 24, 2019. Roughstock. Bjorke. Matt. September 24, 2019. September 26, 2019.
9. Web site: Lee Brice Takes Wife Sara Out for a 'Special Night' Together in His 'Rumor' Music Video . Nicole . Sands. People. September 5, 2018.
10. Web site: Lee Brice's Romantic New Video for 'Rumor' Stars His Wife . Taste of Country . September 11, 2018 . Annie. Reuter.
11. Web site: Top 100 Songs. Rolling Stone. June 21, 2019. January 8, 2020.
12. Web site: Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
13. Web site: Country Airplay – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
14. Web site: Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
15. Web site: Top 100 Songs of 2019. Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. February 16, 2020.