Slide (Madeline Merlo song) explained

Slide
Artist:Madeline Merlo
Ep:Slide
Type:single
Cover:Slide single cover MM.jpeg
Genre:Country pop
Producer:Zach Crowell
Chronology:Tim Hicks singles
Prev Title:It Didn't
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Tim + Faith
Next Year:2023

"Slide" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country artist Madeline Merlo. She wrote the song with Jerry Flowers, Sam Hunt, and producer Zach Crowell.[1] It is the lead single in Canada off Merlo's debut US extended play Slide.[2]

Background

Merlo's producer Zach Crowell was originally working on "Slide" with American country artist Sam Hunt and songwriter/guitarist Jerry Flowers.[3] They had only developed a chorus melody when they felt the song sounded "better suited for a woman" and wasn't right for Hunt.[4] Merlo remarked that she was at dinner with friends in Nashville, Tennessee when she received a call from Crowell asking if she wanted to take over the track. She left to work on it with him and Flowers immediately, and completed the song after several writing sessions.[5] Merlo stated that after months of writing following signing her US record deal with BBR Music Group, "Slide" was the first song that "felt right" and "there was a lot of like excitement and joy around" it.[3]

Critical reception

Top Country named "Slide" their "Pick of the Week" for the week of January 27, 2023, describing it as a "conscious evolution" for Merlo's music.[6] An uncredited review from Hot Country 103.5 stated the song "not only checks all the boxes, but is one of [Merlo's] best releases yet", adding that it "has an infectious groove".[7] In reference to Merlo taking over the song from Sam Hunt, Erica Zisman of Country Swag stated that Merlo "was clearly the right woman for the job".[8]

Commercial performance

"Slide" debuted as the most-added domestic song at all formats of Canadian radio according to Mediabase in January 2023.[2] It then debuted at number 48 on the Billboard Canada Country chart for the week of January 21, 2023.[9] The song would peak at number 6 on that chart, after climbing for 15 weeks. It thus became the highest peaking single of Merlo's career to-date.[10]

Live performance

Merlo performed a live acoustic version of "Slide" on KTLA in the United States as part of their "Music Fest Friday" series on September 30, 2022.[11]

Music video

The official music video for "Slide" premiered on YouTube on October 26, 2022.[12]

Charts

Chart performance for "Slide"! Chart (2023)! Peak
position
Canada Country (Billboard)[13] 6

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Slide, Song by Madeline Merlo. Spotify. September 2, 2022. May 4, 2023.
  2. Web site: Madeline Merlo Slides Into Top Spot With Radio Release of New Single. Imprint Entertainment. May 3, 2023.
  3. Web site: Madeline Merlo Opens New Chapter Of Creativity With Latest EP, ‘Slide’: ‘It’s Been A Long Process’. October 6, 2022. Country Now. Madeleine. O'Connell. May 5, 2023.
  4. Web site: Songland' Winner Madeline Merlo on Working With Sam Hunt on New 'Slide' EP: 'It Was an Amazing Phone Call to Get' (Exclusive). Stephen. Andrew. Popculture. September 25, 2022. May 5, 2023.
  5. Web site: Madeline Merlo’s Road to Nashville Leads to New EP, ‘Slide’. American Songwriter. Lisa. Konicki. November 26, 2022. May 5, 2023.
  6. Web site: Pick of the Week – Madeline Merlo “Slide”. January 27, 2023. Top Country. May 3, 2023.
  7. Web site: Slide Over to Madeline Merlo!. Hot Country 103.5. Halifax, Nova Scotia. March 9, 2023. May 5, 2023.
  8. Web site: Madeline Merlo: ‘Slide’ – EP Review. September 23, 2022. Country Swag. May 5, 2023. Erica. Zisman.
  9. Canada Country chart for January 21, 2023. Billboard . May 5, 2023. subscription.
  10. Web site: Music Fest Fridays: Madeline Merlo performs ‘Slide’ from new E.P.. KTLA. September 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. Pablo. Chacon. Tammy. Chan. Lu. Parker. Glen. Walker.
  11. Web site: Madeline Merlo - Slide (Official Video). YouTube. October 26, 2022. video. May 4, 2023.
  12. Canada Country chart for April 29, 2023. Billboard . April 25, 2023. subscription.