That's the Way (Jo Dee Messina song) explained

That's the Way
Cover:ThatJODEE.png
Type:single
Artist:Jo Dee Messina
Album:Burn
B-Side:Even God Must Get the Blues
Released:May 15, 2000
Genre:Country
Length:3:21
Label:Curb
Producer:Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Prev Title:Because You Love Me
Prev Year:1999
Next Title:Burn
Next Year:2000

"That's the Way" is a song written by Annie Roboff and Holly Lamar, and recorded by American country music singer Jo Dee Messina. It was released in May 2000 as lead-off single for her album Burn. The song spent four weeks at the top of the Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs), and was her highest-peaking single on the Billboard Hot 100 where it reached No. 25.

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that Messina "injects personality galore" into this song. She goes on to call the production, "sonically ambitious, featuring neat percussive elements, tempo changes, and those heavy, layered vocals that Nashville producers are so fond of, these days."[1]

Music video

The music video was directed by Thom Oliphant and premiered in mid-2000. It features Messina performing the song from various colored rooms, both solo and joined by backup dancers. Messina and others are also shown throughout the video climbing the walls and ceiling of the rooms, appearing to defy gravity.

Track listings

U.S. CD Single

  1. "That's the Way" - 3:23
  2. "Even God Must Get the Blues" - 3:52

UK CD Single

  1. "That's the Way" - 3:21
  2. "Stand Beside Me" - 3:41

UK Promo CD Single

  1. "That's the Way" (UK Radio Remix) - 3:21

Chart performance

"That's the Way" debuted at No. 50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of May 20, 2000.

End of year charts

Chart (2000)Position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks[2] 9
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[3] 74

Release history

Release dates and format(s) for "That's the Way"!Region!Date!Format(s)!Label(s)!
United StatesMay 15, 2000Country radioCurb[4]

Notes and References

  1. Billboard, May 13, 2000 - Vol. 112, No. 20
  2. Web site: Best of 2000: Country Songs . . . 2000 . August 15, 2012.
  3. Web site: Billboard Top 100 - 2000. 2010-08-31.
  4. News: May 12, 2000 . Going for Adds - Country . . 72.