Worth It (Danielle Bradbery song) explained

Worth It
Artist:Danielle Bradbery
Type:single
Album:I Don't Believe We've Met
Cover:Danielle Bradbery - Worth It (single cover).jpg
Border:yes
Recorded:2017
Genre:Country blues
Label:Nashville Harbor
Producer:Josh Kerr
Prev Title:Sway
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Goodbye Summer
Next Year:2018

"Worth It" is a song recorded by the American country music singer Danielle Bradbery for her second studio album, I Don't Believe We've Met (2017). Bradbery co-wrote the song with Jeff Pardo and Molly Reed; it was produced by Josh Kerr. "Worth It" was first released digitally as the album's fourth and final promotional single on November 10, 2017, and was promoted to American country radio through Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment on March 5, 2018, as the second official single.

Content and themes

"Worth It" is a bluesy, piano-driven ballad in which Bradbery asserts her self-value.[1] [2] The song's lyrics express both vulnerability and indignation towards the way Bradbery has been treated by former lovers,[2] [3] while she claims on the chorus that she is not afraid to walk away from a relationship if she is not given the respect she deserves.[4] Bradbery employs a melisma technique in her vocal delivery as well as "bending" notes to give the song a more soulful sound.[3]

According to Stephen L. Betts of Rolling Stone, the song captures the "zeitgeist of empowerment and self-worth" present at the time of the song's release, with its lyrical content being characterized as feminist.[5] Bradbery reported that the song was written in response to her concerns about her career and, while applicable to a relationship, is ultimately about "standing up for yourself in any situation".[6]

Release and promotion

"Worth It" was released to digital retailers as the album's fourth and final promotional single on November 10, 2017. The song was announced as the second official single through the Billboard Country Update newsletter on February 20, 2018, and was made available to country radio stations on February 26.[7] It officially impacted the format on March 5, 2018. A remixed version of the song was released digitally on March 9, 2018.

On December 1, 2017, Bradbery performed the song live on Megyn Kelly Today.[8] Her performance was praised for highlighting both her "powerhouse vocals" and the "emotional heft" of the song's message.[8] Bradbery appeared as a musical guest on the December 5, 2017, episode of the thirteenth season of The Voice and performed "Worth It".[9] Sterling Whitaker of Taste of Country wrote that her performance "demonstrated all over again why she dominated [her season]".[9]

Critical reception

Jewly Hight of NPR wrote that Bradbery's melismatic delivery "brings a bit more authority to her indignation" on the track.[3] Praising the lyrical content, Stephen L. Betts of Rolling Stone wrote that Bradbery "could be poised for a major breakthrough" at country radio with "Worth It".[5]

Chart performance

"Worth It" sold 6,000 copies in its first week of release and entered the Country Digital Songs chart at number 23.[10] The song debuted at number 49 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated December 2, 2017,[11] becoming her first song to appear on the chart (outside of releases from The Voice) that was not actively being promoted as a single at the time. After the song first became available to radio stations, "Worth It" debuted at number 55 on the Country Airplay chart dated March 3, 2018.[12] It later reached a peak position of 46. The song had sold 15,000 copies in the United States as by December 2017.[13]

Music video

An "instant grat" video was premiered on Bradbery's Vevo channel on November 10, 2017, following the song's digital release.[14] It was directed by Keith J. Leman. Bradbery is lit in shades of blue, red and purple throughout the video to convey her bruised spirit.[5]

The official music video for the song was directed by Shaun Silva and was premiered May 18, 2018. The video was inspired by Jenny Lind's performance of "Never Enough", as seen in the film The Greatest Showman. It was filmed at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.[15]

Track listing

Digital download  - promotional single[16]
  1. "Worth It"  - 3:27
Digital download  - remix single[17]
  1. "Worth It"  - 3:31

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
WorldwideNovember 10, 2017Digital download  - promotional singleBig Machine
United StatesMarch 5, 2018Country radioBMLG[18]
WorldwideMarch 9, 2018Digital download  - remix single

Notes and References

  1. News: Hostelle . Laura . Album Review: Danielle Bradbery's 'I Don't Believe We've Met' . March 10, 2018 . Sounds Like Nashville . November 30, 2017.
  2. News: Papadatos. Markos. Review: Danielle Bradbery wows on new album 'I Don't Believe We've Met'. March 10, 2018. Digital Journal. November 24, 2017.
  3. News: Hight. Jewly. Review: Danielle Bradbery, 'I Don't Believe We've Met'. March 10, 2018. NPR. November 23, 2017.
  4. News: Houghton. Cillea. Album Spotlight: Danielle Bradbery, 'I Don't Believe We've Met'. March 10, 2018. Taste of Country. December 1, 2017.
  5. News: Betts. Stephen L.. Watch Danielle Bradbery's Intense New 'Worth It' Video. March 10, 2018. Rolling Stone. November 10, 2017.
  6. News: Yahr. Emily. Danielle Bradbery finds her own voice. March 10, 2018. Toronto Star. December 10, 2017.
  7. Web site: Billboard Country Update. Billboard. March 10, 2018. 7. February 20, 2018.
  8. News: McKenna. Brittney. See Danielle Bradbery's Slow-Burning 'Worth It' on 'Today'. March 10, 2018. Rolling Stone. December 1, 2017.
  9. News: Whitaker. Sterling. Danielle Bradbery Returns to 'The Voice' to Perform 'Worth It'. March 10, 2018. Taste of Country. December 6, 2017.
  10. News: Bjorke. Matt. Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: November 21, 2017. March 10, 2018. Roughstock. November 22, 2017.
  11. Web site: Hot Country Songs: The Week Of December 2, 2017. Billboard. March 10, 2018.
  12. Web site: Country Airplay: The Week Of March 3, 2018. Billboard. March 10, 2018.
  13. News: Bjorke. Matt. Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: December 19, 2017. March 10, 2018. Roughstock. December 19, 2017.
  14. Web site: Worth It (Instant Grat Video) - Danielle Bradbery. Vevo. March 10, 2018.
  15. Web site: Danielle Bradbery Debuts Greatest Showman and The Voice-Inspired Music Video for 'Worth It'. People.com. May 17, 2018.
  16. Web site: Worth It - Danielle Bradbery Release Info. AllMusic. March 10, 2018.
  17. Select international releases of remix single:
  18. Web site: Danielle Bradbery  - Worth It. Daily Play MPE. March 10, 2018.