Gonna Get a Life

"Gonna Get a Life" is a song written by Jim Lauderdale and Frank Dycus, and recorded by American country music singer Mark Chesnutt. It was released in February 1995 as the third single from his album What a Way to Live. The song became Chesnutt's sixth U.S. Country Music charts Number One in May of that year.[1]

"Gonna Get a Life"
Single by Mark Chesnutt
from the album What a Way to Live
B-side"Half of Everything (And All of My Heart)"[1]
ReleasedFebruary 21, 1995[2]
Recorded1994
GenreCountry
Length3:43
LabelDecca
Songwriter(s)Jim Lauderdale, Frank Dycus[3]
Producer(s)Mark Wright
Mark Chesnutt singles chronology
"Goin' Through the Big D"
(1994)		 "Gonna Get a Life"
(1995)		 "Down in Tennessee"
(1995)

Background and writing

Jim Lauderdale told Taste of Country that he was working at co-writer Frank Dycus' house that day and while taking a break he played a melody that he came up with. Dycus came up with the title and then wrote the rest of the lyrics.[4]

Critical reception

Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a "spicy mix of country and cajun."[5]

Music video

The music video was directed by Sherman Halsey and premiered in early 1995. It was filmed in Lafayette, Louisiana. It features Chesnutt performing the song in concert, in a treehouse, and at a cajun party surrounded by various people.

Chart performance

"Gonna Get a Life" debuted at number 68 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of February 25, 1995.

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6] 2
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1995) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[8] 66
US Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 22

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 92–93. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/chesnutt_mark/611461/album.jhtml
  3. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "What a Way to Live". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  4. Conaway, Alanna (July 2011). ""Gonna Get a Life" — Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  5. "Reviews". Billboard: 67. 4 March 1995.
  6. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 8999." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 15, 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  7. "Mark Chesnutt Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1995". RPM. December 18, 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  9. "Best of 1995: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.


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