Strip It Down

"Strip It Down" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan. It was first released to digital retailers as the first promotional single from his fifth studio album, Kill the Lights (2015), on July 17, 2015 and was released to radio on August 4, 2015 as the album's second official single.[1][2][3] The song was written by Bryan, Jon Nite and Ross Copperman, and produced by Jeff and Jody Stevens.

"Strip It Down"
Single by Luke Bryan
from the album Kill the Lights
ReleasedAugust 4, 2015 (2015-08-04)
Recorded2015
GenreCountry
Length4:01
LabelCapitol Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Luke Bryan singles chronology
"Kick the Dust Up"
(2015)		 "Strip It Down"
(2015)		 "Home Alone Tonight"
(2015)

Critical reception

Leeann Ward, reviewing the song for Country Universe, gave the song a D+ grade, saying that it "is just another in a long string of his own singles that has been stripped of any country elements. The only aspects of the song that keep it from being a straight up pop single is its arbitrary reference to cowboy boots and that Bryan’s interesting but thin voice has more nasal than a typical pop singer’s voice."[4]

Website Taste of Country was more favorable, saying, "'Kick the Dust Up' was a new take on a well-tested sound for Bryan. More of the same from this new album would have signaled a career on a plateau. “Strip It Down” ensures this two-time Entertainer of the Year’s career remains on the rise."[5]

Commercial performance

Based on pre-order downloads for Kill The Lights in advance of the album's release, the song debuted at number 19 on the Hot Country Songs chart, number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and at number 5 on the Country Digital Songs chart, selling 44,000 copies.[6] The song has sold 779,000 copies in the US as of February 2016.[7] It was certified 2x Multi-Platinum by RIAA in August 2017, indicating US sales of over 2,000,000.[8]

Music video

A lyric video for the song was uploaded to Bryan's Vevo account on July 17, 2015 in conjunction with the song's digital debut.[9] The music video was directed by Shaun Silva and premiered in October 2015.[10]

The lyric video features various couples making love with each other on a smoky grey background as the lyrics appear on the screen in black (and white) blood-like writing.

The music video begins as a city man and a farmer, by phone, agree to meet up. At a gas station, both men trade keys for their vehicles, a luxury sedan and a pickup truck, and set off in opposite directions.[11] Meanwhile, two women, Abbi and Malone, come home to find letters and shoes. After reading the letters, both women dress up, Malone dressing up in jeans and wearing her boots, while Abbi dons a dress and begins wearing her tip toe shoes. After both men pick up the women, both couples enjoy their romantic evening, the version of it depending on the setting.

Chart performance

References
  1. "Luke Bryan Premieres New Sexy Country Jam "Strip It Down": Listen". DirectLyrics. July 18, 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  2. Vinson, Christina (August 4, 2015). "Hear Luke Bryan's Newest Single, 'Strip It Down'". The Boot. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  3. "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. August 3, 2015. p. 8. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  4. "Single Review: Luke Bryan, "Strip it Down"". Country Universe. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  5. "Luke Bryan, 'Strip It Down' [Listen]". Taste of Country. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  6. Matt Bjorke (July 28, 2015). "The Top 30 Digital Country Singles: July 28, 2015".
  7. Bjorke, Matt (February 16, 2016). "The Top 30 Digital Country Singles: February 16, 2016".
  8. "American single certifications – Luke Bryan – Strip It Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 19, 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  9. LukeBryanVEVO (July 17, 2015). "Luke Bryan - Strip It Down (Lyric Video)". YouTube. Google. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  10. "Strip It Down – Luke Bryan". Vevo. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  11. McClellan, Laura. "Luke Bryan Reveals Sexy, But Sweet 'Strip It Down' Video". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  12. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  13. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  14. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  15. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  16. "Luke Bryan Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  17. "Best of 2015: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  18. "Best of 2015: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  19. "Hot Country Songs: Year End 2016". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  20. "Canadian single certifications – Luke Bryan – Strip It Down". Music Canada. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
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