Format Digital download Label Atlantic | Genre Country | |
Released September 3, 2013 (2013-09-03) Length 2:40 (Solo version)
2:39 (Encore version) Writer(s) Hunter Hayes
Dave Brainard
Jennifer Zuffinetti | ||
"Everybody's Got Somebody but Me" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Hunter Hayes for his eponymous debut album, Hunter Hayes (2011). While recording new material for (Encore), the expanded re-issue of his debut, Hayes also re-recorded three of the tracks, including a new duet version of "Everybody's Got Somebody but Me" featuring guest vocals by singer Jason Mraz. Atlantic Nashville released the Encore version of the song as the fifth single from the album, and second from the (Encore) edition, on September 3, 2013.
Contents
Content
The song is a plucky, mid-tempo country pop song backed by a steel guitar. Its lyrics depict a narrator surrounded by couples who bemoans his inability to find someone to love, lamenting "everybody's got somebody but me". Hayes specifically sought to include Mraz on the re-recording because the songwriters felt it "sounded so much like" Mraz's music.
Critical reception
Billy Dukes of Taste of Country found the "playful spirit" of the song to be a refreshing change of pace from Hayes's previous singles, and thought that it was "the most fun [Hayes has] been since 'Storm Warning'". Roughstock editor Matt Bjorke gave the song a glowing review, summarizing his thoughts thusly: "['Everybody's Got Somebody but Me'] showcases everything there's to like about Hunter Hayes as a singer, a songwriter and artist." Entertainment blog Cambio praised the collaboration between Hayes and Mraz, which they called unexpected but "pretty genius", as well as the relatable and "cute" lyrics of the song.
Music video
Hayes and Mraz invited YouTube artists and other aspiring musicians Tessa Violet, Echosmith, TJ Smith, Tyler Ward, Brandyn Burnette, Brian Landau, Sam Tsui, Kina Grannis and Peter Hollens to share their covers of the song, and participate in a one-take mashup video. This was the first such venture by Warner Music Group, whose senior vice-president for interactive marketing said optimistically that "[f]or some kids, people like Kurt Schneider and Tyler Ward are people that they trust." This video was directed by YouTube artist director Kurt Hugo Schneider.
Another music video with just Hayes and Mraz in a park singing the song while various couples cross their paths to the exasperation of both of them was also released. This music video was directed by Shane Drake and premiered in October 2013.
Chart performance
"Everybody's Got Somebody but Me" debuted at number 58 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of July 13, 2013. It also debuted at number 48 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of October 12, 2013. It also debuted at number 25 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart for the week of November 2, 2013.