B-side "Don't Tell Mama" Format CD single, 7" 45 RPM Genre Country rock | Released September 11, 2000 Recorded 1999 Length 3:02 | |
"Right Where I Need to Be" is a song written by Casey Beathard and Kendell Marvel, and recorded by American country music artist Gary Allan. It was released in September 2000 as the third and last single released from his album Smoke Rings in the Dark. It reached number 5 in June 2001, thus becoming his first top 5 hit, as well as his third top 10 hit. Before it was released as a single, it charted from unsolicited airplay while "Lovin' You Against My Will" was climbing the charts. According to Joel Whitburn's Hot Country Songs 1944–2008, this song spent 48 weeks on the country charts, giving it the longest chart run of that decade. "Right Where I Need to Be" entered Top Ten on Hot Country Songs in its fortieth week on the chart, making it tied for the fourth slowest climb into the Top Ten in the chart's history.
Contents
Before its release, "Right Where I Need to Be" was the b-side to the album's title track.
Content
In this song, the narrator is a promotion-bound executive who is climbing the corporate ladder at the expense of his private life. His boss says he will get a promotion if he flies to New Orleans on business. The executive decides to leave his first-class seat empty in favor of staying with his significant other. He states that being with his lover is "right where [he] need[s] to be."
Music video
The music video was directed by Chris Rogers. The video was shot on a deserted runway at the Nashville International Airport.
Chart performance
"Right Where I Need to Be" debuted at number 75 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of April 22, 2000. It re-entered the charts as an official single at number 65 for the chart week of September 16, 2000.