Recorded 2008–09 Length 3:04 | Genre Country Label Capitol Nashville | |
Released March 2, 2009 (2009-03-02) Format CD single
digital download | ||
"Sideways" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Dierks Bentley. As the twelfth single of his career, it was released on March 2, 2009 as the second one from his fourth studio album, Feel That Fire. On the chart week of July 11, 2009, the song became his seventh Number One single on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Contents
The song is part of the track list for Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2.
Content
"Sideways" was co-written by Bentley himself, along with Jim Beavers, the brother of Bentley's producer, Brett Beavers. This song is uptempo and is backed mainly by electric guitar and banjo. This song is about the male character's attempt to talk to a female in a bar. Despite being unable to hear her name, he still tries to come on to her, saying that he wants to "get a little sideways" with her. The song's final chorus features the ambient noise of a bar, along with a chanted chorus by backing vocalists.
Music video
The music video was directed by Michael Salomon, and features Bentley singing in front of a large party crowd. The video was #50 on the GAC's Top 50 Videos of the Year list. It was shot inside the Fuse nightclub, located inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
A second video, containing live performance footage, was released in August 2009. This is the most commonly used version on TV.
Critical reception
Kevin J. Coyne of Country Universe gave the song a C rating and thought that Bentley sounded uncomfortable singing the song, making it sound "dull and lifeless" as a result.