The Wind (Zac Brown Band song)

"The Wind" is a song recorded by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released in June 2012 as the first single from the group's third major-label album, Uncaged, which was released on July 10.[1] The song was written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette and Levi Lowrey.[2]

"The Wind"
Single by Zac Brown Band
from the album Uncaged
Released	June 4, 2012 (2012-06-04)
Genre	Bluegrass Country Folk
Length	2:57
Label	Atlantic RPM Southern Ground
Songwriter(s)	Zac Brown Wyatt Durrette Levi Lowrey
Producer(s)	Keith Stegall Zac Brown
Zac Brown Band singles chronology
"No Hurry" (2012) "The Wind" (2012) "Goodbye in Her Eyes" (2012)

Critical reception

The song was acclaimed by country music critics. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song four and a half stars out of five, writing that "if you slow down and listen to what the man in the beanie is saying, you’re rewarded with a detailed, heartbreaking story."[3] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock also gave the song four and a half stars out of five, saying that "there are great harmonies wrapped up in a melody that is both contemporary country and traditional country-leaning at the same time."[4]

Music video

The music video was animated by Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill creator Mike Judge and premiered in July 2012.[5] It features animated versions of the band, with Zac Brown transformed into "a beer chugging cyborg".[6]

Chart performance

"The Wind" debuted at number 27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 23, 2012, the second-highest debut by a group of the SoundScan era.[7] It ultimately peaked at number 11 in August 2012, making it the group's first single to miss the top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Chart (2012)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8]	68
US Billboard Hot 100[9]	70
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[10]	11

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[11]	60

References

1. Lipshutz, Jason (June 6, 2012). "Hear Zac Brown Band's Barn-Burning New Single, 'The Wind'". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
2. "Zac Brown Band, 'The Wind' -- Song Premiere". The Boot. June 5, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
3. Dukes, Billy (June 5, 2012). "Zac Brown Band, 'The Wind' – Song Review". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
4. Bjorke, Matt (June 5, 2012). "Single Review - Zac Brown Band - "The Wind"". Roughstock. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
5. "CMT : Videos : Zac Brown Band : The Wind". Country Music Television. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
6. Zac Brown becomes a beer chugging cyborg in new music video for "The Wind", Nashville Gab
7. Jessen, Wade (June 14, 2012). "Country Countdown: Eric Church Takes 'Springsteen' to No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
8. "Zac Brown Band Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
9. "Zac Brown Band Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
10. "Zac Brown Band Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
11. "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.