You Look Good

Album: Heart Break (2017)
Charted: 59
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lead single from Heart Break, this buoyant track was released on January 19, 2017, following the Lady A trio's hiatus of sorts in 2016.
  • The funky, upbeat tune was written by Hillary Lindsey, Ryan Hurd and busbee. Country star Thomas Rhett actually had the song on hold before Lady Antebellum picked it up. Lady A's Dave Heywood told Radio.com:

    "We don't cut many outside songs, we're really picky about outside songs, but this one had just a funky feel to it. It was cool but didn't try too hard, which is really hard to do. It just summed up the way we've been feeling as a band, our excitement, getting back to the innocence of the way we've worked together as a trio, and writing together and traveling together. The horns have a great feeling of energy."
  • The track features prominent horns throughout the chorus. "We've always loved experimenting with different instruments and sounds in the studio, but we've never used horns before," Dave Haywood said. "The energy they brought to this song is really fun and was validation for all three of us that it had to be our first single back."
  • Hillary Scott has had a love of horns since her childhood days and has wanted to incorporate them into the band's music ever since Lady A formed.

    "I grew up listening to so many different types of music, and I always just felt like they take you, they transport you to a different place, to a really fun place I think of New Orleans and a different parts of the world that you hear music with horns and you feel it," she said. "It's got a soul to it, and so we felt like this was the perfect choice."
  • The song's music video was directed by Shane Drake, who has also shot clips for Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Brantley Gilbert. Set in an intimate venue, the visual captures the essence of the soulful tune with a packed fun-loving crowd on the dance floor.
  • Even though all three band members are married, this song finds them singing about hooking up. Billboard magazine asked Charles Kelley if such narratives come easily. He replied:

    "You don't want a whole record full of songs about our kids! That gets old. I think of 'You Look Good' as a couple in love and enjoying each other and feeling confident. My wife and I have this moment, especially at an award show or something, where we get dressed up, and it's like, all right, we still got it. We can go out there and have a fun night and be attracted to each other.

    But I do think as songwriters we love nostalgic songs, like 'Big Love in a Small Town' or 'Teenage Heart.' We like to tap into emotions that we've seen or places that we've been before."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?