Only the Wind (song)
| "Only the Wind" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Billy Dean | ||||
| from the album Billy Dean | ||||
| B-side | "Simple Things"[1] | |||
| Released | December 30, 1991 | |||
| Format | CD single | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:40 | |||
| Label | Capitol #44803 | |||
| Writer(s) |
Tom Shapiro Chuck Jones | |||
| Producer(s) |
Chuck Howard Tom Shapiro[2] | |||
| Billy Dean singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Only the Wind" is a song written by Tom Shapiro and Chuck Jones, and recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. It was released in December 1991 as the second single from his album Billy Dean. The song spent twenty weeks on the Hot Country Songs charts in 1992, peaking at number four.[1]
The song uses an analogy of a common childhood fear of a windstorm to frame a young man's failing relationship with a woman. Here, the protagonist recalls being comforted by his mother as a gusting, howling wind smacks the screen door and causes him to be frightened. The scene then shifts to the present, where he reveals his relationship difficulties and a fight that causes the woman to leave. Upon hearing the screen door slam shut, he remembers his childhood and wishes aloud that her leaving is just temporary ("It's only the wind, and nothing more/not the end of my world, walking out the door"), knowing that in this case, he has no one to comfort him.
Music video
The music video was directed by Bill Young and premiered in early 1992.
Chart positions
| Chart (1991–1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[3] | 3 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[4] | 48 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 4 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6] | 37 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 56 |
References
- 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 119. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ↑ Billy Dean (cassette). Billy Dean. Liberty Records. 1992. 96728.
- ↑ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2094." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 11, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Adult Songs 1961-2006. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-169-1.
- ↑ "Billy Dean – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Billy Dean.
- ↑ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992". RPM. December 19, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- ↑ "Best of 1992: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
