Learning How to Bend

"Learning How to Bend" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Gary Allan. It was released in March 2008 as the second single from his 2007 album Living Hard. The song peaked at number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Allan wrote the song with James LeBlanc and Matt Warren.

"Learning How to Bend"
Single by Gary Allan
from the album Living Hard
ReleasedMarch 17, 2008
Recorded2007
GenreCountry
Length3:27
LabelMCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)Gary Allan, James LeBlanc, Matt Warren
Producer(s)Mark Wright, Gary Allan
Gary Allan singles chronology
"Watching Airplanes"
(2007)		 "Learning How to Bend"
(2008)		 "She's So California"
(2008)

Critical reception

Thom Jurek of Allmusic thought that the song had better production than the others on the album, saying, "With the echo effects on the vocal and the big strings at the same volume as those ringing, jangling guitars, [the musicians] can't miss."[1]

Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine also made note of Allan's "effective falsetto."[2]

Leeann Ward of CountryUniverse.net gave it an A rating, citing Allan's "raw and powerful delivery" and his use of falsetto in the chorus, as well as the "interesting production."[3]

Music video

The music video was shot in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and at live performances, and was directed by Stephen Shephard, who also directed his previous music video "Watching Airplanes" in 2007.

Chart performance

"Learning How to Bend" debuted at number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated April 5, 2008.

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Canada Country (Billboard)[4] 23
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 13
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 96

References
  1. Jurek, Thom. "Living Hard review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  2. Keefe, Jonathan (28 October 2007). "Gary Allan: Living Hard". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  3. "Gary Allan, "Learning How to Bend"". 5 March 2008.
  4. "Gary Allan Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  5. "Gary Allan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. "Gary Allan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
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