"In Love with a Girl" is a song recorded by American singer Gavin DeGraw and was released as the lead single from DeGraw's self-titled second studio album, released in 2008.

"In Love with a Girl"
Single by Gavin DeGraw
from the album Gavin DeGraw
Released2008
Recorded2007
GenrePop rock
Length3:27
LabelJ
Songwriter(s)Gavin DeGraw
Producer(s)
Gavin DeGraw singles chronology
"Just Friends"
(2006)
"In Love with a Girl"
(2008)
"She Holds a Key"
(2008)

A previously-unreleased alternate version produced by Max Martin, who "initially worked on the song", was included on DeGraw's 2014 compilation Finest Hour: The Best of Gavin DeGraw.[1]

Music video edit

The music video premiered on March 25, 2008, on Yahoo! Music. Kristin Cavallari plays his love interest in the video, which opens with a big-box store (Sears) closing while Kristin hides out of sight under a kiosk. She then receives a text message saying "I'm Here XOXO", and then opens the door to her mysterious boyfriend, later revealed to be DeGraw. Together, they then wander aimlessly around the mall, video taping their antics while simultaneously avoiding a security guard who is working the night shift. Scenes are also included with DeGraw playing the piano while his band, including his touring drummer at the time Landon Ashworth performs the song. The video ends with the two leaving the store and never being discovered by the guard. The video can be viewed on DeGraw's official channel on YouTube.[2] As of October 2022, the music video has gained over 14 million views. The video was ranked on VH1 as the 21st best music video of 2008 on the Top 40 Videos of 2008.

Critical reception edit

Katie Hasty of Billboard commented: ""In Love with a Girl" opens with heavily distorted guitars as minor chords roll through, but be not deceived: Lyrically, the track is happy, with the 30-year-old songwriter heralding a girl that "understands." One flaw beleaguers DeGraw's normally dependable croon: the unnecessary presence of auto-tuning, which is mightily distracting. Beyond that, "Girl" is a rocking home run in the same ballpark as "I Don't Want to Be." The chorus is buoyant, backed with idyllic drum tracks alongside, driving each word-heavy verse, as DeGraw's snappy piano lines may have fans playing, heaven forbid, air piano."[3]

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[19] Gold 7,500^
United States (RIAA)[20] Platinum 1,000,000

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ Moraski, Lauren (October 22, 2014). "Gavin DeGraw on best-of album: "I'm just getting started"". CBS News. Retrieved June 10, 2021. There's also a different version of "In Love With a Girl," produced by Max Martin, the person who initially worked on the song. That take hasn't been officially released until now. "You get to hear a different take on the song, which I think is a cool little nugget to have on the record," said DeGraw.
  2. ^ Video on DeGraw's YouTube channel on YouTube.
  3. ^ Billboard review.
  4. ^ "Gavin DeGraw – In Love with a Girl" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "Gavin DeGraw Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "Gavin DeGraw Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "Gavin DeGraw Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "Gavin DeGraw – In Love with a Girl". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  9. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 2008" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  10. ^ "Gavin DeGraw – In Love with a Girl" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "Gavin DeGraw – In Love with a Girl". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "Gavin DeGraw Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Gavin DeGraw Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Gavin DeGraw Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  15. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  16. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2008". Top 40. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  18. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  19. ^ "Denmark certifications - Gavin Degraw - In Love with a Girl". Archived from the original on January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  20. ^ "American single certifications – Gavin Degraw – In Love with a Girl". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 31, 2022.