Slide (Madeline Merlo song)

"Slide" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country artist Madeline Merlo. She wrote the song with Jerry Flowers, Sam Hunt, and producer Zach Crowell.[1] It is the lead single in Canada off Merlo's debut US extended play Slide.[2]

"Slide"
Single by Madeline Merlo
from the EP Slide
ReleasedDecember 27, 2022 (2022-12-27)
GenreCountry pop
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Zach Crowell
Tim Hicks singles chronology
"It Didn't"
(2020)
"Slide"
(2022)
"Tim + Faith"
(2023)
Music video
"Slide" on YouTube

Background

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Merlo's producer Zach Crowell was originally working on "Slide" with American country artist Sam Hunt and songwriter/guitarist Jerry Flowers.[3] They had only developed a chorus melody when they felt the song sounded "better suited for a woman" and wasn't right for Hunt.[4] Merlo remarked that she was at dinner with friends in Nashville, Tennessee when she received a call from Crowell asking if she wanted to take over the track. She left to work on it with him and Flowers immediately, and completed the song after several writing sessions.[5] Merlo stated that after months of writing following signing her US record deal with BBR Music Group, "Slide" was the first song that "felt right" and "there was a lot of like excitement and joy around" it.[3]

Critical reception

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Top Country named "Slide" their "Pick of the Week" for the week of January 27, 2023, describing it as a "conscious evolution" for Merlo's music.[6] An uncredited review from Hot Country 103.5 stated the song "not only checks all the boxes, but is one of [Merlo's] best releases yet", adding that it "has an infectious groove".[7] In reference to Merlo taking over the song from Sam Hunt, Erica Zisman of Country Swag stated that Merlo "was clearly the right woman for the job".[8]

Commercial performance

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"Slide" debuted as the most-added domestic song at all formats of Canadian radio according to Mediabase in January 2023.[2] It then debuted at number 48 on the Billboard Canada Country chart for the week of January 21, 2023.[9] The song would peak at number 6 on that chart, after climbing for 15 weeks.[10] It thus became the highest peaking single of Merlo's career to-date.[11]

Live performance

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Merlo performed a live acoustic version of "Slide" on KTLA in the United States as part of their "Music Fest Friday" series on September 30, 2022.[12]

Music video

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The official music video for "Slide" premiered on YouTube on October 26, 2022.[13]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Slide"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Canada Country (Billboard)[10] 6

References

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  1. ^ "Slide, Song by Madeline Merlo". Spotify. September 2, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Madeline Merlo Slides Into Top Spot With Radio Release of New Single". Imprint Entertainment. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b O'Connell, Madeleine (October 6, 2022). "Madeline Merlo Opens New Chapter Of Creativity With Latest EP, 'Slide': 'It's Been A Long Process'". Country Now. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  4. ^ Andrew, Stephen (September 25, 2022). "Songland' Winner Madeline Merlo on Working With Sam Hunt on New 'Slide' EP: 'It Was an Amazing Phone Call to Get' (Exclusive)". Popculture. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Konicki, Lisa (November 26, 2022). "Madeline Merlo's Road to Nashville Leads to New EP, 'Slide'". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Pick of the Week – Madeline Merlo "Slide"". Top Country. January 27, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "Slide Over to Madeline Merlo!". Hot Country 103.5. Halifax, Nova Scotia. March 9, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Zisman, Erica (September 23, 2022). "Madeline Merlo: 'Slide' – EP Review". Country Swag. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Canada Country chart for January 21, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Canada Country chart for April 29, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  11. ^
  12. ^ Chacon, Pablo; Chan, Tammy; Parker, Lu; Walker, Glen (September 30, 2022). "Music Fest Fridays: Madeline Merlo performs 'Slide' from new E.P." KTLA. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  13. ^ "Madeline Merlo - Slide (Official Video)" (video). YouTube. October 26, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.