Peak
68
Weeks
9
Score
400
Chart Year
2023
"Gold" is a life anthem where Dierks Bentley recognizes the treasures of living in the moment. The country star starts off the song lamenting how hard life can be. Even when he finally gets some greener grass he finds he's still in the weeds. Eventually, Bentley recognizes the blessings he has. "That reminds me a lot of working your way up in the country music business, reminds me a lot of being a parent," the singer said. "You've got to be present where you're are and when you are present, you recognize it's a good moment to be in sometimes, and sometimes you forget and take it for granted." Bentley wrote "Gold" with songwriters and frequent collaborators Ashley Gorley, Luke Dick, and Ross Copperman. The singer previously teamed with Gorley, Copperman, and another writer, Jon Nite, for his 2018 track "Living," which has a similar message of finding the sunshine in everyday things. Dierks Bentley and Ross Copperman co-produced the jaunty song with Jon Randall and the track's engineer, Reid Shippen. The musicians are: Drums and percussion: Aaron Sterling Bass: Lex Price Acoustic Guitar: Danny Rader, Bryan Sutton and Charlie Worsham Electric Guitar: Danny Rader and Jedd Hughes Mandolin: Sam Bush Pedal Steel: Dan Dugmore Background Vocals: Luke Dick and Dierks Bentley I got some rust on my Chevy but it's ready to roll I got a rhinestone sky and a song in my soul It ain't a smooth ride, life, it's a winding road Yeah, it might be gravel, but it feels like gold After Dierks drove his 1994 Chevy pickup to Music Row for the appointment with Ashley Gorley, Luke Dick, and Ross Copperman, the rust around its edges served as inspiration for the first line of the hook. The four writers then came up with several other ideas about embracing imperfection on life's journey, including the contrast between common gravel and shiny gold. "We were going back-and-forth and kind of had this 'gold' idea and 'gravel,'" Bentley recalled to Billboard. "Working with Ashley is so fun, just watching how he's able to spin that into something and hammer that into 'might be gravel but it feels like gold.' When he said that, there was like, 'Oh, that's it. That's the hook.' It didn't feel like it was a hit single or anything. It's just, 'OK, that's definitely the angle' - and then creating a story around that." Bentley's 1994 Chevy pickup is the same truck he used to move to Nashville from Arizona in 1994. He tells us more about that "beat up truck" in the first verse of his 2013 single "I Hold On." Director Wes Edwards shot the video across the state of Tennessee. The clip reiterates Bentley's admiration for the outdoors as we see a blue-collar worker break free from the daily grind and hit the road in search of a fresh start. "The treatment for this music video almost wrote itself," said Bentley. "'Gold' is an optimistic reality check. I think we all wrestle with trying to get through the rocky parts of life and on to the next thing, but there are lots of special moments to cherish even in the middle of the tough stuff."
It ain't easy Nobody said it would be You finally find that greener grass But you're still in the weeds Ain't it crazy All the time that you spend Drivin' through the rainbow for the pot at the end I got some rust on my Chevy but it's ready to roll I got a rhinestone sky and a song in my soul It ain't a smooth ride, life, it's a winding road Yeah, it might be gravel, but it feels like gold I've been climbing Tryna get to the view I'm at the bottom but the sky's still pretty damn blue They say heaven Is somewhere on the other side But I ain't waitin' Hell, I'm thinkin', it's a state of mind I got some rust on my Chevy but it's ready to roll I got a rhinestone sky and a song in my soul It ain't a smooth ride, life, it's a winding road Yeah, it might be gravel, but it feels like gold Yeah, it feels like gold Yeah, it feels like gold Got my baby sittin' by me Shinin' like a diamond Only silver linings in the clouds And if it starts to rain I don't worry 'bout a thing I pull my rose colored Ray-Bans out I got some rust on my Chevy but it's ready to roll I got a rhinestone sky and a song in my soul It ain't a smooth ride, life, it's a winding road Yeah, it might be gravel, but it feels like gold Yeah, it feels like gold (yeah, it does) Yeah, it feels like gold It ain't a smooth ride, life, it's a winding road Yeah, it might be gravel, but it feels like gold (one, two, three)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 4, 2023 | 99 | 27 |
| 2 | Mar 11, 2023 | 90 | 36 |
| 5 | Apr 1, 2023 | 93 | 33 |
| 6 | Apr 8, 2023 | 92 | 34 |
| 7 | Apr 15, 2023 | 90 | 36 |
| 8 | Apr 22, 2023 | 86 | 40 |
| 9 | Apr 29, 2023 | 77 | 49 |
| 10 | May 6, 2023 | 72 | 54 |
| 11 | May 13, 2023 | 68 | 58 |