Josh Dorr - "Save Your Breath"

[sabre14]

Artist: Josh Dorr
Single: "Save Your Breath"
Writers: Josh Dorr, Jason Mizelle
Label: RCA Nashville
Add Date: December 15th, 2014
Source



RCA has decided to release new artist Josh Dorr's debut single "Save Your Breath" on December 15th, instead of waiting til after the new year. This is off his self-titled EP.

[Kurt]

"All Or Nothing" is the track I've been playing regularly from his EP, but the whole thing is solid, so I'm glad to see something getting a radio push (though not waiting until Q1 is a little odd to me).

Oh, and here's the single artwork:

[dm2081]

This is pretty good. Sounds more like early 2000's country, which is a good thing. Not sure if it will be distinct enough to break out, but I really like it.

[blueguitar]

Much better than that Austin Webb mess! His voice is really rich and he's a cutie too. I hope this can go somewhere! The track is a little long and it takes a while for the song to build, but my first impression is I like it!

[gurustu]

Yeah, this isn't too bad. I hear stuff like this every day in Nashville though and Sony is signing them Left and Right lately; so longevity for this kid may be limited. With that said though, it's better than a lot of the mess that's on Top 30 lately. Keep an eye on Ryan Griffin, recently signed to Sony; he's the newer artist to really watch for, but I like this one.

[Deleted]

Nov 12, 2014 13:19:55 GMT -5 Kurt said:

"All Or Nothing" is the track I've been playing regularly from his EP, but the whole thing is solid, so I'm glad to see something getting a radio push (though not waiting until Q1 is a little odd to me).

I have a hunch that it'll get a 2nd and more "official" adds date sometime in January. I seem to recall this happening once recently (either last year or the year before), where a song was 'sent for adds' in December but really didn't wind up getting a full launch until after the New Year.

[tvoss20]

Definitely solid after 1 listen.

[bigfan101]

Solid start, seems like a perfect song for the winter months. I am not sure it is memorable enough to be a debut single but as dm2081 said it reminds me of early 2000's country in a good way.

[sabre14]

Nov 14, 2014 11:46:31 GMT -5 bigfan101 said:

Solid start, seems like a perfect song for the winter months. I am not sure it is memorable enough to be a debut single but as dm2081 said it reminds me of early 2000's country in a good way.

If this song hits, it probably won't be peaking til the late spring or early summer of 2015. I expect this to not chart til mid January anyway as I agree with jhomes87 that this probably won't be getting fully embraced by radio (if it does) til the new year.

[sabre14]

It seems that the December 15th add date was the official one as "Save Your Breath" got 38 adds. Not bad. I think RCA was shooting for at least 30 adds with over 40 being excellent so close to the shutdown,  so they will gladly take the 38. I'll be interested to see how this performs come the new year since RCA has some free hands now with the departure of Love and Theft.

[Deleted]

Dec 16, 2014 11:59:13 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

It seems that the December 15th add date was the official one as "Save Your Breath" got 38 adds. Not bad. I think RCA was shooting for at least 30 adds with over 40 being excellent so close to the shutdown,  so they will gladly take the 38. I'll be interested to see how this performs come the new year since RCA has some free hands now with the departure of Love and Theft.

Oh yeah, it was definitely the official add date. I was merely thinking (a few weeks back) that, if this song didn't happen to get very many adds this week, then there was always the option of RCA going with a new adds date in January. I seem to remember this happening (where a song didn't get a ton of adds so the label gave it a second adds date after the New Year) either last year or the year before, but I can't recall which one it was.

Anyway, with so many labels shying away from December adds dates, I'm actually not surprised that "Save Your Breath" got so many adds yesterday, given that it was one of the few major label releases with a December adds date. I think this one has a good chance to make it on the chart next week, and then a good chance to really take off in January.

[Daryl the Beryl]

Debuts at #55 on Billboard:

55 NEW SAVE YOUR BREATH RCA Nashville Josh Dorr
Audience: 0.715 million (+0.319)
Plays: 201 (+56)
Rank in terms of plays: 55

[Libra]

I think I'm finally starting to get into this, but it's taken me listening to it and then backing away on two separate listens, and now coming back yet again before giving in.

It starts out well, but the chorus is its weak point. When it hits, it's like a sharp zigzag when the song's otherwise been building up smoothly. Part of it may be just me though; I usually don't like it when a guy's singing a song with this subject, and when it gets to the sexiest parts, his voice goes up.

[.indulgecountry]

This isn't jumping out to me as anything spectacular, but it's a pleasant debut single and it shows promise. Vocally he sounds like Tyler Farr, if you were to remove some of the gravel stuck in Farr's throat and replace it with more talent. I can see it being a grower.

Nov 14, 2014 12:55:35 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

If this song hits, it probably won't be peaking til the late spring or early summer of 2015.

Awfully optimistic don't you think? My guess would be more like late summer given that it's a debut single. ;)

[sabre14]

Jan 6, 2015 22:28:55 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

This isn't jumping out to me as anything spectacular, but it's a pleasant debut single and it shows promise. Vocally he sounds like Tyler Farr, if you were to remove some of the gravel stuck in Farr's throat and replace it with more talent. I can see it being a grower.

Nov 14, 2014 12:55:35 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

If this song hits, it probably won't be peaking til the late spring or early summer of 2015.

Awfully optimistic don't you think? My guess would be more like late summer given that it's a debut single. ;)

Yes, late summer would definitely be better but I did say that in mid November, so who knows what I was thinking about that day. In fact when I saw you quoted me in this thread, I went "What in the world did I say in that thread?" Lol

I am a bit concerned about the timing of this songs release (along with Steven Lee Olsen's). It very well could get lost in the shuffle here and RCA will have to stick with this for a while to see this thing through.

[sabre14]

"Save Your Breath" lost over 100k in audience this past week on Billboard and it was knocked back a few spaces on MB with the influx of new music from some bigger name artists. It was released 8 weeks ago and has spent 6 on Billboard's chart. I personally feel that this could be in danger of getting lost in the shuffle since the new year is notorious for being a breeding ground for new singles and its currently sitting below 1 million in total audience. I liked the first couple weeks, especially that 38 adds Josh and RCA got on add date (no competition that week helped), but RCA will definitely need to stick with this for a long time if they expect to see this through. Maybe a 40 week climb, assuming it doesn't fall victim by then. The December add date is something I've never been a fan of though I see why some labels choose that route, but it can torpedo a song by the time mid winter comes.

I also think it's interesting to note how few times RCA has successfully broken in new artists in recent years. Looking at their track record, I have to go back to Crystal Shawanda and Chuck Wicks in 2008 the last time they took a brand new artists debut single to the top 20 (Danny Gokey" almost reached the top 20 with "My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me" in 2010; 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville).

[Libra]

The crazy thing about that is...here and there, there's "buzz" articles either about him or including him, that mention him as a promising up-and-comer.

Rising Artist Josh Dorr Looks to ’90s Country — and Boyz II Men — to Influence Debut Album

10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: Winter 2015


Having no idea of how this works, this will probably sound like kind of a stupid question - but, RCA probably had to have some kind of hand in securing articles like these, right? Either them or whatever management team he's working with? I get the idea that it takes time to catch on...I guess at the moment I'm having trouble digesting the contrast with this song currently struggling.

[sabre14]

Feb 4, 2015 17:46:45 GMT -5 Libra said:

The crazy thing about that is...here and there, there's "buzz" articles either about him or including him, that mention him as a promising up-and-comer.

Rising Artist Josh Dorr Looks to ’90s Country — and Boyz II Men — to Influence Debut Album

10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: Winter 2015


Having no idea of how this works, this will probably sound like kind of a stupid question - but, RCA probably had to have some kind of hand in securing articles like these, right? Either them or whatever management team he's working with? I get the idea that it takes time to catch on...I guess at the moment I'm having trouble digesting the contrast with this song currently struggling.

This song is still young enough to not panic just yet - just an observation to a potential scenario where "Save Your Breath" doesn't catch on.

Country radio really is a brutal business. Lots of artists over the past decade or so (as long as I've been closely following) have made those sort of articles and never amounted to much of anything. I'm sure RCA was involved in getting Josh as much publicity as possible and The Boot is one of those "pump" artists up and rainbows and lollipops websites, though they do a fine job in regards to country news and latest headlines.

The start of the year is an incredibly difficult time for new artists to break through. Some do and some don't. Most artists do an extensive radio tour and labels do they're best to spread the word of a debut single from one of they're artists. "Save Your Breath" did get 38 adds which was a number I would have taken if I was RCA, even in the less competitive December month for new singles. I still want to give this another few weeks to let it perhaps find its way here. I could see it going either way right now since labels stick with singles much more frequently than 8-10 years ago. "Love You Like That" is finally catching on the way Mercury would like it to at over 20 weeks, though that songs sales is probably why it finally did. Josh's sits in the 400's on the all-genre chart last time I checked, so that's not a feather in his cap as of yet.

Like I said, it's not looking that promising right now but I'm willing to give this a few more weeks at least. Brand new artists missing with they're debut singles, no matter what "buzz articles" are floating about them, doesn't surprise me in regards to country radio.

[Libra]

Feb 4, 2015 18:13:45 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

This song is still young enough to not panic just yet - just an observation to a potential scenario where "Save Your Breath" doesn't catch on.

Country radio really is a brutal business. Lots of artists over the past decade or so (as long as I've been closely following) have made those sort of articles and never amounted to much of anything. I'm sure RCA was involved in getting Josh as much publicity as possible and The Boot is one of those "pump" artists up and rainbows and lollipops websites, though they do a fine job in regards to country news and latest headlines.

The start of the year is an incredibly difficult time for new artists to break through. Some do and some don't. Most artists do an extensive radio tour and labels do they're best to spread the word of a debut single from one of they're artists. "Save Your Breath" did get 38 adds which was a number I would have taken if I was RCA, even in the less competitive December month for new singles. I still want to give this another few weeks to let it perhaps find its way here. I could see it going either way right now since labels stick with singles much more frequently than 8-10 years ago. "Love You Like That" is finally catching on the way Mercury would like it to at over 20 weeks, though that songs sales is probably why it finally did. Josh's sits in the 400's on the all-genre chart last time I checked, so that's not a feather in his cap as of yet.

Like I said, it's not looking that promising right now but I'm willing to give this a few more weeks at least. Brand new artists missing with they're debut singles, no matter what "buzz articles" are floating about them, doesn't surprise me in regards to country radio.

Ahhhh. So this is an incredibly routine thing. :(

I mean, I'm probably not going to panic unless it's looking like the song's entering free-fall or something like that. One thing I do wonder about - it seems like there's been lots of higher-profile new releases lately, which are no doubt squeezing out newer artists. Are these releases coming at a higher frequency than usual as of late, or is this also normal? Just to get a better idea there.

[sabre14]

Feb 4, 2015 18:27:13 GMT -5 Libra said:

Feb 4, 2015 18:13:45 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

This song is still young enough to not panic just yet - just an observation to a potential scenario where "Save Your Breath" doesn't catch on.

Country radio really is a brutal business. Lots of artists over the past decade or so (as long as I've been closely following) have made those sort of articles and never amounted to much of anything. I'm sure RCA was involved in getting Josh as much publicity as possible and The Boot is one of those "pump" artists up and rainbows and lollipops websites, though they do a fine job in regards to country news and latest headlines.

The start of the year is an incredibly difficult time for new artists to break through. Some do and some don't. Most artists do an extensive radio tour and labels do they're best to spread the word of a debut single from one of they're artists. "Save Your Breath" did get 38 adds which was a number I would have taken if I was RCA, even in the less competitive December month for new singles. I still want to give this another few weeks to let it perhaps find its way here. I could see it going either way right now since labels stick with singles much more frequently than 8-10 years ago. "Love You Like That" is finally catching on the way Mercury would like it to at over 20 weeks, though that songs sales is probably why it finally did. Josh's sits in the 400's on the all-genre chart last time I checked, so that's not a feather in his cap as of yet.

Like I said, it's not looking that promising right now but I'm willing to give this a few more weeks at least. Brand new artists missing with they're debut singles, no matter what "buzz articles" are floating about them, doesn't surprise me in regards to country radio.

Ahhhh. So this is an incredibly routine thing. :(

I mean, I'm probably not going to panic unless it's looking like the song's entering free-fall or something like that. One thing I do wonder about - it seems like there's been lots of higher-profile new releases lately, which are no doubt squeezing out newer artists. Are these releases coming at a higher frequency than usual as of late, or is this also normal? Just to get a better idea there.

January and February are usually high with higher-profile releases. Though that doesn't mean they can't come at other points during the year. I remember a couple times last spring/summer where we had a ton of new releases from well established artists, that probably contributed to newer artists songs getting lost in the shuffle ("Young In America", "Best Night Ever", "Famous", "Clockwork" are four that come to mind). Last summer was brutal for songs breaking through.

If your a debut single like "Save Your Breath", you just got to weather the storm from the new releases from the likes of Tim, Keith, Zac, Maddie & Tae, Big & Rich, Kip, Kenny, etc.. 

[mus1cr0w]

ooookkkk. not to be "that person". but is anyone else bothered by the glaring grammatical error here?

"save your breath, you're gonna need 'em."

should it be "you're gonna need it"? Also, "NEED IT" would rhyme with "like they're a SECRET".

How did this get past EVERYONE?! This ruins the song for me. I know.

MR

[Deleted]

Feb 5, 2015 18:23:20 GMT -5 mus1cr0w said:

ooookkkk. not to be "that person". but is anyone else bothered by the glaring grammatical error here?

"save your breath, you're gonna need 'em."

should it be "you're gonna need it"? Also, "NEED IT" would rhyme with "like they're a SECRET".

How did this get past EVERYONE?! This ruins the song for me. I know.

No, that line bothers me a lot as well. I just haven't listened to the song yet, haha. I just saw that that line was in ads that RCA Nashville put in the daily Aircheck emails and it bothered me a lot. "Save your breath, you're gonna need [th]em" does not make any sense at all. They would need to make 'breath' plural (breaths) for 'em' to make sense, but you're right...if the lyric is "like they're a secret", then why the preceding line isn't "save your breath, you're gonna need it" doesn't make any sense to me.

[zaclord 🌈]

Ugh I'm so glad I'm not the only one that cringes to that lyric. I noticed it the very first time I heard the song and tried to push past it because I quite enjoy the song other than that error. And like jhomes said above, it even rhymes better with the next line if they say "it" instead of "'em". However, I've found that singing the correct word loudly over Josh helps me get past this issue ;)

[Ten Pound Hammer]

I have the same problem with "twenty years have came and went" in Angry All the Time and "these occasional moments of weakness only makes our love more strong" in Diamond Rio's Walkin' Away.

Pandora has given me this song a few times and it's good. Nothing amazing but really solid.

[sabre14]

Feb 5, 2015 18:23:20 GMT -5 mus1cr0w said:

ooookkkk. not to be "that person". but is anyone else bothered by the glaring grammatical error here?

"save your breath, you're gonna need 'em."

should it be "you're gonna need it"? Also, "NEED IT" would rhyme with "like they're a SECRET".

How did this get past EVERYONE?! This ruins the song for me. I know.

MR

I only listed to this song a couple times when it was first released and to be honest, I never paid close attention to the lyrics (little embarrassing, I know), but I just did now and man I agree with you and everyone since...that sounds terrible. There has to be some strange reason why they decided to make the lyric that since its painfully improper. Usually the label sits down with the artist and producer to showcase studio material to them before the release it and I don't know how that line seemed fine to everyone. Yikes!

I'm not going to say it quite "ruins" the song but it's now all I can think about when I hear this song.

[mus1cr0w]

Perhaps since it is only on an ep and hasnt really charted yet they can pull a "jake Owen spitting my dip tonight" lyric change....and reship to radio..

Hmm. Interesting...same label? Perhaps they need someone in a&r who can listen for these things rather than just push crap out...

MR

[rbundy1987]

With getting help from Toby Keith's "Drunk Americans", Lady Antebellum's "Freestyle", and Luke Bryan's "I See You" all leaving the Mediabase chart as of last night, this debuts at #49 for this weekend!!!!

[LBTrocks]

Now I can't un-hear the awfulness that is the "save your breath, you're gonna need 'em" line

Otherwise, this is extremely good, but it did take me a couple listens to appreciate it. Now if I can overlook that lyric, we'll be in business.

[Libra]

Down 104K for the week on Billboard, and didn't return to the Top 50 after Kristian & FGL went recurrent.

Has this peaked? :(

[cws3030]

Mar 9, 2015 22:47:42 GMT -5 Libra said:

Down 104K for the week on Billboard, and didn't return to the Top 50 after Kristian & FGL went recurrent.

Has this peaked? :(

He did get 2 new adds, they may stick it out for a few weeks to see if they can find some lucky momentum.