The Way I Talk
"The Way I Talk" is a song recorded by American country artist Morgan Wallen.[1] The song was co-written by Jessi Alexander, Ben Hayslip, and Chase McGill.[2] It was Wallen's debut single[3] and the lead single from his debut studio album If I Know Me.[4]
| "The Way I Talk" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  | ||||
| Single by Morgan Wallen | ||||
| from the album If I Know Me | ||||
| Released | September 12, 2016 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:28 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | 
 | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Morgan Wallen singles chronology | ||||
| 
 | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "The Way I Talk" on YouTube | ||||
| EP cover | ||||
|  EP cover | ||||
Background
    
The song was written by Ben Hayslip, Jessi Alexander, and Chase McGill, but Wallen felt a personal connection to the song upon hearing it. He stated "It’s about “the things that I’m proud of and the way that I live, and it was just a perfect match to me."[5]
Critical reception
    
Whiskey Riff gave a favourable review of the song, highlighting the lyric “Man it ain’t my fault, I just live the way I talk” stating they "wish more people would live that way as well".[6] The Country Note noted Wallen's "dynamic vocal delivery", stating the track "features a sound straight out of the modern South, combining elements of both country and rock".[7]
Commercial performance
    
"The Way I Talk" reached peaks of #35 on Billboard Hot Country Songs,[8] #30 on Country Airplay,[9] and #50 on Canada Country.[10] This marked Wallen's first entries on each chart. It has been certified Gold by Music Canada.[11]
Music video
    
The music video was directed by TK McKamy and premiered on April 6, 2017.[12] The video featured Wallen and his friends doing various activities such as chasing chickens or boxing for fun.[13][14]
Track listings
    
Digital download - single[2]
- "The Way I Talk" – 3:28
Digital download - EP[2]
- "The Way I Talk" – 3:28
- "Chain Smokin'" – 3:42
- "Whiskey Glasses" – 3:54
- "Stand Out" – 3:14
- "American Nights" – 3:22
Charts
    
| Weekly charts
 | Year-end charts
 
 | 
Certifications
    
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales | 
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[11] | Gold | 40,000  | 
| United States (RIAA)[16] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000  | 
| 
 | ||
Release history
    
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | January 1, 2016 | 
 | Big Loud | [2] | 
| 
 | ||||
| United States / Canada | September 12, 2016 | Country radio | [17] | 
References
    
- "MORGAN WALLEN CHARMS COUNTRY RADIO WITH "THE WAY I TALK"". Big Loud Records. May 16, 2017.
- "The Way I Talk - Morgan Wallen". AllMusic. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- Nicholson, Jessica (September 27, 2016). "Big Loud Records' Morgan Wallen Trades Baseball Ambitions For Country Music Dreams". MusicRow. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- Lorie Hollabaugh (April 11, 2018). "Morgan Wallen Releases Track Listing For 'If I Know Me'". Music Row. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- Morgan, Emily (December 13, 2020). "Morgan Wallen's 'The Way I Talk': Story Behind the Country Star's First Hit Song". Outsider.
- "Real Country Folks Will Get Something Out Of Morgan Wallen's Heatin' Up Single "The Way I Talk"". Whiskey Riff. November 21, 2016.
- "Morgan Wallen Charms Country Radio With "The Way I Talk"". The Country Note. May 13, 2017.
- "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- "Morgan Wallen Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- "Canadian single certifications – Morgan Wallen – The Way I Talk". Music Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- "Morgan Wallen - The Way I Talk (Official Video)" (video). YouTube. April 6, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Weatherby, Taylor (May 12, 2017). "Morgan Wallen Takes Fans Behind the Scenes of 'The Way I Talk' Video, Talks Touring With Florida Georgia Line: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Brickley, Kelly (April 9, 2017). "MORGAN WALLEN CELEBRATES UPBRINGING IN VIDEO FOR 'THE WAY I TALK'". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- "American single certifications – Morgan Wallen – The Way I Talk". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- "MORGAN WALLEN – THE WAY I TALK". Daily Play MPE. Destiny Media Technologies. August 22, 2016.