Pray for You (Jaron and the Long Road to Love song)

"Pray for You" is a song written by Joel Brentlinger and Jaron Lowenstein and recorded by American singer Jaron Lowenstein, credited to Jaron and the Long Road to Love. It is Lowenstein's first solo single release, following three singles in the duo Evan and Jaron. The song is included on Jaron's debut album, Getting Dressed in the Dark.

For the song by The Swon Brothers, see Pray for You (The Swon Brothers song).
"Pray for You"
Single by Jaron and the Long Road to Love
from the album Getting Dressed in the Dark
ReleasedNovember 30, 2009 (2009-11-30)
GenreCountry
Length3:10
LabelJaronwood/Universal Republic/Big Machine
Songwriter(s)Jaron Lowenstein
Joel Brentlinger[1]
Producer(s)Jaron Lowenstein
Jaron and the Long Road to Love singles chronology
"Pray for You"
(2009)		 "That's Beautiful to Me"
(2010)

The song was nominated for Single by New/Breakthrough Artist at the first-annual 2010 American Country Awards.[2]

Content

In "Pray for You," the narrator is told to pray for those who have wronged him, so he prays for unfavorable events on his former lover (e.g. "I pray your brakes go out running down a hill").[3]

Jaron told Technorati that the song "wasn't started or pushed by some major label or organization. I would love to take the credit for its success, but honestly this is something fans want and they are the ones calling radio to have them play it."[4]

Critical reception

The song has been met with positive reviews. Matt Bjorke of Roughstock called the lyrics "clever" and thought that it was "unique enough lyrically" to be a hit.[5] Jim Malec of The 9513 gave it a thumbs-up, with his review saying that it "demonstrates a delightful disdain for mainstream protocol–the song is sinister, and that’s a wonderful respite among a seemingly never-ending pipeline of songs that heavy-handedly tell us how to live and what to believe."[6] Brian Mansfield gave a positive review in USA Today. In his review Mansfield called the song "a twisted novelty that combines country's fondness for spiritual themes and relational revenge."[7]

Music video

The song has had two music videos. The first was directed by Hank Friedmann and aired on January 4, 2010.[8] A second, issued on April 8, 2010, under the direction of Mark Klasfeld, includes a guest appearance from actress Jaime Pressly.[3] The first music video is about a man who gets revenge on his ex-lover over a voodoo web site. The second music video is about a man who lives with this woman who abuses him in multiple ways.

Chart performance

"Pray for You" debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week ending December 5, 2009, and peaked at number 13.[9] On the chart dated for the week ending April 10, 2010, "Pray for You" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 87, and has since peaked at number 34, providing the singer with his second Top 40 pop hit (he achieved his first as part of Evan and Jaron).[10]

Chart (2009–2010) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 70
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 34
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] 13

References
  1. ""Pray for You" listing". Broadcast Music Incorporated. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  2. "2010 American Country Awards Nominees". Daily Postal. October 16, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  3. Bonaguro, Alison (April 12, 2010). "Jaron Gives the Back Story in New "Pray for You"". CMT. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  4. "Even Celebrities Aren't Immune To Valentine's Day Pressure". Technorati. February 16, 2010. Archived from the original on February 19, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  5. Bjorke, Matt (January 22, 2010). "Jaron and the Long Road to Love — "Pray for You"". Roughstock. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  6. Malec, Jim (February 9, 2010). "Jaron and the Long Road to Love — "Pray for You"". The 9513. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  7. Mansfield, Brian (December 7, 2009). "Playlist: Jaron's 'Pray for You,' Muppets' 'Bohemian Rhapsody'". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  8. "Music video for "Pray for You"". CMT. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  9. "Jaron and the Long Road to Love: Charted Singles". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  10. Pietroluongo, Silvio. "Rihanna's Hot 100 Reign Extends to Three Weeks; Train Arrives at New Peak". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  11. "Jaron and the Long Road to Love Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  12. "Jaron and the Long Road to Love Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  13. "Jaron and the Long Road to Love Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
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