Chills (James Barker Band song)

"Chills"
Single by James Barker Band
from the album Game On
Released	March 3, 2017 (2017-03-03)
Genre	Country
Length	3:11
Label	Universal Canada New Revolution
Songwriter(s)	James Barker Travis Wood Gavin Slate Donovan Woods
Producer(s)	Todd Clark
James Barker Band singles chronology
"Just Sayin'" (2016) "Chills" (2017) "It's Working" (2017)

"Chills" is a song recorded by Canadian country music group James Barker Band for their debut extended play, Game On (2017). It was released March 3, 2017 through Universal Music Canada as the collection's third single.^[1] Lead singer James Barker co-wrote the song with Gavin Slate, Donovan Woods, and Travis Wood.^[2] The song impacted American country radio on October 23, 2017, as the group's debut single in the United States.^[3]

"Chills" has become the group's most successful single to date, becoming their first release to hit number one on the Canada Country chart and their first to chart on the Canadian Hot 100. In the United States, "Chills" also became their first single to chart on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, reaching a peak position of 49.

Critical reception

Country music blog The Shotgun Seat wrote that "Chills" is "a clear standout" on the EP, "with its rolling rhythm and fast-paced chorus."^[2] Annie Reuter of Sounds Like Nashville wrote that the song "solidif[ies] the band's staying power," and called it "infectious."^[4]

In 2018, the song received a SOCAN Songwriting Prize nomination,^[5] and won the award for Single of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards.^[6]

Commercial performance

"Chills" debuted at number 38 on the Billboard Canada Country chart dated April 1, 2017.^[7] It reached number 1 on the chart dated July 1, 2017.^[7] This makes it the group's highest-charting single (surpassing the number 3 peak of their debut hit, "Lawn Chair Lazy") and their first chart-topper.^[8] "Chills" also entered the Canadian Hot 100 chart dated May 20, 2017 at number 94, becoming their first single to appear on the chart.^[9] It reached its peak position of 91 the following week, on the chart dated May 27, 2017.^[10] "Chills" was certified Platinum by Music Canada in April 2019, indicating digital sales of over 80,000 copies, and was later certified Double Platinum in July 2023.^[11]

Music video

An accompanying music video directed by Ben Knechtel premiered on March 24, 2017.^[12] The video follows a fictionalized date between social media influencer Kristen Hancher and her boyfriend Andrew Gregory.^[13] Clips of the band performing on a stage with a lighted backdrop are also interspersed with the date scenes.

Charts

Chart (2017–18)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14]	91
Canada Country (Billboard)[8]	1
US Country Airplay (Billboard[15]	49

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)	Position
Canada Country (Billboard)[16]	23

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[11]	2× Platinum	160,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Chills - Single by James Barker Band". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
2. The Shotgun Seat Team (June 20, 2017). "Hidden Gem: James Barker Band's 'Game On' EP". The Shotgun Seat. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
3. "Single Releases". MusicRow. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
4. Reuter, Annie (April 25, 2017). "James Barker Band Will Give Country Listeners 'Chills' with Debut EP". Sounds Like Nashville. SpinMedia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
5. "2018 SOCAN Songwriting Prize Nominees Revealed". Exclaim!, May 24, 2018.
6. "Host Shania Twain is big winner at 2018 Canadian Country Music Awards". CBC News, September 9, 2018.
7. "Chart history for "Chills" on Canada Country". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
8. "James Barker Band Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
9. "Canadian Hot 100 (The Week Of: May 20, 2017)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
10. "Canadian Hot 100 (The Week Of: May 27, 2017)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
11. "Canadian single certifications – James Barker Band – Chills". Music Canada. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
12. "James Barker Band Premiere The Video For Their New Single "Chills" And Announce Game On Ep Release For April 21". Toronto, ON: Universal Music Canada. March 24, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
13. "Watch James Barker Band's New Music Video For "Chills"". CMT. Corus Entertainment. March 24, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
14. "James Barker Band Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
15. "James Barker Band Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
16. "Billboard Canada Year-End Country Airplay of 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2017.