Bulletproof (Nate Smith song)

"Bulletproof"
Single by Nate Smith
from the album California Gold
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2024
GenreCountry rock
Length3:03
LabelRCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Lindsay Rimes
Nate Smith singles chronology
"World on Fire"
(2023)
"Bulletproof"
(2024)
"Drinkin' Buddies"
(2024)
Alternate single cover
Avril Lavigne remix

"Bulletproof" is a song by American country music singer Nate Smith. It was released on February 19, 2024, as the lead single from his second studio album, California Gold. It was written by Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, and Ben Johnson, and produced by Lindsay Rimes.

Content

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After co-writing most of the tracks for his self-titled debut album, Smith spent most of 2023 on the road touring radio stations and had less time for songwriting, leading to him looking for outside cuts. "Bulletproof" was written in April 2021, by Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, and Ben Johnson, and its title was inspired by La Roux's 2009 single, also titled "Bulletproof".[1] Johnson built the demo off a 2000s-era rock sound, specifically drawing influence from Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", and an intro that bears a resemblance to Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance". It was among several tracks sent by the songwriters to Smith, who resonated with it and had producer Lindsay Rimes lean into a country rock sound for his recording.[1] Topically, the song finds the protagonist dealing with heartbreak by taking various shots at a bar, before drawing the conclusion that his ex must be "bulletproof" as her memory remains unshakeable.[2]

On May 16, 2024, an alternate duet version with Avril Lavigne was released, the same day Smith performed the song with Lavigne on the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.[3]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Bulletproof"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[4] 52
Canada Country (Billboard)[5] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 37
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[7] 3
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] 10

Certifications

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Certifications for "Bulletproof"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b Tom Roland (March 13, 2024). "In Case 'World on Fire' Seemed Like a Fluke, Nate Smith Serves Up 'Bulletproof': 'You Have to Be Able to Sing Along to My Songs'". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Jess (March 7, 2024). "Nate Smith's 'Bulletproof' Follows a Winning Formula". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Njera Perkins, Jack Irvin (May 17, 2024). "Avril Lavigne and Nate Smith Deliver Live Debut of New Collab 'Bulletproof' at 2024 ACM Awards". Ben Johnson. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "Canadian Hot 100: Week of June 1, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Canada Country chart for August 3, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of June 22, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "Hot Country Songs: Week of June 1, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  9. ^ "American single certifications – Nate Smith – Bulletproof". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 14, 2024.