Smoke Break

Carrie Underwood

About Smoke Break

"Smoke Break" is a song recorded by American country music artist Carrie Underwood from her fifth studio album, Storyteller. It was released on August 21, 2015, through Sony Music Nashville, as the album's lead single. It was written by Underwood, Chris DeStefano, and Hillary Lindsey, and was produced by Jay Joyce. Musically, it has lyrics about escaping life's many stresses. "Smoke Break" was met with critical acclaim, with music critics describing it as "a homage to hard working people in need of a breather". It quickly became a commercial success, setting an all-time record for the largest first-week adds at country radio. It went on to reach number one on the Billboard Canada Country chart and number two on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in the US, becoming her 20th top-two single on the chart. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas and won the 2016 CMT Music Award for Female Video of the Year. The song received its first televised performance at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, on September 10, 2015. 


3:18

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She's a small-town, hard-working woman just tryna make a living
Working three jobs, feeding four little mouths in a run-down kitchen
When you're never taking nothing and doing nothing but giving
It's hard to be a good wife and a good mom and a good Christian

She said, "I don't drink
But sometimes I need a stiff drink
Sipping from a highball glass
Let the world fade away"
She said, "I don't smoke
But sometimes I need a long drag
Yeah, I know it might sound bad
But sometimes I need a smoke break"

He's a big-city, hard-working man just tryna climb the ladder
First generation to go to college instead of driving a tractor
Never had nothing handed to him on a silver platter
It's hard to be a good man, good son, do something good that matters

He said, "I don't drink
But sometimes I wanna pop that top
Take a swig and make the world stop
And watch it fade away"
He said, "I don't smoke
But sometimes I wanna light it up
Yeah, when things get tough
Sometimes I need a smoke break"
Yeah

So here's to you and here's to when the day gets long
Go ahead, I understand if you wanna take a load off

I don't drink
But sometimes I need a stiff drink
Sipping from a highball glass
Let the world fade away
Yeah, and I don't smoke
But sometimes I need a long drag
Yeah, I know it might sound bad
But sometimes I need a, sometimes I need a

When the day gets long
When the work's all done
When the sun sets
When you need to forget
Grab that cup, mmm
Fill it up
Sip it slow
And let it all go
Ooh

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Carrie Underwood

Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005. Underwood has since become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, a winner of several Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards, a Golden Globe Award nominee, a three-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist winner, and a two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year. She is the first female artist to win back-to-back Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards for Entertainer of the Year (2009/10). Underwood was inducted into and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. She was also inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fa… more »

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Written by: Chris Destefano, Hillary Lindsey, Carrie Underwood

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Release and Chart Success
"Smoke Break" was released as the lead single from Carrie Underwood's fifth studio album, "Storyteller", on August 21, 2015. - This song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Song Creation
Underwood co-wrote "Smoke Break" with her frequent collaborators Hillary Lindsey and Chris DeStefano. - The trio crafted the song in a single writing session, which is a testament to their songwriting chemistry.
Music Video
The music video for "Smoke Break" was directed by Randee St. Nicholas and it depicts Underwood as a truck driver in the desert. - The video won "Female Video of the Year" at the 2016 CMT Music Awards.
Lyrics and Interpretation
Despite its title, "Smoke Break" is not about smoking. The song is a tribute to hardworking people who sometimes need a break from the pressures of life. - Underwood said in an interview that she wanted the song to be relatable - everybody is working hard and deserves a moment to relax.
Live Performance
"Smoke Break" was a staple during Underwood's Storyteller Tour – Stories in the Round in 2016, which was her first tour performed in the round. - It was also performed during her residency show "Carrie Underwood: Reflection" in 2021.
Reception
"Smoke Break" received generally positive reviews from music critics. - The song earned Underwood a nomination for Best Country Solo Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
Commercial Success
The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), indicating sales of over a million units in the country. - It contributed to the success of the "Storyteller" album, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, making Underwood the only country artist to have all first five studio albums reach either numbers one or two on the chart.
Personal Message
Even though the song was about taking a break, Underwood, who doesn't smoke, specified clearly that it's not promoting smoking rather advocating that everyone could use a little break and it's okay to step away from your life for a little bit to collect your thoughts.

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    Smoke Break

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2015

    Billboard #43


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