It Goes Like This

Thomas Rhett's "It Goes Like This": Recording, Release, and Chart History

"It Goes Like This" is a country-pop song by Thomas Rhett, released in 2013 as the debut single from his first studio album, It Goes Like This, on Valory Music Co. and Big Machine Records. The song was written by Thomas Rhett alongside Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley, both of whom were among the busiest and most successful songwriters in Nashville during the 2010s. DeStefano in particular had a string of top-ten country hits to his credit, and his collaborative work with Rhett helped establish the sound of Rhett's debut as a polished fusion of country structure with contemporary pop production values.

Thomas Rhett, born Thomas Rhett Akins Jr., is the son of veteran country songwriter Rhett Akins, giving him deep roots in the Nashville music community. Despite this industry background, his debut single was crafted to stand on its own commercial merits rather than trading on family connections. The song was recorded in Nashville with a production approach that emphasized a bright, guitar-driven sound with modern flourishes including a robust low end and layered vocal harmonies on the chorus. The combination made it equally appealing on country radio and on pop crossover formats.

The song was released to country radio in spring 2013 and entered the Billboard Hot 100 on June 29, 2013, debuting at number 96. Its climb was slow but steady in the early weeks, reflecting the deliberate pace at which country radio adds tend to build Hot 100 momentum. From its debut at 96, the song moved to 94, then 82, 79, and 75 in its first five weeks, showing consistent if gradual upward movement. Over the course of the summer and fall of 2013, it continued climbing toward its peak.

The song reached its peak position of number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 12, 2013, which represented a strong crossover performance for a debut country single. It spent a total of 22 weeks on the Hot 100, reflecting sustained radio support across both country and pop formats. On the Hot Country Songs chart, the song performed even more strongly, reaching number one and spending multiple weeks at the top. This chart-topping performance on the country-specific chart made Rhett the first artist to reach number one on Hot Country Songs with a debut single since the chart began incorporating streaming and airplay data.

The music video for "It Goes Like This" was directed with an energetic performance style, showcasing Rhett's charismatic presence as a live performer. It received strong rotation on CMT and helped establish his visual identity as an artist. The video's warm, celebratory tone matched the song's production perfectly and contributed to the single's broad commercial appeal.

Rhett promoted the song extensively through country radio tours, festival appearances, and television performances in 2013. His appearances on morning shows and country music award shows helped introduce him to the mainstream audience as a fully formed, commercially viable artist rather than simply a Nashville insider's discovery. The promotional campaign was notable for its effectiveness in building awareness across demographics that do not typically follow country radio closely.

The debut album of the same name was released on October 29, 2013, and received positive reviews from country music critics who praised Rhett's vocal range and the production team's ability to create a sound that felt contemporary without sacrificing traditional country elements. The success of "It Goes Like This" as a debut single positioned Thomas Rhett for a sustained commercial career, and he went on to become one of the most successful country artists of the mid-2010s and beyond, eventually achieving multiple number-one hits and Grammy nominations.

The songwriting credits on "It Goes Like This" reflect the collaborative structure of Nashville's professional songwriting community. Ashley Gorley, who co-wrote the track alongside Rhett and DeStefano, was by 2013 already one of Nashville's most prolific and successful professional songwriters, with number-one credits across multiple genres of country. His involvement signaled confidence in Rhett as a collaborative partner capable of contributing meaningfully to the creative process rather than simply performing material provided entirely by professional tunesmiths. This distinction was important for establishing Rhett's credibility as a songwriter in a commercial environment where the line between performer and songwriter is closely watched by industry insiders and critics alike.

The song's chart history on the Hot Country Songs chart, where it reached number one, made Rhett only the third male artist to reach the top position with a debut single in the Nielsen era of chart tracking. This statistical distinction drew considerable industry attention and confirmed that "It Goes Like This" was not merely a modestly successful debut but an exceptional commercial opening. Country radio programmers who had taken a chance on an unknown artist saw their confidence rewarded, and the song became a frequently cited example in trade publications of how new country talent could break through with the right combination of songwriting, production, and promotional effort.