Cost of Livin'

"Cost of Livin'"
Single by Ronnie Dunn
from the album Ronnie Dunn
Released	June 27, 2011 (2011-06-27)
Format	Music download
Genre	Country
Length	4:10
Label	Arista Nashville
Writer(s)	Ronnie Dunn Phillip Coleman
Producer	Ronnie Dunn
Ronnie Dunn singles chronology
"Bleed Red" (2011) "Cost of Livin'" (2011)

"Cost of Livin'" is the title of a song co-written by American country music singer Ronnie Dunn. It was released in June 2011 as the second single from his self-titled album, and his second release following the split of the duo Brooks & Dunn.

Background and writing

He had first had the song on hold in 2008, but decided against recording it because he thought that the economy would improve by then. Dunn was also told that by label executives that he was "too wealthy" for the song, a comment which Dunn said made him "furious."^[1] Phillip Coleman wrote most of the song, but Dunn changed the original chorus and hook.^[2]

Content

"Cost of Livin'" is about an ex-military man who is seeking employment. He tells the interviewer positive qualities about himself.

Critical reception

Giving it four-and-a-half stars out of five, Billy Dukes of Taste of Country said that it "tells a chillingly familiar story that one can’t help but stop and notice." He praised the "bare-bones production" and Dunn's "big voice".^[3] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song an A grade, calling it "a masterpiece that is as timely as it is well written and performed." ^[4]

Music video

The music video was directed by Thien Phan.

Chart performance

Chart (2011)	Peak position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[5]	19
US Billboard Hot 100[6]	86

References

1. ^ Dukes, Billy (27 July 2011). "Ronnie Dunn, ‘Cost of Livin” – Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. http://tasteofcountry.com/ronnie-dunn-cost-of-livin-lyrics/. Retrieved 30 September 2011. 
2. ^ Graff, Gary (8 June 2011). "Ronnie Dunn 'Scared to Death' of Launching Solo Career". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/news/ronnie-dunn-scared-to-death-of-launching-1005220262.story#/news/ronnie-dunn-scared-to-death-of-launching-1005220262.story. Retrieved 30 September 2011. 
3. ^ Dukes, Billy (8 June 2011). "Ronnie Dunn, ‘Cost of Livin” – Song Review". Taste of Country. http://tasteofcountry.com/ronnie-dunn-cost-of-livin/. Retrieved 30 September 2011. 
4. ^ Coyne, Kevin John (3 July 2011). "Single Review: Ronnie Dunn, “Cost of Livin’”". Country Universe. http://www.countryuniverse.net/2011/07/03/single-review-ronnie-dunn-cost-of-livin/. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
5. ^ "Ronnie Dunn Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Country Songs for Ronnie Dunn. Prometheus Global Media.
6. ^ "Ronnie Dunn Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Ronnie Dunn. Prometheus Global Media.