“Shotgun” is George Ezra’s first UK Number 1 single, released in 2018 as the third single from his chart-topping album Staying at Tamara’s. The song spent fourteen weeks climbing the Official Singles Chart before finally reaching the summit, becoming a defining summer anthem that year .
The Origins of George Ezra Shotgun
George Ezra wrote “Shotgun” after spending time on Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona, Spain. The song’s lyrics directly reference his travels, particularly his experiences in Australia. Lines like “Time flies by in the yellow and green” allude to the national colours of Australia, while “South of the Equator, navigator” reinforces the geographical theme . The track was produced by Cam Blackwood and FRED, with Ezra himself contributing lead vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboards .
Chart Performance and Commercial Success
“Shotgun” entered the Official Charts Company’s singles survey at Number 35 in early April 2018. It spent eight weeks outside the top 40 before steadily climbing through positions 20, 8, 4, and 2. In its fourteenth week on the chart, it finally reached Number 1, displacing Clean Bandit’s “Solo” featuring Demi Lovato . The song secured the top spot with a lead of 6,500 combined units, and it also earned the most digital downloads that week .
In a statement to OfficialCharts.com, George Ezra said: “I never thought that this would happen. The thing that’s most amazing about it is the fact that all of you out there are sharing the song and playing it loud and enjoying it with your summer, which is exactly what I wanted.”
The song held the Number 1 position for a second week, and notably, it became the first chart-topper under the Official Singles Chart’s new rules that incorporated video streaming data. During that second week, “Shotgun” achieved 76,000 combined units, including 18,000 pure sales, 5.8 million audio streams, and nearly 3 million video views .
Official Versions and Formats
Beyond the original recording, several official versions of “Shotgun” were released. An Acoustic Version was made available on 1 June 2018, offering a stripped-back interpretation of the track . A Wild Remix also received an official release, adding electronic elements to the original arrangement . The song was additionally issued as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl picture disc, featuring the album track on the A-side and a bonus track on the B-side .Quick Bio: George Ezra
Notes on Verification: Height is sourced from Celebrity Net Worth and Baidu Baike, not an official primary source, so treat as approximate. Net worth estimates are inherently speculative. George Ezra has kept his relationship private, and the mother of his child has not been publicly identified.
Music Video
The official music video for “Shotgun” was released on 13 June 2018. It was directed by Nelson De Castro and Carlos Lopez Estrada . The video’s concept, as described by Sony Music UK, features George Ezra “spinning through time and space on a small piece of earth” . This visual treatment was shortlisted for the 2019 Music Video International award, recognising its creative achievement .
Critical Recognition
The song received significant industry recognition. In France, “Shotgun” was certified Platinum by the SNEP (Syndicat National de l’Édition Phonographique) on 18 November 2019, having accumulated 30 million equivalent streams . The track was also named one of the “Songs of the Summer” for 2018, cementing its status as a seasonal staple . The music video’s shortlisting for an international award further demonstrates its cultural impact beyond the audio recording .
A Career-Defining Moment
For George Ezra, “Shotgun” represented a major commercial breakthrough. He had previously reached the Top 3 twice, with “Budapest” peaking at Number 3 and “Paradise” reaching Number 2, but the Number 1 spot had eluded him until “Shotgun” . The song’s gradual rise over fourteen weeks demonstrated its enduring appeal rather than a fleeting debut spike. Its selection as one of the Songs of the Summer and its Platinum certification in France underscore its lasting resonance beyond the UK charts .What was the inspiration behind George Ezra’s “Shotgun”?
George Ezra wrote “Shotgun” after spending time on Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona. The lyrics reference his travels, particularly his time in Australia with lines about “the yellow and green” and being “South of the Equator” .
Did George Ezra expect “Shotgun” to become a hit?
No, he was actually surprised by its success. Ezra admitted he kept asking if the melody had been used before, saying he feared “someone else must have already composed a similar melody” . The chorus lyrics were initially meant to be “scratch lyrics” but he became too attached to change them .
How long did “Shotgun” take to reach Number 1 in the UK?
It took 14 weeks. The song entered the Official Charts Company’s survey at Number 35 in early April 2018, spent eight weeks outside the top 40, and then climbed steadily to finally reach Number 1 .
What chart history did “Shotgun” make in the UK?
“Shotgun” became the first UK Number 1 single under the Official Charts Company’s new methodology that included video streams. In its second week at the top, it achieved 76,000 combined units, including 18,000 pure sales, 5.8 million audio streams, and 2.3 million video streams .
What certifications and awards did “Shotgun” receive?
The song was certified Platinum in the UK and also Platinum in France for 30 million equivalent streams . It was nominated for British Single of the Year at the 2019 Brit Awards and was named the Official Biggest Song of the Summer in the UK for 2018 .
