A Country Boy Can Survive
"A Country Boy Can Survive" | ||||
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Single by Hank Williams Jr. | ||||
from the album The Pressure Is On | ||||
B-side | "Weatherman" | |||
Released | January 18, 1982 | |||
Format | Single | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Genre | Country, Outlaw Country | |||
Length | 4:16 | |||
Label | Elektra/Curb | |||
Songwriter(s) | Hank Williams Jr. | |||
Producer(s) |
Jimmy Bowen Hank Williams Jr. | |||
Hank Williams Jr. singles chronology | ||||
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"A Country Boy Can Survive" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Hank Williams Jr. The song was released as a single in January 1982 and reached a peak of number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts in March 1982.[1] It is considered one of Williams' signature songs even though it never reached number one.
Shortly after 9/11, Williams re-wrote and re-recorded the song with a patriotic theme under the name "America Will Survive"; the rewrite peaked at number 45 on the Billboard country charts.
In early 2007, Williams re-released the original version to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its original release, in addition to creating a music video for it. This re-release peaked at number 45 on the Billboard country charts.
Content
The song exalts and lists many things that detail the everyday life of country dwellers.
The notable second verse mentions the narrator's relationship with a New York City businessman; despite their differing backgrounds the two become good friends and exchange gifts ("he'd send me pictures of the Broadway nights/And I'd send him some homemade wine"). However, the businessman is "killed by a man with a switchblade knife/for $43 my friend lost his life"; Williams replies that he would like to personally shoot the mugger himself, but not before "(spitting) Beech-Nut in that dude's eyes". (The "America Will Survive" remix has the businessman being a victim of the 9/11 attacks.)
Chart positions
Original version
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[2] | 2 |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 2 |
2001 re-release as "America Will Survive"
Chart (2001) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 45 |
2007 re-release for 25th Anniversary
Chart (2007) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 45 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
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United States (RIAA)[3] | Gold | 500,000^ |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
Chad Brock version (Y2K version)
"A Country Boy Can Survive (Y2K version)" | ||||
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Single by Chad Brock, Hank Williams, Jr., and George Jones | ||||
from the album Yes! | ||||
B-side | "Going the Distance" | |||
Released | November 22, 1999 | |||
Format | CD single | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:59 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. Nashville | |||
Songwriter(s) | Hank Williams, Jr. | |||
Producer(s) |
Buddy Cannon Norro Wilson | |||
Chad Brock singles chronology | ||||
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Hank Williams, Jr. singles chronology | ||||
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George Jones singles chronology | ||||
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In late 1999, Chad Brock and George Jones collaborated with Williams to record a re-written version of the song with a Y2K theme, with lines such as "If the bank machines crash, we'll be just fine." This version peaked at number 30 on the Billboard country charts, and number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Chart positions
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] | 66 |
US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 75 |
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 30 |
References
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ↑ "Hank Williams, Jr. – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Hank Williams, Jr..
- ↑ "American single certifications – Hank Williams, Jr. – A Country Boy Can Survive". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 27, 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
- ↑ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 10016." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 10, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ↑ "Chad Brock – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Chad Brock.
- ↑ "Chad Brock – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Chad Brock.
External links
- Official music video by Hank Williams Jr.