American Child (song)
Encyclopedia
"American Child" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music
artist Phil Vassar
. It was released in April 2002 as the lead-off single to the album of the same name
. It peaked at #5 on the Hot Country Songs
chart, and #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
to a life in the spotlight and satisfaction as a father.
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the track kicks off with a "beautiful trill of mandolin, then continues to build and swell." She goes on to say that by the time the song hits the chorus, the production has "escalated into a grand, sweeping backdrop that nicely complements the upbeat lyric." She concludes her review by saying that the song will "kindle pride in the hearts of all who are appreciative of the freedom Americans have to pursue our dreams."
. It features Phil Vassar playing a piano and singing the song in the middle of a field. The video reached #1 on CMT's Top 20 Countdown.
chart on October 26, 2002 and #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 19, 2002.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar is an American country music artist. Vassar made his debut on the country music scene in the late 1990s, co-writing singles for several country artists, including Tim McGraw , Jo Dee Messina , Collin Raye , and Alan Jackson Phil Vassar (born May 28, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is an...
. It was released in April 2002 as the lead-off single to the album of the same name
American Child
American Child is the second studio album by American country music artist Phil Vassar. Released in 2002, the album initiailly contained twelve tracks, with the title track serving as the lead-off single, reaching Top Five on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts.After the lead-off...
. It peaked at #5 on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart, and #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Content
The song is a personal saga of one man's rise from nowhere VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
to a life in the spotlight and satisfaction as a father.
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, of BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the track kicks off with a "beautiful trill of mandolin, then continues to build and swell." She goes on to say that by the time the song hits the chorus, the production has "escalated into a grand, sweeping backdrop that nicely complements the upbeat lyric." She concludes her review by saying that the song will "kindle pride in the hearts of all who are appreciative of the freedom Americans have to pursue our dreams."
Music video
The music video was directed by Shaun SilvaShaun Silva
Shaun Silva is a music video director who works primarily in the country music field. He has directed a number of music videos for many country music artists, including many of Kenny Chesney's music videos. His other clients include: Jack Ingram, Sugarland, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, and Rascal...
. It features Phil Vassar playing a piano and singing the song in the middle of a field. The video reached #1 on CMT's Top 20 Countdown.
Chart positions
"American Child" debuted at #55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of May 4, 2002. It peaked at #5 on the Hot Country SongsHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart on October 26, 2002 and #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 19, 2002.
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 48 |