Carlene
Encyclopedia
"Carlene" is the debut single of country music
artist Phil Vassar
. The first single from his self-titled debut album, "Carlene" reached a peak of #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, and #45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
, and it reached #1 in Canada.
, played by Vassar. In the lyric, the narrator recalls a girl named Carlene with whom he went to high school
. He recalls being an athlete who struggled with his academics, while she was the valedictorian
. Now an adult, he visits the school yard, where he meets Carlene again. He tells her that she is "lookin' good". In the second verse, the two go out for a ride together and begin conversing. She reveals that she now has a Ph.D.
and is modeling for Vogue
, while he is a songwriter who "finally got a couple [songs] out on country radio". The single edit omits one repetition of the chorus at the end.
critic George Hauenstein cited "Carlene" as a standout track on Vassar's debut album. He said that although the song did not have a traditionally country music sound, it was a "fun, up-tempo song", and that it was more lyrically substantial than most other songs on country radio at the time. Vince Ripol, reviewing the album for Allmusic, also described "Carlene" favorably, calling it "boisterous" and an "immediate hit", also saying that Vassar's songwriting style recalled Tom T. Hall
's story songs.
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...
. The first single from his self-titled debut album, "Carlene" reached a peak of #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, and #45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and it reached #1 in Canada.
Content
"Carlene" is a moderate up-tempo backed mainly by pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, played by Vassar. In the lyric, the narrator recalls a girl named Carlene with whom he went to high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. He recalls being an athlete who struggled with his academics, while she was the valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
. Now an adult, he visits the school yard, where he meets Carlene again. He tells her that she is "lookin' good". In the second verse, the two go out for a ride together and begin conversing. She reveals that she now has a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
and is modeling for Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
, while he is a songwriter who "finally got a couple [songs] out on country radio". The single edit omits one repetition of the chorus at the end.
Music video
The music video was directed by Gerry Wenner. It features Phil Vassar singing the song while playing the piano on a rooftop.Critical reception
Country Standard TimeCountry Standard Time
Country Standard Time is a website dedicated to country music and related genres such as Bluegrass and Rockabilly. It provides news and musical reviews pertaining to the genre. It was established in 1992 by Jeffrey B. Remz as a print magazine, which was first published only in New England but went...
critic George Hauenstein cited "Carlene" as a standout track on Vassar's debut album. He said that although the song did not have a traditionally country music sound, it was a "fun, up-tempo song", and that it was more lyrically substantial than most other songs on country radio at the time. Vince Ripol, reviewing the album for Allmusic, also described "Carlene" favorably, calling it "boisterous" and an "immediate hit", also saying that Vassar's songwriting style recalled Tom T. Hall
Tom T. Hall
Thomas "Tom T." Hall is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has written 11 #1 hit songs, with 26 more that reached the Top 10, including the pop crossover hit "I Love", which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100...
's story songs.
Chart positions
"Carlene" debuted at #74 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 30, 1999. Although Vassar had written several singles for other singers since the mid-1990s, "Carlene" is his first release as a singer.| Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 45 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |