Mendocino County Line
Encyclopedia
"Mendocino County Line" is the title of a song written by Matt Serletic
and Bernie Taupin
, and recorded as a duet by American
country
artists Willie Nelson
and Lee Ann Womack
. The song was released in January 2002 as the lead-off single for Nelson's 2002 album, The Great Divide
. It was a Top 40 hit on the U.S. country charts, peaking at number 22. The song was Nelson's first Top 40 hit on that chart since "Ain't Necessarily So" in 1990.
.
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that when Womack sings the chorus, "there's a tender, almost epic feeling to her heartache." Regarding Nelson, she states that he "imbues each line with the kind of emotional integrity that has become his trademark." She concludes her review by calling the song "absolutely magical." Mario Tarradel of The Dallas Morning News
described the song and wrote, "They do sound good together; their voices complement each other like leather softened by lace."
was released for the song, directed by Mark Seliger and premiered in early 2002.
Matt Serletic
Matt Serletic is a record producer who has worked with several popular bands and artists for Atlantic Records, including Collective Soul, Matchbox Twenty, Blessid Union of Souls, Edwin McCain, Stacie Orrico, Taylor Hicks, Rob Thomas, and singer/songwriter Angie Aparo. Serletic will be working with...
and Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
, and recorded as a duet by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country
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...
artists Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
and Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack is an American country music singer and songwriter, who is best known for her old fashioned-styled country music songs that often discuss subjects such as cheating and lost love....
. The song was released in January 2002 as the lead-off single for Nelson's 2002 album, The Great Divide
The Great Divide (Willie Nelson album)
The Great Divide is an album released in 2002 by American country music singer Willie Nelson. It contains several duets and musical collaborations with artists such as Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, Lee Ann Womack, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Brian McKnight, and Bonnie Raitt...
. It was a Top 40 hit on the U.S. country charts, peaking at number 22. The song was Nelson's first Top 40 hit on that chart since "Ain't Necessarily So" in 1990.
Content
The song is a ballad about a love that couldn't last. The song references Mendocino County, CaliforniaMendocino County, California
Mendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California, north of the greater San Francisco Bay Area and west of the Central Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 87,841, up from 86,265 at the 2000 census...
.
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 when Womack sings the chorus, "there's a tender, almost epic feeling to her heartache." Regarding Nelson, she states that he "imbues each line with the kind of emotional integrity that has become his trademark." She concludes her review by calling the song "absolutely magical." Mario Tarradel of The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News is the major daily newspaper serving the Dallas, Texas area, with a circulation of 264,459 subscribers, the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported in September 2010...
described the song and wrote, "They do sound good together; their voices complement each other like leather softened by lace."
Music video
A music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was released for the song, directed by Mark Seliger and premiered in early 2002.
Chart performance
"Mendocino County Line" debuted at number 53 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of January 26, 2002.| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 22 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 13 |