Small Town USA
Encyclopedia
"Small Town USA" is the title of a single co-written and recorded by American country music
singer Justin Moore
. It is the second chart single of his career, and the second release from his self-titled debut album, released on August 11, 2009 via the Valory Music Group, an imprint of Big Machine Records
. On the charts dated for October 3, 2009, the song became Moore's first Number One hit. In addition, the song fared well as a crossover hit. Just missing the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100
, it peaked at #44.
and electric guitar
, with piano
flourishes. In it, the narrator lists off the various things in his hometown, and says that he proud of his roots. According to Moore, "Small Town USA" was the "first or second" song he wrote upon moving to Nashville, TN. The song was inspired by his feeling homesick for Poyen, Arkansas.
The second line changes with every chorus (David Allan Coe
in the second chorus (which has been altered by some radio stations with their own call letters) and Sweet Home Alabama after the bridge).
and Ronnie Dunn
, and saying that his delivery has a sense of authenticity.
was filmed for the song in February 2009, and aired on CMT Pure Country
and GAC that same month. Directed by Chris Hicky, it portrays Moore singing and playing guitar in various parts of his hometown of Poyen, Arkansas
. The promo features several generations of Moore's family.
chart for the chart week of February 21, 2009. The song then entered the Top 40 of the country charts in its eleventh chart week for the chart week of May 2, 2009. It has since become Moore's first Number One hit.
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...
singer Justin Moore
Justin Moore (singer)
Justin Cole Moore is an American country music singer and songwriter signed to Big Machine Records imprint Valory Music Group. He has released two albums for Big Machine Records: Justin Moore in 2009 and Outlaws Like Me in 2011...
. It is the second chart single of his career, and the second release from his self-titled debut album, released on August 11, 2009 via the Valory Music Group, an imprint of Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records is an Independent American record label specializing in country music artists. It was launched in 2005 by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta. The label was part of a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith, although Keith dropped his...
. On the charts dated for October 3, 2009, the song became Moore's first Number One hit. In addition, the song fared well as a crossover hit. Just missing the Top 40 on the 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...
, it peaked at #44.
Content
Co-written by Moore with Brian Maher and Jeremy Stover, the song is a mid-tempo backed primarily by acoustic guitarAcoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
and electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, with piano
Piano
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...
flourishes. In it, the narrator lists off the various things in his hometown, and says that he proud of his roots. According to Moore, "Small Town USA" was the "first or second" song he wrote upon moving to Nashville, TN. The song was inspired by his feeling homesick for Poyen, Arkansas.
The second line changes with every chorus (David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
in the second chorus (which has been altered by some radio stations with their own call letters) and Sweet Home Alabama after the bridge).
Reception
Dan Milliken of Country Universe.net gave this song a D+ rating, saying that it was "written solely to appeal to a demographic of people who also live in small towns and can relate to surface-level ideas […] Without further development, the ideas just sound really, really clichéd." Karlie Justus of The 9513 gave "Small Town USA" a "thumbs down" review. Her review criticized the lyrics for lacking details that were specific to a rural lifestyle. She also said that the song "finds Moore a much stronger singer than a songwriter", comparing his vocals to those of Jason AldeanJason Aldean
Jason Aldine Williams is an American country music singer, known professionally as Jason Aldean. Since 2005, Aldean has recorded for Broken Bow Records, an independent record label for which he has released four albums and twelve singles...
and Ronnie Dunn
Ronnie Dunn
Ronnie Gene Dunn is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for being one half of the duo Brooks & Dunn. In 2011, Dunn began working as a solo artist following the breakup of Brooks & Dunn...
, and saying that his delivery has a sense of authenticity.
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 filmed for the song in February 2009, and aired on CMT Pure Country
CMT Pure Country
CMT Pure Country is a digital cable and satellite television channel, it is the sister network to CMT. It showcases country music videos all day from the 1980s to the current day, using the same 8-hour programming wheel schedule repeated three times daily as sister networks MTV Hits and MTV Jams...
and GAC that same month. Directed by Chris Hicky, it portrays Moore singing and playing guitar in various parts of his hometown of Poyen, Arkansas
Poyen, Arkansas
Poyen is a town in Grant County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 272 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The promo features several generations of Moore's family.
Chart performance
"Small Town USA" debuted at #55 on the Billboard 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 for the chart week of February 21, 2009. The song then entered the Top 40 of the country charts in its eleventh chart week for the chart week of May 2, 2009. It has since become Moore's first Number One hit.
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|