The South (song)
"The South" is a song recorded by American country music band the Cadillac Three. It is their debut release for Big Machine Records.
"The South" | ||||
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Single by the Cadillac Three featuring Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line and Mike Eli | ||||
from the album Bury Me in My Boots | ||||
Released | December 3, 2013[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:36 | |||
Label | Big Machine | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jaren Johnston | |||
Producer(s) | ||||
The Cadillac Three singles chronology | ||||
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Dierks Bentley singles chronology | ||||
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Florida Georgia Line singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"The South" on YouTube |
History
Lead singer Jaren Johnston, who wrote the song, told Billboard: "I wanted something for our live set that mirrored 'Kashmir' by Led Zeppelin – maybe a southern version of that. I got into writing it, and started with the lyrics, I remembered the first time I heard 'Sweet Home Alabama,' and I was just mesmerized with it. I thought 'We need something like that.'"[3] The song features guest vocals from Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, and Eli Young Band lead singer Mike Eli.[4]
Critical reception
The song has received positive critical reception. Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal reviewed the song favorably, praising Johnston's lead vocals and the Southern rock influences.[5] Billy Dukes of Taste of Country also described the song's Southern rock sound favorably. He also said that the song "has depth" and that "Johnston's voice is suited for grungy honky-tonks".[6] Giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars, Matt Bjorke of Roughstock wrote that " there’s some nice lyrical choices…and an overall understanding of what can make an artist unique".[7]
Music video
Shane Drake directed the song's music video.[8]
Chart performance
The song has sold 165,000 copies in the U.S. as of May 2014.[9]
Chart (2013–2014) | Peak position |
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US Country Airplay (Billboard)[10] | 33 |
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] | 32 |
References
- "The South". Allmusic. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- "10 Random Questions With Jaren Johnston". Nashville Gab. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- Dauphin, Chuck (28 January 2014). "The Cadillac Three Rise With 'The South,' Score Time on 'Nashville'". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- Wyland, Sarah (12 February 2014). "The Cadillac Three Brings 'The South' to Country Radio". Great American Country. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- Papadatos, Markos (3 January 2014). "Review: The Cadillac Three rocks on new single and video for 'The South'". Digital Journal. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- Dukes, Billy (13 November 2013). "The Cadillac Three (Feat. Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Mike Eli), 'The South' – ToC Critic's Pick [Listen]". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- Bjorke, Matt (20 January 2014). "Single Review: The Cadillac Three - The South". Roughstock. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- "CMT : Videos : The Cadillac Three : The South". Country Music Television. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
- Matt Bjorke (May 8, 2014). "Country Chart News - The Top 30 Digital Singles - May 8, 2014: Brantley Gilbert's Guns N Roses Debut". Roughstock. Archived from the original on May 9, 2014.
- "The Cadillac Three Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
- "The Cadillac Three Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.