El Cerrito Place
"El Cerrito Place" is a song written by Keith Gattis. Originally recorded by Charlie Robison, it was also recorded by Kenny Chesney on his 2012 album Welcome to the Fishbowl, from which it was released as the third single in September 2012 .
| "El Cerrito Place" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Kenny Chesney | ||||
| from the album Welcome to the Fishbowl | ||||
| Released | September 10, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2012 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
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| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | Keith Gattis | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Kenny Chesney singles chronology | ||||
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History
The song, written by Keith Gattis, was originally recorded by Gattis in 2002 for his own album Big City Blues. Charlie Robison then recorded it on his 2004 album Good Times.[1] Robison's version was released as both a single and music video, but the single did not chart. The backing vocals on Robison's version were performed by Natalie Maines of The Chicks. Chesney's version includes a backing vocal from Grace Potter, with whom he recorded his 2011 single "You and Tequila".[2]
Content
The song is a mid-tempo in which the male narrator longs for a lost lover in California.[3] Chesney said of the song that he enjoyed Robison's version for several years, and that "There is a certain longing in this song that in a lot of ways I really relate to. It's about wanting something that's obviously not there." Robison praised Chesney's version, saying that he "did a good job with it".[4]
The song title refers to the El Cerrito Place Apartments at the base of the Hollywood Hills in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, where Gattis lived while writing and recording the song. The song's and apartment's namesake street, off of Franklin Avenue, starts just north of the intersection of La Brea Ave. and Hollywood Blvd., which is consistent with the lyrics of the song.
Critical reception
Chet Flippo, in an article on the song's history for CMT, said that "It's one song that in its different iterations links past and present. It truly shows the power of a single song."[2] Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song 4 ½ stars out of 5, saying that it "might be the most emotional performance of his career. It’s clear he’s falling back on his own experiences as he tells the story of a man looking for his love and maybe his soul."[3]
Chart performance
| Chart (2012–2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country (Billboard)[5] | 31 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 72 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 17 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[8] | 10 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2012) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] | 79 |
| Chart (2013) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[10] | 76 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] | 86 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Gold | 500,000 |
| Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Lankford, Robert Jr. "Good Times". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b Flippo, Chet (21 June 2012). "NASHVILLE SKYLINE: To Kenny Chesney From Charlie Robison and Keith Gattis". Country Music Television. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ a b Dukes, Billy (10 September 2012). "'El Cerrito Place' review". Taste of Country. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ Darden, Beville (12 September 2012). "Kenny Chesney's 'El Cerrito Place' Relives the 'Insanity'". The Boot. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
- ^ "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2012: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ (PDF). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 16, 2013. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ "American single certifications – Kenny Chesney – El Cerrito Place". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 18, 2022.