Travelin' Soldier
"Travelin' Soldier" is a song written and originally recorded by American country music artist Bruce Robison in 1996 and again, in rewritten form, in 1999. It was later recorded by Ty England on his 1999 album, Highways & Dance Halls. The first rendition to be issued as a single was by Dixie Chicks in December 2002, from their album Home. It became the group's sixth and final single to reach No. 1 on Billboard "Hot Country Singles & Tracks" (now "Hot Country Songs"). A version of the song featuring Natalie Maines, Bruce Robison and Robison's wife, Kelly Willis, appears on KGSR's Broadcasts Vol. 13 album.[1]
| "Travelin' Soldier" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Dixie Chicks | ||||
| from the album Home | ||||
| Released | December 9, 2002 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:43 | |||
| Label | Columbia Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bruce Robison | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Dixie Chicks singles chronology | ||||
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Content edit
The song is a tale about a shy, lonesome, young American soldier who strikes up a conversation and later a correspondence with a high school girl during the Vietnam War era. Americana details pervade the lyrics as the song details the correspondence as a relationship forms between the two, despite the insurmountable distance. The last letter from the soldier mentions that "it's gettin kinda rough over here" and he "won't be able to write for a while" before skipping ahead to a football game at the girl's high school. After the anthem and Lord's Prayer, the local soldiers who died in the war are announced. The soldier's name is on the list, but only the girl, who is there, recognizes his name. She mourns for him as stated in the line "One name read and nobody really cared but a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair."
Critical reception edit
Kevin John Coyne, reviewing the song for Country Universe, rated the song No. 17 on his list of the 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade. He stated that "it's the story between the lines that drives home the tragedy, as both main characters have a palpable sense of loneliness that they finally find relief from in one another just before they are ripped permanently apart."[2]
Charts edit
The song debuted at No. 58 on Hot Country Songs on February 16, 2002, based on a live recording from the Country Music Association telecast in the previous November,[3] eventually peaking at No. 57. It was not officially released as a single until late 2002, when it peaked at No. 1 on the same chart, in early 2003; additionally, the song charted within the Billboard Top 40, at the No. 25 spot.
Weekly charts edit
| Chart (2002–2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 25 |
Year-end charts edit
| Chart (2003) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 48 |
Other versions edit
Sheryl Crow released a cover in 2003, shortly after the Dixie Chicks' version fell from No. 1.
Home Free released a cover in 2021 with the gender roles reversed, on their album Land of the Free.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Moser, Margaret, "Texas Platters Record Review", The Austin Chronicle, November 25, 2005, Retrieved February 21, 1010
- ^ Milliken, Dan (2009-12-24). "The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Conclusion: #20-#1". Country Universe. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
- ^ "Singles Minded". Billboard. February 16, 2002. p. 65.
- ^ "Dixie Chicks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Dixie Chicks Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2003: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2003. Retrieved July 13, 2012.