The South (song) explained

The South
Cover:The South (The Cadillac Three).jpg
Type:single
Artist:the Cadillac Three featuring Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line and Mike Eli
Album:Bury Me in My Boots
Released:[1]
Label:Big Machine
Chronology:The Cadillac Three
Next Title:Party Like You
Next Year:2014

"The South" is a song recorded by American country music band the Cadillac Three. It is their debut release for Big Machine Records.

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.'"[2] The song features guest vocals from Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, and Eli Young Band lead singer Mike Eli.[3]

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.[4] 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".[5] 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".[6]

Music video

Shane Drake directed the song's music video.[7]

Chart performance

The song has sold 165,000 copies in the U.S. as of May 2014.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The South. Allmusic. 12 April 2014.
  2. The Cadillac Three Rise With 'The South,' Score Time on 'Nashville'. Dauphin. Chuck. 28 January 2014. Billboard. 12 April 2014.
  3. Web site: The Cadillac Three Brings 'The South' to Country Radio. Wyland. Sarah. 12 February 2014. Great American Country. 12 April 2014.
  4. Web site: Review: The Cadillac Three rocks on new single and video for 'The South'. Papadatos. Markos. 3 January 2014. Digital Journal. 12 April 2014.
  5. Web site: The Cadillac Three (Feat. Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Mike Eli), 'The South' – ToC Critic's Pick [Listen]]. Dukes. Billy. 13 November 2013. 12 April 2014.
  6. Web site: Single Review: The Cadillac Three - The South. Bjorke. Matt. 20 January 2014. Roughstock. 12 April 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140407172420/http://www.roughstock.com/reviews/single-review-the-cadillac-three-the-south. 7 April 2014.
  7. Web site: CMT : Videos : The Cadillac Three : The South. https://web.archive.org/web/20140103233402/http://www.cmt.com/videos/the-cadillac-three/991317/the-south.jhtml. dead. January 3, 2014. Country Music Television. January 3, 2014.
  8. News: Country Chart News - The Top 30 Digital Singles - May 8, 2014: Brantley Gilbert's Guns N Roses Debut . Matt Bjorke . May 8, 2014 . Roughstock . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140509002155/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-chart-news-the-top-30-digital-singles-may-8-2014-brantley-gilbert-s-guns-n-roses-debut . May 9, 2014 .