Wild Child (Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter song) explained

Wild Child
Cover:WildChild.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter
Album:The Big Revival
Recorded:2014
Genre:Country
Label:
Producer:
Chronology:Kenny Chesney
Prev Title:Til It's Gone
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:Save It for a Rainy Day
Next Year:2015

"Wild Child" is a song by recording artists Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter. The song was co-written by Chesney, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne. It was released in February 2015 as the third single from the Chesney's album The Big Revival (2014). Potter had previously collaborated with Chesney for his singles "You and Tequila" and "El Cerrito Place".

Background

In a cover story for Billboard, Chesney drew a comparison between "Wild Child" and bro country songs: “Over the last several years, it seems like anytime anybody sings about a woman, she’s in cutoff jeans, drinking and on a tailgate — they objectify the hell out of them! [...] But I’m at a point where I want to say something different about women”.[1] He told Taste of Country that he wasn’t searching for another Grace Potter duet, but when he finished writing the song, he knew it was unavoidable. “When you write about women, the best place to start is their spirit, and there’s not a woman that has a better free spirit than Grace Potter”.[2]

Content

"Wild Child" finds its narrator falling for a strong and independent woman, whose spirit is free and whose nature is rebel.

Critical reception

Giving it a B+, Bob Paxman of Country Weekly wrote that "Those who prefer party guy Kenny might find this a bit too mellow for their tastes. But give this bit of introspection a chance and you'll find some cool lyrics…and a fine message."[3]

Music video

The music video was directed by Shaun Silva and premiered on the USA Today website on February 11, 2015.[4]

Chart performance

The song has sold 242,000 copies in the United States as of June 2015.[5]

Year-end charts

Chart (2015)Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[6] 37
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 56

Notes and References

  1. Billboard Cover: Kenny Chesney on Bro-Country Songs That 'Objectify the Hell Out Of' Women, Reclaiming His Turf and Rattling His Fans' Cages. Billboard.
  2. Web site: Kenny Chesney: 'Wild Child' is the Song Fans Have to Hear. September 25, 2014 .
  3. Paxman. Bob. 16 March 2015. Reviews:Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter - 'Wild Child'. Country Weekly. 22. 11. 67. 1074-3235.
  4. News: Mansfield. Brian. Brian Mansfield. Premiere: Kenny Chesney's 'Wild Child' video. February 13, 2015. USA Today. February 11, 2015.
  5. News: Country Music's Top 30 Digital Singles: Week of June 24, 2015. Bjorke. Matt. June 24, 2015 . Roughstock . Sales figure given here
  6. Best of 2015: Country Airplay . . . 2015 . December 9, 2015.
  7. Best of 2015: Hot Country Songs . . . 2015 . December 9, 2015.