Springsteen (song)
| "Springsteen" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Eric Church | ||||
| from the album Chief | ||||
| Released | February 21, 2012 | |||
| Format | Music download | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Genre | Country, Heartland rock | |||
| Length | 3:37 (single version) 4:23 (album version) |
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| Label | EMI Nashville | |||
| Writer(s) | Eric Church Jeff Hyde Ryan Tyndell |
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| Producer | Jay Joyce | |||
| Eric Church singles chronology | ||||
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"Springsteen" is a song recorded by American country music artist Eric Church. It was composed by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, and Ryan Tyndell for Church's third studio album Chief.[1] The song was released as the album's third single on February 21, 2012. The song was inspired by a memory of a girl and another artist's song, but he chose to center it around an idol of his, Bruce Springsteen, and tells the story of a teenage romance.
"Springsteen" was generally received with favorable reviews by music critics, who claimed that the song's great melody and strong lyrics made it one of the top country songs of 2011. The single reached number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Church's first song to crack the top twenty. The song also topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs. Outside of the United States, the song peaked at 28 on the Canadian Hot 100. "Springsteen" was certified platinum twice by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards on December 12, 2012, but failed to win any of the awards at the ceremony in 2013.[2]
The accompanying music video was directed by Peter Zavadil and premiered on April 13, 2012 on Maxim.com.[3] The video features Eric Church playing instruments in a suburban neighborhood, while a couple is shown going through the ups and downs of a relationship.[4]
Composition
"Springsteen" features drums and a synthesizer, along with live instrumentation from the guitar and keyboard.[5] The song notably lacks both the fiddle and steel guitar, which are staples of country music.[6] Eric Church uses his voice throughout the piece to convey emotion, with his pitch and tone changing from verse to verse.[5] The song is composed of two verses with a chorus that is repeated several times.[5]
The song was written between Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, and Ryan Tyndell.[5] The basis for the song came from a memory of a girl and involved another artist's song.[5] Church chose to base the song around an idol of his, Bruce Springsteen, whose career he admires.[6][7] During the course of the song, Church makes several allusions to Springsteen; he mentions the Springsteen songs Born to Run, Born in the USA, Glory Days, and I'm on Fire.[8] While being named after Springsteen and making several references to him, The song however tells the story of a teenage romance.[5][7]
Critical reception
"Springsteen" received critical acclaim from many music critics. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song five stars out of five, calling it "the best song from one of 2011's top country albums."[9] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock also gave the song five stars of five, writing that "the strong, sing-a-long lyrics and driving, percussive melody brings Eric Church to an accessibility that he's previously never had."[10] Noah Eaton of Country Universe gave it an A-, saying that it is "a gorgeous, bittersweet anthem-to-be that will likely leave even some more hardened hearts simultaneously smile and cry listening."[5] Eaton went on further to say that this song would propel Church's career to the next level.[5]American Songwriter named the song Lyric of the Week for the week of June 11, 2012.[11]
Bruce Springsteen himself took note of Church's music and the song "Springsteen" and wrote Church a note on the back of a setlist.[6][12]
Music video
The music video was directed by Peter Zavadil and premiered in April 13, 2012 on Maxim.com.[3][13] The video was later made available for purchase through iTunes on April 20, 2012.[14] The video is set in a suburban neighborhood located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.[4] Work on the video began in early March 2012.[15] Church allowed all the neighborhood kids to make cameos in the film.[15]
The video begins with a girl talking about what she wants in her next boyfriend.[16] After her monologue is over, the video shows the girl's relationship with a boy.[16] Church is seen briefly throughout the video either playing with a band in a garage or in the middle of the street on a keyboard.[15][16]
Chart and sales performance
"Springsteen" debuted at number 52 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of February 18, 2012.[17] "Springsteen" became Eric Church's second number one single in June 2012. The song has sold over 2 million copies in the US as of January 2013.[18]
Charts and certifications
| Chart (2012–13) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] | 28 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[20] | 19 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[21] | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2012) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] | 88 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[23] | 58 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[24] | 9 |
Certifications
| Region (provider) | Certifications | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[25] | Platinum | 80,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[26] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000[18] |
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*sales figures based on certification alone |
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References
- ^ Conaway, Alanna (January 31, 2012). "Eric Church, ‘Springsteen’ – Lyrics Uncovered". Taste of Country. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ "2013 Grammy Nominations". MTV. Viacom Networks Europe. December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ^ a b Maxim Staff (April 13, 2012). "Exclusive Premiere of Eric Church’s New Video". Maxim. Alpha Media Group Inc. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b "Music Video: Eric Church, "Springsteen"". K102. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Eaton, Noah (January 29, 2012). "Single Review: Eric Church, "Springsteen"". Country Universe. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ a b c Menconi, David (February 29, 2013). "Country singer Eric Church faces competition for Grammys". The News & Observer (The News & Observer Publishing Co.). Retrieved February 9, 2013.
- ^ a b "Eric Church, 'Springsteen' Lyrics: Story Behind the Song". The Boot. February 8, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- ^ Willman, Chris (February 29, 2013). "Eric Church's 'Springsteen,' Taylor Swift's 'Tim McGraw' and 19 More Song Titles That Name-Check Famous People". The Hollywood Reporter (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Dukes, Billy (January 30, 2012). "Eric Church, ‘Springsteen’ – Song Review". Taste of Country. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ Bjorke, Matt (February 8, 2012). "Single Review: Eric Church - Springsteen". Roughstock. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ Giles, Jeff (June 11, 2012). "Eric Church, "Springsteen"". Eric Church, “Springsteen”. American Songwriter. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ Graff, Gary (August 22, 2012). "Eric Church Gets 'Incredible Note' From Bruce Springsteen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Eric Church : Springsteen". Country Music Television. April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ "Springsteen". Apple. April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Brittany Joy (March 9, 2012). "Eric Church Shoots ‘Springsteen’ Video in Tennessee Neighborhood". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media, LLC. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c Shanka, Natashar (October 26, 2012). "Editor's video pick: Eric Church's 'Springsteen'". SheKnows. SheKnows, LLC. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ Morris, Edward (February 11, 2012). "The Band Perry Hit No. 1 With "All Your Life"". Country Music Television. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ a b Paul Grein (January 9, 2013). "Week Ending Jan. 6, 2013: The First Top 10 Hit of 2013". Chart Watch (Yahoo Music). Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ "Eric Church Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Eric Church. Prometheus Global Media.
- ^ "Eric Church Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Eric Church. Prometheus Global Media.
- ^ "Eric Church Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Country Songs for Eric Church. Prometheus Global Media.
- ^ "Best of 2012: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ^ "Best of 2012: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Eric Church – Springsteen". Music Canada. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ "American single certifications – Eric Church – Springsteen". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 23, 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
| Preceded by "Good Girl" by Carrie Underwood |
Billboard Hot Country Songs number-one single June 23–30, 2012 |
Succeeded by "Drunk on You" by Luke Bryan |
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