A Better Man

Last updated
"A Better Man"
Single by Clint Black
from the album Killin' Time
B-side "Winding Down"
ReleasedFebruary 18, 1989 (U.S.)
Format 7"
RecordedNovember 1988
Genre Country
Length3:04
Label RCA 8781
Songwriter(s) Clint Black
Hayden Nicholas
Producer(s) Mark Wright
James Stroud
Clint Black singles chronology
"A Better Man"
(1989)
"Killin' Time"
(1989)

"A Better Man" is a debut song co-written and performed by American country music artist Clint Black. It was released in February 1989 as his debut single, and was served as the first single from his debut album, Killin' Time . It was written by Black and Hayden Nicholas. When "A Better Man" went to No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart on June 10, Black was the first artist since Freddy Fender to ascend to the top of the country chart with his first charted single. [1] In addition, "A Better Man" was the No. 1 song of 1989 on the Hot Country Singles chart. [2] The success of "A Better Man," along with the follow-up "Killin' Time," were instrumental in Black winning the Country Music Association's Horizon Award in 1989. [3]

Country music, also known as country and western, and hillbilly music, is a genre of popular music that originated in the southern United States in the early 1920s. It takes its roots from genres such as folk music and blues.

Clint Black country singer-songwriter

Clint Patrick Black is an American country music singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black's debut album Killin' Time produced four straight number one singles on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. Although his momentum gradually slowed throughout the 1990s, Black consistently charted hit songs into the 2000s. He has had more than 30 singles on the US Billboard country charts, twenty-two of which have reached number one, in addition to having released twelve studio albums and several compilation albums. In 2003, Black founded his own record label, Equity Music Group. Black has also ventured into acting, having made a cameo appearance in the 1994 film Maverick, as well as a starring role in 1998's Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack.

<i>Killin Time</i> (Clint Black album) album by Clint Black

Killin' Time is the 1989 debut album by American swing-country singer-songwriter Clint Black. The album, buoyed by the chart-topping success of its first four singles, was a huge hit upon its release, and established Black as one of the biggest new stars in country music. The album is currently certified triple platinum by the RIAA.

Contents

Content

The song is a reflection on a relationship co-writer Black had recently ended with a girlfriend of seven years. He shared his dying romance story with friend Hayden Nicholas, who - after sharing an idea for the melody - came up with the hook line ("I'm leaving here a better man/For knowing you this way."). [4]

James Hayden Nicholas is a country guitarist and songwriter.

Music video

This was Clint Black's first music video; it was directed by Bill Young and premiered in early 1989. Much of the video is of Black driving down a little-used country road in a late-1950s Ford F-100 pickup truck, reflecting on his now-failed relationship. Interspersed are clips of Black performing the song before people dancing to the song.

Chart positions

Chart (1989)Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [5] 1
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [6] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)Position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [7] 4
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [8] 1

Sources

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References

  1. Roland, Tom, "The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits." (Billboard Books, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1991 ( ISBN   0-8230-7553-2)), p. 553-554
  2. Billboard magazine Hot Country Songs - 1989
  3. Millard, Bob, "Country Music: 70 Years of America's Favorite Music" (HarperCollins, New York, 1993 ( ISBN   0-06-273244-7)), p. 161
  4. Roland.
  5. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 6384." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. June 19, 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  6. "Clint Black Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  7. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1989". RPM . December 23, 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  8. "Best of 1989: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.