"Here in the Real World" | ||||
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Single by Alan Jackson | ||||
from the album Here in the Real World | ||||
B-side | "Blue Blooded Woman" | |||
Released | January 15, 1990 | |||
Recorded | June 27, 1989 [1] | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:36 | |||
Label | Arista Nashville 9922 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Mark Irwin Alan Jackson | |||
Producer(s) | Scott Hendricks Keith Stegall | |||
Alan Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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"Here in the Real World" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in January 1990 as the second single and title track from his debut album Here in the Real World , [2] and in early 1990 it became his first Top 10 country hit. The song reached a peak of number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, and number 1 on the Canadian RPM Top Country Tracks charts and 162 in the UK in August 1990. Jackson wrote the song with Mark Irwin.
The song is a mid-tempo piece, firmly in the neotraditional style, backed by fiddle and steel-string acoustic guitar, in which the narrator observes the difference between an idealized movie situation and the real world, saying "If life were like the movies, I'd never be blue". In the chorus, he observes that "here in the real world, it's not that easy at all / 'Cause when hearts get broken, it's real tears that fall."
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song an A grade," calling the conceit "bloody well brilliant, what with the juxtaposition of reality and fiction, but none of its intelligence would matter without the heartbroke sincerity that gives it its simplicity." [3] An uncredited review from Cash Box magazine was also positive, praising the neotraditionalist country sound and saying that Jackson "gives us incredible lyrics with just the right hooks. This cut offers a strong sense of comfort and a vocal range that’s totally soothing." [4]
The music video was directed by Jim May and premiered in early 1990. It begins with a retro-style title card, features mostly Jackson performing, and closes with a brief snippet of Gene Autry singing "Back in the Saddle Again."
Chart (1990) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [5] | 1 |
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [6] | 3 |
Chart (1990) | Position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [7] | 7 |
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [8] | 10 |
"Summertime Blues" is a song co-written and recorded by American rock artist Eddie Cochran. It was written by Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. Originally a single B-side, it was released in August 1958 and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958, and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. It has been covered by many artists, including being a number-one hit for country music artist Alan Jackson, and scoring notable hits in versions by Blue Cheer, the Who and Brian Setzer, the last of whom recorded his version for the 1987 film La Bamba, in which he portrayed Cochran.
Here in the Real World is the debut studio album by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released on February 27, 1990, and produced five singles: "Blue Blooded Woman", "Here in the Real World", "Wanted", "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow", and "I'd Love You All Over Again", Jackson's first No. 1 hit.
The Greatest Hits Collection is the first compilation album by American country music artist Alan Jackson. Released on October 24, 1995, it includes the greatest hits from his first four studio albums, as well as an album cut from his 1990 debut Here in the Real World and two new tracks — "Tall, Tall Trees" and "I'll Try", both of which were Number One hits for him on the Billboard Hot Country Songs.
"By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is a song written by Jimmy Webb. Originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, it was reinterpreted by American country music singer Glen Campbell on his album of the same name. Released on Capitol Records in 1967, Campbell's version topped RPM's Canada Country Tracks, reached number two on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, and won two awards at the 10th Annual Grammys. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) named it the third most performed song from 1940 to 1990. The song was ranked number 20 on BMI's Top 100 Songs of the Century. Frank Sinatra called it "the greatest torch song ever written." It was No. 450 on Rolling Stone magazine's Top 500 Songs of All Time.
"Don't Rock the Jukebox" is a song by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released on April 29, 1991, as the lead single from the album of the same name. It was his second consecutive Number One single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. Jackson wrote the song with Roger Murrah and Keith Stegall.
"Chattahoochee" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in May 1993 as the third single from his album A Lot About Livin' . The album is named for a line in the song itself. Jackson wrote the song with Jim McBride.
"What's It To You" is a debut song written by Robert Ellis Orrall and Curtis Wright, and recorded by American country music singer Clay Walker that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was released In July 1993 by Giant Records as his debut single, and was served as the lead-off single from his self-titled debut album (1993).
"Chasin' That Neon Rainbow" is a song written by American country music artist Alan Jackson and Jim McBride, and recorded by Jackson. It was released in September 1990 as the fourth single from Jackson's first album, Here in the Real World. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, behind "I've Come to Expect It from You" by George Strait, and number 5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
"Wanted" is a song written by American country music artist Alan Jackson and Charlie Craig, and recorded by Jackson. It was released in May 1990 as the third single from Jackson's first album, Here in the Real World. The song peaked at number 3 on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart.
"I'd Love You All Over Again" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in January 1991 as the last single from his debut album, Here in the Real World and the song was Jackson's first number 1 single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, as well as his second number 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. This was also Jackson's first single not to have an accompanying music video.
"Someday" is a song written by American country music singer Alan Jackson and Jim McBride, and recorded by Jackson. It was released in August 1991 as the second single from Jackson's second album, Don't Rock The Jukebox. The song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and number 2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
"Dallas" is a song written by American country music artists Alan Jackson and Keith Stegall, and recorded by Jackson. It was released in December 1991 as the third single from Jackson's second album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. The song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, Jackson's fourth consecutive single to top the chart, as well as number 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart, Jackson's fourth single to top that chart also.
"Midnight in Montgomery" is a song written by American country music singer Alan Jackson and Don Sampson, and recorded by Jackson. It was released in April 1992 as the fourth single from Jackson's second album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and number 3 as well on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
"Love's Got a Hold on You" is a song written by Carson Chamberlain and Keith Stegall, and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in July 1992 as the final single from Jackson's second album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. It was also the only song that Jackson did not co-write on the album, and the first single of such in his career. It peaked at number 1 on both the U.S. Billboard country music chart, and on the Canadian RPM country music chart.
"Home" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. The song was originally recorded for his 1990 debut album Here in the Real World. The original 1989 recording served as the B-side to three of Jackson's singles: his debut single "Blue Blooded Woman", as well as his first two Number One hits "I'd Love You All Over Again" and "Don't Rock the Jukebox."
"Mercury Blues" is a song written by rural blues musician K. C. Douglas and Robert Geddins, and first recorded by Douglas in 1948. The song, originally titled "Mercury Boogie," pays homage to the American automobile marque, which ended production in 2010.
"Tall, Tall Trees" is a song co-written by American singers George Jones and Roger Miller. Jones first released the song in 1957 as the B-side to his "Hearts in My Dream" single. Miller released his version on his 1970 album A Trip in the Country.
"Livin' on Love" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Alan Jackson. It was released in August 1994 as the second single from his album Who I Am. In late 1994, it became his ninth Number One hit on the Billboard country charts. It also reached number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.
"I'll Try" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in January 1996 as the second single from his 1995 compilation album The Greatest Hits Collection. Like "Tall, Tall Trees", it was a number-one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks. It also reached number 5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
"(Who Says) You Can't Have It All" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in January 1994 as the fifth and final single from his album A Lot About Livin' . The song peaked at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. Jackson wrote the song with Jim McBride.
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