8th of November (song)
| "8th of November" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyBig & Rich | ||||
| from the albumComin' to Your City | ||||
| Released | May 26, 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2005 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 6:14(original album version, with spoken intro) 4:58(album version, without spoken intro) 3:28(radio edit) | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Big Kenny,John Rich | |||
| Producer(s) | Paul Worley,Big Kenny, John Rich | |||
| Big & Richsingles chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
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"8th of November"is a song written and recorded by Americancountry musicduoBig & Rich.It was released in May 2006 as the third and final single from their albumComin' to Your City.The song became the duo's seventh Top 40 hit on theBillboardHot Country Songscharts, where it peaked at No. 18, in addition to reaching No. 94 on theBillboardHot 100.
Content
[edit]The song, which begins with a spoken introduction byKris Kristofferson,tells the tale of Niles Harris, a soldier in the173rd Airborne Brigadeof theUnited States ArmyduringOperation HumpinSouth Vietnamon November 8, 1965. The intro mentions that Harris was "the guy that gaveBig Kennyhis top hat ", and that he was among the wounded who were saved by Army medicLawrence Joel,the first livingAfrican Americanto receive theMedal of Honorsince theSpanish–American Warof 1898.
The song is in a 6/8time signature,and is in Amixolydianwith a primary chord pattern of A–G–D–A.[1]
Critical reception
[edit]Kevin John Coyne, reviewing the song for Country Universe, gave it a positive rating. He said the song is the best war song since "Travelin' Soldier".[2]Stephen Thomas Erlewine,in his review of the album forAllmusic,called it "awkwardlyjingoistic".[3]
Music video
[edit]The music video was directed byDeaton-Flanigen Productionsand premiered in the week of June 15, 2006. It first starts with Kristofferson saying the intro, and then cuts to the duo performing in front of a large screen, showing the visuals of Harris' life.
Awards
[edit]The song was nominated for the 2006CMA Awardssong of the year category; its music video was also nominated for video of the year categories for the CMAs, ACM Awards, and the49th Annual Grammy Awards.
Chart performance
[edit]| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboardHot 100[4] | 94 |
| USHot Country Songs(Billboard)[5] | 18 |
References
[edit]- ^"'8th of November' sheet music ".musicnotes.com.July 17, 2006.RetrievedNovember 26,2015.
- ^Coyne, Kevin John (August 10, 2006)."Big & Rich –" 8th of November "".Country Universe.RetrievedJune 17,2010.
- ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Comin' to Your Cityreview ".Allmusic.RetrievedMay 11,2011.
- ^"Big & Rich Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved January 30, 2011.
- ^"Big & Rich Chart History (Hot Country Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved January 30, 2011.