"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.
| "Here in the Real World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| ||||
Content
editThe 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."
Critical reception
editKevin 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]
Music video
editThe 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."
Covers
edit- Glen Campbell recorded the song on his 1994 album Glen Campbell Live! His Greatest Hits
- George Jones recorded this song on his last studio album, Hits I Missed...And One I Didn't
- Charley Pride recorded the song on his 1991 album Classics With Pride
Chart positions
edit| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] | 1 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 3 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (1990) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[7] | 7 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[8] | 10 |
References
edit- ^ The Greatest Hits Collection (CD). Alan Jackson. Arista Records. 1995. 07822 18801.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Huey, Steve. "Alan Jackson biography". Allmusic. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ CountryUniverse.net Review by Kevin John Coyne
- ^ "Country feature picks" (PDF). Cashbox. January 27, 1990. p. 22. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 9144." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 12, 1990. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
- ^ "Alan Jackson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1990". RPM. December 22, 1990. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1990: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1990. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
