An American Family (song) - Misplaced Pages

"An American Family" is a song written by Bob Corbin, and recorded by American country music group The Oak Ridge Boys. It was released in 1989 as the first single from the album American Dreams. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Content

The song describes a typical American family, and notes that they aren't a big deal and "ain't gonna go down in history", but they are just part of "a little story of an American family." The first verse of the song describes a husband, who worked in a rail yard and is nearing retirement, and his loving wife. The second verse tells how the wife waited for her husband while he fought in World War II and how their son fought in the Vietnam War. It also describes two other children, a son who is a lawyer in Los Angeles, and a daughter who married and stayed in her hometown.

The Oak Ridge Boys re-recorded the song for their patriotic album "Colors" in 2003. This version included a new bridge and chorus at the end of the song which referenced the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The additions shift the focus of the song from a single family to America as a country, and say that all Americans are part of an American family that pulls together during hard times. The 2003 version was recorded with William Lee Golden, while Steve Sanders sang baritone on the original version.

Chart performance

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)	32
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)	4

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)	Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)	73

References

Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 252.
"Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 6569." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. November 11, 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
"The Oak Ridge Boys Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
"Best of 1989: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.

v t e The Oak Ridge Boys
Duane Allen William Lee Golden Richard Sterban Ben James Joe Bonsall Steve Sanders
Studio albums	Y'all Come Back Saloon Room Service The Oak Ridge Boys Have Arrived Together Fancy Free Bobbie Sue American Made Deliver Step On Out Seasons Where the Fast Lane Ends Heartbeat Monongahela American Dreams Unstoppable The Journey Common Thread A Gospel Journey The Boys Are Back It's Only Natural
Other albums	Greatest Hits Greatest Hits 2 Greatest Hits 3 Christmas
Notable singles	"Y'all Come Back Saloon" "You're the One" "I'll Be True to You" "Cryin' Again" "Come On In" "Sail Away" "Dream On" "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" "Trying to Love Two Women" "Heart of Mine" "Beautiful You" "Elvira" "(I'm Settin') Fancy Free" "Bobbie Sue" "So Fine" "I Wish You Could Have Turned My Head (And Left My Heart Alone)" "Thank God for Kids" "American Made" "Love Song" "Ozark Mountain Jubilee" "I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes" "Everyday" "Make My Life with You" "Little Things" "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend" "Come On In (You Did the Best You Could Do)" "Juliet" "You Made a Rock of a Rolling Stone" "It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow)" "This Crazy Love" "Time In" "True Heart" "Gonna Take a Lot of River" "Bridges and Walls" "Beyond Those Years" "An American Family" "No Matter How High" "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" "Lucky Moon" "Change My Mind" "Seven Nation Army"
Guest singles	"Same Ole Me" (with George Jones) "When You Get to the Heart (with Barbara Mandrell) "Out Goin' Cattin'" (Sawyer Brown with Joe Bonsall) "Broken Trust" (with Brenda Lee)
Related articles	Discography The Goldens

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