Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man

"Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man" is a song written by Trey Bruce and Glen Burtnik. First recorded by Mark Collie on his 1995 album Tennessee Plates, it was later recorded by Randy Travis. Released in October 1998 as the third single from his 1998 CD, You and You Alone, it peaked at number 2 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart, behind "Stand Beside Me" by Jo Dee Messina.

Content

The song is a mid-tempo backed primarily by acoustic guitar. Its lyrics tell the story of decisions a boy must make in his life and whether he should follow his whims ("spirit of a boy") or act with integrity and good faith ("wisdom of a man") when his high school sweetheart tells him that she is pregnant, and when he is faced with the temptations of life on the road after being married with a child at home.

Music video

The music video debuted as CMT's sneak peek video on October 7, 1998. It was filmed at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner office.

Chart performance

"Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man" debuted at number 53 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 10, 1998.

Chart (1998–1999)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)	7
US Billboard Hot 100	42
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)	Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)	67
US Country Songs (Billboard)	51

References

Archived page of Randy-Travis.com from January 1999. Retrieved September 19, 2009
"Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 7479." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. February 8, 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
"Randy Travis Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
"Randy Travis Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
"RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1999". RPM. December 13, 1999. Archived from the original on 2013-10-15. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
"Best of 1999: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2013.

v t e Randy Travis
Albums Singles
Studio albums	Storms of Life Always & Forever Old 8×10 No Holdin' Back Heroes & Friends High Lonesome Wind in the Wire This Is Me Full Circle You and You Alone A Man Ain't Made of Stone Inspirational Journey Rise and Shine Worship & Faith Passing Through Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship, and Praise Around the Bend Anniversary Celebration Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am
Compilation albums	Greatest Hits, Volume One Greatest Hits, Volume Two The Very Best of Randy Travis I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis
Holiday albums	An Old Time Christmas Songs of the Season
Notable singles	"On the Other Hand" "1982" "Diggin' Up Bones" "No Place Like Home" "Forever and Ever, Amen" "I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever)" "Too Gone Too Long" "I Told You So" "Honky Tonk Moon" "Deeper Than the Holler" "Is It Still Over?" "Promises" "It's Just a Matter of Time" "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" "He Walked on Water" "A Few Ole Country Boys" "Heroes and Friends" "Point of Light" "Forever Together" "Better Class of Losers" "I'd Surrender All" "If I Didn't Have You" "Look Heart, No Hands" "An Old Pair of Shoes" "Cowboy Boogie" "Before You Kill Us All" "Whisper My Name" "This Is Me" "The Box" "Are We in Trouble Now" "Would I" "King of the Road" "Out of My Bones" "The Hole" "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man" "Stranger in My Mirror" "A Man Ain't Made of Stone" "Baptism" "Three Wooden Crosses" "Where That Came From"
Other songs	"Voices That Care" "Singing the Blues" "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" "She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)"
Related articles	Awards and nominations Filmography

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