Carlene (song)

"Carlene" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Phil Vassar. It was released in October 1999 as Vassar's debut single, from his self-titled debut album (2000). "Carlene" reached a peak of number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts and number 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and it reached number 1 in Canada. The song was written by Vassar, Charlie Black and Rory Bourke.

"Carlene"
Single by Phil Vassar
from the album Phil Vassar
B-side"Six-Pack Summer"
ReleasedOctober 25, 1999
Recorded1999
GenreCountry
Length4:06 (album version)
LabelArista Nashville
Songwriter(s)Charlie Black
Rory Bourke
Phil Vassar
Producer(s)Phil Vassar
Byron Gallimore
Phil Vassar singles chronology
"Carlene"
(1999)		 "Just Another Day In Paradise"
(2000)

Content

"Carlene" is a moderate up-tempo backed mainly by piano, played by Vassar. In the lyric, the narrator recalls a girl named Carlene with whom he went to high school. He recalls being an athlete who struggled with his academics, while she was the valedictorian. Now an adult, he visits the school yard, where he meets Carlene again. He tells her that she is "lookin' good". In the second verse, the two go out for a ride together and begin conversing. She reveals that she now has a Ph.D. and is modeling for Vogue, while he is a songwriter who "finally got a couple [songs] out on country radio". The single edit omits one repetition of the chorus at the end.

Collin Raye sings backing vocals on the song.[1]

Music video

The music video was directed by Gerry Wenner, and premiered on CMT on October 29, 1999, when CMT named it a "Hot Shot". It features Vassar singing the song while playing the piano on a rooftop.

Critical reception

Country Standard Time critic George Hauenstein cited "Carlene" as a standout track on Vassar's debut album. He said that although the song did not have a traditional country music sound, it was a "fun, up-tempo song", and that it was more lyrically substantial than most other songs on the country radio at the time.[2] Vince Ripol, reviewing the album for Allmusic, also described "Carlene" favorably, calling it "boisterous" and an "immediate hit", also saying that Vassar's songwriting style recalled Tom T. Hall's story songs.[3]

Chart positions

"Carlene" debuted at number 74 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 30, 1999. Although Vassar had written several singles for other singers since the mid-1990s, "Carlene" is his first release as a singer.

Chart (1999–2000) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 45
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] 5

Year-end charts
Chart (2000) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 21

References
  1. Phil Vassar (CD booklet). Phil Vassar. Arista Nashville. 2000. 18891.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Hauenstein, George. "Phil Vassar review". Country Standard Time. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  3. Ripol, Vince. "Phil Vassar review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  4. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 9836." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 10, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  5. "Phil Vassar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. "Phil Vassar Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  7. "Best of 2000: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2000. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
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