Letters from Home (song)

"Letters from Home" is a song written by Tony Lane and David Lee, and recorded by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released in February 2004 as the second single and title track from the album of the same name. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 2004 and also reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, his highest-ever peak on that chart.

"Letters from Home"
Single by John Michael Montgomery
from the album Letters from Home
ReleasedFebruary 2, 2004
GenreCountry
Length4:28
LabelWarner Bros. Nashville
Songwriter(s)Tony Lane, David Lee
Producer(s)Byron Gallimore, John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery singles chronology
"Cool"
(2003)		 "Letters from Home"
(2004)		 "Goes Good with Beer"
(2004)

Background and writing

Co-writer David Lee got the idea after seeing a soldier and his girlfriend saying goodbye at the airport.[1]

Content

The song is a portrayal of a soldier's life on overseas duty. In the song, it is mentioned how the soldier's mother and girlfriend write to him during his time overseas. In the first two letters (the first two verses), the letters are shared with a fair share of merriment among the soldier's comrades. The soldier's father is a very stubborn man in the song, but eventually admits to being proud of his son, which drives the son to tears and spreads an aura of solemnity among his comrades, as mentioned in the third verse.

Music video

The music video, directed by Darrin Dickerson, was filmed at the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 in Smyrna, Tenn, and featured National Guard soldiers. Actor and musician Freddy Mullins played the role of the soldier receiving the letters from home.[2][3]

Chart positions

"Letters from Home" debuted at number 48 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of January 31, 2004 and peaked at number 2.

Weekly charts
Chart (2004) Peak
position
Canada Country (Radio & Records)[4] 4
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 24

Year-end charts
Chart (2004) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 99
US Country Songs (Billboard)[8] 5

References
  1. Rudder, R.; Cash, R. (2006). Country Music Reader. Music City Book Pub. ISBN 9780976974512. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-06-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Cryin' shame - Salon.com". Archived from the original on December 31, 2006. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  4. Radio & Records: May 14, 2004, page 42 worldradiohistory.com
  5. "John Michael Montgomery Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. "John Michael Montgomery Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "Billboard Top 100 – 2004". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  8. "Best of 2004: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2004. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
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