Turning Home
Encyclopedia
"Turning Home" is the title of a song written by country music
singer Kenny Chesney
and Scooter Carusoe, and recorded by singer David Nail
. It is the third single
from Nail's 2009 debut album I'm About to Come Alive
, as well as his fourth single release overall.
The song was nominated in the Best Male Country Vocal Performance
category at the 53rd Grammy Awards
, however, it lost to "'Til Summer Comes Around
" by Keith Urban
.
and Scooter Carusoe, who wrote Chesney's singles "Anything but Mine
" and "Better as a Memory
." Chesney had originally planned to record it himself.
days, referring to that time of his life as his "glory days." It includes a prominent piano
section, because Nail wanted a strong piano player for the album. Nail told The Tennesseean that he identified with the song's theme: "I just knew that this was that song that I had been searching for[…]Being from a small town in southeast Missouri
, all the imagery in the song was something that I could really relate to."
on March 12, 2010. It was shot in black-and-white. It shows Nail giving an impromptu performance in two costumes. He first sings with a hat, wristwatch, and short-sleeved shirt, making him completely unrecognizable. The second & third verses and chorouses feature him singing in a black shirt, no hat, and bracelet. Scenes also feature him singing on the bleachers of his high school football field. The video was shot in his hometown of Kennett, Missouri. During the performance, his band also appears.
Hot Country Songs
charts dated for the week ending February 13, 2010. The song entered that chart's Top 40 at number 39 on the chart dated for March 6, 2010, becoming Nail's second Top 40 hit on that chart. In August, it peaked at number 20 on the country chart.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney
Kenneth "Kenny" Arnold Chesney is an American country music singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S...
and Scooter Carusoe, and recorded by singer David Nail
David Nail
David Brent Nail is an American country music artist. In 2002, he debuted the single "Memphis," a cut from an unreleased album for Mercury Records Nashville. Five years later, he signed to MCA Nashville , and released the album I'm About to Come Alive in August 2009...
. It is the third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from Nail's 2009 debut album I'm About to Come Alive
I'm About to Come Alive
I'm About to Come Alive is the debut album of American country music singer David Nail. It was released on August 18, 2009 via MCA Nashville Records...
, as well as his fourth single release overall.
The song was nominated in the Best Male Country Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance was awarded between 1965 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male...
category at the 53rd Grammy Awards
53rd Grammy Awards
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
, however, it lost to "'Til Summer Comes Around
'Til Summer Comes Around
"Til Summer Comes Around" is the title of a song recorded by Australian country music singer Keith Urban, co-written by him and Monty Powell. It is the fourth single release from his 2009 studio album Defying Gravity...
" by Keith Urban
Keith Urban
Keith Lionel Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian, country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Urban was born in New Zealand and began his career in Australia at an early age...
.
Production and writing
The song was written by Kenny ChesneyKenny Chesney
Kenneth "Kenny" Arnold Chesney is an American country music singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S...
and Scooter Carusoe, who wrote Chesney's singles "Anything but Mine
Anything but Mine
"Anything but Mine" is the title of a single by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in early 2005 as the fifth single from his 2004 album When the Sun Goes Down. It reached number-one on the U.S...
" and "Better as a Memory
Better as a Memory
"Better as a Memory" is a single by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. It is the fourth and final single released from his 2007 CD Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. Produced by Buddy Cannon, the tune was voted one of NSAI’s “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” in November 2008...
." Chesney had originally planned to record it himself.
Content
In "Turning Home," the narrator recalls events from his high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
days, referring to that time of his life as his "glory days." It includes a prominent piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
section, because Nail wanted a strong piano player for the album. Nail told The Tennesseean that he identified with the song's theme: "I just knew that this was that song that I had been searching for[…]Being from a small town in southeast Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, all the imagery in the song was something that I could really relate to."
Critical reception
Bobby Peacock of Roughstock gave a mostly favorable review, considering the song "a bit overproduced" but saying that Nail "delivers the song powerfully." Juli Thanki of The 9513 gave the song a thumbs-down, saying that she considered the song's production "overblown" in its latter half. She thought that it was one of the weakest-written tracks on the album, but praised Nail's "strong, pleasant voice."Music video
The video was directed by Stephen Shepherd and was released to CMT.comCountry Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
on March 12, 2010. It was shot in black-and-white. It shows Nail giving an impromptu performance in two costumes. He first sings with a hat, wristwatch, and short-sleeved shirt, making him completely unrecognizable. The second & third verses and chorouses feature him singing in a black shirt, no hat, and bracelet. Scenes also feature him singing on the bleachers of his high school football field. The video was shot in his hometown of Kennett, Missouri. During the performance, his band also appears.
Chart performance
"Turning Home" debuted at number 49 on the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts dated for the week ending February 13, 2010. The song entered that chart's Top 40 at number 39 on the chart dated for March 6, 2010, becoming Nail's second Top 40 hit on that chart. In August, it peaked at number 20 on the country chart.
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Bubbling Under Hot 100 |
17 |