XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl)
Encyclopedia
"XXX's and OOO's" is the title of a song written by Matraca Berg
and Alice Randall
, and recorded by American
country music
singer Trisha Yearwood
. It was released in June 1994 as the lead single to her fourth studio album, 1994's Thinkin' About You
.
(who has written other hits by Yearwood) and Alice Randall
. The song is narrated by Yearwood and it tells the story of a young woman who has dreams and ambitions, but also discusses how she works hard and is a simple American girl who "signs her letters with XXX's and OOO's". She dreams of becoming successful in a man's world, citing her father as an example. The chorus verifies how the woman is a simple American girl.
The song was the first single off Yearwood's fourth album, and became her second #1 hit on the Country charts
by September 16 of that year. In addition the single also peaked at #14 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Canadian Country singles chart. The album would also spawn her third #1 hit in 1995.
In the song, there are pop culture references to R&B singer Aretha Franklin
and country singer Patsy Cline
.
Matraca Berg
Matraca Maria Berg is an American country music singer and songwriter. She has released five albums: three for RCA Records, one for Rising Tide Records and one for Dualtone Records, and has charted in the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard country charts with "Baby, Walk On" and "The Things You Left...
and Alice Randall
Alice Randall
Alice Randall is an American author and songwriter. Randall grew up in Washington, D.C.. She attended Harvard University, where she earned an honors degree in English and American literature, before moving to Nashville in 1983 to become a country songwriter. She currently lives in Nashville,...
, and recorded by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country music
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 Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood
Patricia Lynn Yearwood, professionally known as Trisha Yearwood , is an American country music artist. She is best known for her ballads about vulnerable young women from a female perspective that have been described by some music critics as "strong" and "confident."Trisha Yearwood signed with MCA...
. It was released in June 1994 as the lead single to her fourth studio album, 1994's Thinkin' About You
Thinkin' About You
Thinkin' About You is the fourth country studio album by country singer Trisha Yearwood. The album reached #3 on the Billboard country albums chart....
.
Content
"XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl)" was written by songwriters Matraca BergMatraca Berg
Matraca Maria Berg is an American country music singer and songwriter. She has released five albums: three for RCA Records, one for Rising Tide Records and one for Dualtone Records, and has charted in the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard country charts with "Baby, Walk On" and "The Things You Left...
(who has written other hits by Yearwood) and Alice Randall
Alice Randall
Alice Randall is an American author and songwriter. Randall grew up in Washington, D.C.. She attended Harvard University, where she earned an honors degree in English and American literature, before moving to Nashville in 1983 to become a country songwriter. She currently lives in Nashville,...
. The song is narrated by Yearwood and it tells the story of a young woman who has dreams and ambitions, but also discusses how she works hard and is a simple American girl who "signs her letters with XXX's and OOO's". She dreams of becoming successful in a man's world, citing her father as an example. The chorus verifies how the woman is a simple American girl.
The song was the first single off Yearwood's fourth album, and became her second #1 hit on the Country charts
by September 16 of that year. In addition the single also peaked at #14 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Canadian Country singles chart. The album would also spawn her third #1 hit in 1995.
In the song, there are pop culture references to R&B singer Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
and country singer Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
.
Chart performance
"XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl)" debuted at number 73 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of July 9, 1994.| Chart (1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 14 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |