"Nineteen" is a song written by Tom Hambridge, Jeffrey Steele, and Gary Nicholson. The song was originally recorded by the country music duo Waycross, whose version peaked at number 54 on the '' Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart in July 2007. Taylor Hicks later recorded the song on his 2009 album '' The Distance'', although his version of the song was not released as a single. It was then recorded by country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, on his album '' I'm American'', which was released on June 28, 2011. Cyrus' version of the song was released as the album's second single on September 26, 2011. Clayton Bellamy also recorded it on his 2012 album '' Everyone's a Dreamer''.

Content

"Nineteen" tells the story of a high school football standout, who turns down the

University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (or The University of Tennessee; UT; UT Knoxville; or colloquially UTK or Tennessee) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, United St ...

to serve in the Marines after watching the September 11 attacks.

Reception

Critical

Taste of Country positively reviewed the song, rating it 4 stars out of five. The reviewer, Billy Dukes, comments on how many times the song has been recorded, but mentions that the song deserves the attention of the mainstream country audience.

Commercial

The song debuted at number 58 on the US '' Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart for the week ending October 8, 2011. It is Cyrus' first chart entry since "A Good Day" peaked at number 59 on the country chart in September 2009.

Chart performance

Waycross

Billy Ray Cyrus

References

{{authority control Songs about teenagers Songs about the military Music about the September 11 attacks 2007 singles 2007 songs 2011 singles Taylor Hicks songs Billy Ray Cyrus songs Songs written by Jeffrey Steele Song recordings produced by Buddy Cannon Songs written by Tom Hambridge Songs written by Gary Nicholson Walt Disney Records singles