A Country Boy Can Survive

"A Country Boy Can Survive (Y2K version)"
"A Country Boy Can Survive (Y2K version)"
Single by Chad Brock, Hank Williams, Jr., and George Jones
from the album Yes!
B-side	"Going the Distance"
Released	November 22, 1999
Genre	Country
Length	3:59
Label	Warner Bros. Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Hank Williams, Jr.
Producer(s)	Buddy Cannon; Norro Wilson
Chad Brock singles chronology
Hank Williams, Jr. singles chronology
George Jones singles chronology

"A Country Boy Can Survive"
"A Country Boy Can Survive"
Single by Hank Williams Jr.
from the album The Pressure Is On
B-side	"Weatherman"
Released	January 18, 1982
Recorded	1981
Genre	Country
Length	4:16
Label	Elektra/Curb
Songwriter(s)	Hank Williams Jr.
Producer(s)	Jimmy Bowen; Hank Williams Jr.
Hank Williams Jr. singles chronology

"A Country Boy Can Survive" is a song written and recorded by American musician Hank Williams Jr. The song was released as a single in January 1982 and reached a peak of number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in March 1982.^[1] It is considered one of Williams' signature songs even though it never reached number one.

Shortly after 9/11, Williams re-wrote and re-recorded the song with a patriotic theme under the name "America Will Survive"; the rewrite peaked at number 45 on the Billboard country charts.

In early 2007, Williams re-released the original version to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its original release, in addition to creating a music video for it. This re-release peaked at number 45 on the Billboard country charts.

Content

This song was released in January 1982. It reflects changes to American lifestyle and society that corresponded with rural concerns of the negative impact from increasing urbanization, and exalts the self-reliance of 'country boys'.

The second verse mentions the narrator's relationship with a New York City businessman; despite their differing backgrounds (urban vs. rural) the two had become good friends and exchanged gifts ("he'd send me pictures of the Broadway nights/And I'd send him some homemade wine"). The businessman is "killed by a man with a switchblade knife/for $43 my friend lost his life"; Williams replies that he would like to personally shoot the mugger himself, but not before "(spitting) Beech-Nut in that dude's eyes". The "America Will Survive" remix has the businessman being a victim of the 9/11 attacks.

Chart history

Original version

Chart (1982)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[2]	2
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1982)	Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[3]	9

2001 re-release as "America Will Survive"

Chart (2001)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks	45

2007 re-release for 25th Anniversary

Chart (2007)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks	45

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[4]	4× Platinum	4,000,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

Kid Rock recorded a cover of the song, which appeared on the 1993 EP Fire It Up, and as a B-side to his 1993 single "I Am the Bullgod". Country music singer Toby Keith covered the song from the television special CMT Giants: Hank Williams Jr.

Chad Brock version (Y2K version)

In late 1999, Chad Brock and George Jones collaborated with Williams to record a re-written version of the song with a Y2K theme, with lines such as "If the bank machines crash, we'll be just fine." This version peaked at number 30 on the Billboard country charts, and number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chart positions

Chart (1999)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)^[5]	66
US Billboard Hot 100^[6]	75
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[7]	30

References

^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
^ "Hank Williams, Jr. 2 Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 1982". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
^ "American single certifications – Hank Williams, Jr. – A Country Boy Can Survive". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 10016." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 10, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
^ "Chad Brock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "Chad Brock Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.

External links

Official music video by Hank Williams Jr.

[whitburn-1] Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.

[sc_Billboardcountrysongs_Hank_Williams,_Jr._2-2] "Hank Williams, Jr. 2 Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.

[3] "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 1982". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

[United_StatesHank_Williams,_Jr.A_Country_Boy_Can_SurvivesingleCertRef-4] "American single certifications – Hank Williams, Jr. – A Country Boy Can Survive". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 29, 2024.

[sc_Canadacountry_-5] "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 10016." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 10, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2013.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Chad_Brock-6] "Chad Brock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardcountrysongs_Chad_Brock-7] "Chad Brock Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.

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v t e Hank Williams Jr.
Studio albums	Your Cheatin' Heart Connie Francis and Hank Williams Jr. Sing Great Country Favorites Ballads of the Hills and Plains Blues My Name A Time to Sing Songs My Father Left Me Luke the Drifter Jr. – Vol. 2 Live at Cobo Hall After You, Pride's Not Hard to Swallow Hank Williams Jr. and Friends Family Tradition Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound Habits Old and New Rowdy The Pressure Is On High Notes Strong Stuff Man of Steel Major Moves Five-O Montana Cafe Hank Live Born to Boogie Wild Streak Lone Wolf Pure Hank Maverick Out of Left Field Hog Wild A.K.A. Wham Bam Sam Three Hanks: Men with Broken Hearts Stormy The Almeria Club Recordings I'm One of You 127 Rose Avenue It's About Time Rich White Honky Blues
Compilation albums	Greatest Hits Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Fourteen Greatest Hits Hank Williams Jr.'s Greatest Hits Hank Williams Jr.'s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 America (The Way I See It) The Best of Hank Williams Jr. Volume One: Roots and Branches Tribute to My Father 20 Hits Special Collection, Vol. 1 Early Years, Vol. 1 Early Years, Vol. 2 The Bocephus Box That's How They Do It in Dixie: The Essential Collection
Notable singles	"Long Gone Lonesome Blues" "Nobody's Child" "All for the Love of Sunshine" "So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" (with Lois Johnson) "Rainin' in My Heart" "Eleven Roses" "Rainy Night in Georgia" "I'll Think of Something" "I Fought the Law" "To Love Somebody" "Family Tradition" "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound" "Women I've Never Had" "Kaw-Liga" "Old Habits" "Texas Women" "Dixie on My Mind" "All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)" "A Country Boy Can Survive" "Honky Tonkin'" "The American Dream" "Gonna Go Huntin' Tonight" "Leave Them Boys Alone" (with Ernest Tubb and Waylon Jennings) "Queen of My Heart" "Man of Steel" "Attitude Adjustment" "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" "Major Moves" "I'm for Love" "This Ain't Dallas" "Ain't Misbehavin'" "Country State of Mind" "Mind Your Own Business" (with Reba McEntire, Tom Petty, Reverend Ike and Willie Nelson) "Born to Boogie" "Heaven Can't Be Found" "Young Country" "If the South Woulda Won" "Early in the Morning and Late at Night" "There's a Tear in My Beer" (with Hank Williams Sr.) "Finders Are Keepers" "Ain't Nobody's Business" "Good Friends, Good Whiskey, Good Lovin'" "If It Will, It Will" "Devil in the Bottle" "Are You Ready for the Country?" (with Eric Church)
Guest singles	"The Conversation" (with Waylon Jennings) "That Old Wheel" (with Johnny Cash) "Bartender Song (Sittin' at a Bar)" (with Rehab)
Family	Hank Williams (father) Audrey Williams (mother) Jett Williams (half-sister) Hank Williams III (son) Holly Williams (daughter) Coleman Williams (grandson)
Related articles	Discography Living Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story

v t e Chad Brock
Studio albums	Chad Brock Yes! III
Notable singles	"Ordinary Life" "Lightning Does the Work" "A Country Boy Can Survive (Y2K version)" "Yes!" "The Visit"

v t e George Jones singles
Albums Singles Discography with Tammy Wynette Awards
1950s	"No Money in This Deal" "Play It Cool, Man" "You All Goodnight" "Why Baby Why" "What Am I Worth" "I'm Ragged But I'm Right" "Rock It" "You Gotta Be My Baby" "Just One More" "Don't Stop the Music" "Too Much Water" "Tall, Tall Trees" "Seasons of My Heart" "Too Much Water" "Treasure of Love" "White Lightning" "Who Shot Sam" "Big Harlan Taylor"
1960s	"Accidentally on Purpose" "Out of Control" "The Window Up Above" "Family Bible" "Tender Years" "Aching, Breaking Heart" "She Thinks I Still Care" "Open Pit Mine" "A Girl I Used to Know" "Your Heart Turned Left (And I Was on the Right)" "I'll Share My World with You "The Race Is On" "Love Bug" "Take Me" "I'm a People" "Walk Through This World with Me" "I Can't Get There from Here" "If My Heart Had Windows" "Say It's Not You" "Small Time Laboring Man" "As Long as I Live" "Milwaukee, Here I Come" (with Brenda Carter) "When the Grass Grows Over Me" "I'll Share My World with You" "If Not for You" "She's Mine"
1970s	"Where Grass Won't Grow" "Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong" "A Good Year for the Roses" "Sometimes You Just Can't Win" "Right Won't Touch a Hand" "I'll Follow You (Up to Our Cloud)" "We Can Make It" "Loving You Could Never Be Better" "A Picture of Me (Without You)" "What My Woman Can't Do" "Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half as Bad as Losing You)" "Once You've Had the Best" "The Grand Tour" "The Door" "These Days (I Barely Get By)" "Memories of Us" "The Battle" "You Always Look Your Best (Here in My Arms)" "Her Name Is" "Old King Kong" "If I Could Put Them All Together (I'd Have You)" "Bartender's Blues" "I'll Just Take It Out in Love" "Someday My Day Will Come"
1980s	"He Stopped Loving Her Today" "I'm Not Ready Yet" "If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)" "Still Doin' Time" "Same Ole Me" "Shine On (Shine All Your Sweet Love on Me)" "I Always Get Lucky with You" "Tennessee Whiskey" "You've Still Got a Place in My Heart" "She's My Rock" "Hallelujah, I Love You So" (with Brenda Lee) "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" (with Lacy J. Dalton) "The One I Loved Back Then (The Corvette Song)" "Somebody Wants Me Out of the Way" "Wine Colored Roses" "The Right Left Hand" "I Turn to You" "The Bird" "I'm a Survivor" "The Old Man No One Loves" "If I Could Bottle This Up" (with Shelby Lynne) "I'm a One Woman Man" "The King Is Gone (So Are You)" "Writing on the Wall" "Radio Lover"
1990s	"You Couldn't Get the Picture" "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair" "Honky Tonk Song" "Choices"
As a collaborative artist	"Yearning" (with Jeanette Hicks) "Did I Ever Tell You" (with Margie Singleton) "Waltz of the Angels" (with Margie Singleton) "We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds" (with Melba Montgomery) "Let's Invite Them Over" (with Melba Montgomery) "Please Be My Love" (with Melba Montgomery) "What's in Our Heart" (with Melba Montgomery) "Things Have Gone to Pieces" (with Gene Pitney) "I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night" (with Gene Pitney) "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (with Melba Montgomery) "That's All It Took (with Gene Pitney) "Maybellene" (with Johnny Paycheck) "You Can Have Her" (with Johnny Paycheck) "When You're Ugly Like Us (You Just Naturally Got to Be Cool)" (with Johnny Paycheck) "You Better Move On" (with Johnny Paycheck) "Yesterday's Wine" (with Merle Haggard) "C.C. Waterback" (with Merle Haggard)
As a featured artist	"We Didn't See a Thing" (Ray Charles with Chet Atkins and George Jones) "A Few Ole Country Boys" (Randy Travis featuring George Jones) "You Don't Seem to Miss Me" (Patty Loveless with George Jones) "A Country Boy Can Survive (Y2K version)" (Chad Brock featuring George Jones and Hank Williams, Jr.) "Country Boy" (Aaron Lewis featuring Charlie Daniels and George Jones)
Promotional singles	"Wrong Number"
Other charted songs	"Money to Burn" "Big Fool of the Year" "I Saw Me" "What's in Our Heart" (with Melba Montgomery) "My Tears Are Overdue" "I Just Don't Give a Damn" "He Stopped Loving Her Today"