"Hicktown" is the debut single by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

artist

Jason Aldean Jason Aldine Williams (born February 28, 1977), known professionally as Jason Aldean, is an American country music singer. Since 2005, he has been signed to BBR Music Group, Broken Bow Records, a record label for which he has released eleven alb ...

, released on March 28, 2005 from his self-titled debut album. The song was written by

Big & Rich Big & Rich is an American country music duo composed of Big Kenny and John Rich, both of whom are songwriters, vocalists, and guitarists. Before the duo's foundation, Rich was bass guitarist in the country band Lonestar, while Kenny was a sol ...

Big Kenny William Kenneth Alphin (born November 1, 1963), best known by his stage name Big Kenny, is an American country music singer. He and John Rich (musician), John Rich comprise the duo Big & Rich, who recorded four studio albums and charted fifteen s ...

and

John Rich John Rich (born January 7, 1974) is an American country music singer-songwriter. From 1992 to 1998, he was a member of the country band Lonestar, in which he played bass guitar and alternated with Richie McDonald as lead vocalist. After depa ...

along with

Vicky McGehee Vicky Lynn McGehee is an American country music songwriter. Among the songs that McGehee has written are "Heart Hold On" by The Buffalo Club, " All Jacked Up" by Gretchen Wilson, "Holy Water" by Big & Rich, "Why" by Jason Aldean, "Like We Nev ...

. It was Aldean's first top 10 hit on the U.S. ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. This 50-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly by collecting airplay data along with digital sales and streaming. ...

chart after reaching number 10 in late 2005.

Content

Co-written by

along with

, "Hicktown" is an up-tempo song, and one of many country songs that boast of Southern culture. "Hicktown" has become Aldean's

signature song A signature (; from , "to sign") is a depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. Signatures are often, but not always, handwritten or styliz ...

, with souvenir

vanity plate A vanity plate or personalized plate (United States and Canada); prestige plate, private number plate, cherished plate or personalised registration (United Kingdom); personalised plate (Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom) or custom pla ...

s naming it sold at appearances. The song typically closes out Aldean's concert set, with elongated instrumental parts, Aldean banging on

cymbal A cymbal is a common percussion instrument. Often used in pairs, cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. The majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sou ...

s, and several

false ending A false ending is a device in film and music that can be used to trick the audience into thinking that the work has ended, before it continues. The presence of a false ending can be anticipated through a number of ways. The medium itself might bet ...

Music video

music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...

was released for the song, directed by Wes Edwards. The video takes place in a field with people partying and driving on mud, while Jason Aldean and his band are performing. It premiered in April 28, 2005. Most of the music video was filmed in

Palmdale, Florida Palmdale is an unincorporated community in Glades County, Florida, United States, located on US 27 just north of the junction with State Road 29. History Originally part of DeSoto County, Palmdale's land was pioneered by Florida Fruit Farm ...

at the C&R Mudhole, that is now closed down. Aldean's sister Kasi (wearing a green tank top) makes a cameo in the video.

Chart performance

The song debuted on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart at number 55 for the week ending April 23, 2005.

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{authority control 2005 songs 2005 debut singles Jason Aldean songs Song recordings produced by Michael Knox (record producer) Songs written by Vicky McGehee Songs written by Big Kenny Songs written by John Rich Music videos directed by Wes Edwards BBR Music Group singles