El Cerrito Place

"El Cerrito Place" is a song written by Keith Gattis. Originally recorded by Charlie Robison, it was also recorded by Kenny Chesney on his 2012 album Welcome to the Fishbowl, from which it was released as the third single in September 2012 .

"El Cerrito Place"
Single by Kenny Chesney
from the album Welcome to the Fishbowl
ReleasedSeptember 10, 2012 (2012-09-10)
Recorded2012
GenreCountry
Length
  • 5:52 (album version)
  • 5:02 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Keith Gattis
Producer(s)
Kenny Chesney singles chronology
"Come Over"
(2012)		 "El Cerrito Place"
(2012)		 "Pirate Flag"
(2013)

History

The song, written by Keith Gattis, was originally recorded by Gattis in 2002 for his own album Big City Blues. Charlie Robison then recorded it on his 2004 album Good Times.[1] Robison's version was released as both a single and music video, but the single did not chart. Chesney's version includes a backing vocal from Grace Potter, with whom he recorded his 2011 single "You and Tequila".[2]

Content

The song is a mid-tempo in which the male narrator longs for a lost lover in California.[3] Chesney said of the song that he enjoyed Robison's version for several years, and that "There is a certain longing in this song that in a lot of ways I really relate to. It's about wanting something that's obviously not there." Robison praised Chesney's version, saying that he "did a good job with it".[4]

The song title refers to the El Cerrito Place Apartments at the base of the Hollywood Hills in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, where Gattis lived while writing and recording the song. The song's and apartment's namesake street, off of Franklin Avenue, starts just north of the intersection of La Brea Ave. and Hollywood Blvd., which is consistent with the lyrics of the song.

Critical reception

Chet Flippo, in an article on the song's history for CMT, said that "It's one song that in its different iterations links past and present. It truly shows the power of a single song."[2] Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song 4 ½ stars out of 5, saying that it "might be the most emotional performance of his career. It’s clear he’s falling back on his own experiences as he tells the story of a man looking for his love and maybe his soul."[3] A less favorable review came from Karlie Justus Marlowe of Engine 145, who said that "The song’s necessary grit and gravel are noticeably missing from his delivery, and everything comes off a little too smooth, a touch too neat and tidy." She also criticized the "heavy" production, and gave the song a "thumbs down".[5]

Chart performance
Chart (2012–13) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 72
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 17
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[8] 10

Year-end charts
Chart (2012) Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 79
Chart (2013) Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[10] 76
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 86

References
  1. Lankford, Jr., Robert. "Good Times". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  2. Flippo, Chet (21 June 2012). "NASHVILLE SKYLINE: To Kenny Chesney From Charlie Robison and Keith Gattis". Country Music Television. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  3. Dukes, Billy (10 September 2012). "'El Cerrito Place' review". Taste of Country. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  4. Darden, Beville (12 September 2012). "Kenny Chesney's 'El Cerrito Place' Relives the 'Insanity'". The Boot. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  5. Justus Marlowe, Karlie (24 September 2012). "Kenny Chesney — 'El Cerrito Place'". Engine 145. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  6. "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "Kenny Chesney Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  9. "Best of 2012: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  10. "Billboard Country Update for December 16, 2013" (PDF). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 16, 2013. p. 21. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  11. "Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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