International Harvester (song)

Infobox Single
Name = International Harvester


Cover size =
Caption =
Artist = Craig Morgan
Album = Little Bit of Life
Released = October 2007
Format = CD Single
Recorded = 2006
Genre = Country
Length = 3:51 (album version)
3:36 (radio edit)
Label = Broken Bow
Writer = Jeffrey Steele
Shane Minor
Danny Myrick
Producer = Craig Morgan
Keith Stegall
Certification =
Last single = "Tough"
(2007)
This single = "International Harvester"
(2007)
Next single = "Love Remembers"
(2008)
Misc =

"International Harvester" is the title of a country music song written by Jeffrey Steele, Shane Minor, and Danny Myrick (formerly a member of the band Western Flyer). The song was recorded by American singer Craig Morgan on his album "Little Bit of Life", which was released in 2006 on Broken Bow Records. Released in late 2007, "International Harvester" was that album's third and final single, as well as his final release for Broken Bow.

Content

The song is a moderate up-tempo backed largely by fiddle and banjo.cite web |url=http://www.the9513.com/craig-morgan-international-harvester/ |title=Craig Morgan - "International Harvester" |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last=C. |first=Matt |date=2007-08-27 |work=The 9513] The lyric, written in first person, describes a farmer who is driving an International Harvester-branded combine on a highway. Because of the vehicle's slow speed, he is causing a slowdown in traffic on the road,cite web |url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=1201&t=Craig_Morgan_fans_trick_their_trucks |title=Craig Morgan fans trick their trucks |accessdate=2008-07-07 |date=2007-12-10 |work=Country Standard Time] thus leading to the farmer's defense of his own actions::"I'm the son of a third-generation farmer:"Been married ten years to the farmer's daughter:"I'm a God-fearin', hard-workin' combine driver:"Hoggin' up the road in my p-p-p-p-plower:"Chug-a-lug-a-luggin', five miles an hour:"On my International Harvester"

The album version begins with the sound of the tractor's engine starting. This sound effect was removed from the radio edit.

Reception

The song received a "thumbs up" review from The 9513 reviewer Matt C., who called it a "successful 'slice of life' song" because the writers "confine [d] themselves to a manageble theme and paint [ed] a charming picture". He also felt that Morgan's Southern twang was a natural fit for the lyrical content, despite uncertainty that country music fans would be able to identify with the song's farmer character (as opposed to identifying with those stuck in traffic behind him).

"Trick My Tractor"

In association with this song, Morgan ran a contest on his website entitled "Trick My Tractor". This contest, which ran from December 2007 to January 2008, asked for fans to submit pictures of their "tricked out" tractors, lawn mowers, or similar lawn maintenance equipment to his website.

Charts

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=antUcw20V1w Music video] at YouTube