Craig Campbell - "Family Man"
By: Matt Bjorke
If ever there was a song that was made for these tough economic times it is Craig Campbell’s debut single “Family Man.” The song starts off with visual lyrics like “I've been working as a temp at the local factory, I hope they hire me on full time, ‘cause I’ve got shoes to buy and mouths to feed.” If anyone’s been out of work for any period of time and has had to take on jobs like the one chronicled in the first verse of “Family Man,” they’ll certainly relate to why Craig Campbell works as hard as he does: for his family.
The second verse which discusses a buy here, pay here truck also touches right down main street as many more people in America can’t afford to or have enough credit to buy a car from anywhere but such local car dealerships. It’s not the thing we want to do (status symbols and all) but it’s what we need to do to get from home to work and back and the song says that Campbell’s narrator does these things because that’s what’s ‘the fire in my drive home…the living, breathing reason that I am…A Family Man.”
The lyrics of the song - which was co-written by Craig Campbell himself - are meat and potatoes country music and Keith Stegall’s production matches the lyrics with tender, beautiful production that frames each lyric in a wall of contemporary country sounds that isn’t too different from the approach he takes with Alan Jackson’s albums. This is a neo-traditional country song from a talented singer who also happens to be a talented songwriter in his own right. If some radio stations can get past the ‘depressing’ nature of the first couple verses and realize that this song fits right in the pocket of their demographic, they’ll realize that “Family Man” is a fantastic debut single with the kind of sharp songwriting that builds solid careers.
You can listen to the song by clicking here.
You can support Craig Campbell by purchasing his EP for only $3.99 at Amazon | iTunes.
READER'S COMMENTS
Pat says:
Posted: Tuesday, December 20, 2011
@Teezay, Obviously you know nothing of Bigger Picture Entertainment. They are not a traditional record label and while they DO have a WB distribution agreement, this is not a label with 'major corporate dollars' behind them. They are a wholly independent label. Craig Campbell MOST CERTAINLY lived the lyrics of this song.
teezhay says:
Posted: Tuesday, December 20, 2011
For those who seek drivel bleeding with irony, this is your song. Who better to pen a formulaic ode to lower middle class America than a musician signed to a lucrative recording contract by a major corporate label? It's extraordinary that so few of you recognize blatant exploitative pandering when it stares you so glaringly in the face. Maintain your delusions of empathy from Bigger Picture Music Group musicians, while they and Atlantic/Warner Bros. (BPMG's distributors) laugh all the way to the bank.
says:
Posted: Saturday, February 19, 2011
Charles Murphy says:
Posted: Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Yeah...decent enough...if this was the early to mid 90s. Once again, Nashville misses the mark of originality and goes with something that, while it can pull on the heart strings, is totally formullaic to what is put out on country radio.
deb stanton says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Wow what a voice and a real down to earth song about what is going on in the world today!Loved this song the first time I heard it!Craig has an awesome voice and is very talented!
Bob says:
Posted: Saturday, November 13, 2010
This rocks brother. Thank you for sharing with the world what it feels like to be a Family Man. I feel the same way about my wife and 2 daughters. Real men dig being dads.
sam says:
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010
I heard this song on my way home from work and it brought tears to my eyes. while I listened to it I thought about all people who tell me I am crazy to have gotten married young and had kids so quickly, I also thought about my beautiful wife and daughter the baby on the way. people just don’t know how great it feels to be a family man. when I got home my daughter who is 18 months ran to see me an give me a hug and kiss. all I could think was how lucky I am to live this life. thank you for this song
Bob & Kay says:
Posted: Monday, August 9, 2010
Great song & what a voice! Craig Campbell is gonna go far with his style & talent. The review mentions Alan Jackson because they are both produced by Keith Stegall....well don't you think Keith Stegall know what he's doing...smart man he is!! He knows true talent!! Love all of Craig's stuff..he's got lots of fans out there!!
Jean says:
Posted: Friday, August 6, 2010
Great first release. Been following Craig since we moved to Nashville in '07 on the local scene at the Stage. Loved him since day 1. He's really talented vocally, musically (especially on keyboards) and song writing! And a nice guy to boot! My personal fav's of his are "Help Me Cry" and new one "Hooked".
RM says:
Posted: Friday, August 6, 2010
Matt, you hit the nail on the head here! Great artist with a great debut single.
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