Southern Voice (song)

This song is an up-tempo track that lists various influential natives of the Southern United States, who all embody a "southern voice." Many are referred to, not by full name but direct allusion, including civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. ("Dr. King") and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt ("Number Three"). Furthermore, Jack Daniel is incorrectly referred to as "Jack Daniels". Regarding the song, McGraw told Great American Country, "I hope it’s a record that you can put on and just sort of melt into. And that’s what the purpose was for it. We wanted a sort of earthiness that when you put this thing on, it just sort of kicks out all over you." == Music video ==

The video was directed by Sherman Halsey, McGraw's usual director of choice. It premiered on CMT on October 2, 2009 and was ranked No. 33 on GAC's Top 50 Videos of the Year 2009. It was filmed on East Main St. in Watertown, Tn. ==Critical reception==

Matt Bjorke of Roughstock criticized the song's lyrics, saying, "one can’t help but think of the song as but another laundry list of things that quantify why something is or isn’t great," but adding that McGraw's vocal and the "catchy chorus" "save 'Southern Voice' from the scrap-heap." ==In popular culture==

"Southern Voice" is one of the songs played over the end credits of the film The Blind Side, which co-stars McGraw. ==Notable Performances==

McGraw performed the song on the Late Show with David Letterman on October 12. ==Chart performance==

On the week ending November 7, 2009, "Southern Voice" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 61 and at No. 49 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in September 2009. Later on Hot Country Songs, for the week of January 30, 2010, the song became McGraw's 23rd number one hit and his first since "Last Dollar (Fly Away)", which topped the chart dated April 14, 2007. Year-end charts ==Certifications==