"Better Class of Losers" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released in December 1991 as the third single from his album High Lonesome. It peaked at number 2 in both the United States and Canada. Travis co-wrote this song with Alan Jackson. Travis' performance earned him the Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, his fifth nomination in that category.
| "Better Class of Losers" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Randy Travis | ||||
| from the album High Lonesome | ||||
| B-side | "I'm Gonna Have a Little Talk" | |||
| Released | December 9, 1991 | |||
| Recorded | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:41 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. Nashville 19069 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Randy Travis, Alan Jackson | |||
| Producer(s) | Kyle Lehning | |||
| Randy Travis singles chronology | ||||
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Content
editThe song is narrated from the point of view of a husband, who married a woman from "high society." Over the course of their relationship, he has grown to dislike both her friends and the high-class lifestyle she leads and has announced his intent to end the relationship. Instead, he intends to associate with people who live a much simpler lifestyle, such as those who "buy their coffee beans already ground" and who don't "pay their bills on home computers" (which, in 1991, was a rarity).
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Jim Shea, and features Travis walking through various sets that convey the song's description, such as a high-rise penthouse set to a farm style set.
Musicians
editAs listed in liner notes.[1]
- Eddie Bayers - drums
- Russ Barenberg - acoustic guitar
- Dennis Burnside - piano
- Jerry Douglas - dobro
- Doyle Grisham - steel guitar
- David Hungate - bass guitar
- Mac McAnally - acoustic guitar
- Brent Mason - 6 string bass, electric guitar
- Mark O'Connor - fiddle
- John Wesley Ryles - background vocals
- Randy Travis - lead vocals
- Dennis Wilson - background vocals
- Curtis Young - background vocals
Use in media
editThis song was performed by Travis in the 2007 movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets, where he guest starred performing for the President of the United States at Mount Vernon.[citation needed]
It was also performed, in part, by Travis on a 1993 episode (The Mark) of "Matlock". Travis plays character Billy Wheeler, a country singer hired by Matlock (Andy Griffith) to paint his house, and later accused of killing a con artist.
Chart performance
edit| Chart (1991–1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[2] | 2 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] | 2 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] | 27 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 13 |
References
edit- ^ High Lonesome (CD). Randy Travis. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. 26661.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2064." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. February 29, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- ^ "Randy Travis Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992". RPM. December 19, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1992: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
