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Tough Little Boys
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Wikipedia article
"'Tough Little Boys'" is a song written by Harley Allen and Don Sampson and recorded by American country music artist Gary Allan. It was released in June 2003 as the first single from Allan's 2003 album 'See If I Care'. The song became Allan's second number one hit on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot Country Songs chart in October 2003.
Content
The song, backed primarily by acoustic guitar and keyboard, is about a father who has always imagined himself to be tough, even as a child. However, upon looking at his own child, the father starts finding himself worrying about the child's safety, admitting that "When tough little boys grow up to be dads / They turn into big babies again." The song's chorus references the young adult novel 'Old Yeller' with the line "Now I didn't cry when Old Yeller died / At least not in front of my friends."
Critical reception
Jennifer Webb of About.com reviewed the song favorably, calling it "touching and tender."[http://countrymusic.about.com/library/blseeificarerev.htm Gary Allan - See If I Care: album review]
Music video
The music video was directed by Morgan Lawley, and premiered in mid-2003. It was filmed at the Tennessee National Air Force Base, and features actual soldiers returning from and during wartime, and their daughters, who come out and hug them in the end. Gary is seen performing the song in an air force treatment tent with an acoustic guitar, and in an airport hangar with an electric guitar, while videos of the soldiers on screens behind him are playing. His own daughter Dallas makes a cameo as well. He dedicated the video to all the soldiers who fought and continue to fight for their country, with a note at the end of the video saying "This video is dedicated to all the soldiers, who left their families, to fight for our country."
Chart positions
"Tough Little Boys" debuted at number 45 on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 28, 2003.
Year-end charts
References
Category:2003 singles
Category:2003 songs
Category:Gary Allan songs
Category:Songs written by Harley Allen
Category:MCA Nashville Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Mark Wright (record producer)
Category:Songs written by Don Sampson
Category:MCA Records singles
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