"Cain's Blood" is a song originally recorded by American country pop artist Michael Johnson. He co-wrote the song with Jack Sundrud and recorded it on his 1995 album Departure. It was recorded the same year by the country vocal group 4 Runner, whose version was released as their debut single from their album 4 Runner. 4 Runner's version of the song reached number 26 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.[1]
| "Cain's Blood" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by 4 Runner | ||||
| from the album 4 Runner | ||||
| B-side | "Ten Pound Hammer"[1] | |||
| Released | February 1995 | |||
| Recorded | September 1994 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:52 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Michael Johnson, Jack Sundrud | |||
| Producer(s) | Buddy Cannon, Larry Shell | |||
| 4 Runner singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Content
editThe song is about "the tug and pull [between good and evil] that goes on inside each and every one of us", according to Polydor Records then-president Steve Miller.[2] It uses the Biblical story of Cain and Abel to represent the narrator's struggle between good and evil.[3] Co-writer Michael Johnson said that the idea for the chorus came to him while he was in jail for driving under the influence.[4] Johnson himself also recorded the song on his 1995 album Departure.[5]
Music video
editThe music video premiered in February 1995. It was filmed at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.[2]
Critical reception
edit"Cain's Blood" generally received positive reception for its Southern gospel sound.[2] The single was also compared to the sound of The Oak Ridge Boys due to the use of four-part vocal harmony.[6] Brian Wahlert of Country Standard Time wrote that the song is a "dark and moody testament to life's daily battle between good and evil in which the four voices become completely integrated into an eerie, foreboding whole."[7]
Chart performance
edit"Cain's Blood" debuted at number 74 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of March 18, 1995.
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[8] | 14 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[9] | 18 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[10] | 26 |
References
edit- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ a b c Morris, Edward (April 1, 1995). "4 Runner: Oak Ridge Boys of '90s?". Billboard. pp. 28, 35.
- ^ Van Scott, Miriam (1999). The Encyclopedia of Hell. Macmillan. p. 74. ISBN 978-0-312-24442-2.
- ^ "4 Runner's not just another Oak Ridge Boys". The Vindicator. 13 May 1995. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "Departure". Allmusic. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^ "4 Runner resurrects the country quartet". The Albany Herald. Associated Press. May 29, 1995. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ Wahlert, Brian. "4 Runner review". Country Standard Time. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 9241." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. June 5, 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ "4 Runner Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "4 Runner Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.