Maps of Music

I'm American (2011)

Where the lyrics of I'm American take you, and where it was really made.

The album was first scheduled for November 2010, but it was pushed back several times before its release on June 28, 2011.

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I'm American is the twelfth studio album by American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus
Released June 28, 2011
Composed of patriotic songs
Includes a re-recording of "Some Gave All", which first appeared on Cyrus's debut album of the same name
The re-recording features vocals from Darryl Worley, Craig Morgan, and Jamey Johnson
The second single, "Nineteen", was released on September 26, 2011

The album was initially scheduled for release in November 2010 and was pushed back numerous times
In early 2011, the re-recording of "Some Gave All" was planned as the first single
That song was pulled from radio and replaced with "Runway Lights", which became the lead-off single
"Runway Lights" is also the theme song of Cyrus's new show, Surprise Homecoming, which debuted on TLC on May 30, 2011
On May 12, 2011, Cyrus announced via The Boot that he planned to retire from recording after this album
He said he would continue to perform live because he loves playing in a band
He wrote many songs about the separation and reconciliation with his wife and wanted to record them for one final album

Born William Ray Cyrus on August 25, 1961, in Flatwoods, Kentucky; American singer, songwriter and actor.
Debut album Some Gave All (1992) topped the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums; certified 9× multi-platinum in the US and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
Lead single "Achy Breaky Heart" topped the Hot Country Songs chart and became a global hit, spreading the line dance into the mainstream.
Moved from Mercury Records to Monument Records in 1999, then to New Door/UMe, Walt Disney Records and Lyric Street Records.
Starred in the PAX series Doc (2001–2004), Disney Channel's Hannah Montana (2006–2011) with daughter Miley Cyrus, and CMT's Still the King (2016–2017).

Featured on the remix of Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 19 consecutive weeks there.
The song won Grammy Awards for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video.

Married Cindy Smith (1986–1991), then Leticia "Tish" Finley; the couple raised several children together.
Married Australian singer Firerose in 2023; divorce finalized in August 2024.

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album three out of five stars
Erlewine likened Cyrus's singing to a ruminative, mumbling Bruce Springsteen, with Cyrus strumming his guitar while rhapsodizing about the downtrodden working class
He said the album is more relaxed than Cyrus's earlier album Home at Last and sincere in both the singing and the subject matter
He closed by calling it more engaging than Cyrus's last few attempts at country-pop aimed at everybody
Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the album three and a half stars out of five
Dukes praised Cyrus's patriotism and the emotion packed into every song
Dukes described "Nineteen" and "We Fought Hard" as predictable but powerful ballads about soldiers who did not make it home from war, which may leave some listeners needing a tissue
Dukes said the re-recording of "Some Gave All" was no better or worse than the original
He concluded that Cyrus gives a great effort, as he does with everything he touches

Debuted at number 153 on the US Billboard 200
Debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums
First-week sales of 3,797 copies
The lead single "Runway Lights" failed to enter the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart
The second single "Nineteen" debuted on the country chart at number 58 for the week ending October 8, 2011
"Nineteen" was Cyrus's first charted single since "A Good Day", which peaked at number 59 in September 2009

The album was first scheduled for November 2010 and was delayed several times before its June 2011 release
After "Some Gave All" was pulled from radio, "Runway Lights" replaced it as the lead single
"Runway Lights" doubles as the theme of Cyrus's TV show Surprise Homecoming, which debuted on TLC on May 30, 2011
On May 12, 2011, Cyrus announced that he planned to retire from recording after this album, while still touring live
He wrote many songs about his marriage's separation and reconciliation, intended for one final album