My Last Name

"My Last Name" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Dierks Bentley. It was released in October 2003 as the second single from his self-titled debut album. This is Bentley's first single to miss the Top 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, reaching a peak of #17, and his only one until 2010's "Up on the Ridge," which peaked at #21. The song was written by Bentley and Harley Allen.

"My Last Name"
Single by Dierks Bentley
from the album Dierks Bentley
ReleasedOctober 20, 2003
Recorded2003
GenreCountry
Length3:30
LabelCapitol Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Brett Beavers
Dierks Bentley singles chronology
"What Was I Thinkin'"
(2003)		 "My Last Name"
(2003)		 "How Am I Doin'"
(2004)

Content

The narrator describes the origins and the experiences of his last name, such as when he beat up a bully who made fun of his name and when his grandpa "took it off to Europe to fight the Germans in the war". In the final verse, the narrator then says that he wants to marry his lover — to give her his last name because he does not have much.

Music video

The music video was directed by Peter Zavadil, who directed his previous video for "What Was I Thinkin'". At the beginning, it shows Dierks Bentley's name spelled wrong on a marquee, but at the end of the video, it has been corrected.

Critical reception

Samantha H., reviewing the song for Country Music Online.net, wrote that the song "My Last Name" "is a great story song. All about getting teased because of his last name and still being proud of it. Then one day he offers it to a woman through marriage."[1] Robert L. Doerschuk of Allmusic, however, called it "gauzy nostalgia."[2]

Chart performance

"My Last Name" debuted at number 55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week ending October 25, 2003.

Chart (2003–04) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[3] 2
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] 17

Year-end charts
Chart (2004) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 56
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References
  1. http://www.countrymusiconline.net/bentley4.html
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r651118/review
  3. "Dierks Bentley Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  4. "Dierks Bentley Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  5. "Best of 2004: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2004. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
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