Phil Vassar - "Prayer Of A Common Man"

[rowdawg21]

Sent out to radio today. No add date was listed.

I was hoping for "Let Me Love You Tonight," but I don't think this is a bad choice. I'm expecting it to outperform "I Would." I'll guess it makes the top 15.

[austin]

Hmm...I don't like this choice at all. I won't be shocked if it misses the Top 30 all together. It's a good enough song and a stellar album track, but as a single I don't know that it will capture enough buzz to be a big hit.

[Jonsolo]

Based on his past single performances, dating back to 2002's American Child, this one is due to miss the top 15:

Amer. Child - #5
This Is God - #17
Ultimate Love - #41
In A Real Love - #1
I'll Take That As A Yes (Hot Tub) - #17
Good Ole Days - #22
Last Day Of My Life - #2
The Woman In My Life - #20
This Is My Life - #35
Love Is A Beautiful Thing - #2
I Would - #26

So Phil is in the pattern of having one huge top 5 song, and then followed by two badly under-performing songs. So he's still due for another flopper, to pair with I Would, before he'll have another high-peaker.

Maybe rowdawg will get his wish, if this song does so-so, and Phil releases Let Me Love You, as he would be "scheduled" to do great with that one.

[kw9461]

Honestly, I think this was the best choice that Phil could make. Let Me Love You Tonight had more potential, but also had the potential to bomb completely and miss the T40. This should do fairly decent, T30 for sure with a shot at making the T20, but probably no better than that.

[Marv]

I was also hoping for 'LTMYT' as the next single as well, but this should make the top twenty at least.

This was one of my very favorite CDs of 2008, and I hope that we'll get a fifth single this summer.

[Kanenrá:ke]

I was dissapointed with the album over all but this track stuck out to me as the best on there. I'm hoping they do a music video, and I'm holding out hope that this'll be a surprise hit for him.

[kevin59]

Listen to Song

[LISTEN] Phil Vassar - "Prayer Of A Common Man" (Allaccess)

Phil is back to work promoting his new single “Prayer of a Common Man.” The singer said the song was never intended to be a single, but that given the hard economic times radio stations just started playing it.

Source: Phil Vassar Website

[joey2002]

maybe it's just me, but i thought it was good enough to be the 2nd single off the album...

[bamafan2102]

This is much better than Shuttin Detroit Down. I know that they go in different directions but are basically saying the same thing. This should be flying up the charts. Everytime I hear the bridge "I'm not looking for charity, I just need some clarity, I've got people depending on me" I get chills. That line really hits home to me.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

I don't like the misuse of "hallelujah". That's a word of celebration, and it just clashes with "can anyone hear me" right after it. Otherwise I think the song is fine.

[joey2002]

^ good point...the last chorus is the only part where the "hallelujah" part makes sense

[gallopinggold]

I am a big fan of Phil and I really like this song. It seems like an OK fit on radio. Only heard it played on air two times. Has it charted? How is it doing out there?

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Mar 24, 2009 21:15:47 GMT -5 gallopinggold said:

I am a big fan of Phil and I really like this song. It seems like an OK fit on radio. Only heard it played on air two times. Has it charted? How is it doing out there?

It was at #57 on 3/28, second week on the chart. Phil's songs usually climb slow, and this is the 4th single, so I wouldn't be surprised if it missed T40.

[joey2002]

Yeah It's too bad, I like the song a lot also...

[Kanenrá:ke]

It's too bad that this song probably won't do too well on the charts as I think it's his best single from this era... why did they have to release "I Would" it was so boring.

[joey2002]

i agree...I'm not sure how they picked "I Would", but it never did anything for me.

[leilamaurizia]

Billboard:

Prayer of a Common Man

The latest single and title track from Phil Vassar's new album will surely strike a chord with the country radio audience. It is a perfect anthem for these troubled, uncertain days. "Life takes its toll on the heart and soul, but I'm doing the best that I can," Vassar sings, a plea that gives voice to the feelings of so many Americans who are struggling right now. Underscored by his soulful piano, he turns in a performance that reverberates with empathy and understanding. With this poignant single, Vassar has placed his musical finger on the pulse of the public. It's more than a hit—it's a heartfelt prayer. —Deborah Evans Price

[joey2002]

too bad country radio isn't even playing it...

[Marv]

I still can't understand why Phil isn't a much bigger star at country radio--it still makes no sense whatsoever to me.

[gallopinggold]

Mar 28, 2009 19:13:24 GMT -5 Marv said:

I still can't understand why Phil isn't a much bigger star at country radio--it still makes no sense whatsoever to me.

nor can I. what a shame. Is anyone hearing this on the air? I know WMIL and WKDF are giving it some spins.

[joey2002]

^ nope, not at all here.

[bamafan2102]

Heard it on XM but that's all. Not being played around here.

[kw9461]

Two different stations around here are spinning it pretty regularly, WCOL (Columbus) and WPFB (Dayton). I believe the former was on the panel at one time (don't recall if it was BB or MB), but I think that was when ClearChannel owned it, so I'm not sure if it still is or not. Phil gets quite a bit of recurrent airplay around here as well, which is just fine by me (just this week I heard "Just Another Day In Paradise" and "In A Real Love").

[joey2002]

^ Many of his songs get recurrent airplay here in Connecticut also - especially the big hits from his debut album.

[gallopinggold]

well it moved up a few spots but I am still praying my prayer for this song