America's Sweetheart (song)

"America's Sweetheart" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Elle King for her debut studio album, Love Stuff (2015). King co-wrote the song with its producer, Martin Johnson. It serves as the album's second mainstream single and the third overall (promoted concurrently with rock single "Under the Influence"), and was serviced to hot adult contemporary radio in the United States through RCA Records on February 8, 2016.

"America's Sweetheart"
Single by Elle King
from the album Love Stuff
Released	February 8, 2016 (2016-02-08)
Genre	Country pop[1][2] country rock
Length	4:06
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Elle King Martin Johnson
Producer(s)	Martin Johnson
Elle King singles chronology
"Under the Influence" (2015) "America's Sweetheart" (2016) "Different for Girls" (2016)
Music video
"America's Sweetheart" on YouTube

Composition

"America's Sweetheart" is a country pop^[1][2] and country rock song instrumented predominantly by the banjo^[1][3] with a beat influenced by electronic dance music.^[4] The song's lyrics speak to the idea of nonconformity, with King outlining her unique qualities that conflict with the ideal persona of "America's sweetheart" and asserting that she refuses to change for anyone.^[3][4] King employs a belting technique on the chorus.^[1]

Live performances

King performed "America's Sweetheart" during appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, both airing February 11, 2016.^[5][6]

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Canada AC (Billboard)[7]	39
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[8]	21
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[9]	14
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10]	28
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[11]	14
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[12]	38
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13]	10

Year end charts

Chart (2016)	Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[14]	30

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[15]	Platinum	80,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	February 8, 2016	Hot adult contemporary	RCA	[16]
	March 15, 2016	Contemporary hit radio		[17]

References

1. Matjuda, Bridgette (February 5, 2016). "Jam Of The Day: Elle King – America's Sweetheart". People Magazine South Africa. Caxton Magazines Digital. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
2. Floyd, Marcus (21 February 2015). "Album Review: Elle King - Love Stuff". Renowned for Sound. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
3. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Love Stuff - Elle King". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
4. Pareles, Jon (March 27, 2015). "New Music From Amy Speace, Diagrams and Elle King". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
5. Ellentube Staff (February 11, 2016). "Elle King Performs 'America's Sweetheart'". Ellentube. Ellen DeGeneres. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
6. Cantor, Brian (February 11, 2016). "Elle King Performs "America's Sweetheart" On Fallon's "Tonight Show" (Watch Now)". Headline Planet. Cantortainment. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
7. "Elle King Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
8. "Elle King Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
9. "Elle King Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
10. "Elle King Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
11. "Elle King Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
12. "Elle King Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
13. "Elle King Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
14. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
15. "Canadian single certifications – Elle King – America's Sweetheart". Music Canada. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
16. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
17. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved March 7, 2016.