Co-writer David Lee got the idea after seeing a soldier and his girlfriend saying goodbye at the airport.[1]
Content
The song is a portrayal of a soldier's life on overseas duty. In the song, it is mentioned how the soldier's mother and girlfriend write to him during his time overseas. In the first two letters (the first two verses), the letters are shared with a fair share of merriment among the soldier's comrades. The soldier's father is a very stubborn man in the song, but eventually admits to being proud of his son, which drives the son to tears and spreads an aura of solemnity among his comrades, as mentioned in the third verse.
Music video
The music video, directed by Darrin Dickerson, was filmed at the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 in Smyrna, Tenn, and featured National Guard soldiers. Actor and musician Freddy Mullins played the role of the soldier receiving the letters from home.[2][3]
Chart positions
"Letters from Home" debuted at number 48 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of January 31, 2004 and peaked at number 2.