26 Cents
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"26 Cents", also written as "26¢", is the debut single of the Canadian country music group the Wilkinsons. Written by group member Steve Wilkinson and William Wallace, it was released in June 1998 as the first single from their album Nothing but Love. The song reached number one on the RPM Country Tracks chart in August 1998 and number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was named both Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) Song of the Year and Single of the Year at the 1999 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
Content
The song is about a girl who has just turned 18 and is moving away to her own place. The song's title comes from the "penny for your thoughts, a quarter for the call" that her mother gives her before she leaves.
Music video
The music video was directed by Jim Shea and premiered in mid-1998.
Chart performance
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM) | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 55 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) | 3 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1998) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM) | 3 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard) | 25 |
Awards and nominations
| Association | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 41st Annual Grammy Awards | Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance | Nominated |
| Academy of Country Music | Single Record of the Year | Nominated |
| Canadian Country Music Association | Single of the Year | Won |
| SOCAN Song of the Year | Won | |
| Video of the Year | Nominated |