In co-writing the song with Berg, Alice Randall became the second African-American woman to write a number-one country hit.[2]
Content
The song tells the story of a young woman who has dreams and ambitions, but also discusses how she works hard and is a simple American girl who "signs her letters with XXX's and OOO's". She dreams of becoming successful in a man's world, citing her father as an example. The chorus verifies how the woman is a simple American girl. In the song, there are references to R&B/soul singer Aretha Franklin and country singer Patsy Cline. The song was also the theme to a television pilot titled XXX's and OOO's, which was pitched to CBS in late 1994.[3]
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song unfavorably, saying that the song is obviously supposed to mean something, "with its rapid-fire scheme and assertive-woman references." She goes on to say that the song ends up "sounding like exactly what it is - the theme to a bad television show."[4]
Charts
"XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl)" debuted at number 73 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of July 9, 1994.
