Singer-songwriter Steve Grand says his
single All American Boy is based on personal experience.
The gay-themed country music track
became an instant YouTube hit when it was released on July 2, topping
out at 1 million views just 8 days later.
All-American Boy tells a
well-worn story of unrequited love, except the pairing in this video
are two men. Grand's character falls hard for another young man.
Despite sharing a kiss in a lake, the other man says he's just
looking for friendship. (Watch
the video in our video library.)
In an interview with ChicagoPride.com,
Grand said that he has personally felt the heartbreak of falling for
someone unattainable.
“We've all fallen for someone that we
can't have, but it especially rings true in the specific story for
LGBT people. It is the story of my life since I was 13,” Grand
said. “I was always crushing on the straight guy. I think it's
always been there because I grew up in a place where gay people
weren't visible. I was always crushing on my best friends. I think
that's the case, probably, for a lot of us. The song isn't about
anyone specific. It's the accumulation of experiences. … I think
all that was influenced by everything I've been through, growing up
and having this happen to me over and over again.”