Shameful music confessional: A country music apologia
I admit it: I enjoy country music. I say this having done much soul-searching, deep consideration, and other such nonsense. Jamie converted me.
However, previously having been adamantly opposed to the lot, I feel it necesary to defend my position. So here you have it, folks: reasons why country music is great.
This is perhaps my most important criterion. I know of few, if any, styles of music that can make fun of themselves quite as well or often as country. With other genres, it takes someone like Weird Al to properly make fun of their style, lyrics, subject matter, etc., and this is despite the fact that most types of music have plenty to laugh about, such as the almost preteniously-serious alternative (see: Lmp Bizkit). However, country manages to pull of songs that make fun of itself, and it makes fun of itself in a way that even people who hate country can't beat. Some examples:
Save a horse (ride a cowboy) by Big & Rich
Friends in low places by Garth Brooks (definitely a classic)
Chicks dig it by Chris Cagle
She thinks my tractor's sexy by Kenny Chesney (my personal favorite)
Do you want fries with that? by Tim McGraw
Alcohol by Brad Paisley
All my exes live in Texas by George Strait
Redneck woman by Gretchen Wilson
There are more, but I'm sure you get the point.
He is one hot Aussie!
The country genre has attracted some absolutely amazing vocalists, primarily female. While there are certainly strong singers in every genre, country particularly seems to highlight their vocal talent. Some examples:
Garth Brooks
Alan Jackson
Alison Krauss
Natalie Maines
Jennifer Nettles
Joe Nichols
Leann Rimes
George Strait
Rhonda Vincent
Some country music is just so classic as to have become an essential part of the American music history. Some examples:
Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett
I walk the line by Johnny Cash
Devil went down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band
Blue by Patsy Cline
Crazy by Patsy Cline
On the road again by Willie Nelson
Pnocho and Lefty by Willie Nelson
I'm missing tons, of course, but there's a sampling.
Some country songs are simply very touching or beautifully expressed. Others express setiments not often heard in other genres. Some examples:
Goodbye Earl by the Dixie Chicks
An entertaining, empowering song about, of all thngs, domestic violence.
Travelin' soldier by the Dixie Chicks
A poignant story about a boy who goes off to war and the girl he leaves behind.
When you say nothing at all by Alson Kraus
One of the most gorgeous, heartfelt love songs that I've ever heard.
She only smokes when she drinks by Joe Nichols
A beautiful, compelling description of how heartache affects a person.
Whiskey lullaby by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
This is quite simply one of the most beautiful, poignant duets I have ever heard. Absolutely stunning!
She let herself go by George Strait
A song about what happens when a woman is released from the bonds in which love placed her.
And there are lots of others, of course
This is not to say that country music isn't without its problems.
Some people might say these songs are beautiful. I say they're cheese to the max.
God's Will by Martina McBride (or really almost anything else by her)
Skin by Rascal Flatts (or really almost anything else by them)
Yah America! Or at least that's what lots of country artists say. And it gets lame right quick.
Courtesy of the red, white, and blue (the angry American) by Toby Keith (Believe me, this is sufficient to prove my case)
For god and country. Oy vei!
Jesus take the wheel by Carrie Underwood
There are lots of others. I just can't think of them at the moment because I try to avoid them.
No, but seriously, I do enjoy country music. It's especially great if you like steel guitars, banjos, and mandolins. Try it. You might like it, like me!
Current Book: A guide to benefit-cost analysis, 2nd ed., by Edward M. Gramlich. Back to schoolwork (sigh). But this is a pretty interesting book, a cornerstone of policy analysis that we're reading for our microeconomics class. It should be interesting.
However, previously having been adamantly opposed to the lot, I feel it necesary to defend my position. So here you have it, folks: reasons why country music is great.
This is perhaps my most important criterion. I know of few, if any, styles of music that can make fun of themselves quite as well or often as country. With other genres, it takes someone like Weird Al to properly make fun of their style, lyrics, subject matter, etc., and this is despite the fact that most types of music have plenty to laugh about, such as the almost preteniously-serious alternative (see: Lmp Bizkit). However, country manages to pull of songs that make fun of itself, and it makes fun of itself in a way that even people who hate country can't beat. Some examples:
Save a horse (ride a cowboy) by Big & Rich
Friends in low places by Garth Brooks (definitely a classic)
Chicks dig it by Chris Cagle
She thinks my tractor's sexy by Kenny Chesney (my personal favorite)
Do you want fries with that? by Tim McGraw
Alcohol by Brad Paisley
All my exes live in Texas by George Strait
Redneck woman by Gretchen Wilson
There are more, but I'm sure you get the point.
He is one hot Aussie!
The country genre has attracted some absolutely amazing vocalists, primarily female. While there are certainly strong singers in every genre, country particularly seems to highlight their vocal talent. Some examples:
Garth Brooks
Alan Jackson
Alison Krauss
Natalie Maines
Jennifer Nettles
Joe Nichols
Leann Rimes
George Strait
Rhonda Vincent
Some country music is just so classic as to have become an essential part of the American music history. Some examples:
Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett
I walk the line by Johnny Cash
Devil went down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band
Blue by Patsy Cline
Crazy by Patsy Cline
On the road again by Willie Nelson
Pnocho and Lefty by Willie Nelson
I'm missing tons, of course, but there's a sampling.
Some country songs are simply very touching or beautifully expressed. Others express setiments not often heard in other genres. Some examples:
Goodbye Earl by the Dixie Chicks
An entertaining, empowering song about, of all thngs, domestic violence.
Travelin' soldier by the Dixie Chicks
A poignant story about a boy who goes off to war and the girl he leaves behind.
When you say nothing at all by Alson Kraus
One of the most gorgeous, heartfelt love songs that I've ever heard.
She only smokes when she drinks by Joe Nichols
A beautiful, compelling description of how heartache affects a person.
Whiskey lullaby by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
This is quite simply one of the most beautiful, poignant duets I have ever heard. Absolutely stunning!
She let herself go by George Strait
A song about what happens when a woman is released from the bonds in which love placed her.
And there are lots of others, of course
This is not to say that country music isn't without its problems.
Some people might say these songs are beautiful. I say they're cheese to the max.
God's Will by Martina McBride (or really almost anything else by her)
Skin by Rascal Flatts (or really almost anything else by them)
Yah America! Or at least that's what lots of country artists say. And it gets lame right quick.
Courtesy of the red, white, and blue (the angry American) by Toby Keith (Believe me, this is sufficient to prove my case)
For god and country. Oy vei!
Jesus take the wheel by Carrie Underwood
There are lots of others. I just can't think of them at the moment because I try to avoid them.
No, but seriously, I do enjoy country music. It's especially great if you like steel guitars, banjos, and mandolins. Try it. You might like it, like me!
Current Book: A guide to benefit-cost analysis, 2nd ed., by Edward M. Gramlich. Back to schoolwork (sigh). But this is a pretty interesting book, a cornerstone of policy analysis that we're reading for our microeconomics class. It should be interesting.