JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Another good blog from Craig B.

http://ninetymilewind.blogspot.com/2009/08/country-dignity.html



Kevin

"Where are the real people in country songs?" Is this guy serious? His examples are even poor. It might be unfortunate but I know more people who have been the drunk girls at karaoke than have gone to a town hall meeting to speak about health care reform. And songs about digging wells and farming are a dime a dozen these days, those are far more annoying than the contemporary country songs he mentions. Do I believe that either of the members of Montgomery Gentry have farmed a day in their life? I can see where Johnny Cash fans would cringe when they see hip hop dancing in the Sideways video but the simple fact is that there are fans of country music that like that style. You don't believe me that there are true country songs on the radio, look at the country billboard charts right now.

Top 3:
Alright-Darius Rucker
He certainly doesn't look like a country artist and I will agree sometimes he's trying to country the song up.

I've got spaghetti and a cheap bottle of wine
Don't need no concert in the city
I've got a stereo and the best of Patsy Cline

But in these same lyrics he's doing what Craig is asking him to do. He's trying to represent real people.

Billy Currington-People Are Crazy
Again, very country song. Maybe the story isn't realistic but I guess it could happen.

Talkin politics
Blonde and redhead chicks
Old dogs and new tricks and
Habits we aint kicked

Again, lyrics about real people in the first verse. They even show the "intelligence" to talk about politics.

Taylor Swift-You Belong With Me
Maybe this is the problem. I happen to believe Taylor is one of the most impressive songwriters to come to country music in a long time. You want truth? That's all her songs are.


And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town
I havent seen it in awhile, since she brought you down
You say you find I know you better than that
Hey, Whatcha doing with a girl like that?

Guess what? I've felt this way before. That's what's great about a good lyric. Saying something you feel in a poetic way. Country music still does this, but there are all these people trying discount it because it doesn't sound like their version of country music. There is something for everybody in Country Music. George Strait is still on those same country charts along with a song called Big Green Tractor, and another called Boots On.

I know Craig. He's about my age so I can relate to what he's saying. Of course, when Craig was writing hits I thought he wasn't country enough. :-)

He also said this



He forgot one that bugs the crap out of me....having people playing cards and/or getting drunk on Saturday night and then going to church Saturday morning. Thirty years ago that was seen as hypocrisy. Now of course, with the removal of Jesus from so much of our lives, it's often times the way it is. That sentiment is in a lot of songs.

I actually like the Chesney song though. I do have some aggravation with it but it seems more country than many other songs to me.

craig is a wonderful writer

When a new country artist has a good song about living the hard life, being broke, eating dirt, etc.. I can enjoy; but I gag when a superstar artist who's been living the high life for 5+ years trys to sell the same line with a straight face.