Country Music Isn't Very Country Anymore | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Country Music Isn't Very Country Anymore

Has country music completely lost its roots?

374
Country Music Isn't Very Country Anymore
Pinterest

Most '90s babies grew up listening to NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys or Brittany Spears; I grew up listening to country music. Don’t get me wrong; I listened to Brittany, (to be honest there was a time when I thought I was Brittany), and the boy bands too, but country music was the most dominate in my music library.

My parents raised me on good, honest country music. Back then the majority of country music had an honest message behind it. Take for example the five-year-old version of me’s favorite song, “Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn. The song highlights the endless possibilities America offers - the American Dream. As a young child, I didn’t quite understand just how privileged American citizens are, (especially when compared to other countries). I did understand that I could become anything I wanted when I grew up – that the sky was my limit. "Only In America" inspired the little five-year-old me, I can't say that NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye" made a lasting impact on my life.

As I'm now 20-years-old, I have realized how much country music has changed since I was younger. Country music has become about trucks, beer, girls and dirt roads. Don’t get me wrong, these songs are good when you want a soundtrack for a night out with friends, but is that really all country music has to say anymore?

There was a time when country music addressed real life issues. After September 11th Darryl Worley released “Have You Forgotten?” and Alan Jackson released "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?" both songs addressing the most dominate issue America faced in the early 2000s. The year 2016 has seen acts of terror yet country music is still singing about trucks. Listeners can use current country music’s upbeat happy-go-lucky tone as an escape from their problems, though there was a time when country music would address problems - it seems like that ship has sailed.

"A girl in a country song, how in the world did it go so wrong?" Finally, someone said it. Maddie & Tae address the stereotype country music has put on “country" women. Girls are often described as wearing painted on jeans and “shak’n their moneymaker” in modern country music. Maddie & Tae’s music video “Girl In A Country Song” speaks volumes on how modern country music perceives women. Allow me to repeat the country duo, “Conway and George Straight, never did it this way, back in the old days.”

Is it just me or is country music sounding more like pop music? Autotune and rap? I mean it's cool, some of the songs are even saved on my Spotify playlist, but can those songs really be called country? I'll let you decide.

While the majority of modern country songs are a happy-go-lucky repetition of the last five songs on your country radio, there are some modern songs that are reminiscent of the old country. With the help from country music artists, (Scotty is my favorite), country music can go back to saying something that means something more.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774715
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

993
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments