"I listen to everything, except country", is a response I often hear from people when asking what type of music they like. People do not want to listen to rednecks sing about their trucks, beer, and girls. Critics like to cite a viral video showing how some top hits all sound the same. I like most popular country artists, and do admit that some stereotypical songs are pretty cringe inducing, however there are lots of artists and songs that reject the popular stereotypical subjects. I think a lot of the hate for country music comes from ignorance, so hopefully you can show your friend a few of these songs, and change their opinion on country music.
Eric Church - Mr. Misunderstood
Eric Church's recent album Mr. Misunderstood has a number of standout tracks. The first song, and title track of the album, offers reassurance to a character that feels left out and alienated from his peers. I think a lot of people can identify with the message of this song. The penultimate track of the album, "Record Year", gives the listener a look into the mind of someone who is getting over a romantic breakup. Church uses many lyrical tricks, giving the whole song a double meaning. Challenge: How many music related allusions can you find?
Thomas Rhett - Die A Happy Man
Thomas Rhett's hit song "Die A Happy Man" is a hit with the ladies, at least according to this Odyssey article. In a genre and culture filled with misogynistic lyrics, Rhett is nothing but complimentary to his significant other in this slower love song.
Maddie & Tae - Girl In A Country Song
Speaking of misogyny, this female duo of singers strike gold with their song criticizing the degradation of women in country music lyrics.
Dierks Bentley - Different For Girls
Bentley brought us the song, "Drunk on A Plane", singing about turning a flight into a party after being dumped. In his new song, "Different For Girls", Bentley explains the other side of heartbreak.
Tim McGraw - Humble and Kind
Nothing fancy here. McGraw reminds the listener to "Always stay humble and kind"; presumably a lesson he has learned in many forms over the years.
Kenny Chesney - Noise
Lots of country music has the theme of going back to simpler times. Kenny says that "We didn't turn it on be we can't turn it off", referring to the constant "noise" of TV, social media, cellphones, etc.
Miranda Lambert - Automatic
Going along with the theme of the good 'ole days, Miranda Lambert wants to go back to when you had the shake the picture you just took.
Aaron Lewis - Redneck Crazy Revisited
Aaron Lewis performs an alternate version of Tyler Farr's hit, "Redneck Crazy". Lewis' song criticizes Farr's lyrics of a guy who is bitter over a girl. Lewis says the character is not redneck, but just plain crazy.
What songs did I miss?
