Country music. Many associate country with the stereotypes of booze, chicks, and America. While several country artists mention these topics within their lyrics, non-country fans do not realize the special and deeper meaning of country music.

I'll admit, in the past, I disliked country music to the point I would close my ears if I heard anything related to country. I was in the same boat as those non-fans. However, the very first country songs I had listened to in their entirety, Thomas Rhett's "Die A Happy Man," and Brett Eldredge's "Mean To Me," changed my perspective on country music.

My love for country music has become a healthy (sometimes an unhealthy) obsession. There's a country song for every mood. In a good mood, listen to a classic Zac Brown Band (ZBB) song, "Chicken Fried." Do you have that special someone in need of a song to call "yours," listen to Dylan Scott's "My Girl," or Florida Georgia Line's (FGL) "God, Your Mama and Me." The list goes on and on. Need some time alone to yourself after a rough breakup, listen to Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King, "Different For Girls," or Walker Hayes' "You Broke Up With Me." Or do you just feel like dancing around your bedroom as you get ready for a night out, listen to Danielle Bradbery's "Sway," personally, “Sway” is my favorite song at the moment! Not to mention as I write this article, coincidentally "Sway" comes on :)

Country has healed me in ways I never thought imaginable. This past summer was a very difficult one for me. I turned to my remedy--country music. On days when I had to force myself to take on my daily tasks, I turned to my Spotify playlist-- 'Country' playlist and it helped cure my mood.

It's not just the beat and rhythm that is enough to get me hooked, but the lyrics behind the singer's voice. Some of the songs I listen to are based on true stories like Thomas Rhett's, "Life Changes." To me, songs that incorporate their personal experience make the song that much more meaningful. The lyrics hidden behind the voice speaks volumes, relating to their fans in ways that other genres of music sometimes lack.

As a lover of country and all that it entails, I have passed the obsession down to my mom. When one of our favorite songs comes on the radio, you know we are jamming out, lip syncing the words and dancing with no cares in the world. Country music has brought us even closer together through our 12am dance parties and discussion over our favorite songs and favorite lines within those songs.

Next time you see me in the car talking to myself, don't worry, I’m not crazy, I am listening to my favorite music, my remedy, my medicine, my country music.

Thank you country music for showing my what it means to express all emotions, love life, and be myself while doing it.