Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Why I love country music

They have some of the best lyrics:

I hate that stupid old pickup truck,
You never let me drive
You’re a redneck, heartbreak
Who’s really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match
On all my wasted time
As far as I’m concerned,
You’re just another picture to burn.
(Taylor Swift)

Husslers shootin' eightball
Throwin' darts at the wall
Feelin' damn near 10 ft. tall
Here she comes, Lord help us all
Ol' T.W.'s girlfriend done slapped him out' his chair
Poor ole boy, it ain't his fault
It's so hard not to stare
At that honky tonk badonkadonk
Keepin' perfect rhythm
Make ya wanna swing along
Got it goin' on
Like Donkey Kong
And whoo-wee
Shut my mouth, slap your grandma
There outta be a law
Get the Sheriff on the phone
Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on
That honky tonk badonkadonk
(sung by Trace Adkins)

How do you like me now,
Now that I'm on my way?
Do you still think I'm crazy
Standin here today?
I couldnt make you love me
But I always dreamed about living in your radio
How do you like me now?
(Toby Keith)


He's a good-time cowboy casanova
Leaning up against the record machine
He looks like a cool drink of water
But he's candy-coated misery
He's the devil in disguise
A snake with blue eyes
And he only comes out at night
Gives you feelings that you don't want to fight
You better run for your life
(Carrie Underwood)

And, of course, my favorite:

Well, I know sometimes you think that all you really are,
Is the woman with the kids an' the groceries in the car.
An' you worry about your hips an' you worry about your age.
Meanwhile I'm tryin' to catch the breath you take away.
Oh, an' believe me, you still do.
Baby, all I see, when I look at you,

Is one hot mama;
You turn me on, let's turn it up,
An' turn this room into a sauna.
One hot mama,
Oh, whaddya say, baby?
You wanna?

3 comments:

Susanne Barrett said...

Um, country music? Not so much. In fact, not at all.

:)

carrie said...

Maybe it's an acquired taste. ;-) But seriously, besides having some of the most creative lyrics in songwriting, I've come to appreciate the real excellence of the music as far as skill is concerned. Many country bands cross-over with folk, blues, jazz and rock and use a wider array of instruments than most genres. Bluegrass opens another field entirely, and the skill of many of the musicians on mandolin, fiddle, steel guitar, and guitar is amazing. In bluegrass you also get the stand-up bass and banjo used frequently. Plus country and bluegrass both have a tradition of using harmonies in vocals like a separate instrument.

I used to not like jazz until I learned about the history of jazz and about the skill it takes to play it. After that I found I appreciated it and heard things in the music I never had before. It's the same for me with country and bluegrass. After learning more about it, I realize that once you get below the pop country, there is a vast store of talent and innovation going on there.

Off my soapbox. ;-) The lyrics so often make me smile.

Colleen said...

I must admit, I love the story-telling aspect of country music lyrics. I'm so looking forward to seeing "Crazy Heart" (with Jeff Bridges) ~ coming to the indy theater here in Bellingham next month. I'll be it's one you'd like, too. : )