Once we reach a certain age many of us have some fairly fixed views on many things – Politics, people and places are just three beginning with ‘P’ – but will likely include our music choices. If ever there was a music genre that’s ‘Marmite’, then Country probably is it.
I’m not trying to change your mind, just sharing my thoughts on it.
In a world that is often so cynical, in amongst all the heavy sh*t going on, it’s the little things in life that can often make a big difference and country music’s ability to communicate these observations does it for me.
One of the things I love is that the songs often tell stories – usually about relationships, family, drinking and life’s ups and downs. Some songs are poignant or (deliberately) ‘cheesy’ but if you suspend your prejudices, there is some fabulous storytelling and phraseology.
How it started
When my wife and I were lucky enough to travel around the world in 2002-2003 we started with a flight to Boston ready for some new experiences. This then seemed like a good moment to ‘go local’ on the music front. After three months in North America we loved it. As they say, travel with an open mind…
We went back to the States in January 2005 to Nashville, to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (the picture at the top shows my wife Helena standing outside it), then to the Grand Ole Opry – the ‘cathedral of country music’ and ‘The Show That Made Country Music Famous’.
Three favourite songs
- On our travels the first song that stuck with us is ‘Where were you when the World Stopped Turning’ by Alan Jackson, which came out after 9/11. My favourite line is “I’m not sure I can tell you the difference between Iraq and Iran”. One short sentence that says so much.
- Has there ever been a wittier song about families than Kacey Musgraves ‘Family is Family’? One of my favourites lines is “Family is family, in church or in prison. You get what you get, and you don’t get to pick ‘em”. Click on this link to see the song with the lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcPi_bOk2-4
- Sheryl Crow’s song ‘We Oughta be Drinkin’ has this great verse – “What’s your excuse, you got a broken heart or are you just thirsty too? Could be anything, but whatever the case, I think we’re all planning on getting sh*tfaced.”
We of course have grown out of this kind of behaviour…
‘Jon’s Country’ playlist
I’m no expert, but since 2002 have listened to enough tunes to come up with a playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4XXleewaqkZaocISbnzmCq?si=507bb5a95f5b4fd5 I’m also not a purist, my definition of country music is probably wider than others, but hopefully the choice of songs follow some themes and vary enough in tempo.
If you do make it to the end of the playlist, it’s nearly an hour and a half of your life that you won’t get back, but it would be fun to hear your views. As I said at the start. I’m not trying to change your mind, but if it’s made you think differently about it, do let me know.
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