Editorial: What Makes A Song A Country Music Song?
By: Matt Bjorke
What is country music? What makes it important? Why does history and tradition matter more to country music than it does to other popular genres? Maybe this is because country music is the music of the everyday person and not ‘just’. Perhaps this is because many country music fans are from country music families and grow up listening to country so that when they get older, they may long for the ‘glory days’ of their youth and the past. Humans have a history of romanticizing their past as something wonderful and glorious and country music isn’t resistant to this inclination.
The mere fact that country fans do romanticize their past is a perfect reason for why the “that’s not country, this is country” debate rages on generation after generation. Quite simply, people place importance on country music of their youth and in that importance comes the pure fact that what they think is ‘traditional’ rests largely in that era. So much so that virtually anything -and I mean anything- that comes out and claims to be country music, even if it sounds remotely similar to those songs of the past. These people say that virtually anything is inferior to what they know and love as ‘real country’ that they cannot get past the sonic changes and take a listen to what has always made country music important: the lyrics.
The lyrics in a country song take precedent over the sonic soundscape. They always have, they always will. Have you listened to a rock or pop song lately? While the vocalist is audible, they’re typically in the mix of the song or just slightly ‘out front’ over the accompanying sonic soundscape. Country’s never been this way as the vocalist is always front and center on a song with lyrics. I’ll say that again; country music’s singers are ALWAYS front and center on a song with lyrics. It’s a fundamental aspect of country music, it’s what makes it important. It’s why people cherish that historical aspect of the youth, because the songs truly mean something. They’re not just the latest trendy, catchy tune. They matter.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know there are some people who will respond to this and say that there are songs that don’t really care about the lyrics and if released by a superstar act, the fans and gatekeepers at radio somehow give them a ‘pass’ and allow nonsensical songs to get into the airwaves. To these people, I say: have you checked the history of country music at all? There is always going to be a place for a nonsensical novelty song or the occasional ‘instrumental’ driven record. Mood and melody melded with a nonsensical lyric will almost always give somebody a hit but that doesn’t mean they’ll continue to make meaningful music. In fact, if an artist makes too many of the same sort of song, their career may have a fit of popularity but in the end, their career will be ‘over’ before we know it.
So what is country music to me? It’s a bit of the old cliché “Three Chords and the Truth” or it’s a bit of the more modern cliché in that these are truly “Songs About Me” and despite changing sonic tastes, they will ultimately still be songs planted in ‘tradition’ with modern tastes added to the songs. Everything in life is fluid, so is country music but the things we hold dear, our values don’t change and the same is true with country music. It’s still about what it has always been about. It’s the lyrics.
What do you think? Do you agree? Do you disagree? Please start the discussion.
Feel free to discuss here or on our Facebook page (click here to go to Roughstock’s Facebook page).
READER'S COMMENTS
Steffah says:
Posted: Monday, October 24, 2011
Hammer, you hit the nail on the head. Pun intended, but really, I agree completely.
sdfsdgfd says:
Posted: Thursday, April 21, 2011
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.
Jamie says:
Posted: Monday, April 18, 2011
Country music is about life, truth and morals. And as you said in the article, the singer is always in FRONT of the music. Country singers do not hide behind the grind so of speak. The music and lyrics mean something. They are not mumbo jumbo crap that is considered main stream. Jamie Hayword Webmaster, PersonalNoCreditCheckLoans.com
people says:
Posted: Monday, December 27, 2010
these people don't have southern accents and some of the typical topical themes of traditional country music are not really going to speak to them. But they often have the same values as their grandparents, and as you say, pop music doesn't speak to them either. I think that the industry is smart to recognize this growing segment of the market as an opportunity for continued growth in country music
joshua says:
Posted: Sunday, March 14, 2010
Gokey came in third on AI, with a pretty sizable fanbase evidently. And just scored the highest debuting album by a male country artist for like 20 years, somewhere way up at the top of the Billboard charts? He's got something going for him. I was at the Opry last night, and Gokey was performing at both shows. He's an undeniably strong singer, and is one of those singers who totally commits himself into his songs. Much more so than any of the other new artists I saw there. If country music is about good lyrics and putting those across vocally to connect with listeners, Gokey's got a heckunva lot going for him. The Opry crowd was very supportive and enthusiastic for him, I suspect he will continue to do well. And if someone is interested in the music Gokey is putting out, it certainly doesn't mean they can't like other artists all across the spectrum of country music as well.
Joey T. says:
Posted: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Hammer, Anyone who makes it passed the Top 12 is not a "Failed Idol." It's a popularity contest on that show. Look at the success of many past 'failed idols' like Daughtry, Clay Aiken, Kellie Pickler, Josh Gracin, Adam Lambert etc. To call them failures is crazy when the 'runner-ups' do better than the actual winners have. For this topic, it's all about the lyric and sincerity in the singer that works for me. I love Jones to Haggard to Garth to Faith Hill to Love and Theft. It all is country to me.
Ronda says:
Posted: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Country music is about the lyrics, the story telling. I was raised on the good stuff Haggard,Jones. What gets me is women that look like models but sing flat live! Oh and lets not forget lets give them all the music awards a person can get while you use to have to EARN them. What is different about the Haggard era and those guys it was real, raw talent. There sound, there bands. People loved and requested them on the radio. Radio has the same songs they play everyday and run them in the ground. Oh and let not forget all the people who are looking for somewhere to go now that there music of a different genre don't want them any more. I will go sing country music they will take me in. You really don't hear of to many country artist going and trying to be a rock star. I have played music for along time, I miss my Patty Loveless and Mark Chestnut wish I could hear them on the radio again. But you know thats wishful thinking. One more thing, John E. you sound like our steel player we had in our band, he said the very same thing you did. :)
john eichler says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
After looking at my posting, I've concluded that I'm just an old grouch!
john eichler says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
I've been a country music fan all my life (69 yrs), and have also played in clubs on weekends, and I know what I'm talking about. Country music is about lyrics, and licks. That mushy stuff today has no memorable music. It doesn't stay in your head likle Bob Wills, Hank Sr, Merle, Buck Owens. Most of the current artists all sound alike, and the songs are entirely forgettable. I'm glad to have lived at the same time as the above artists, Johnny Cash, various Bluegrass bands, and lots of others who have passed on.
Josie says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
I am not sure how I managed to post the same post twice, but sorry about that!
Josie says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
Hammer, you and I are in agreement that country music must evolve. But I disagree with some of your assumptions. You said that the only thing that will hold it together is political conservative ideology and an exclusively Christian viewpoint. I actually don’t think it’s going to hold together in that sense. I think it is going to become more segmented, as the potential market for country music has become more segmented. Personally, I live in a large West coast city, politically could fairly be described as a bleeding heart liberal and am not “religious” although spirituality is increasingly important to me. I love both Johnny Cash and Danny Gokey. I have no interest in honky tonk songs, novelty songs, songs about tractors and songs about getting drunk in pick up trucks. Since I got interested in Danny I’ve become aware though that there are some modern country acts that I do like. I don’t think I am that unusual. How much longer will the industry pretend that music that addresses all these segments belongs under the same umbrella? No idea. I think it’s going to segment though, and I know it’s painful for people. I assume that is why I run into people who say things like Danny Gokey is garbage to someone who has just said that he is a favorite. I know you don’t mean that in a personal way and I don’t take it that way, but I think it is illustrative of what’s going on. You criticized Danny for not having knowledge of the history of the genre. I know that there are some segments of the market who see that as a fatal flaw, if he couldn’t converse about the music catalogs of the past greats. But there are other segments who would shrug and say “He can’t name 10 Johnny Cash songs? So what, I couldn’t either”. I think it’s good for him and other new artists to demonstrate respect for the past, but I think their focus should be more on creating what “country” music is going to be in the future rather than what it was in the past. And I think that the fundamental values that will cross the spectrum will be more around home and family, and romantic love, and working hard, and inspiration to be a good person, and about pride in who you are, rather than identification around politics and religion.
Randy says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
Josie, I agree 100% with what you are saying. Not everyone who is a country music fan (even traditional country music) is a "good ole boy" and espouses the same political or religious views. Not my opinion; but fact. And most of us country lovers would rather listen to a really good song with a really good singer vs someone who knows their country music history (so what? My ears don't care) and is a same old, same old. "Modern Country"; like some of it- Lady A., Love and Theft; some not so much- Taylor. I bet some classic artists were considered not 'traditional' when they first came on the scene too. As far as Gokey, like Josie used to illustrate; I bought his album and am loving it. Could care less if he can name all past singers. Guy has a great voice, sings really well, and I like the variety on his record. And the lyrics are good I note lots of Nashville great writers on them.
Josie says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
Hammer, you and I are in agreement that country music must evolve. But I disagree with some of your assumptions. You said that the only thing that will hold it together is political conservative ideology and an exclusively Christian viewpoint. I actually don’t think it’s going to hold together in that sense. I think it is going to become more segmented, as the potential market for country music has become more segmented. Personally, I live in a large West coast city, politically could fairly be described as a bleeding heart liberal and am not “religious” although spirituality is increasingly important to me. I love both Johnny Cash and Danny Gokey. I have no interest in honky tonk songs, novelty songs, songs about tractors and songs about getting drunk in pick up trucks. Since I got interested in Danny I’ve become aware though that there are some modern country acts that I do like. I don’t think I am that unusual. How much longer will the industry pretend that music that addresses all these segments belongs under the same umbrella? No idea. I think it’s going to segment though, and I know it’s painful for people. I assume that is why I run into people who say things like Danny Gokey is garbage to someone who has just said that he is a favorite. I know you don’t mean that in a personal way and I don’t take it that way, but I think it is illustrative of what’s going on. You criticized Danny for not having knowledge of the history of the genre. I know that there are some segments of the market who see that as a fatal flaw, if he couldn’t converse about the music catalogs of the past greats. But there are other segments who would shrug and say “He can’t name 10 Johnny Cash songs? So what, I couldn’t either”. I think it’s good for him and other new artists to demonstrate respect for the past, but I think their focus should be more on creating what “country” music is going to be in the future rather than what it was in the past. And I think that the fundamental values that will cross the spectrum will be more around home and family, and romantic love, and working hard, and inspiration to be a good person, and about pride in who you are, rather than identification around politics and religion.
Ann Johnson says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
Country is good music that tells a story. Good country will relate to its listener, not all listeners, but some. Good Country Music is musically and vocally sound, and does not button hole its listeners into a certain age, population, or income bracket. The main thing I have somewhat of a disagrrement on is the non-sensical songs. You are right, there will always be a place for those. My problem is not the ones that are cute or funnyy, but the ones that are insulting and preachy!!! For an Artist to use his music to blatantly push his political or any other views on his listeners is just wrong. I am not talking about those that will refer to the values this country was built on, but the ones that are just infamously pointed and opinionated. Even one song like that is too many! The saddest thing about ANY music genre right now is that if you have the right people behind you, too often you don't even need talent, and especially young America don't care. They just see good looking people they would like to be! I dare say we would all like to able to play a mean guitar or some other instrument, write wonderful creative songs and have a voice as well, but in reality there are just a few of those blessed people in the grand scheme of things! I have stopped watching most award shows, because I cannot bare to see no talent win over so many truly talented people. The other thing that really bugs me are then number of Artists who just ride on some other Artists coattails by copying and mimicing their sound, their performance styles and even sometimes their look. I will never be a fan of someone who is not an individual, someone who does and has his own thing!!
Sandys says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
Jean, you said it all and I agree with you completely.
Jean says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
Hammer; I feel sad for you- you don't seem to like anything. Lighten up, open your mind and just enjoy the music. I for one don't really care a hoot about someone's background or if the "know " all the traditionalists; if they make good music that speaks to my heart I'm buyin it.
The Hammer says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
Josie almost hit the nail on the head. The definition of "country music," unfortunately, has a lot to do with the marketplace. We're coming from different ends of the spectrum here, though. I think Danny Gokey is absolute corporate garbage. While he may share "country values" with the rest of the flock, it is absolutely vital for a country music artist to at least have a working knowledge of the genre. And he doesn't. Ask him his ten favorite Johnny Cash and Hank Williams songs, and I bet he doesn't make it past "Ring of Fire." It's the equivalent of me writing a novel in Italian. Even if I gave it my best try, it is foreign to me, and the result would be Gokey... I mean hokey. With the instrumentation and aesthetics all over the map, the only glue that holds the genre together are – hear me out here – POLITICS and RELIGION (specifically Christian). “Country” music has one universal theme, and that is a message that doesn’t take one step left of center. The lyrics can go as far right as they want and still work. The themes are: God, American Patriotism, small towns, “how country I am,” an aversion to technology, guns, beer, hard work, and of course love songs. The most irritating, superfluous and played out topic is “how ‘country’ I am.” Look at the chart right now: “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” “Hillbilly Bone,” “A Little More Country Than That,” “Backwoods” --- the exact same song, sung over and over and over ad nauseum. Here’s what I mean, imagine an ANTI-GUN country song. Something like Cash’s “Don’t Take Your Guns To Town” would never see the light of day if it were written today, and that’s not even anti-gun! It’s about not being stupid with them. Or how about a song about “Hannukah in Alabama” or “Allah was a country boy.” Yeah? NO. Picture a song about loving America, but making it stronger and protecting our troops by ending our wars. Think that would fly? Heard any “I’ll sacrifice some of my paycheck so people can eat” songs lately? Or “love the earth and take care of it?” Nope, if it ain’t about plowin’ it, it ain’t country. Namedropping doesn’t make singers more “country,” nor does it prove an artist’s affiliation with classic country music. Johnny Cash would roll over in his grave if he heard that stupid Jason Aldean song. That Tim McGraw namedropping monstrosity that keeps getting pounded in my head is just that… one big namedrop. And it goes on and on and on… And small towns? Dirt roads? Farmer Bob’s corn field? Homemade wine? These artists all live in posh Franklin, Tennessee, drive top-of-the-line SUVS and send someone shopping for them to the fancy grocery stores. They haven’t seen the inside of a Wal-Mart in a decade. The only “garden” they’ve seen in a while is their perfectly manicured lawn, which is meticulously tended by illegal immigrants. Country music HAS to evolve. You know, people say “rock and roll is dead.” Well yeah, that’s what happens. It has to die or it won’t evolve. An indie rock band could hit the road right now writing and singing songs identical to the songs the Beatles would have written. But they can’t, because nobody wants to hear that anymore. The Beatles are the Beatles, and that music is sacred. Same with Hank, Willie, and Cash. Country music has to move in a direction, and that direction will be toward whatever sells. Play a Taylor Swift song back-to-back with some old Hank, and you will find NOTHING in common. That doesn’t mean Taylor’s not “country,” it just means things have evolved, and this is what people buy now. And the only glue that holds it together is political conservative ideology and an exclusively Christian vantage point. So God bless Danny Gokey if he can sell some albums with Sony’s muscle, a little leftover fame and a formulaic album with no soul. If it sells, it’s “country music.” But Cash wouldn’t listen to it.
Josie says:
Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010
I think that country music is about both a sound, and a set of values that the lyrics represent. To me, it's the values that are the bedrock. I think that there should always be a place for artists who produce music with a very traditional sound. But as the demographics of the population change, in order to stay current, country music needs to expand its boundaries to be relevant to new generations. This topic has been top of mind for me recently, with the release of Danny Gokey's album, of whom I am a big fan. He gets criticized for being "not country", but I think that is superficial. His background and values are about as bedrock country as you can get, it just happened north of the Mason-Dixon line and without a southern accent. As I said recently elsewhere, there are people whose grandparents and great-grandparents migrated from the south many years ago to take advantage of the economic expansion elsewhere. These people don't have southern accents and some of the typical topical themes of traditional country music are not really going to speak to them. But they often have the same values as their grandparents, and as you say, pop music doesn't speak to them either. I think that the industry is smart to recognize this growing segment of the market as an opportunity for continued growth in country music. I'm not sure if these different segments will continue to exist together under the "country music" umbrella, but I think that the modern sound with the bedrock values will be a focus for Nashville. Although as I said, I never want that traditional sound to disappear. It holds too much meaning for too many people so I don't think it will, not for a long time if ever.
LEAVE A COMMENT