Gwyneth Paltrow - "Country Strong"
By: Matt Bjorke
Now here’s the surprise of the week. Rather than use a ‘voice-over’ vocalist for her singing parts in the upcoming film Country Strong, ‘international’ film star Gwyneth Paltrow has recorded her parts for the album – much like Jeff Bridges and Colin Farrell in Crazy Heart – and this single has been released, as the title theme to the film. Co-stars in Country Strong include Tim McGraw as her manager/husband and Garret Hedlund as a young singer/songwriter who tries to seduce her.
Previously recorded by Carrie Hassler in 2002 and written by Jennifer Hanson, Mark Nesler and Tony Martin, “Country Strong” is a song that may be slightly over-produced but it showcases a strong-voiced Paltrow (whose husband is Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin) and has strong lyrics about a woman who is ‘heard to break, like the ground I grew up on, you may fool me and I’ll fall, but I won’t stay down long, cause I’m Country strong.’ Vince Gill and Patty Griffin provide stellar harmony vocals (even if they’re slightly hard to hear in the mix).
While not nearly as compelling and engaging as “The Weary Kind” was for Crazy Heart, this song has a good chance of being a mainstream hit with Paltrow’s strong alto leading the way. If the rest of the soundtrack is as good as “Country Strong,” this might be one of 2010’s most surprising albums, like this single.
READER'S COMMENTS
demonterius says:
Posted: Tuesday, August 3, 2010
i everything want you see go to ready love you keep yourself said hot sex 90 vh1 joy watkins pokemon.
kuntrynut says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Well I was actually an extra on this set & was there to hear Gwinny live & in person! I was pleasantly suprised that she did her own signing & thought she had a nice voice. No, I don't see her trying to become a country music artist, this is just to bring awareness to the movie which comes out Dec 22nd. She can sing-I'll give her credit for that! Can't wait for the movie to open! Was also an extra in Katrina Elam's A Pure Country Gift & looking forward to it's release in Dec 2010 as well!! Didn't get to hear Katrina sing live-it was all voice over & play back & they had her lip sync the day we were there for filming. I know she has a beautiful voice, but didn't get to hear it live!
Rick says:
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010
This song is primarily being put out to radio to increase awareness of the film among the Top 40 mainstream country radio listeners. I don't expect radio to pay much attention as they are looking for new, potential long term career artists that have a sound and style that fits the format. Its a decent song and Gwyneth has a nice voice, but I can't really see this going anywhere. I'm much more interested in the upcoming Katrina Elam film "A Pure Country Gift" where the whole film won't be such a cliched gimmick...
LEAVE A COMMENT