Country Music Love

Just from the beginning. I am an artist and love and enjoy all types of music:

Alternative
Rap
Hip Hop
Indie Rock
Progressive
Emo/Screamo
Hard Rock/Heavy Metal


I listen and enjoy everything from Jay-Z to Foo Fighters; from Dave Matthews to Joss Stone. Even to put truth on the record, my favorite band of all time is Incubus (A post will come for that later). Just to present the thought of my reality, I do enjoy and embrace most if not all the music out there if it isn't stupid or dull, but for everything I listen to, there is just one brand of music that hits me stronger then most. That music is country. Country music is something that, if brought to a common thought, the tongue of cliches would abound plenty, with references to either a lover, a cowboy or an evening at a honky-tonk. The thing is, for all that could be true in the thought of any cliche of country music, the raw truth is it strikes me with a different passion then most, and for this, there are 5 things I shall present you the reader why country music strikes such a heavy chord in me, and should for you:

1.) The Relative Simplicity of the Lyrics ... There is something to be said about layering figurative and literal meanings into words to make a song or poem. I am a poet, so I do understand portrayal of any kind of thought,meaning or personal point. You have to have a great presentation, and with country music, there presentation is straight forward. In country music, they keep it simple. You would think that having simple words would bring nothing but a bland and boring truth, but with the music that is created in a simple form, it is effective. It soothes, it churns, it provides a sense of wonder as the words chime through and brings a smile or a tear. A good example of simplicity is George Strait's song Check yes or no. It is a song that provides a journey of love between a boy and a girl. The simplistic of the lyrics describing the boy and the girl brings the situation's truth closer to you, as quoting the first part:

It started way back in third grade
I used to sit beside Emmy-lou Hayes
A pink dress, a matching bow, in her pony tail.
She kissed me on the school bus, but told me not to tell.

The meaning is portrayed in very simple lyrically fashion, but it rings truth. It also brings in a strong vivid scene, which leads into my second point ...

2.) Imagery ... This is a very strong point in country music. As simple as the lyrics are, it portrays a very relative situation to said audience, even if it hasn't happen or won't happen to you or anyone around. Even if the situation is different then what you find on an everyday basis, you can see it. You can feel it. You can actually close your eyes and feel that:

Year fighting in the war
The passing of everyday life of the depression
The death of a husband
Or the picture of a new born child

It is as real as you and me getting a cup of coffee before heading to work in the morning. A good example of this is Kenny Chesney's song Old Blue Chair. With the lyrics, he provides you with a scene of laying on the beach, with nothing but you, the ocean and your blue rocking chair, as I quote the first verse:

There's a blue rockin' chair,
sittin' in the sand.
Weathered by the storms,
and well oiled hands.
It sways back and forth,
with the help of the winds.
Seems to always be there,
like an ol' trusted friend.

This provide a sense of awe, wonder and delight. As the lyrics are simple and provides the strong vivid imagery, it also provides a gentle mood, which leads to my third point ...

3.) Ranges of the Emotive Chord ... The range of emotions that come from any country song can withstand any ballad of a media constructed pop band. As much as their is truth in the simple lyrics, and the generated image, you can feel the laughter and joy in the voice of Keith Urban in his song Days go By, or feel the sadness and struggle for living in Carrie Underwood's voice in her song Just a Dream. What also adds to the fact of the raw emotions is the proof that their voice isn't tuned by a machine or adjusted, it is real in presentation. You will very the vibrant radiance of a high note. You will feel the subtly and caressing in a low note. What makes it even better is the fact these 3 points are a great combination for next point ...

4.) Crowds and Concerts ... I can truly say, my best outings or times in a concert have been at a country concert. Outside of Incubus's 3 concerts I've been to (being biased on them because they are my favorites) my other favorite concerts have been country concerts. As much as I enjoy grooving to soothing rock song or jumping and pounding for a heavy metal show, the good feel and interactions that happens between said country artist and the fans is something that you could be called a once in a lifetime moment. Nothing beats a feeling of being back home, out on the farm, hanging with the family and just smiling your way til the clock strikes midnight. Country concerts are truly special, and as everything has been stated before, there is one point that I've only felt/seen with a country music ...

5.) About heart ... If I could stress anything that I've experience with music or musicians, it should always be about heart. The one thing I have seen throughout everything at a show or on TV, or even experience listening to a CD or an mp3 player, you experience the heart of a country artist. You feel the warmth, the passion, the struggle and the tears that bleed into every song. There is nothing more important then a heartfelt connection a fan has with their favorite country artist, and their songs. They don't just do what's popular or do what's the company's motto ... they do what is right and what feels good in their hearts. This is true to any country artist out there, and could be personified in everyone who struggles to just be themselves.


For all that I've listen to throughout the years, I see that everything always comes full circle. From the beginning, country music might seem unpopular, not important, not good or even something unspectacular, but as I grow older, I can feel why and how I relate to anything that is sung by a country artist. As the day turns another page in your life, I hope these words boil something warm in your heart (from Alabama's Born Country)

I was born country and that's what I'll always be.
Like the rivers and the woodlands wild and free.
I got a hundred years of down home running through my blood.
I was born country and this country's what I love.

- ... SA