I’m a woman of few theories, but here are two of them: People would like certain sports if only they had someone to root for. (Don’t worry, I’ll get you to like NASCAR another day; in the meantime, just pull for Mark Martin.) And people who say they like "all music but country" just don’t know which artists to listen to. In an effort to bridge the gap between, at the very least, the posters on our recent Sara Evans stories, I offer 10 recent songs* that will get any EW reader to like country music:
- Jack Ingram’s "Love You": Country clever means never having to say the "F" word… when you can just sub in another four-letters instead.
- Jo Dee Messina’s "My Give a Damn’s Busted": Proof that country artists can, in fact, swear. (For evidence that they will, apparently, burn your house down if you cheat on them, click here.)
- Brad Paisley’s "Alcohol": A song written from alcohol’s perspective — now who says country music isn’t universal? (See also: Gretchen Wilson’s "All Jacked Up" and Joe Nichols’ "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.")
- Josh Turner’s "Your Man": A love ditty that doesn’t mention the county fair or a barn, y’all.
- Billy Currington’s "Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right": You thought Chris Isaak’s "Wicked Game" video was hot? Yeah, get back to me.
- Kenny Chesney’s "Living in Fast Forward": The "hillbilly rock star out of control" needs to rewind real slow… and buy looser-fitting jeans.
- Sugarland’s "Something More":Lead singer Jennifer Nettles has one of the best female voices in anygenre. (To see her use it in a sexy duet with Jon Bon Jovi, click here.)
- Rascal Flatts’ "What Hurts the Most": Slow and sappy? Yes. But good enough for Kelly Clarkson to duet on.
- Tim McGraw (pictured) and Faith Hill’s "I Need You": Slow and sappy again? Yes. But find out what an intimate duet really sounds like. It doesn’t look half bad either.
- Trace Adkins’ "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk": Purists may prefer Brooks & Dunn’s more subtle video tribute to the country booty, "Play Something Country", but Trace gits-r-done.
*George Strait should be included on this list, but you’ve got to baby-step.
I like Hank Williams, can jam to a rockabilly tune any day of the week and love old Johnny Cash. Patsy Cline’s got some goodies as well. Otherwise, I’m in that ‘anything but country’ category.
That Achey Breakey Heart stuff just doesn’t have any soul, and most of the jingoistic songs seen a little too opportunistic, except for ‘Freedom isn’t free”.
And we got us all kinds of music at this here jukebox. Country AND western…
I used to be one of those people who could listen to everything but country, and I have to say, Mandi, you are so right. Once you find your country niche, you’re set. There’s Alt Country, Bluegrass, Pop Country, etc. It took living in Nashville for several years to get me to see the light, but now I’m basking in it.
Watch out, world. Mandi Bierly is changing us, one cowboy hat and “Hey Driver!” shirt at a time.
Josh Turners “Your Man” and Rascal Flatts “What Hurt’s The Most” are probably two of the sappiest and BEST songs out there right now. This is coming from a city slicker minority usually far from the country music scene.
Ep Sato is right- ‘old school’ country like Patsy Cline, Cash, Willie, etc. had soul and feeling. This stuff now is like a cheesy, slick cartoon. I hate it when country artists try to have the best of both worlds and be ‘rockin’ (see 90% of CMT). Rock fans would do better to try Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Whiskeytown and others under the ‘alt country’ umbrella (though I do despise that name).
Ep Sato is right- ‘old school’ country like Patsy Cline, Cash, Willie, etc. had soul and feeling. This stuff now is like a cheesy, slick cartoon. I hate it when country artists try to have the best of both worlds and be ‘rockin’ (see 90% of CMT). Rock fans would do better to try Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Whiskeytown and others under the ‘alt country’ umbrella (though I do despise that name).
Ep Sato is right- ‘old school’ country like Patsy Cline, Cash, Willie, etc. had soul and feeling. This stuff now is like a cheesy, slick cartoon. I hate it when country artists try to have the best of both worlds and be ‘rockin’ (see 90% of CMT). Rock fans would do better to try Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Whiskeytown and others under the ‘alt country’ umbrella (though I do despise that name).
I Can Get You To Like… Country Music…uh, the HELL you can…everything you just mentioned made me shudder so hard my spine cracked…the closest thing to country i can get to is hank iii…now if you were talking bluegrass, thats a different story…check out old crow medicine show and find your life changed…
Good list, but you left off one important genre: the country tearjerker. I’d pick “Whiskey Lullaby”, by Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss, as a beautiful, traditional-sounding song that’ll even get to my cold, bitter little heart:
The video’s a little heavy on the intro, but stick with it.
If you wanna’ talk good modern country, I suggest the following:
- Ryan Adams (with or without the Cardinals)
- Whiskeytown (Ryan’s old band)
- Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins
I live in NC, so I hear mainstream, radio-friendly country all the time, and it generally makes me wanna’ stick a fork in my ear. Except the Dixie Chicks. I do like them.
You did forget Brad Paisley and Allison Krause on “Whiskey Lullaby.” How about Alan Jackson’s delicate “Like Red on a Rose?” Or Dolly Parton and Brad Paisley’s duet on “Where I Get to Where I’m Going.” I would also suggest weaning pop people over to country with Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin, and Kellie Pickler. They have an American Idol connection, so the music may appeal to them more. Also Taylor Swift’s “Tim McGraw” – another great new track that would appeal to younger listeners.
Trisha Yearwood has always been a favorite of mine. She’s got one of the best voices out there. Country does have many different types of music under the very large country banner. I agree with most of your list (not that Kenny song, that song is hideous, he has done much better), at one time I would have disagreed with Sugarland. Turns out, I only hated “Baby Girl”, that song was wretched, everything else is good. And as for country music cable channels, stick with GAC. Viacom turned CMT into another clone of MTV, VH1, etc with too many shows, not enough music. Plus GAC has video shows dedicated to different types of music at times as well.
I’m sorry but those selections are universally mediocre from my perspective as a long time country fan. Maybe they are great for someone with a pop background. How about, Dierks Bentley ‘Lot of Leavin’, Paisley & Krauss ‘Whiskey Lullaby’ maybe something by Gary Allan or Toby Keith, but “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” (!?!?) The title alone tells you all you need to know about this novelty song.
Ah, poor misguided EW contributor. As couragreous are you are to attempt what amounts to an impossible mission, I’m afraid country music will never be anything more to me than the evolution of yodeling…
Except for Johnny Cash. That guy was badass. Because his voice doesn’t break like a 13-year old boy every five seconds.
I’ve always loved Suzy Bogguss – her voice is just so beautiful. However, I don’t think is really country, more bluegrass or folk. Def. check her out though, esp. early 90 stuff.