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.
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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.
A better way to get people to like country music:
Refer them to Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, the hallowed punk-rock cover band, who just a few days ago released an album of punkified country covers.
It’s called “Love Their Country.”
Details here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Their_Country
I forgot about Gary Allan, his remake of “Best I Ever Had” is as good as, if not better than, the original. “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful” is fantastic. Keith Urban is a great singer/songwriter/musician, Little Big Town is new and great. Lots of good things happening in country.
Who lays around in the surf like that? Seriously! LOL
I don’t like much country, but I LOVE Dolly Parton. I also like the Dixie Chicks and Reba, plus others who are semi-country, like Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt. Brad Paisley’s nice to look at. :0)
I don’t think of the stuff that’s out now as country music – to me it’s pop music with a twang. Even Jimmy Buffett couldn’t get me to listen.
I have played the Rascal Flatts version of “Bless the Broken Road” to the most country music-hating people, and they’ve all fallen in love with it. The song is so gorgeous, it’s impossible not to like!!
NEVER NEVER going to happen. Any esemblence of country music makes want to tear my ears off my head. I’m industiral/rock/punk girl and country music is like arsen. I don’t liek that twangy sound. I hate the cheezy lyrics. Just it does nothing for me musically.
wow – no mention about Garth… He and Reba are really the only 2 main country stars that I listen to.
As a songwriter, I can’t listen to today’s country music. Musically, it’s unsophisticated and lazy. I can’t get past the mediocre songs to even give the lyrics and musicianship a chance. If I happened to write ANY of the songs you listed, I would dismiss them from my repitoire without a second thought. I would expect more of myself.
Sugarland is the best. Their whole album is amazing and I hated country before I heard Something More. Baby Girl is also great as well. I cannot wait for their new album next month.
As a young black male we know the best singers come out of the church. that is why Old School R& B and country music has the best pure voices in music!!!
People really don’t give country a chance…it’s a shame that they don’t. I used to hate country but I love it now…
Lists are subjective, but it’s great to see someone say out loud what most country music fans have long suspected: people that say they like all music except country usually haven’t listened to very much country. Like most other genres, country music embraces many different styles and moods. Just because you don’t like certain artists doesn’t mean you wouldn’t like other ones.
Miranda Lambert is great. Give her music a chance! Billy Currington though? No thanks…
Oh, and I must admit that I think Brad Paisley is hilarious/adorable.
(reluctant country fan and former anything but country person)
Little Mandi!! I miss you so much! Look at you–writing for EW! Write me back!
Judy
p.s.-I still love country music, but I won’t ever watch “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and you know why!
“Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” is the reason why I hate country music.