If asked to describe my musical tastes, I would proudly reply that I listen to a wide variety of music- everything from classical to hard rock- but never any country. Up until a week ago, I could look anyone in the eye and say with complete honesty that in the over 1000 songs on my iPod, not one country song was to be found. But last week I had iTunes money to burn, and I not only condescended to add the “Country” genre to my iPod’s list, but also spent money to do so. Lady Antebellum’s “Just a Kiss” was the song that broke the mold, and is currently holding its own as the only song of its kind to join the ranks of my playlists. Technically I like to consider it a crossover song, but iTunes has yet to develop a “crossover” genre- so now I officially listen to country music.
At this point I know that many are cringing as they read this, embarrassed for me as they remember the many posts that have graced this website, singing the praises of country music (no pun intended). I’ve read more than one post that likens the simplicity of country music to the childlike wonder of Chesterton. In my defense, I grew up listening to the likes of U2, The Police, Duran Duran, and Fleetwood Mac, because they were popular when my Mom was a teenager. This is not something I am ashamed of, and I will happily declare myself an 80’s rock fan any day of the week. But being a fan of rock music does not exactly open one up to listening to bands that consist only of acoustic guitars. I think it all started when my local modern rock station started playing Mumford & Sons’ “I Will Wait”. The song had a folk-rock sound, a great message, and had me hooked after hearing it a couple times. That then led me to add songs by Philip Phillips and The Lumineers to my music library, and I blame the folksy tunes for lowering my guard. Since I was already enjoying slower rock, when a faster country song came on the radio with a message similar to the already-loved “Mumford” hit, I was a goner.
In the past I never understood why people enjoyed country. When I heard it, it was only pointless lyrics about fishing, beer, trucks, and girls, void of even a rhythm or beat to make it worth listening to or pursuing. But as Hip-Hop became the new “rock n’ roll”- as far as being the genre everyone listened to, and that was most often paired with the infamous “sex and drugs”, songs which were not full of computerized noises and immoral messages became radio retreats. When the aforementioned “I Will Wait” or “Just a Kiss” popped up, promoting the beauty of waiting in the interest of cultivating virtue and a deeper, truer love, it was hard not to enjoy and want more of these rare gems which became popular, despite having messages which were polar opposites to the rest of the current hits. Though the country songs do their share of singing about love, heartaches, and alcohol, the messages are not paired with adrenaline-rush beats, dizzying the listener and even pushing a room of seemingly normal people to move and act in ways they never would in any other situation.
When it comes down to it, the majority of country songs are not bad or good, they are as simple as I always knew them to be. The difference is I no longer think their simplistic lyrics dumb or pointless, or think less of those who enjoy them. In the end, this nation would be much happier if it slowed down and took the time to enjoy the everyday things that country music never forgets to praise. If more people were content to just sit in the backs of their vehicles watching the sun set while fishing for dinner, or running through fields in the moonlight instead of shacking up in secret shame, life would be peaceful and simple instead of complicated and hard. And I can promise that country will never replace “rock n’ roll” in the cliché and misused catch-line used all too often to describe the things that bring about life’s greatest thrills.
That’s not to say I’ve converted; I still think there are quite a few country songs out there that take simple to the point of ridiculous. For now I’ll just say that, though I’m not in a hurry to purchase any country albums, I am no longer ashamed to admit to having a country hit on my iPod. Just as long as it’s clear that my playlist is still dominated by rock music, of course.
The way I’ve always seen it is this.
Yes, country (melodywise, beatwise, often the lyrics) is simple. But that does not mean that there is not also great depth. I could think of countless examples to support this point (Risk – Paul Brandt and Live Like You Were Dying – George Strait are two just from the top of my head). Like you say in your last paragraph, other songs may have less depth and simple praise the simple things in life (“Honeybee” for example). But in doing so, they do so in reference to the underlying simplicity of mankind (in my opinion a profoundly Catholic perspective) and our role in this world. Life is simple, ultimately – Live, Love, Serve God and neighbor and look forward to your reward once you die.
Obviously, I’m generalizing a bit. There is a great deal of less wholesome music in country like in many genres.
But I think even in this regard, the nature of the genre itself can change the message of the music. A lot of it is just fun music that acknowledges fallen human nature but does not necessarily glorify it. For this reason, I agree with you that the label “sex, drugs, and country” doesn’t fit generally speaking. This is becoming less true with more modern country and the advent of many “crossover country” songs.