Who likes country music?

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truecap
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I hear so many people say they don't like country music. I've also heard people say this that have never really listened to country, or even been exposed to it. Of course, it's mainstream here in the south and I suppose not so popular in more urban areas of the country.

It's all lyin', cheatin' songs with a stupid storyline is one excuse I hear. There are just as many songs about love, parties, hot girls, revenge, life, fishin', huntin', 4-Wheelin', riding back roads, drinkin', etc.

Yeah, yeah, the twangy sound. Not so much anymore. Some of the newer country has a rock influence. And then there's alternative country that has even a hip hop/rock influence. And there's Texas Country that has either a more traditional dance hall sound or a more contemporary upbeat style .

Just curious to whether you like it or if not, what are your VALID reasons?

Me, I'm a typical country girl and I like country and classic rock. Those are my tastes.
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truecap
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Posted by Rabbit
Posted by truecap


It's all lyin', cheatin' songs with a stupid storyline is one excuse I hear. There are just as many songs about love, parties, hot girls, revenge, life, fishin', huntin', 4-Wheelin', riding back roads, drinkin', etc.




People are drawn to music that they can identify with. A lot of people don't identify with country music because of the content (see above).

click to expand




That was one of my theories! Ain't nuthin' like going muddin' in a 4-wheeler, then drinking some COLD beer by a fire, chasin' fire flies, then skinny dippin' in the lake! I suppose a lot of people haven't experienced that. (gotta emphasize cold when said in front of beer, that's what they do down here! lol)
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truecap
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Posted by Montgomery
it seems canned, lately.




Some of it does seem canned that way. I get tired of pop country. See, once country artist cross over to pop, the true country fans tend to boycott them. Unless they remain true to their roots like George Strait. His stuff today sounds pretty much like his stuff from 30 years ago.

I'm starting to turn more to the alternative country like Outlaw Country or Texas Country - the artists such as Colt Ford, The Casey Donahew Band, Chris Knight and the lesser known artists.
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lildol
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Love me some country! My go to for love, heartbreak and longing...

Overall, I can appreciate the fact that most country songs tell a story about love, loss and/or life (or Red Solo cups LOL). I can't think of any that spew hatred. It's heartfelt music!

Example:

(I can't relate per se, but this example is based in fact, pretty much to a T from what I understand, and I find that touching. There are others based in fact, but this was the first that came to mind.)

I Drive Your Truck - Lee Brice
This song was written about Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti was killed in Afghanistan while trying to save a fellow soldier. The song is how his father keeps him alive in his heart!

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Montgomery
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Posted by cowpuncher
It's like anything else, there are going to be some hacks. Likewise, today, there's a lot of what I call "Music by committee" - Songs obviously written in the marketing dept of a corporation, with all the heart, soul, and feeling thereof. THAT, I despise.

However, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings... Johnny Cash can definitely be counted here... very good stuff. Love it. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was amazing, and are still out touring now and then if you keep your eyes peeled.

I tend to dislike modern pop-country, because so much of it is 'music by committee'. There are a lot of modern artists playing to a stereotype, and frankly, they suck.

What I look for and tend to like are those who write their own songs, based on their own feelings and experiences. That's where the soul of a good song comes from. Not some focus group saying "If we mention chewing tobacco, beer, and trashy women approximately 2.5 times in this song it should sell x# million copies in x demographic." - Accountants, marketing, and management should never be involved in the actual writing and creation of music... but the music industry today isn't geared that way. The MBA's have taken over.

If you ever wondered why so few true greats are coming out the past 20 years, vs previous times... that's why. "Business" has sucked the soul, originality, and creativity right out of most songwriting, and are doing what they do best - Selling us a mass produced plastic/cardboard product at a maximum profit margin.

There's good and bad music in every genre.



Yup.

Mostly Clear Channel.

They bought all the radio stations, too. 😢
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Montgomery
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Posted by robyn808

But I grew up with a lot of my grandmas old records in the house, lot of classic females. Loretta, Dolly, Jeannie C. Reilly was her favorite, I think she identified with that alter ego. And of course got to give a shout out to folks like Reba and Garth, always solid!

I'll play a song, and I guess its not really country, calling it folk rock or whatever, but they do a good amount of pickin' and I'm pretty sure that's a steel guitar.