Why is all Country music about the south? (60's, song, best)

[Tom Lennox 70]

j33, in addition to themes I LOVE country melodies, at least modern country. Actually some pop songs have a slightly country feel. You should at least try some of these like "Home" by Daughtry, "Who Says You Can't Go Home" by Bon Jovi, and even "First Cut is the Deepest" by Sheryl Crow...and the video even is very country or at least western style with cowgirl themes.

Then kinda ease into Carrie Underwood, SHeDaisy and Rascal Flatts. I'm pretty sure you've heard "What Hurts the Most" in some mall in Chicago.

[anonymous]

If it uses fake instruments, it ain't country.

[j33]

Originally Posted by Terrapin2212

j33, in addition to themes I LOVE country melodies, at least modern country. Actually some pop songs have a slightly country feel. You should at least try some of these like "Home" by Daughtry, "Who Says You Can't Go Home" by Bon Jovi, and even "First Cut is the Deepest" by Sheryl Crow...and the video even is very country or at least western style with cowgirl themes.

Then kinda ease into Carrie Underwood, SHeDaisy and Rascal Flatts. I'm pretty sure you've heard "What Hurts the Most" in some mall in Chicago.

See, that is the problem, the melodies drive me crazy, and I actually can't deal with the modern stuff at all. I can (barely) deal with some of the older stuff, but modern 'pop' grates on my nerves more than gangsta rap.

Now, awhile back, Johnny Cash did a cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" which blew the original out of the water, and I once heard a Rosanne Cash song I liked called "House on the Lake", but beyond that (and a few other Cash classics), it just isn't for me.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by j33

Now, awhile back, Johnny Cash did a cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" which blew the original out of the water

While I enjoy the Man in Black, I think his interpretation of "Hurt" was horrible. I wouldve liked to hear it when he was younger, but his voice just wasnt cutting it at his age. NIN's version is much better, that song fits Reznor's style of music better, naturally.

Anyways, carry on....

[blueeyes30]

Atleast with country music, you can understand the words.

I'm not a big fan of country music, but I enjoy listening to some of the older tunes. Some country music is very thought provoking and emotional.

It seemed like in the past, country stars were made, not manufactured by the recording studio. I can't stand most of modern country.

[TexasReb]

Related to this topic, there was an interesting "map" I came across once, and copied and saved. This map "sized" the individual states in the U.S. proportional to how many times they were mentioned in country music lyrics!

Broadly speaking, the rest of the country could have fit into the South (defined as the 11 Old Confederate States). Hell, even MORE room to spare if including Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia within the defintion! LOL.

Individually speaking, it would be hard to discern, looking that the map, as to whether Texas or Tennessee would have taken top spot. IMHO, Louisiana would have come in a respectable third.

Where the anamoly comes in, is that California seemed to be fourth! The only reason I can figure is the "Bakersfield" influence, ala' Buck Owens and the fact a lot of Texans, Okies and Arkies migrated out there during the Depression...

After that, the only states worth noting in terms of ratio, were Southern...MS, AL, GA, SC, VA, Carolinas, WV. The states of New England and most of the upper Midwest were so small as to be just labeled "The North", and all could have fit into Texas or Tennessee alone! LOL

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Terrapin2212

Tracy Lawrence is probably the most southern sounding singer, especially in his great song "If the WOrld Had a Front Porch".

Kellie Pickler sounds more southern talking than in her music, and her accent actually isn't THAT strong.

How about "Paint me a Birmingham" from Tracy Lawrence?

Other very-southern sounding, favorite country songs:

"Lessons Learned" and "Time Marches On" from either Tracy Lawrence or John Anderson, "I'd Rather Ride Around With You" Reba McEntire, "I'll Think of a Reason Later" Lee Ann Womak and "You Ain't Much Fun Since I Quit Drinkin'" Toby Keith.

Really? I've never heard her talk, but the way she sings reminds me about a lot of people I've met in N.C. (Pickler's homestate)

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by anonymous

If it uses fake instruments, it ain't country.

Amen!!!!!!

[southernnaturelover]

I have also noticed many country songs mentioning Mexico.

[Mississippienne]

I'm from MS, and I don't think I've liked a country song recorded after about 1993. The Nashville sound's so watered down now, it's an absolute indignity. I always cringe when I hear people say "Oh, I love all kinds of music -- except for country." Some of the old country music is some of the best music ever recorded, period. The sentimental dreck of today is what's given the genre it's bad name. Ol skool country music was about drinkin', and cheatin', and ramblin' men, and wild women, and loving too hard and hating too much. I love Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton (Mindy Smith did a really good cover of her "Jolene"), George Jones. I also love Marc Broussard, who does Cajun swamp rock.