6

A Little Bit Country

I started listening to country music about halfway through high school.  I don't really know what came over me.  After many years of listening to Alanis Morrisette, Jewel, Counting Crows, and even the Beastie Boys, I suddenly expanded my horizons (if you can call it that) to the realm of country.  Well, pop country at least.

I can most likely attribute it to hearing "When You Say Nothing at All" by Ronan Keating on the Notting Hill soundtrack.  While the Irishman Ronan Keating is hardly a country singer, hearing his version of the song led me to Alison Krauss' version of the song which I loved - along with all of the other songs on that album (Now That I've Found You: A Collection).  Thus began my love affair with country music.

It's something that ebbs and flows with my mood.  I seem to be particularly drawn to it when I'm pregnant.  I'm a glutton for punishment, I suppose.  In my most volatile, emotional state, I torture myself with unbelievably heart-wrenching country songs.  When I want to reminisce about my early years, dating Sam, I turn on some good old Garth Brooks.  Then again, I sometimes go months without listening to it.  Inevitably though, I'm drawn back to it - because, let's face it, country music has the best lyrics ever.  (And somehow, I'm even able to look beyond the bad grammar.)

Today, I provide you with a list (of course) of the country lyrics superlative variety:

Best Pun
Timber!  I'm falling...in love.
~Patty Loveless, Timber, I'm Falling in Love

Best Advice from a Bartender
When you get home, she'll start to cry.
When she says 'I'm sorry' say 'So am I'
And look into those eyes so deep in love,
And drink it up.
'Cause that's the good stuff.
~Kenny Chesney, The Good Stuff

Most Honest Lyric about the Nature of Men
When you say a back rub means only a back rub then you swat my hand when I try.
Well now what can I say at the end of the day,"Honey, I'm still a guy."
~Brad Paisley, I'm Still a Guy

Most Empowering Lyric for Moms
Some people look down on me, but I don't give a rip.
I'll stand barefooted in my own front yard with a baby on my hip.
~Gretchen Wilson, Redneck Woman

Best Retort following Heartbreak
Well, here's a quarter, call someone who cares.
~Travis Tritt, Here's a Quarter

Best Truth about Tough Times
There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all
~Garth Brooks, The River

Best Farm-Related Metaphor
Hard times are real
There's dusty fields
No matter where you go
And you may change your mind
'Cause the weeds are high
Where corn don't grow
~Travis Tritt, Where Corn Don't Grow

Best Advice about (not) Procrastinating
Wouldn't change the course of fate but cuttin' the grass just had to wait
'Cause I've got more important things like pushin' my kid on the backyard swing
I won't break my back for a million bucks I can't take to my grave
So why put off for tomorrow what I could get done today
~Toby Keith, My List

Best Deterrent for Infidelity
I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up 4 wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seat
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights
Slashed a hole in all 4 tires
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats
~Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats

Saddest Lyrics about Infidelity
I can give you two good reasons
To show you love's not blind
He's two and she's four, and you know they adore you
So how can I tell them you've changed your mind?
~Dixie Chicks, You Were Mine

Most Patriotic (?) Lyric
And you'll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A.
'Cause we'll put a boot in your [other word for hiney], it's the American way.
~Toby Keith, Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue 

Truest Way to a Man's Heart
Plowing these fields in the hot summer sun
Over by the gate lordy here she comes
With a basket full of chicken and a big cold jug of sweet tea
I make a little room and she climbs on up
Open up a throttle and stir a little dust
Just look at her face she ain't a foolin me
~Kenny Chesney, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy

Most Chill-Evoking Lyrics
He said,"My name is Private Andrew Malone.
If you're reading this, then I didn't make it home.
But for every dream that shattered, another one came true,
This car was once a dream of mine, now it belongs to you.
And though you may take her and make her your own,
You'll always be riding with Private Malone."
~David Ball, Riding with Private Malone

Most Comforting Lyric about Unconditional Love
They say that time takes it toll on a body;
Makes the young girls brown hair turn gray.
But honey, I don't care, I ain't in love with your hair,
And if it all fell out, I'd love you anyway.
~Randy Travis, Forever and Ever Amen

See what I mean!?  BRILLIANT, I tell you. 

I realize not everyone listens to country, but if you do, let's hear some superlatives of your own.  Hey, I'm not picky...just give me some fun lyrics from any music genre.

(Because no blog post of mine would be complete without a homework assignment.)

6 comments:

Shannon K. said...

Oh I LOVE country. So funny, because I started to listen to it about sophmore year of highschool. In the midst of my Led Zepplin and Janes Addiction ;) Ironically, I was not one with black clothes, and black nails, etc. Just love the music, and had a thing for "skaters." Ha ha ha.

I've got all sorts of lyrics reeling in my head, but none that I can some up so nicely as you have. How about some more sad ones about infidelity?

"The day I left, no words were said. She was sound asleep on our double bed, and I let her lie. I let her lie." Daryle Singletary

sheila said...

OMG, he's two and she's 4! THAT'S exactly why I don't listen to country! I cry over half the songs....and I'm not even pregnant!! LOL

Kristen said...

Country got me in university, and it got my husband once he met me. My favorite right now is also my 3 year old's (I don't know why the boys like the drinking songs, but they do)
Rain makes corn,
Corn makes whiskey,
Whiskey makes my baby
Feel a little frisky!

We have a blogging award for you over at our site so come on by to get it!
http://clevermamas.blogspot.com

Brooke said...

Ugh, that Private Malone one just rips me apart!

A few that get me are Dixie Chicks' Travelin' Soldier.
"One Friday night at a football game
The Lord's prayer said and the Anthem sang
A man said folks would you bow your heads
For a list of local Vietnam dead
Crying all alone under the stands
Was a piccolo player in the marching band
And one name read and nobody really cared
But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair"

And Love Story by Taylor Swift.

I haven't listened to country in a while, but yes...best lyrics around!

Debbie said...

The cat ate my homework.

The first song that leapt to my mind was "When God Fearing Women Get the Blues". I don't even really love the song, but it does hit the nail on the head.

"... there's no slap dab tellin' what they're gonna do..."

Cindy said...

Here's on of my favorites:

"I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance" LeAnn Womack

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