Category Archives: Lists

by | April 3, 2015 · 8:00 am

Drive Down Memory Lane

I have traveled back in time a bit with my album analysis essay. When I was deciding what album to write about I decided to ask my dad what artist I should choose. My dad was the first person to introduce me to country music and I am very thankful for this. I ended up choosing Toby Keith’s Greatest Hits Volume One. My dad had a cassette of this in his blue pickup truck. I can vividly remember my tiny self sitting in the passenger seat as he drove me out to the small town of Nixon, Texas to visit family. Down the dirt roads we went singing along to “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.” In memory of the country music that influenced my childhood, I present a few of the songs I loved to sing along to back then.

First, sticking with the intro, is “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” by Toby Keith. I just remember him singing about “Miss Kitty” which I automatically thought at the time was about my Pre-K teacher who went by the same name. I loved this song, and still do.

Another one of my favorites was “All My Exes Live In Texas.” Sure I didn’t have any “exes” like  George Strait, but it was a catchy song. I loved songs about the state where I lived and since King George was from my beloved Texas, I appreciated it even more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMNw_-yUm_0

My dad took me to my first rodeo when I was six years old. The performers were Brooks and Dunn. I loved every minute of that night. I remember my dad and I dancing around the house to their music. He’s the one who taught me how to two step. The song that he and I dance to at every family event is “Neon Moon.” It is not necessarily anything about the message, but for some reason this has stuck as our dance song.

One of the greats, Garth Brooks, also played an important role in my upbringing. “Friends in Low Places” was a favorite. I was fun to sing with my whole heart to. I loved performing when I was little. You can bet this was one of the songs in my lineup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKScA_OIsRI

This final song was and still is one of my absolute favorites. Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take the Girl” is a sad song, but nonetheless one I never tire of hearing. McGraw is one of my favorite artists and I think it is because of this beautiful song.

You have now experienced a little bit of my childhood. I hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as I do. Thanks to my dad for bringing me up as a country girl living in the city.

5 Comments

Filed under Lists, Reflection, Texas, Uncategorized

by | March 30, 2015 · 8:00 am

Death in a Country Song

Country music has always been known for telling a captivating story. While many people believe that all country song are about beer, girls, and trucks, artists are still writings songs that break the norm and touch people’s heart. Country music tells beautiful stories about birth, intriguing stories about life, and unfortunately the sad truths about death. After doing my album analysis of Martina McBride’s Eleven, I started thinking about how many country songs cover the tragic story of death and sickness.

Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” is about a wife and mother of three who finds out she has breast cancer. The song follows her before, during, and after her treatments. Luckily, the woman in Martina McBride’s song doesn’t die, but instead pushes through the treatment with the support from her husband. This song ends on a happy note because no one passes away, but unfortunately not every song has such a happy ending.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1yOHzuNskY

Alabama’s “The Christmas Shoes” played on my iPod yesterday and I couldn’t help but tear up. This emotional song is about a young boy who is trying to buy some shoes for his mother for Christmas. The listener quickly learns that the mother is very sick and not expected to live past Christmas. The boy doesn’t have enough money to pay for the shoes, so the man behind him at the cash register helps him cover the cost. This is another song where someone is very sick, but instead of making a healthy recovery, the family is doing whatever they can to make the mother more comfortable.

Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home” also ends with someone close to death, but instead takes a more inspirational turn when the man tries ensure everyone that he is going to a better place. This man’s temporary home was Earth and now he has stated that his is going home to heaven. I have seen Carrie Underwood perform this song in concert twice and each time I can’t help but think how comforting it must be to anyone who is about to, or already has lost a loved one.

The last song I will talk about is “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry. I had never really listen to the lyrics of this song until heard The Band Perry preform it live last summer. This is a very sad song about a person deciding how they want to be buried if they were to die young. Most young people never even consider this, but this song is about the singer not being afraid of death.

Most rap or hip-hop song are about living life to the fullest, but country songs do a beautiful job of tackling the more emotional topics that many artists don’t like to think about.

2 Comments

Filed under Lists, Live Music, Music Videos, Reflection, Reviews

by | March 9, 2015 · 8:00 am

Best of Brooks and Dunn

Deciding on an album for the Album Analysis Paper was an EXTREMELY difficult process, for me at least. I went through album after album, artist after artist, and I still question “Have I made the right choice?”. Because I decided on a Rascal Flatts album, I thought it was only necessary to highlight one of the artists that I tossed around as an option. Even then it was still difficult to decide… Garth… Kenny… Brad… Carrie… but seeing as though Brooks and Dunn was the first concert that I had ever been to, country or otherwise, I decided a playlist of my favorite Brooks and Dunn songs would be the best choice.

Although no longer together, I had the honor of seeing Brooks and Dunn in concert three times! I definitely have a special place in my heart for this duo and what better way to show my love for them than through a playlist of my own (in no particular order).

“That Ain’t No Way to Go”

This Brooks and Dunn classic was the last single to drop from their 1993 “Hard Workin’ Man” album and was the sixth No. 1 single for the country duo. Although sad lyrics, this catchy song has a way of sneaking its way into your heart and your head.

“Play Something Country”

This 2005 boot-stomper was the 20th and final No. 1 single for Brooks and Dunn, but it was quite a way to go out! This fun song makes you want to get up and dance, obviously to “something country”. The call out for honky-tonk tunes was heard loud and clear!

“Red Dirt Road”

With the classic sound of Brooks and Dunn and the relatable topics of “Red Dirt Road”, you can’t go wrong. There is no surprise that country fans agreed as this song soared to No. 1 and still continues to be a country music anthem.

“She Used to Be Mine”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js6jqy1NtI8

‘She Used to Be Mine’ was another hit from the pair’s 1993 “Hard Workin’ Man” album, and yes, yet another No. 1. This is a beautifully sad song about a long lost love that will never be forgotten.

“My Maria”

A cover of B. W. Stevenson’s original ’70s Top 10, “My Maria” was also a chart-topper for Brooks and Dunn. It is definitely one of my favorites; you really can’t have a Brooks and Dunn playlist without this 1996 Song of the Year and Grammy Winner.

“Neon Moon”

Yet another No. 1, “Neon Moon” is a slow dance, Brooks and Dunn Classic from their album “Brand New Man”(1992). Turning 23 years old this month, this song still draws the crowd to the dance floor and remains one of my all-time favorite country songs.

“Boot Scootin’ Boogie”

You can’t get more country than a little “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”! A 1992 again from their album “Brand New Man” this song makes you want to throw your boots on and head out to a dancehall.

“Brand New Man”

What a beautifully romantic country song! This song speaks to me and obviously too many others as it was yet another No. 1 for the country duo.

“Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You”

This No. 1 from their “Steers and Stripes” (2001) album went on to be their second biggest hit. Personally, when I think of Brooks and Dunn, this is the first song that comes to mind. The passion and love in this song is inspiring and most definitely deserving of its No. 1 status.

“Only in America”

Who doesn’t love a country song describing the beauty of the American Dream! This song combines relatable life stories and the patriotism of true Americans to create, you guessed it, a No. 1 hit!

There is so much to love about Brooks and Dunn, and this is just the surface of their legacy in country music. This playlist reflects my favorites but what did I leave out? The beauty of music is that everyone experiences each song, artist, and album completely differently. What are your favorite Brooks and Dunn songs?

3 Comments

Filed under Lists, Music Videos

by | December 2, 2014 · 11:00 pm

“Just Give it Away”: Country’s Best Breakup Songs

Since we had a greatest love songs blog posted this morning, we might as well just go ahead and cover the greatest country music break up songs while we’re at it! So thanks Brittany for helping me come up with my blog post idea.

Breakup songs are the BEST. When you’re in the “cupcake” phase of love, usually those songs listed in Brittany’s article below are the ones that have been put on repeat on your iPod. But just as fast as something so beautiful as love can come together, it can fall apart just as fast. And who doesn’t like to blast a mad, revengeful breakup song when they have just been dumped? I know I do!

So here’s my favorite country break-up songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GXJpvu-d_0

  • How can anyone make a playlist about any country song and not put a George Strait song? This song was written about a divorce and all the harsh feelings and emotions that follow a divorce. In the song, they’re deciding who’s going to take what and how the money is going to be divided and both parties are just so nonchalant and don’t want any memories of the other person, hinting the break up was ugly.

“How do You Like me Now?” by Toby Keith

  • A classic Toby Keith song. This music video is quite comical and I have personally loved this song since it came out. This song is about a guy who wanted this girl in high school but she wasn’t interested and then 20 years later he hits her up and shows her what she could’ve been. He keeps making references to how he’s on the radio and in her ear and she cant get rid of him because he’s so famous.

“Bye Bye” by Jo Dee Messina

  • This song is a little older also. It’s about the narrator and her boyfriend who can’t make up his mind on what he wants with her. So she “got a lead foot down on my accelerator”,” I ain’t ever lookin back, and that’s a fact”. She doesn’t need his indecisiveness.

“How Am I Doin” by Dierks Bentley

  • I swear Dierks Bentley’s songs never disappoint me. This song is about an old girlfriend calling her ex and asking how he’s been. After she asks “how am I holdin up since you did me wrong,” he goes on to explain to her how amazing his life has been. All the things she held him back from doing , he says “wait one minute, I failed to mention, those tears I cried are tears of joy” and then goes on to tell her all the things hes enjoying in his life that she never gave him.

Whatever your need or situation after a breakup, there is a country song for every mood and feeling. There are a few of my particular favorite ones and I hope you enjoyed listening to them!!

6 Comments

Filed under Lists, Song Analysis

by | · 8:00 am

The Cutest Country Love Songs

One of my favorite things about country music is all of the emotion behind almost every song you hear. It is difficult to listen to a song and not feel what the artist is singing about, which can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster at times. There is a country song for every emotion, and possibly every situation, that you could even imagine. I personally enjoy the happier tunes and what makes a person happier than a heart full of love for someone or something?! So, I have put together a short playlist of effective love songs that I believe can make a person feel ‘in love’ even if they do not have a significant other. If you are not feeling the love and thinking about a person after listening to these songs, I am willing to bet that you at least fall in love with the way each artist feels about their lovers.

http://youtu.be/UHUxogmXob4

  1. “Good Morning Beautiful” (2001) – Steve Holy

In this chart topping song, the narrator sings about how ever since his significant other came into his life, his days have brightened up. It is easy to see all of the love he has for his lover and would waking up and hearing this not be the sweetest thing ever? However, I am not the biggest fan of the music video.

  1. “She’s Everything” (2006) – Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley has a few really great love songs, but this one stands out the most to me. I think it is easily applicable to anyone’s relationship because he hits many different yet broad characteristics of the woman the song is for. My favorite line in the song is, “She’s a picture in my wallet and my unborn children’s mother.” What a special thing to say.

3. “A Woman Like You” (2011)– Lee Brice

Lee Brice really nailed it with this song. He managed to create a darn cute love story while keeping his masculinity, which makes it an enjoyable song for both partners in a relationship. This is arguably my favorite love song on this playlist because it isn’t super sappy like the other ones.

4. “I Cross My Heart” (1992) – George Strait

Strait sings about his “unconditional” love for his partner in this single. The song’s simplicity along with Strait’s dreamy voice makes it such a charming song. The song was written for the movie Pure Country, in which Strait was actually starred in. Plus, what would a playlist be without “the king of country music?”

5. “Deeper Than The Holler” (1988) – Randy Travis

This song has been one of my favorites ever since I was little. I love Travis’s voice and mix it with a song talking about how true his love is, well, I think it would be hard for anyone to not like it. I think of my dog, Delilah, when I hear “Deeper Than The Holler.”  It is also very catchy and will have you singing it in your head all day long!

Let me know what you think!

6 Comments

Filed under Lists, Song Analysis