It seems like there was a revival of conservative values that made even liberal people take a look at country music. I was a fan of Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. But those artists are really just pop artists with a country flair. And Keith Urban really only has one song, he just changes the lyrics.
But for the majority of country music, once you get over the cuteness of it, you start to hear the ignorance. There are a lot of songs about how good things used to be, and those are just plain wrong. Things only used to be better if you are a white homophobic racist. Otherwise, things are much better today. I suppose it was simpler when women would just shut up and do the laundry, but certainly not better.
But the country music mini-boom is quite clearly over. It was fun for a bit, and while there are some progressive country artists that will always be in our hearts, like Leann Rimes, for country music in general, it’s back to the ignorant listeners. If you feel that the world was better when gays stayed in the closet, blacks stayed out of your city, and women cooked your dinner, then country music is for you!
2 Comments
Pat
As I drove home listening to Taylor Swift’s new song Love Song I was implored to disagree with your post. I was raised on Country music and in no way did I ever learn to hate gays or keep blacks out of my city. Just because the genre doesn’t fit your particular music liking du jour does it warrant such a sweeping, final judgement. An ending to your post that could be more appropriate by stating ‘I don’t relate to the most modern trend that I used to like in country music where one could easily remake a recording into an upbeat dance tempo sell out like Leann likes to do’. I have had 36 years of faithful following to the genre that has gotten me through some extremely difficult times in my life, and I am a tried and true Country music fan no matter what the lyrics of which I can choose to accept or simply not listen to. For more research on ‘modern’ trends check out:
Taylor Swfit
Sugarland
Kenny Chesney
These are just a few of the stars that haven’t yet turned me off by discrimination and or advise me to keep blacks out of my city.
Matt
Of course people who have always listened to country music are going to keep liking it. My post was more about the recent crossover and more generalized popularity country music had experienced.
That’s what’s going away.
I also wasn’t stating that all country music artists were racists. And in fact, I’m sure they all would tell us they’re not, even if they are. That’s how it works these days.
When you hear the songs missing “the good old days” such as Tim McGraw’s “Back When” you have to remember that “Back When” we used to lynch black people. And “Back When” we used to bash gay people. And “Back When” women couldn’t vote.
So, I’m sorry that he misses that, but I don’t. Whatever new challenges we have, now is still better than then.