During the Fall of 1991, during my carefree days at Northwestern, Defender of All Things Black made a curious observation concerning a quite fetching woman. I remember the day as if it was just yesterday.
Having only know Defender and Irb Gotti for a short time, we were having bruch at 1835 Hinman - the dorm known for its spacious living quarters. While eating, Defender sees this woman and without hesitation, he looks at me and says, "I don't know her, but I already love her...".
The words sound contradictory but make complete sense. Can person really appreciate something that they are not even familiar with?
I saw yes. And to prove my point, I will make another confession. I like country music. But I've never really given it a chance.
It's easy for the non-music lover to dismiss country music out of hand. The cliches which follow the genre are tried and true: sad songs about a man losing his woman and his dog then drinking himself senseless. But in the world of contemporary popular music (and by this I'm including the major radio formats: R&B, rock, top-40, jazz, adult contemporary, and all of its related sub-genres), one could argue that country music is the only place where a music lover can appreciate genuine songwriting. To paraphrase the Clinton campaign slogan from 1992, "It's about the songwriting stupid!"
Senor Nawlins played a major part in creating my music tastes. I was raised listing to soul records and that experience developed my music tastes. I love the creation of a good pop song, hence, my love for 80s pop songs which are constructed just like their mid-60s counterparts. Listen to any Stock Aiken Waterman production (Rick Astely, early Kylie Minouge, Bananarama, etc.) and I guarantee that you can hear Motown's songwriting all over again. The songs didn't change the world but for three minutes they provided sheer ear candy for the listener. It was fun and proved that any romantic problem could be solved with hope! Yet as the fun '80s pop ended, we were lead into the oh-so-serious '90s where genuine pop laid dormant until the end with the fascination with TRL-friendly groups: the Boy Bands, the Blonde girls, and yes, the Spice Girls.
Now, that songwriting is lost. Or is it?
Over the past year, I have marveled to Bajan Princess about the writings of New York Times music writer/critic Keneth Saneth. (I single her out only because she shares a love and appreciation in music where most only give it lip service. And so on the weekly basis, I would send her his critiques and interviews. The man is a phenomenal writer of all things music.) And yesterday was the latest in one of his many pieces on country music. Most of Brother Saneth's country articles focus on not on the performer but the person behind the music. The songwriter.
In "If You're Looking At Eric Church, You're Looking At New Country", Saneth showcased why Church is taking country music by storm with his eagerly anticipated debut album.
I will admit that I wouldn't know Eric Church from The Church of the Poison Mind but after reading that piece and hearing his comments on songwriting, I'm already rooting for him.
In fact, the more I read about the country music, the more I begin to like it. Even though I've never listened to it as devoutly as I listen to other genres.
I'm not going to be one to dismiss the music out of hand. (How often have you heard the phrase, "I listen to all types of music. But I hate country." Meanwhile the person has only one or two styles of music.) Growing up in Iowa, I know that the old WHBF used to showcase a variety of country songs. And in spurts "country" had gone mainstream (if you call Shania Twain and Faith Hill country). Still, I have never given the music it's due listen. I'm familiar with some of the heavyweights as Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich, Tim McGraw and others. Yet my knowledge exists primarily because the announcers of the Beloved's baseball games (along with Jeff Francouer, Brian McCann, and John Thompson) love country music and will always talk about it during the broadcast.
I'm a huge fan of the Dixie Chicks' politics. But couldn't tell you a song they song.
What I do admire about what I know about country music is that it appeals the the everyday man. The stories are stories that can almost appeal to anyone. And while many acts appeal to Red Staters, one thing that I do know is that the acts wear their hearts on their sleeves and aren't promoting a lifestyle only to curry favor with sponsors.
The key part of the appeal has to be the lyrics. If the lyrics can tell a story, then the song is sold. Why? Because the singer must act out those lyrics on disc. And that message has to resonate with the ear. If it doesn't or if it doesn't make sense the splash is barely a ripple. And at the end of the day, that makes a great song albeit rock, pop, funk or soul.
Another thing I do like is that country music is a throwback to the days of the pop music writing factory called the Brill Building or Motown. Many of country's best know acts start out playing in bars and trying to get writing credit for others. They then try to get a few minutes of studio time to cut a demo. And once they've proven their wares, Nashville deems it right to unleash a new talent unto the world. Just like when Carole King, Neil Diamond, Holland & Dosier, Smokey Robinson, and others when pop was in its infancy and gaining radio supremacy.
Now, many pop, rock, and R&B acts are picked from talent contests, showcases, formed by a producer, or have a certain look. Songwriting be damned. Just put a hook and throw something together and let's see if it sells.
As I grow older and inevitably long for the days of my youth, maybe I will give country music a try. I find myself constantly scolding various radio outlets because some of today's songs just are quenching my musical thirst. And those that do (Raul Midon comes to immediate mind) will never see the light of day on commercial radio. Yes, there are some gift rap artists who can tell a tale but with the genre being dominated by southern act, the most gifted writers and those who can tell that tale are best found on mixtapes.
Which leaves me back to country. For me, it could actually be the new pop music. Give these acts three minutes and they can certainly help you pay your bills, quick drinking, get your girl back...and your dog!
(Oh yeah, as for Defender. He actually met that girl later our freshman year. She was actually the same major as him. And they spent some time together, or as much as they could consider that Defender had "for all intents and purposes" developed a crush on some other woman in our dorm. But as much as the girl was cute, she was also flaky. Defender made a good choice. And would make an even better one later in life. But that's another story...)
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