I’m not a music snob, and music snobbery is one of my biggest pet peeves. I like pretty much every genre of music from 90′s grunge to punk to singer/songwriter to hip hop, with the exception only of techno. I just don’t get techno, but for those who love it – more power to you.
I don’t fully understand classical, big band or jazz – but I appreciate those genres on occasion.
However, one genre that I adore happens to be one that gets a bad rap – country.
I’ve mentioned my love for it many times, but I want to delve a little deeper.
I grew up on country music. Garth Brooks was my man, and I had a little girl crush on him that carried on for many years.
George Strait, Travis Tritt and Brooks and Dunn were additional favorites. I watched CMT (Country Music Television?) all day before I had to start going to school full time and would dance and sing along to the songs with my mom – one of my best childhood memories, as it was before things got bad with her.
As the years have gone on my love for country has ebbed and flowed. I went through the typical pop phase (read: ‘N Sync all day every day for three years), a rock/alternative phase (still stand by those choices), and eventually an emo phase.
However, every summer my love for country music would return. Summer just is country music to me. I get so nostalgic for it as soon as the weather turns warm.
Plus, sophisticated and class though I may seem, I’m really just a redneck at heart.
I love it so much, in fact, that I want to help you guys love it too. If you’ve got an open mind and trust me, even just a little bit – read on!
Note: You will find no mention of Taylor Swift in this post, unless perhaps it is to illustrate what country music shouldn’t be.
If you like rap, try Jason Aldean:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb9q1ScC4cg&w=560&h=349]
Jason Aldean is “new” country, and his style is a mix of old school country with rock and hip hop-ish influences. I mean, he’s a country boy wearing Wranglers (actually I think they’re probably designer country jeans, which rubs me the wrong way but whatever) so he’s far from gansta, but it’s good stuff.
Similar artists: Billy Currington, Jake Owen (my current favorite country song is Barefoot Blue Jean Night, in case you were wondering)
If you like ballads, try The Band Perry:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJqUN9TClM&w=560&h=349]
This actually isn’t even one of my favorite country bands or songs, but it proves that there are GREAT voices in country music. Carrie Underwood can sing too, but I don’t like her. At all.
Similar artists: Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood
If you like soul, try the Zac Brown Band:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQG7vcrQIlg&w=560&h=349]
Zac Brown is far and away my favorite country artist right now, and among my favorite artists in general. The man can sing and every song literally grips your heard and smashes it up into a little ball of emotional mush. I saw him live last year and I think I had chills the entire night. You can tell he means every word he sings. I love all of his music, most notably: Free (^), Highway 20 Ride, Colder Weather, Whatever It Is and Chicken Fry. He does an amazing cover of Jolene as well.
Similar artists: I really can’t think of one – they stand on their own.
If you fancy yourself a badass, try Miranda Lambert:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoR2Oax82kY&w=560&h=349]
I don’t love Miranda Lambert as much as a lot of people do, but she’s fun to listen to. Girl power!
Similar artists: Sugarland
If you like singer/songwriter music, try Eli Young Band:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_z9HCkU-C4&w=425&h=349]
Eli Young Band is a more subtle and quiet type of country. This video isn’t the best example, but there a lesser known band and not as searchable.
Similar artists: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney Larue (for a good time, check out the song Oklahoma Breakdown)
Other country songs I love:
Eastin Corbin – A Little More Country Than That
Pat Green – Feels Just Like it Should
Billy Currington – Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer
Rodney Atkins – Take a Back Road
Lady Antebellum – American Honey
I could go on, but I think I’ve shown you enough of my country bumpkin ways.
Really though, country music isn’t all that bad. Did you like any of the songs?
What’s your favorite music genre? Country isn’t my favorite, but it’s up there. My all time fave genre is more Indie/alt rock like Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips, Wilco, Cake and punk-ish bands like Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack. I’m all over the place really.
I am the same way! I used to HATE country, until my friend made me realize it’s not so bad, nowe very summer as it gets hotter, my radio is more and more tuned in to the country stations!
I LOVE country and I love all of those songs/artists
Zac Brown is my fave. I think Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley are good for country starters! My current obsession is Remind me by Brady and Carrie!
Brad not brady
I like to think of myself as an ADHD music-lover. My mixed CD’s can range from anything from Sublime to James Taylor to De La Soul to Nirvana.
And I’m not really a country fan, but I do like the Band Perry & the Dixie Chicks
This post made me sooo happy! Country songs I’m currently loving: Remind Me: Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisly, You and Tequila Grace Potter and Kenny Chesney, Then Brad Paisly, love Barefoot Blue jean night and Dirt Road anthem also! Also, I’m a big fan of Jarrod Niemann who I think is also relatively new.
I like him a lot!
I think you guys are my music soulmates. I love all those songs Kelly listed!
I came across your blog through fitting back in and just had to say I love this post. My favorite country song at the moment is You and Tequilla by Kenny Chesney and God gave me you by Blake Shelton.
I like that song too, even though I’m not a fan of Kenny Chesney.
I’m obsessed with country music. I always have been. My first tape (in first grade) was Garth Brooks, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Band Perry and Zac Brown are two of my favorites right now…ZBB also puts on the best concert you’ve ever heard in your entire life. Just saying.
I totally agree. I can’t wait to go to another one!
I LOVE country music, too! Love. I remember when I was younger and listening exclusively to John Michael Montgomery, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Little Texas, etc. and all the kids would make fun of me. I bought the newest Ace of Base cassette so I felt “cool” but I never loved it the same. Glad I’m not the only one with an affinity for the good stuff
Haha, I remember when I first found out that country wasn’t cool. I was devastated. I tried to listen to the cool pop channel, but when I was at home I’d always turn it back to country.
Achy, breaky heart. My absolute FAVORITE song growing up!
Bahaha, I definitely loved it too. I think my cousins and I played it so many times my Grandparents about murdered us.
I don’t know if I have a favorite genre…you’ve seen my CD collection- I own everything from Frank Sinatra to Aretha Franklin to Zeppelin to Madonna to Nirvana to Beyonce to Big and Rich…cripes. How about just “I LOVE MUSIC”? LOL!!
Big and Rich eh? I would not have guessed that one!
I love country. Its probably me favorite, and its funny, because last night I was just calling Jason Aldean “country rap”.
I’m not a music snob either, but the way you feel about techno is the way I feel about country. It’s just not my thing. I’m so glad you don’t like Taylor Swift!
Have you heard of a band called Arcade Fire? I think they’re from Canada. Supposed to be really good
Yes I have, I like them, but they have a beef with the Lips (my all time fave band) – so out of loyalty I’m stepping back for awhile.
Ha. I was being facetious. Melissa finds it incredulous that there are people who don’t know who Arcade Fire are. That Flaming Lips guy has enviable hair for sure.
I would say 95% of Oklahomans do not. His hair is just the beginning. The man is my idol.
I love country too! All of those songs and bands are incredible. I will say though… you know that Jason Aldean song is a Colt Ford cover right?
Also… what comment plugin do you have? I love it!
I love love love country music…but I always come back to 80s and 90s soft rock as my absolute favorite genre…plus some 90s alternative and hip hop always make it in there too…I really like everything
OMG I LOVE THIS POST!!!!
Seriously! I never used to like country until my college roommate really got me into it and now it’s my favorite thing to listen to, especially in the summer time. I agree 100% that country music is summertime! I’m also so obsessed with Jake Owen’s song.
Other current obsessions: Fly OVer States (Jason Aldean), God Gave Me You (Blake Shelton), You and Tequila (KChez), Remind Me (Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood)
Ok I’m going to stop rambling about my love of country music, but this most seriously made my night!
I never liked country music much when I was younger, which I attribute to my grandpa (bless his sweet heart) playing Billy Ray Cyrus one too many times haha. Now though I really really like it, well “newer country” that is, it’s such good driving music too! Have you heard the Jason Aldean/Ludacris remix of Dirt Road Anthem? LOVE.
I’m not really a fan of country music, but I love Garth Brooks! I grew up listening to his music all the time. I think my favorite type of music is jazz and soft rock.
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Music snobs annoy me too. I like the widest variety of music, and it includes a bit of everything.
i am sorry i cannot share your love of country music. it is not that i am a music snob (hell, i just wrote a post about hanson and spice girls), but it ain’t my thang. although, everytime that damn perry song comes on i can’t stop singing it!!
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