I
was never a fan of country music until a few years ago. Since artists like Tim
McGraw, Faith Hill, and Dan + Shay have made it a more mainstream genre,
however, I find myself listening more and more.
There
are a few things I have learned from country music:
- There are no paved roads anywhere in the south; no matter where they live, they drive on dirt
- Everyone owns a pickup truck
- No one owns a dog under 10 years old because every canine mentioned must be a "good ol' dog"
- Everyone has just broken up with someone
- The only clothing women own are cutoff denim shorts, crop tops, bikini tops and plaid flannel shirts tied up to reveal their navels
- Women do not own shoes
Another
thing I have learned is that country music is a man's world. If you think I am wrong, read the lyrics to
"Girl in a Country Song" by Maddie and Tae:
Well,
I wish I had some shoes on my two bare feet
And
it's gettin' kinda cold in these painted cut-off jeans
I
hate the way this bikini top chafes
Do
I really have to wear it all day?
I
hear you over there on your tailgate whistlin'
Sayin',
"Hey girl"
But
you know I ain't listenin'
'Cause
I got a name
And
to you it ain't "pretty little thing", "hottie" or baby
Yeah
it's drivin' me red-red-red-red-red-red-redneck crazy
Bein'
the girl in a country song
How
in the world did it go so wrong?
Like
all we're good for
Is
looking good for you and your friends on the weekend
Nothing
more
We
used to get a little respect
Now
we're lucky if we even get
To
climb up in your truck, keep our mouth shut and ride along
And
be the girl in a country song
Well,
shakin' my moneymaker ain't ever made me a dime
And
there ain't no sugar for you in this shaker of mine
Tell
me one more time, "you gotta get you some of that"
Sure
I'll slide on over, but you're gonna get slapped
Five
years ago, you were a lot less likely to continually hear lyrics that were so
stereotypical. Sure, those lyrics have always been an element in some songs,
but not on such a wide scale.
Another
trend seems to be the domination of male country singers. It is typical to
listen to a country station and hear one female country vocalist for every
seven songs sung by a male. You just have to watch the music award shows to
confirm it. Women are being pushed out of country music. Unless it is to straddle the tailgate of a
truck or ride along in cutoff jeans and belly shirts with their bare feet on
the dashboard.
Yet
there are many talented female country singers out there if you are lucky
enough to hear their songs between all the male voices. Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea
Ballerini, and Lauren Alaina come to mind. And the ladies are pushing back, as
evidenced in the Maddie and Tae song.
Come
on, fellas. Women have more to
contribute to country music--or anywhere else for that matter--than shakin'
their money-makers. No sugar for you.
