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At some point in life, you might have heard somebody say, “Yeah, I like all types of music EXCEPT for country.” Now that statement is a little hypocritical, since they do not actually like all categories of music. So, why exclude country?
It is one of America’s most popular genres, having specialized television programs dedicated to it, being an element found in movie soundtracks (ie. A Star Is Born) and helping people become viral sensations (ie. Mason Ramsey aka “Yodeling Walmart Kid”). So, why all the backlash?
One reason is due to its lyrical content. It seems that in almost every country song, the vocalist sings about the same story; falling in love in a small town while also including the vehicle they drive, most notably a truck, and mentioning an alcoholic beverage, whether it be whiskey, beer, etc. What is interesting about these lyrics is that the artist is attempting to relate back to the general public, singing songs about living in a small community and working the typical job.
However, depending on their popularity, they have probably never had to experience this life, considering the fame and success that they have received. The only similarity that the artist would have in common would probably be the drinking and partying. It should be mentioned that the “general public” in this case is predominantly white country listeners who live in the South and the Midwest regions of the United States. People who live in urban/suburban areas cannot really relate to these lyrics since they cannot relate to the country lifestyle. After all, it is called country music because it originates from the countryside of America.
Another reason why country music does not sit well with listeners is due to the vocals. Country artists share a common southern accent when they sing, and it can be annoying to hear at some times. Because this accent is overused in the genre, singers who do not naturally have the accent need to fake it to stay true to the country brand. As a result, this yodel-like tone does not resonate well with some listeners. In addition, people who do not usually listen to country are not familiar with its sound.
Artists from other genres do not have such a trill accent, providing clarity when they sing. So, by having a genre of artists sing with an exaggerated voice, combined with lyrics that do not relate to them, it can easily turn people away.
All in all, it just depends on the person’s taste in music. They might not relate to the lyrics, but they probably enjoy the accompanying music. Even more surprising, there are people who secretly do enjoy listening to country, but only a select number of songs. It is not that all country is bad, it is just that the majority of it seems to be lacking substance. I mean, who has not jammed out to “Before He Cheats” or “Take Me Home, Country Roads” before? As the saying goes, “Beauty is seen in the eyes of the beholder.”
Article By:Selena Choy
