When most people think of country music, they think of corn, beer, tractors, dirt roads, girls, and bars. Sure, many country songs sound the same, but the same can be said of pop, rap, classical, or any genre of music if you listen to the same crap played over and over again on every radio station out there. Now, lots of country music is about corn, beer, tractors, dirt roads, girls, and bars. However, you can appreciate country music even if you do not fit into the stereotypical farm life. Country music is about life experiences. It encapsulates the pain of losing someone you love, the excitement of getting the girl of your dreams, the annoyance that is the male-identifying gender, the simpleness of time spent relaxing at the lake, or the heartbreak of a breakup. Country music has it all, and its artists pour each and every single one of their emotions into a song. These emotions make it easy to relate to the music and access feelings that might be difficult to put into words of your own.
I am going to take you through my top three favorite country songs that encompass the feelings of life, why I love them, and why you should listen to them.
For life’s celebrate-the-hard-work moments: Drink in My Hand by Eric Church
This song is near and dear to my heart as it was the song that got me really into country music. This song begins by talking about the blue-collar lifestyle and the hard work of the 9-5 work week. It then delves into the excitement of the weekend and how a simple drink can provide a simple cure. This song is versatile. You can play it as a pick-me-up, a locker room banger, a get-the-people-going party jam, or even on a long drive. It is catchy, but it was not made to be a radio hit. It definitely was a radio-hit when it was first released, but it is a timeless song that will never get old. Moreover, Eric Church is my favorite country artist. There is no country artist that cares more about their fan base or the world around them. I would recommend not only Drink in My Hand, but every song he has ever recorded, sung or written.
For the heartbreak moments: Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan
All of Zach Bryan’s songs are emotional and heartfelt, but Something in the Orange unlocks a new level of pain and sorrow one can feel through music. It describes the emptiness and isolation he felt after a breakup. It conveys the confusion of emotions– the desire to have your ex back but also how, deep down inside, you know it’s over. It reflects on the happy memories that are soaked into the surroundings that now only bring pain. Post-break-up, this song is perfect to relate to and know that you are not alone in your heartbreak.
For the simple moments: Barefoot Blue Jean Night by Jake Owens
Okay, I’ll be honest. This song could easily fit the stereotype of country music. It talks a lot about girls, sitting “by the fire in a lawn chair,” trucks, and definitely beer. But this song perfectly summarizes what a summer night as a teenager/young adult feels like: the crisp night air, the simpleness of being barefoot at night, and the feeling of being young and alive. It’s an absolute barn burner and will definitely get everyone singing. But, having listened to this song about 100 times, including listening to it while in the bed of a pickup truck, wearing blue jeans, at nighttime, I can say with certainty that this song encapsulates what it means to be young and free. Listening to this song brings me back to the good-ol’ days.
So I’ve successfully convinced you to like country music now, right? Country music is not for everyone, but I encourage you to open your mind and heart to the possibility of liking it. Your next favorite song might happen to be a country song if you do!