Country Singles Jubilee 11.10.08: Origins
Posted by Jasper Jones on 11.10.2008
This week we have a fire, a love story, a redemption, a grave-digging, and a road trip back home. Sound like a good time to you? Step inside!
No matter who you voted for, I hope that everyone exercised their right to vote this week. Congratulations to Barack Obama for winning the election. Lets hope that he can really bring about this change that he's been boasting about for two years. It really shows how far the US has come when Virginia, the capitol of the Confederacy, votes for an African American presidential candidate. Things are looking up!
ENOUGH of the political talk, lets get to the music!
Top 40 Country Singles Reviews
Dierks Bentley - "Feel That Fire"
Dierks Bentley busted on to the country scene in 2003 with his huge hit "What Was I Thinkin'" and has racked up several big hits since. Most of his songs have an "on the road again" feel to them. Like each music video could be a montage of Bentley on tour. I had the opportunity to catch him play at Bonnaroo 2007 and he impressed me with his choice of songs and his stage presence. I had to ditch him halfway into his set though because The Black Keys were about to play, and I seriously wanted to hear them cover "Grown So Ugly" live.
"Feel That Fire" is the first single from Dierks' fourth studio album set for a February 2009 release. The song lists all the things a woman wants, but comes to the conclusion that all she really needs is to be Bentley's lover. She wants to paint her nails black and to make every stray a pet, but she needs his love.
The song has been slammed by critics as being a vague narrative that barely skims the subject of the song and I have to agree. It seems like the song is missing an element that's leaving it handicapped. There is a gap in the song that needs a bridge that just isn't there. It sounds just like most other Dierks Bentley songs, meaning its a mix of Waylon Jennings and pop music with a modern country production. When a Dierks' song comes on the radio, you know it's him immediately. That could be taken as a positive or a negative.
Favorite Lyric: "She wants to make love on a train / some days she only wants a break"
Bonus Points (then again maybe not): Bentley co-wrote this song with the help of The Warren Brothers.
Rating: 2.5/5 - Dierks Bentley is better than this poorly written song. Seems like it was released before it was completed.
Taylor Swift - "Love Story"
Taylor Swift is a bit of a country musical prodigy. At the age of twelve she was writing songs with established Nashville songwriters! Her first album (self-titled) can't be considered anything less than a smash hit, going three times multi-platinum. Even though the elitist in me wants to hate Taylor Swift, I can't. It's obvious that she is extremely talented and extremely cute to boot!
"Love Story" is just that, a love story. It's a about a relationship that has to be hidden because Daddy does not approve. Swift compares the situation to Romeo and Juliet. Except in this version the father finally comes around and we get a happy ending. At one point in the song she also compares the relationship to The Scarlet Letter, although I am not sure that applies as well as the Romeo and Juliet comparison.
The song is a bit predictable but otherwise is a great tune. I can see why it's near the top of the charts right now. Taylor Swift is currently one of the biggest names in country music and the song has a happy ending, which is difficult to find. Usually there is someone leaving, dying, or just plain unhappy in a country song.
Favorite Lyric: "So I sneak out to the garden to see you / we keep quiet cuz were dead if they knew"
Rating: 4/5 - Despite all the signs saying that I shouldn't like this song, I do.
Tim McGraw - "Let It Go"
Poor Tim McGraw is currently in a heated battle with his record company, Curb Records, over the release of a new greatest hits compilation despite having enough material to release a new album. McGraw says that it's way too soon for another greatest hits album because there has only been two albums since his last one. He thinks the record label is greedy and just cheating the fans. You got to have some respect for an artist who looks out for his fan base. Kudos, Mr. McGraw! Keep up the good fight!
"Let It Go" is the last single and the title track from Tim McGraw's 2007 album Let It Go. It's also his astonishing forty-second Top 40 Country hit!
I want a show of hands. After reading the title of this song, who thought it was about farting? Just me? Liars. "Let It Go" is actually a pretty serious song. It's about relieving a burden and letting your worries go. The singer has been carrying these demons too long and is ready to "let them go" and walk proud. Whether the song is about spiritually being forgiven or about finally getting over something or someone is up to debate. I think the meaning depends on the listener's own personal situation.
Favorite Lyric: "It's hard when the devil won't get off your back / it's like carrying around the past in a hundred pound sack"
Rating: 4/5 - "Let It Go" should be a big hit for Mr. McGraw, but I have a feeling it may take a backseat to his record label drama. It's a shame because "Let It Go" is a great song.
Retro Country Single Review
The Oak Ridge Boys - "Ozark Mountain Jubilee"
The Oak Ridge Boys have been around for nearly forty years. They started as a gospel-oriented group, but in the mid 70s they changed their style to a more country and pop oriented sound. Most people recognize The Oak Ridge Boys from their big country hit "Elvira". However if that is the only exposure you have to The Oaks, do yourself a favor and pick up one of their greatest hits albums. You will not regret it.
I chose "Ozark Mountain Jubilee" for this week's Retro Single Review not only because it's a great tune, but it's also where I got the name for this column. The song has a "going home" theme to it. William Lee Golden is the lead singer on this one and his baritone voice fits it perfectly. The descriptive lyrics make you feel like you are actually on your way back home, wherever that may be. The harmonica in the song is so rich and sweet. It makes you want to close your eyes and get lost in the song.
Bonus Points: William Lee Golden is wearing a badass Cosby sweater in the video. It's EPIC!
Favorite Lyric: "If I can't be a favorite son / I'll be the prodigal one / cuz I been gone too long"
SPEED BUMP: The video I was going to post has had the embedding code disabled by request. Here is a link: Ozark Mountain Jubilee
Rating: 5/5 - This is a perfect country song. It's got that "down home" feeling mixed with beautiful harmonies from four masters of their craft.
I Bet You've Never Heard This Song, Review
Willie Nelson - "Gravedigger"
I think I might be the only person who likes this song. Anyone else I have talked to says that Willie Nelson's cover of "Gravedigger" is abysmal compared to the original version recorded by Dave Matthews. I have to wholeheartedly disagree. Willie's voice and cadence lends a very haunting quality to the song that is lacking in the original.
The song is about walking through a graveyard and wondering what events led the deceased to their graves. One little boy met his demise from a bicycle accident and one man lived so long it made children think he lived forever. It seems like Dave Matthews sat down and wrote a song about all the stories that a cemetery could tell. Unfortunately for Matthews, the song needs Willie Nelson to bring it life.
Willie's voice is definitely an acquired taste. When he sings, little woodland animals don't gather around him. However on this song Willie sounds good. The music never overshadows him like it tends to do when Willie sings on a heavily produced track. Everything fits together so well.
It seems that through this song, Willie Nelson is coming to grips with his age and the fact that he can't live forever. The closing shot of the video with the image of Willie Nelson in the casket gives me shivers.
Favorite Lyric: "Gravedigger / when you dig my grave / would you make it shallow / so that I can feel the rain"
Rating: 4/5 - Willie Nelson continues to release great music. This song is no different. "Gravedigger" gets into your head and makes itself welcome.
That's if for this week. Come on back next Monday for more country goodness!
