What is it with country lyrics?

Cassiopeia · Mar 3, 2008

I was telling my son who had a hissy fit in the car the other day when I put a country CD in that you just can't help but love the lyrics. He freaked. Yeah, he's used to me with my eclectic tastes but he was happy till he learned I'm serious about the beauty of a good country song.

I probably listen to country once every six months if that but lately, it's just too fun. As a writer I think they rock. Here's an example of one song that just makes me giggle. I can't tell you how many times I've thought of this song when (how do I say this delicately) finally ditching that someone I was hung up on for way too long.

So what's your favorite country song?

Bye Bye
by Jo Dee Messina

Boy you sure look good there standin' in the doorway in the sunset light
Maybe I read you wrong thinkin' you could be my Mr. Right
I was puttin' my heart and soul on the line
Said you needed some time, just a little more time to make up your mind
Well it's been long enough
Time is up

Bye bye love, I'll catch you later
Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rearview mirror torn off
I ain't never lookin' back. And that's a fact.
I've tried all I can imagine
I've begged and pleaded in true lover's fashion
I've got pride, I'm takin' it for a ride
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye bye

Don't think all those tears are gonna hold me here like they've done before
You'll find what's left of us in a cloud of dust on highway 4
Baby what did you expect me to do
Just sit around and wait on you
Well I'm through watchin' you just skate around the truth
And I know it sounds trite
I've seen the light

Bye bye love, I'll catch you later
Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rearview mirror torn off
'Cause I ain't never lookin' back, and that's a fact.
I've tried all I can imagine
I've begged and pleaded in true lover's fashion
I've got pride, I'm takin' it for a ride
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye bye

I'd lost the game I guess
I did my best to win the part
Now I'm leavin' here with what's left of my heart.
Bye bye, I'll catch you later
Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rearview mirror torn off
'Cause I ain't never lookin' back.
You can count on that.
I've tried all I can imagine
I've begged and pleaded in true lover's fashion
I've got pride, I'm takin' it for a ride
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye bye

Bye bye
Ooh baby
Oh oh
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye bye

Kenny · Mar 3, 2008

I love country lyrics and I do agree that they're great.

My fave, The River.

melaniehoo · Mar 3, 2008

Ooh, the River is one of my favorites too. I love a lot of Garth Brooks and Shania Twain. Garth's If Tomorrow Never Comes is sung a lot in our house, and Shanias' From This Moment was our wedding song. Now Brad Paisley's She's Everything is our song.

Julie Worth · Mar 3, 2008

Ah, Cassiopeia, did you get permission from the copyright owner to post that?

Cassiopeia · Mar 3, 2008

Ah, interesting, nope. I grabbed it off a lyric site. So if I'm not allowed to do that, I need to know. I gave credit to the artist. Sorry if I'm in the wrong, I'll delete it if I'm supposed to.

dobiwon · Mar 3, 2008

I like country music lyrics (and the fact that they are in plain, simple language and spoken in a way that I can hear). I have a great many favorites, but two that stand out are
The Little Girl (John Michael Montgomery)
A Broken Wing (Martina McBride)

Cassiopeia · Mar 3, 2008

The song In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride, holds special meaning to me. My daughter and I've been through so much together as she recovered from Meth. Many kids would hate their mom but she only loves me more and inspires me to keep pursuing my dreams.

Devil Ledbetter · Mar 3, 2008

Julie Worth said:
Ah, Cassiopeia, did you get permission from the copyright owner to post that?

If there's really a policy that we need permission to post copyrighted lyrics here, then AW has an awful lot of deleting to do in this forum.

ChunkyC · Mar 4, 2008

In the context of a 'scholarly' discussion of the work, and with proper attribution, I think it's probably okay.

I like me a good country lyric too. I'm also a fan, though not well schooled, of cowboy poetry. There's a competition every year in Calgary and when the inevitable news story comes on with an excerpt or three, I'm usually grinning ear to ear by the time it's over.

Southern_girl29 · Mar 4, 2008

I'm a huge fan of country music. Right now, I really like Taylor Swift, and I wish I could make my YA writing sound like her music, if that makes any sense.

I also like Brad Paisley's Letter to Me. It's a great song. I also like "Sweet Southern Comfort" by Buddy Jewell and Alan Jackson's "Small Town Southern Man." That last one makes me cry because I've known many men (and honestly women, too) like the ones described in the song.

Julie Worth · Mar 4, 2008

Devil Ledbetter said:
If there's really a policy that we need permission to post copyrighted lyrics here, then AW has an awful lot of deleting to do in this forum.

I’d think that writers, as much as anyone, would be sensitive to the issues of copyright. The MPA is, and has pushed for jail time for offenders, including the owners of websites. They consider that any reproduction (even if only the lyrics) is prohibited. For academic purposes, their website states that the quoted portion should not exceed 10% of the whole.

Devil Ledbetter · Mar 4, 2008

Julie Worth said:
I’d think that writers, as much as anyone, would be sensitive to the issues of copyright. The MPA is, and has pushed for jail time for offenders, including the owners of websites. They consider that any reproduction (even if only the lyrics) is prohibited. For academic purposes, their website states that the quoted portion should not exceed 10% of the whole.

I certainly wish them luck enforcing that.

Julie Worth · Mar 4, 2008

Devil Ledbetter said:
I certainly wish them luck enforcing that.

They are serious: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4508158.stm

Devil Ledbetter · Mar 4, 2008

Julie Worth said:
They are serious: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4508158.stm

Something tells me they'll probably go after the commercialized lyrics sites before they pursue those posting the occasional lyrics for discussion in forums at AW.

Do you own the rights on that photo in your avatar?

Julie Worth · Mar 4, 2008

Devil Ledbetter said:
Do you own the rights on that photo in your avatar?

No, but I it's in the public domain, I believe.

Cassiopeia · Mar 4, 2008

Let's stick to the topic at hand and that is the brilliance of country lyrics. I gave credit to the artist and didn't claim they are my own. I pulled the lyrics off a site that you go to, to get them. I'm not concerned.

I have often thought I'd like to write the lyrics to a song and as I've been trying my hand at poetry again, I just might give it a go.

bluntforcetrauma · Mar 4, 2008

I think they're too syrupy and Pollyana-ish.

Cassiopeia · Mar 4, 2008

Hey, I like PollyAnna when I'm feeling down.

Hollan · Mar 8, 2008

"Cocaine Blues" and "The Man in Black" by Johnny Cash

"Angry All the Time" by Bruce Robinson. Such a wonderfully sad song!

"Please Remember me" recorded by Tim Mcgraw. Great sad song too.

Birol · Mar 8, 2008

"If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Knows)" by Rodney Atkins

If your going through hell
Keep on going, don't slow down
If you're scared don't show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there

Yeah, If you're going through hell
Keep on moving, face that fire
Walk right through it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there

Cassiopeia · Mar 9, 2008

Oh wow, I love that Birol. I have to send those to a friend.

bubbagringo · Mar 9, 2008

Cassiopeia said:
So what's your favorite country

Wagon Wheel-OCMC

Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly
Had a nice long toke
But he's a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee

And I gotta get a move on before the sun
I hear my baby callin' my name
And I know that she's the only one
And if I die in Raleigh
At least I will die free

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me

giusti · Mar 19, 2008

BTW, you're all guilty of copyright infringement.

Gimme your credit card numbers, I'm gonna take ya in.

That said, carry on.

Wind Ann Wise · Feb 26, 2018

I have so many country songs that I love the lyrics to! And I mean way too many. One that stands out right now is "Not Ready To Make Nice." By The Dixie Chicks. I have situations from my past that I'm like that with. It's a good song and the lyrics really speak to you.
Oh and "In Case You Didn't Know" by Brett Young.
And my favorite Khelsea Ballerini song, "Legends"!

Jason · Feb 26, 2018

Oh God, if I had to list my favorite country songs by best lyrics I'd be here all night...but, here's a select few that recently went through my playlist:

The Chair - George Strait
Where Were You - Alan Jackson
Drunkards Prayer - Chris Stapleton
Anything But Mine - Kenny Chesney
The Dance - Garth Brooks

So, I googled after seeing this thread and agree with the majority of the ones listed here as being up there - but not all (such lists are always subjective, right?) Also impressed with how many of George Straits and George Jones' tunes rank up there...

What is it with country lyrics?

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