Emma B. Miles wrote in a poetic gush, of country music:
“Crude with a tang of the Indian wilderness, strong with the strength of the mountains, yet, in a way, mellowed with the flavour of Chaucer’s time – surely this is a folk-song of a high order. May it not one day give birth to a music that shall take a high place among the world’s great schools of expression?”
The extract above is from ‘Lap Dancer or Hillbilly Deluxe? The Cultural Constructions of Modern Country…’ (Lewis 1997). I wanted to draw your attention to it separately as I think it is an important way to look at country music from an historical point of view, it is worthwhile to read the extract, and apply it to what we now know and think about country music…
I for one, have not heard allot of country music, when I have heard it, it’s mostly been comedic and silly, which is one reason why I am not a fan, the other is just that I don’t really enjoy the sound; in fact, I would pass up listening to country music for most other forms of music. However after reading the extract, I’m more willing to give country a listen, as there’s something about the wild natural description of country music by Miles that leaves me wondering and wanting to know about the elements of country music that I haven’t heard…
What does everyone think about the extract?
Post by: Ryan Witt
Country music does have its songs that are comical and silly, but many of them have a really good meaning or story behind them. Even if someone does not like the actual music aspect of it, I think if they actually sat down and listened to just the lyrics of some of the songs they would view country music completely different. I believe country music is one of the most expressive genres of music. Within this genre, one song can relate to many people going through different situations, yet still similar in a way. People that listen to country music do not feel ‘alone’ in the problems they are facing. As well, many songs like Stand by Rascal Flatts and Baby Girl by Sugarland gives strength to people because it shows that people can overcome hardship and survive. I also think it teaches people to enjoy life (Just not today and Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney)
I think thats what can be really great about country music, how descriptive and beautiful the lyrics can be. It takes quite a bleak situation and turns it into something that can give people hope. This aspect of country I think needs more publicity. It is here that the stereotypes of country is a world of its own and lead to people often looking over country music.