Why don't people give country music a chance?

United States
May 17, 2007 6:27pm CST
As soon as you mention country music to most people they immediately think of whining, broken hearted, moody song lyrics. What I think they are doing is remembering the old country music from a long time ago. Granted there are some today where the guy lost the girl or vice versa but their not as whiny as they used to be as far as I can tell. There are a lot more patriotic lyrics around today also which are topping the charts constantly. Country performers are into families, friends, their country, helping good causes, religion, having fun and being the best people they can be and wanting to help everyone else do the same. Why do country musicians and their music get such a bad rap? Do you think people really give it a chance and listen to the words to the songs?
20 people like this
29 responses
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
17 May 07
Country music is the only kind I listen to. I love it and I know my kids can listen to it without learning new words I wont appreciate. I have even convereted my husband into a Countr music fan.
• United States
18 May 07
You sure have that right! I haven't heard a country music song where the lyrics have to be bleeped out have you? They also don't have to rate them the way they do with so called pop music. That alone should tell people something.
2 people like this
@Bd200789 (2994)
• United States
24 Feb 08
I agree. I won't listen to anything else now. I used to hate it when I was younger, but now I love it. I like that you don't have to hear bad words when you listen to it.
@UDDERONES (887)
• United States
17 May 07
I totally agree. I think they are thinking of the older country music. But Country music today is like the old rock in roll form the day. I personnally love country music. My favorite male country music performer is Tim McGraw. I used to hate country music back in the 80's and then starting in 1990's I believe people like Garth Brooks, etc changed the sound of country music.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
18 May 07
I also like those guys, but Kenny Chesney is my favorite. I also like his videos a lot.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 07
Yes, I like Kenny Chesney also. I also like Keith Urban. But my favorite is Tim McGraw. I know alot of people don't like country. But I just love it. Like I said it is not the old country music people think of. Of course I listen to all kinds of music. We put on karaoke so I have to listen to all genre's of music. I must say I like them all but Rap. I am not crazy about Rap. But other than that, I like most.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 May 07
Garth was one of the first country performers I listened to and I'll always love Friends in Low Places...lol...Tim is definitely one of my favorites also...what a man!
1 person likes this
@Mickie30 (2626)
17 May 07
I know I love Country and Western music but I suppose many people don't like it because it seems old fashioned or it isn't there taste in music. Country and Western is an aquired taste of music and I think you either love it or hate it a bit like marmite!
3 people like this
• United States
18 May 07
So right, they either love it or hate it! Many do feel that it's old fashioned but it has a lot more to offer than the music of today does.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
18 May 07
My hubby is a fan of country music. I don't know what it is but its just not what I like to hear. There are some songs that I like but I'm sorry to say I am not a fan of country music.
• United States
18 May 07
I think it's usually the husband that likes country music in a relationship but who knows maybe someday you will learn to like it....
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
18 May 07
I find it interesting that you brought this subject up, ctrymuziklvr, because I've been asking myself the same thing lately. Growing up in rural Tennessee during the 50s, there wasn't much of a choice insofar as listening to the radio. So I listened to a lot of country music. With the 60s came a big change as to variety. Most black people gravitated toward soul music-like myself. I still listened to a little country music, though. As you stated, country music has come a long way. Several monthys ago I was feeling down and just needed a change so I turned to a country music station. It was like coming home. I have been a loyal fan since then. Most people associate country music with "rednecks." Pardon the expression. I just find it so refreshing and not like a lot of today's music which is disrespectful to women; vulgar; and very unappealing.
• United States
31 Jul 07
Redneck logo - Horrible name!
I for one hate the term "redneck" and I'm not even one! lol...I do love the song Redneck Woman because it's really funny. Today's music is disrespectful to just about everyone don't you think?
@castleghost (1304)
• United States
18 May 07
Ok, I have to admit that I just don't like country music. Whether it be the old stuff or the new stuff I just don't like it. My partner listens to it all the time in the car and it makes me want to change the radio station. There are a few songs that I don't mind listening to. Toby Keith has some great songs but it doesn't make me want to listen to country music. To each their own they say.
2 people like this
• United States
31 Jul 07
Toby Keith - One of the best.
Yes, Toby Keith is one of my favorites. I especially like him because his songs are either patriotic or very funny.
• United States
18 May 07
I like some country, but only the mainstream, the ones that talk about religion and breaking hearts are too much for me.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 May 07
Everyone has their favorites it's just nice to know that people give other types of music a chance and do find their favorites in each type.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
18 May 07
I agree- I love country music- My favorite artist is Kenny Chesney- He is no way a old country singer- Yes there are alot of songs about a dog, losing your love, etc. But there are alot of great songs too- I think when you hear country you automatically think country western- I don't enjoy this type of music- but I love New Country!
• United States
31 Jul 07
Kenny Chesney - Awesome concerts!
Kenny Chesney is one of my favorites. I've seen him in concert many times and he's awesome!
@fpd1955 (2074)
• United States
18 May 07
I do like most country music. I think some of the best female vocals are in country. Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Reba, Wynonna, Tanya, just to name a few. My favorite is Martina, that woman can sing!! I think there is not enouh exposure on radio for country music in some areas. When I lived in New York City, there was not one country station available. I think if more people heard it they would learn to appreciate it for what it is, just good music. PEACE
2 people like this
@Gumball (793)
• United States
18 May 07
If you like listening to new artists, you should check out this guy I found on MySpace, Derek Sholl. He is fantastic! http://www.myspace.com/dereksholl He's a country singer with a lot of soul and a great sense of humor. :) He also will answer his messages himself on there, I've gotten replies more than once from him. You can listen to a few of his songs right there on his page.
• United States
31 Jul 07
Derek Sholl - New country performer.
Believe it or not I have heard of Derek Sholl. I'm not sure where but it probably was from my space. I do a lot of looking around for new country performers.
• United States
18 May 07
I can't stand country. But I do like folk, and they have similarities. What I don't like about country is the tone they use to sing. It's usually kind of nasaly, even if it's not nasaly it sounds as if it is, just very whiny at times. I also don't like the Southern accent (though I'm from the South too! Lol) that a lot of country singers have. Folk uses a lot of the same music but the style of singing isn't so grating.
• United States
18 May 07
I've always been into folk music and love acoustic guitar music also. My all time favorite is Peter, Paul and Mary. I brought my kids up on their music and although they sometimes laugh at it I know they secretly enjoy listening to them. Arlo Guthrie ...so many great performers.
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
18 May 07
I love country music, its about the only music I listen to really. I mean there are other types I like but country is where all the dials in my truck are set to and most of the CD's and downloads on my computer are country music. Just about all my friends listen to some country music, not alot but they will listen to a song or two here and there. I think country is becoming more popular though because of its reach across the board. Its already crossed into rock, and hip hop, soon it will cross into everything :)
1 person likes this
• United States
18 May 07
I'm crossing my fingers but the only thing that is going to hinder country music is the kids of today. The love to hear dirty words and bad talking about the "establishment" and anyone who has any authority. They are the ones who will ruin music for the US.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 May 07
yes every every people has the right to express their feeling what even genre they've got in their pocket weather if is rock, soul, pop, jazz or country music of whatsoever because they have the rights to chilled out their inner feelings. even a single line of rapping is one way also in expressing your feelings. country music for me is not considered for me as a bad rap. but it is a popular and catchy sometime have a deep meaning type of music. like the late John Denver one of the popular country music musician. he gives more importance the message of that type of music...
2 people like this
@raytrix (14)
• Canada
18 May 07
Cause theyre always making sad songs! and plus the beats sound old and are the same :(
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jul 07
Obviously you haven't really listened to much country music. A lot of it is patriotic, happy, religious and family oriented. But everyone has their favorites.
• United States
14 Jun 07
i love country music. i miss alot of the older music. i was brought up on country listening to conway twitty and loretta lynn and tammy wynette
1 person likes this
@xbrendax (2662)
• United States
18 May 07
Country music makes me think, and when I do that, I get real sad.
1 person likes this
• Portugal
18 May 07
I think there is space for every type of music. Some people like some types, some people like all types and some people simply don't like to listen to music. And that's because everyone is different, and as long as everyone respects that everything is great. I don't dislike country music. In Brazil, there is a very similar type of music and I use to listen to it every time (because my father also did).
1 person likes this
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
31 Jul 07
Ok ok, here is my confession... I am 26 years old and I love country!! lol But it wasn't always that way. My mom is a hardcore country music lover and growing up she would blare it throughout the day. I became a teenager and was extremely active in the music scene. I played bass and was in a band etc... I didn't give country music much of a chance because well, to be honest, I was 14 and it wasn't cool. besides my mom liked it lol.... I was roKen out to Kurt Cobain and then Marilyn Manson..... Well, then I turned 17 years old and found out that inadvertantly because of my mom I was able to sing along to the country songs. I guess the lyrics just absorbed themselves into me without me knowing it. As I would be singing along doing homework I started paying attention to the lyrics, and the voices, and what they said, and the real talent in the music (I create music myself). And you know what...? Yeah, I found out I liked music. Now granted, I live in the middle of no where so it really isn't any huge crime for a kid to like country music, in fact, you kinda stick out at school if you don't (I went to school with country boys and red neks lol -loved every minute of it).... I love all kinds of music. I still listen to Marilyn Manson but I also listen to Willie Nelson. I listen to Panic! At the Disco and Big N Rich.... etc.... I think when we are younger we don't want to like the same stuff as our parents. At elast that was what it was for me.
@tgreen80 (171)
• United States
18 May 07
I understand what you are saying. There are a lot of people that wont give country music a chance. To me country music is relaxing I do listen to other genres though but I dont find them as relaxing as I do country music. I do think they are thinking about the old days in country music though when they were more of whiners. lol
1 person likes this
@Amstardam (1348)
• United States
31 Jul 07
I don't think any one person can justify hating a whole genre of music until they've heard every single artist and every single song of that genre. It's an unfair judgment. Music is widely varied even within its own genre's. There is genres that I prefer to listen to but if there is a genre I don't particularly like and I hear a song from it that I do like then I say I like it. This is just another area where people can be judgmental.
1 person likes this