What is country music? Once formally called Country and Western music, has now been shortened to Country music. According to dictionary.com, “Country music is a style and genre of largely string- accompanied American popular music having roots in the folk music of the Southeast and cowboy music of the West, usually vocalized, generally simple in form and harmony, and typidied by romantic or melancholy ballads accompanied by acoustic or electric guitar, banjo, violin, and harmonica.” People often think of country music as being “redneck” or “hillbilly” music. Country music, country and western music, is very unique in its genre. I believe that it has two separate meanings relating to them. The country aspect relating to love, family, and hard times, while, the western aspect relates to the American West and cowboy themes.
In the lyrics of old time traditional country music, it pulled you into the heart of the song with the raw emotion that the country singer held in their voice. The lyrics held a story line throughout the song. For example when listening to Hank Williams song “There’s a Tear in my Beer,” you can hear the acoustic guitar and emotion in the lyrics. “There’s a tear in my beer, ‘cause I’m cryin’ for you dear. You are on my lonely mind.” The traditional old country music was melancholy. The sadness came through in the song. Another example is in Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces.” The lyrics have emotion and sadness. “I fall to pieces. Each time I see you again. I fall to pieces. How can I be just your friend? You want me to act like we’ve never kissed. You want me to forget. Pretend we’ve never met, and I’ve tried and I’ve tried, but I haven’t yet. You walk by and I fall to pieces.” In modern country songs, the lyrics have changed tremendously. In Blake Shelton’s song ”Boys Round Here,” you can hear the difference in the lyrics. “Well the boys ‘round here don’t listen to The Beatles. Run ole Bocephus through the jukebox needle, at a honky tonk, where their boots stomp, all night; what? (That’s right). Yea, and what they call work, digging in the dirt. Gotta get it in the ground ‘fore the rain came down, to get paid, to get the girl. In your four wheel drive (a country boy can survive). Yea the boys round here, drinking that ice cold beer. Talkin’‘bout girls, talkin’‘bout trucks. Runnin’ them red dirt roads, out kicking up dust. The boys round here, sending up a prayer to the man upstairs. Backwoods legit, don’t take no sh*t. Chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit.” Modern country music lyrics have adapted to the change in generations and the crowd it generates.
Modern country singers have adapted to the new generation listening to music in general. If you turn on a pop radio station you will be able to hear a country song. Taylor Swift, an American Pop Country Artist, can be heard on pop radio stations. For example, songs such as “You” and “Love Story” can be heard on country radio stations and pop radio stations. Crossovers are becoming a popular exhibit of what is happening in modern country. Another example is when Tim McGraw collaborated with Nelly, a rap artist, on the song “Over and Over.” It was a chart topping song that brought attention to both artists and that music lovers from two different genres could listen to and enjoy. Country music singers have collaborated with other country singers as well. Tim McGraw recorded a song with Taylor Swift, “Highway Don’t Care.” Modern country is making leaps and bounds in the music industry, even though traditional country artists paved the way.
Old time traditional country artists are known for their country and western style to the music. When you turned on a music station in the late 1900’s you knew it was country and western. You could hear the pure sound of the steel guitar and fiddle with a singer’s voice that had deep emotion. It was often referred to as “hillbilly” music because it related to the lifestyle of the artist. “Hillbilly” music merged into a western theme. Gene Autry was a popular cowboy themed artist with the song “Back in the Saddle Again.” Country and Western Music continued to expand and bring in artists such as Hank Williams with the song “Jambalaya”, Waylon Jennnings with the song “Good Hearted Woman”, Willie Nelson with the song “Always On My Mind”, and Johnny Cash with “Ring of Fire.” The music was generated toward the adult generation.
As country and western music has changed with the times, the name has as well, and been shortened to Country Music. Even though the lyrics and instruments of country music have changed, the music continues to inspire women, men and young adults. Country music is a popular genre that will continue to adapt and grow with the changing times.