Seems like a lot of faded musicians have gone the country route lately. Maybe that's because it's just so much easier to hit #1 on the country charts after you've done well in another area. I mean, the bar is set so much lower, isn't it? Country music is stupid music for stupid people, filled with predictable chord progressions, sub-6th grade poetry class moon-spoon-June lyrics, and arrangements even most beginning songwriters could nail in their sleep, but still wouldn't, because they'd be too embarrassed by the result.

Hitting #1 on the country charts is pretty much akin to being valedictorian of the special school. Sure, you're at the top, but the expectations are adjusted given your "competition" and what they're actually capable of achieving.

MaxxLarge: Seems like a lot of faded musicians have gone the country route lately. Maybe that's because it's just so much easier to hit #1 on the country charts after you've done well in another area. I mean, the bar is set so much lower, isn't it? Country music is stupid music for stupid people, filled with predictable chord progressions, sub-6th grade poetry class moon-spoon-June lyrics, and arrangements even most beginning songwriters could nail in their sleep, but still wouldn't, because they'd be too embarrassed by the result.

Hitting #1 on the country charts is pretty much akin to being valedictorian of the special school. Sure, you're at the top, but the expectations are adjusted given your "competition" and what they're actually capable of achieving.

You forgot one thing though....

the money is still just as green.

If you fail at everything else, there's always the overproduced worlds of Hip-Hop and Country. And only one of those two is dependent upon your skin color and/or background for better commercial legitimacy. The other requires rhyming skills.

MaxxLarge: Hitting #1 on the country charts is pretty much akin to being valedictorian of the special school. Sure, you're at the top, but the expectations are adjusted given your "competition" and what they're actually capable of achieving.

So how's your music career, big guy?

dletter: You forgot one thing though....

the money is still just as green.

True, but your skin will be, too...Being as you'll have to keep a copper scouring pad in the shower just to be able to feel clean again at the end of the day.

But really, what's the difference between awful pop music and awful country music these days?

and the 7th seal was broken...........

The Kinks said it best: Give the people what they want.

Say what you will about country music, but country radio (yes, I'm getting a kick out of these replies) is the most popular format in the US. Why?

The average person, meaning, the majority, like the simple themes, simple, unchallenging musical structure and feel a kinship to the artists and their songs.

Remember, no one ever went broke overestimating the intelligence of the American people. Cater to the lowest COMMON denominator, and you cater to the majority. Like it or not.

Sybarite: But really, what's the difference between awful pop music and awful country music these days?

Usually, an average of about 50 I.Q. points.

Folderol:
Say what you will about country music, but country radio (yes, I'm getting a kick out of these replies) is the most popular format in the US. Why?

The same reason there are more McDonalds than Spago. Because people will eat anything you feed to them on a large scale, even if its crap. It's a chicken-and-egg argument to postulate which gave rise to which: the crappy taste, or the glut of garbage that feeds it.

Folderol: The average person, meaning, the majority, like the simple themes, simple, unchallenging musical structure and feel a kinship to the artists and their songs. Remember, no one ever went broke overestimating the intelligence of the American people. Cater to the lowest COMMON denominator, and you cater to the majority. Like it or not.

Yep. "Simple and unchallenging" are really just soft euphemisms for "stupid." So, we agree.

MaxxLarge: Sybarite: But really, what's the difference between awful pop music and awful country music these days?

Usually, an average of about 50 I.Q. points.

Which one has the advantage? I honestly can't tell the difference any more.

/haven't listened to mainstream commercial radio for about 10 years
//my lawn, off it.

MaxxLarge: Seems like a lot of faded musicians have gone the country route lately. Maybe that's because it's just so much easier to hit #1 on the country charts after you've done well in another area. I mean, the bar is set so much lower, isn't it? Country music is stupid music for stupid people, filled with predictable chord progressions, sub-6th grade poetry ...

Or maybe it's just good music. Generational music carried over centuries of a melding of blues/folk.

Take away "the Blowfish" & Rucker stands out as a general folkie.

I love it when people who post on a website whose mascot is a squirrel with giant nuts claim to be intellectually superior to the rest of the population.

El Freak: I love it when people who post on a website whose mascot is a squirrel with giant nuts claim to be intellectually superior to the rest of the population.

I prefer the term "elitist"

El Freak: I love it when people who post on a website whose mascot is a squirrel with giant nuts claim to be intellectually superior to the rest of the population.

Yeah. Because that's way better than reminding everyone that you still think of what's actually become a lively community full of genuinely bright people engaging in debate and social discourse as nothing more than window dressing for what's really important: comically oversized rodent genitals.

If this stuff makes your head hurt, please feel free to go and hang out in a YouTube comments thread. Might be more your speed.

Just wait till coontry fans find out Darius Rucker is black.

Godscrack: Just wait till coontry fans find out Darius Rucker is black.

Shoot, they'll prob'ly just take the same attitude they did with Charley Pride all them years: He ain't that bad fer a colored.

*Spit into half-full Busch can, wipe mouth on confederate-flag hanky before stuffing it back into back pocket of overalls*

MaxxLarge: If this stuff makes your head hurt, please feel free to go and hang out in a YouTube comments thread. Might be more your speed.

Lighten up, Francis. Everybody's gotta pay the bills, and I'm sure Darius Rucker could buy and sell your sorry ass 100 times over.

MaxxLarge: El Freak: I love it when people who post on a website whose mascot is a squirrel with giant nuts claim to be intellectually superior to the rest of the population.

Yeah. Because that's way better than reminding everyone that you still think of what's actually become a lively community full of genuinely bright people engaging in debate and social discourse as nothing more than window dressing for what's really important: comically oversized rodent genitals.

If this stuff makes your head hurt, please feel free to go and hang out in a YouTube comments thread. Might be more your speed.

Wow, it didn't take much to bring out the pompous, self-righteous asshole side of your personality. Yeah we know, you're a bright, unique snowflake and only YOU see the world for how it really is. Most of us drop that Holden Caulfield bullshiat after high school.

Some of us don't take Fark nearly as seriously as you do. Lighten the fark up, Francis.

El Freak: Wow, it didn't take much to bring out the pompous, self-righteous asshole side of your personality.

At least it took something to bring mine out. Tell me, is it a natural talent for you, or do you have to actually work at it?

El Freak: Yeah we know, you're a bright, unique snowflake and only YOU see the world for how it really is. Most of us drop that Holden Caulfield bullshiat after high school.

And the rest of us have read enough PAST high school to be able to make references beyond the Sophomore-class reading list.

El Freak: Some of us don't take Fark nearly as seriously as you do. Lighten the fark up, Francis.

Obviously. HAHA SQUIRL BALLS LOL.

You just keep on bringing up the rear, lady. Someone has to.

Yanks_RSJ: Lighten up, Francis. Everybody's gotta pay the bills, and I'm sure Darius Rucker could buy and sell your sorry ass 100 times over.

Aww. Sounds like someone never got over accidentally leaving his copy of "Cracked Rear View" in direct sunlight on the passenger seat of the Escort.

I'm sorry for your loss.

MaxxLarge: Aww. Sounds like someone never got over accidentally leaving his copy of "Cracked Rear View" in direct sunlight on the passenger seat of the Escort.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Wow. Switch to decaf. Have a great day.

I saw Hootie and the Blowfish in the now defunct Old Post Office in Hilton Head, S.C. in the summer of 1991. I had no idea who they were, just that they were some USC frat band. As it turns out, they were a great bar band. They played the usual college rock covers and their now familiar originals. I was front and center in the dance pit having a good old time.

Last call was 3am and I was drunker than cooter brown. I still remember that they closed with "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" and the whole bar was singing along.

My point is, Hootie always had a little country in him.

Keep it real, Darius.

I met him and Sonefeld once, nice guys.

/I don't really listen to country, so I have nothing informative to add here.

Yanks_RSJ: MaxxLarge: Aww. Sounds like someone never got over accidentally leaving his copy of "Cracked Rear View" in direct sunlight on the passenger seat of the Escort.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Wow. Switch to decaf. Have a great day.

You should check out his Myspace. It screams "insecure fat nerd who never got over high school but overcompensates for it by acting like a self-important asshat."

El Freak: You should check out his Myspace. It screams "insecure fat nerd who never got over high school but overcompensates for it by acting like a self-important asshat."

Hey, at least I have the courage to post a link to a profile, Mr. Internet Tough Guy. The best you can do is: "Is too close to thirty. Bathes regularly. Masturbates far too frequently. Never gets the poon. Was voted 'Most Likely to End Up Beaten, Tied Up, and Stuffed in the Trunk of a Car' in high school." None of which surprises me, except maybe for the "bathes regularly" bit.

Oh, wait...better keep this on-topic:

Darius Rucker? More like Darius SUCKer, am i rite guyz lol?

I can feel the love in here.

This man is smiling....

He did a duet with Nanci Griffith on her album 'Blue Roses From The Moon' and it was really good.

And for all the country haters out there, even though there's a lot of country I don't like, when some rocker can write a song as good as Townes Van Zandt or Gram Parsons we'll talk. I haven't heard one yet.

Here's your dose of coontry for the day.

"Raymond's in his Sunday best,
He's usually up to his chest in oil an' grease.
There's the Martin's walkin' in,
With that mean little freckle-faced kid,
Who broke a window last week.
Sweet Miss Betty likes to sing off key in the pew behind me.

That's what I love about Sunday:
Sing along as the choir sways;
Every verse of Amazin' Grace,
An' then we shake the Preacher's hand.
Go home, into your blue jeans;
Have some chicken an' some baked beans.
Pick a back yard football team,
Not do much of anything:
That's what I love about Sunday.

I stroll to the end of the drive,
Pick up the Sunday Times, grab my coffee cup.
It looks like Sally an' Ron, finally tied the knot,
Well, it's about time.
It's 35 cents off a ground round,
Baby. cut that coupon out!

That's what I love about Sunday:
Cat-napping on the porch swing;
You curled up next to me,
The smell of jasmine wakes us up.
Take a walk down a back road,
Tackle box and a cane pole;
Carve our names in that white oak,
An' steal a kiss as the sun fades,
That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah.

Ooh, new believers gettin' baptized,
Momma's hands raised up high,
Havin' a Hallelujah good time
A smile on everybody's face.
That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah.

That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah."

Crewmannumber6: And for all the country haters out there, even though there's a lot of country I don't like, when some rocker can write a song as good as Townes Van Zandt or Gram Parsons we'll talk. I haven't heard one yet.

Neither Townes Van Zandt nor Gram Parsons would get looked at twice in either Hollywood or Nashville today. That sucks, but that's how it is.

Sybarite: But really, what's the difference between awful pop music and awful country music these days?

The country stuff has more steel guitars. That's really the only way to tell the difference. I'd wager that old Darius won't have to change much more than his clothes to fit in on the Nashville scene.

MaxxLarge: Seems like a lot of faded musicians have gone the country route lately. Maybe that's because it's just so much easier to hit #1 on the country charts after you've done well in another area. I mean, the bar is set so much lower, isn't it? Country music is stupid music for stupid people, filled with predictable chord progressions, sub-6th grade poetry class moon-spoon-June lyrics, and arrangements even most beginning songwriters could nail in their sleep, but still wouldn't, because they'd be too embarrassed by the result.

Hitting #1 on the country charts is pretty much akin to being valedictorian of the special school. Sure, you're at the top, but the expectations are adjusted given your "competition" and what they're actually capable of achieving.

Kid Rock has enjoyed a nice revenue stream All Summer Long and is getting a kick out of your musical snobbery.

Came in for a Brooke Burke pic from the BK commercial.

/leaves disappointed

R.A.Danny: El Freak: I love it when people who post on a website whose mascot is a squirrel with giant nuts claim to be intellectually superior to the rest of the population.

I prefer the term "elitist"

I'm surprised you can hear any music with your head up Obama's ass so far.

I heard the song; it's OK. I listen to a lot of different types of music depending on mood; mostly classic rock. A lot of today's country is a lot like the southern rock of the early to mid 70s. Then again, I'll be elitist myself and boldly state that it's beyond comprehension why anyone would listen to rap or modern pop music. That's some awful shiat.

purple helmet: I'm surprised you can hear any music with your head up Obama's ass so far.

Why's that? I used a common term that recently got politicized

Rucker has always been a huge fan of folk and country music, this shouldn't really be surprising anyone.

Geez, I was just gonna drop a quick one-liner about how "golf country" is probably not all that different from "golf rock" but the country hate in here is just too thick.


/I was drunk
/the day my mom got out of prison

degreeless:
Kid Rock has enjoyed a nice revenue stream All Summer Long and is getting a kick out of your musical snobbery.

Thanks for bringing that up. That's CASE IN POINT.

"All Summer Long" isn't so much a "song" per se...it's really more He just took the hooks from both "Werewolves of London" and "Sweet Home Alabama," then nicked the title of a Beach Boys Song, and shoved them all in a blender and hit "liquefy." Hearing it is an experience akin to watching a wife-beater and mullet-sporting sanitation worker actively fark the corpse of Warren Zevon in the dirtstar, then dismount, do a back-double twist/half-gainer, land cock-first and balls-deep directly the mud-eye of Ronnie Van Zandt's decaying body, start enthusiastically farking THAT, and all without ever breaking a sweat, or his thrust pattern.

..."The Aristocrats!"

And the worst part? Well, being as he outright thieved the entire MUSICAL portion of this song, all he had to really come up with on his own was the LYRICS, right? Well, how are those? Let's take a peek:

Splashing through the sand bar
Talking by the campfire
It's the simple things in life, like when and where
We didn't have no internet
But man I never will forget
The way the moonlight shined upon her hair

To begin with, the mush-mouthed mangling of the language it takes to rhyme "sand bar" with "campfire" is one that currently has Robert Frost spinning in his casket so fast that the satin lining has caught fire. But then he wedges that disgustingly lazy "internet/forget" non-sequitur couplet in there apropos of exactly zero. What about "We didn't have no TiVo/but man, you know, by mind is slow"? Or, "There weren't no Blu-Ray DVD's/But I like my pizza with extra cheese"? Any coupling of 21st century technology with something that has nothing to do with it, or anything else in the song would suffice. Either of those would have worked as well, and made just as much sense. And that's just off of the top of my head, for chrissakes.

But the really egregiously inexcusable affront comes when the chorus comes slumping up and shiats all over itself:

And we were trying different things
We were smoking funny things
Making love out by the lake to our favorite song
Sipping whiskey out the bottle, not thinking 'bout tomorrow
Singing Sweet home Alabama all summer long

Wrong, asshole...Wrong. Rhyming a word with ITSELF will get you booted out of any sixth-grade poetry class on the planet! You can't rhyme "things" with "THINGS"! Aaargh. FARK! I can't believe he's getting PAID for this! And on top of THAT, he mentions "Sweet Home Alabama" just as the signature guitar lick from the same comes shiatting all over the arrangement, as if he needs to grasp you tenderly by the hand, and point it out to you in case you missed it. fark you, Bob. Not all of us are as window-lickingly dumb as you.

Point is, this is stunningly stupid "music", MADE by someone stunningly stupid, and FOR people who are stunningly stupid. And yes, in case you LIKE this miserable excuse for radio filler, I'll simplify it further: THAT MEANS YOU ARE STUNNINGLY STUPID.

Damn you to the deepest, darkest, wettest bowels of hell, Subby.

Now I want one.

Maybe two.

Okay three.

/Do they even make them anymore?

I smell a failed musician.

MaxxLarge:

Sybarite: But really, what's the difference between awful pop music and awful country music these days?

Usually, an average of about 50 I.Q. points.

...Seems like a lot of faded musicians have gone the country route lately. Maybe that's because it's just so much easier to hit #1 on the country charts after you've done well in another area. I mean, the bar is set so much lower, isn't it? Country music is stupid music for stupid people, filled with predictable chord progressions, sub-6th grade poetry ...


Bad or good, music kind of tends to finds its level where audiences are concerned, no matter the genre. Get over yourself, tough guy -- narrow tastes are for narrow people.

NorCalLos: I smell a failed musician.

You smell a LOUNGE musician. That's the epitome of failure.

MaxxLarge: Seems like a lot of faded musicians have gone the country route lately. Maybe that's because it's just so much easier to hit #1 on the country charts after you've done well in another area. I mean, the bar is set so much lower, isn't it? Country music is stupid music for stupid people, filled with predictable chord progressions, sub-6th grade poetry class moon-spoon-June lyrics, and arrangements even most beginning songwriters could nail in their sleep, but still wouldn't, because they'd be too embarrassed by the result.

Hitting #1 on the country charts is pretty much akin to being valedictorian of the special school. Sure, you're at the top, but the expectations are adjusted given your "competition" and what they're actually capable of achieving.

I like a good deal of country music, partly for some of the reasons you mentioned. It's simple and sometimes that's good. No hidden or obscure meanings, the song just means what it says. I live in Georgia and my dad was a big country fan so I heard it a good deal growing up and I guess it just kind of sticks with me.

I don't get how people can be so picky, let alone call into question the intelligence of someone who likes a different type of music. I personally listen to all kinds of music, there are hardly any songs I dislike let alone entire genres.

You can think whatever you want of me, but sometimes I like revealing I listen to country music just to annoy people like you.

/and Nickelback too
//can't forget Nickelback

Country is no more ridiculous than anything else. To claim otherwise is to put your wrong-headed musical ignorance on display for the world to see. Unless you listen exclusively to extremely conservative classical and jazz.

MaxxLarge

Well, here is the thing, if you only listen to mainstream radio, you are getting the pap for the masses.

However, there is some great country music, new and old, you just need to know how to look for it.

Old
Kris Kristofferson - Brilliant Songwriter
Willie Nelson - guitar playing and songwriting genius
Hank Williams - original rock n roller, and you could hear the pain in his voice.
All of the Highway Men.

New
Bruce and Charlie Robison - two amazing songwriting bros from Texas
Jason Boland and the Stragglers- like a real country roll and stones.

I would say hitting number one on any of the charts today is nothing other than a monetary accomplishment.

mysticcat: My point is, Hootie always had a little country in him.

Actually, Darius has a lot of country in him - having earned the mutual respect and admiration of just-outside-the-mainstream country artists like Nanci Griffith and Radney Foster, long before he would actually "go country".

I admit it. I like Hootie. There's more to them than "Only Wanna Be With You".

Good for him.
Who cares if he's changed genres?
As a true genius said 'He not busy being born is busy dying'.

I heard the song today and it's ok.

'Hold my hand' is a GREAT song but
'Only want to be with you' is the most grating POC about a dysfunctionaly relationship I can think of.