Part of the appeal of country music has always been how it connects with and celebrates the average working-class person. This has been a theme in the genre since it first began. But some storytelling tunes, in particular, managed to turn a tale about an average life into a full-blown epic story. I think the following three tracks fit that bill. Let’s take a look!
“The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” by Tom T. Hall from ‘In Search Of A Song’ (1971)
This is one of the most beloved storytelling songs in country music history, and it celebrates a real-life childhood hero of Hall’s. According to the singer-songwriter himself, “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” is based on his own childhood hero, Lonnie Easterly. The character version of the real-life person in the song is a guitarist, one that the narrator idolizes for his musical skills.
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“The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” by Tom T. Hall was a chart-topper on the Hot Country Singles board. It also came close to reaching the Top 40 on the Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 42.
“Coat Of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton from ‘Coat Of Many Colors’ (1971)
Dolly Parton was the poster child of writing songs about living an average life, spun with the right amount of storytelling chops and poetic influence to create full-blown epic tales. “Coat Of Many Colors” is just one of many Parton classics that celebrate the life of an average person, or even a person with all the cards stacked against them. She wrote this 1971 hit about growing up dirt poor, donning a coat her mother sewed together from scraps, and feeling nothing but joy in the face of adversity.
“Coat Of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton was a No. 4 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart upon its release in 1971.
“Remember When” by Alan Jackson from ‘Greatest Hits Volume II’ (2003)
Love songs are a dime a dozen in country music, but this hit from Alan Jackson romanticizes an average life with his wife and celebrates the joy of falling in love and raising children together. It’s a real heartwarming tune, and listeners at the time certainly resonated with it.
“Remember When” by Alan Jackson topped the Hot Country Songs chart. It also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching No. 29 on the Hot 100 in 2003.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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