3 Country Songs Where the Lead Singer Is Not the Main Character

Most songs are written from the perspective of the songwriter. As a craft, songwriting is meant to be cathartic. Like all poetry, it’s an emotional expression, albeit set to music. Because of this, it’s always an interesting approach for a songwriter to write a song that’s not about them. Many country artists use songwriting to tell a story about someone or something bigger than themselves. In the three country songs below, the lead singer is not the main character.

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[RELATED: Merle Haggard Was Reduced to Tears When His Then-Wife Shared a “Personal Statement” to Him Through Song]

“Wait In The Truck” — Lainey Wilson and HARDY

Lainey Wilson and HARDY brought back the age-old country tradition of storytelling with their duet “Wait In The Truck.” HARDY takes on the role of a passerby who seeks revenge for a young, abused woman. Wilson plays the role of the victim, adopting an emotional, damaged persona throughout the song.

“Well, she was bruised and broke from head to toe / With a tear in her blood-stained shirt / She didn’t tell the whole truth, but she didn’t have to,” HARDY sings in the first couple of verses. Neither artist portrays themselves as they detail this grueling story. Instead, they adopt two other people as the main characters to help tell a story worth telling.

“Bubba Shot The Jukebox” —  Mark Chesnutt

Though Mark Chesnutt tells the story in “Bubba Shot The Jukebox” from his perspective, the song doesn’t center on his actions. Instead, it focuses on heartbroken Bubba. “Bubba shot the juke box last night / Said it played a sad song it made him cry,” the lyrics to this country classic read. Chesnutt steps outside himself to tell this heartbreak story, breaking the mold of country songwriting.

There’s something appealing about Chesnutt not telling this story from his perspective. It becomes safe for the listener to explore heartbreak, thanks to Bubba taking the brunt of the emotions in this song.

“Fancy” — Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire’s “Fancy” is one of the most famous examples of a country song that isn’t about her. McEntire covered this Bobbie Gentry rags-to-riches tale, putting her own spin on the story. The main character is a girl who escapes poverty by any means. It’s heartbreaking and a little controversial, but altogether a must-listen. This song proves what can happen when an artist dares to look outside their own experience.

(Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)