3 Classic Rock Songs That Could Easily Be Called Country

During a recent GRAMMYs speech, Beyoncé said something along the lines that genres exist to keep artists in a box. In other words, they aren’t always necessary when trying to understand the value or importance of a specific song. Sure, they can generally be useful when talking about music. But sometimes they restrict more than they assist.

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Here below, we wanted to examine three songs that showcase that. A trio of tracks that aren’t exactly fit for a specific genre. Songs that could be put in perhaps several genres, or none at all. Indeed, these are three classic rock songs that could easily be called country music.

[RELATED: No Skips: 4 Classic Rock Albums You’ll Never Have to Fast-Forward]

“Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones (Single, 1969)

Released in 1969, this hit single from the British-born blues rockers The Rolling Stones played on the down-home country twang that was famous in the United States in places like Nashville, Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi. Not long after this song was written, the group included a slightly different acoustic-driven version on the 1969 album Let It Bleed. But no matter how you slice it, this song is a country hit. And on it, lead vocalist Mick Jagger sings,

I met a gin soaked, bar-room queen in Memphis
She tried to take me upstairs for a ride
She had to heave me right across her shoulder
‘Cause I just can’t seem to drink you off my mind

It’s the honky tonk women
That gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues

“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd from Second Helping (1974)

The Jacksonville, Florida-born band known for its southern rock stylings wrote this song in response to Neil Young, who decried their homeland in another song. Ever since, this track has become the standard when it comes to southern rock prowess. Today, the vibe and twang and content of this track makes it both a classic rock classic and a song that could easily count in the country music canon if its authors so chose. Either way, on the tune, lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant sings,

Big wheels keep on turnin’
Carry me home to see my kin
Singin’ songs about the Southland
I miss Alabamy once again, and I think it’s a sin, I said

Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her
Well, I heard old Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don’t need him around, anyhow

“Take It Easy” by the Eagles from Eagles (1972)

While the classic rock band known as the Eagles were from Southern California (aka Los Angeles), no one would confuse them for a band from the American south. Well, unless this 1972 offering was the first tune you ever heard from the collection of all-star artists. There is something about this track that just makes it seem like it could come from Memphis or Florida’s panhandle or somewhere around there. It’s smooth and slow and rich with friendly harmonies. And on it, the band sings,

Well, I’m running down the road tryin’ to loosen my load
I’ve got seven women on my mind
Four that wanna own me, two that wanna stone me
One says she’s a friend of mine

Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don’t even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand and take it easy

Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns