For all you country music lovers, this might ruffle some feathers depending on your favorite country songs. However, give me a chance to explain myself here before passing judgment. Or, maybe just skip to the songs I like. Whatever floats your boat. Here are three country songs I can’t stand, and three more that make up for it all!
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The Country Songs I Can’t Stand
“Live Like You Were Dying” — Tim McGraw
I have never liked this particular country song because not only is it overplayed on the radio, but it’s also overly sentimental in a way that’s borderline embarrassing. Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying” is an overused cliche of the worst kind. Why should it take a near-death experience to make someone a better husband, friend, or child?
If you relate to this song, that’s great. If you’ve experienced having to “live like you were dying,” I’m sorry that happened. Personally, I see this as just one big platitude used to make people feel better about wasting their lives. Want to be a better person? You don’t have to “watch an eagle as it was flyin‘,” you just need to put in the work to change your attitude.
“This One’s For The Girls” — Martina McBride
“This One’s For The Girls” is a country song that has never inspired anything in me besides contempt. It’s infantilizing, preachy, and overbearing. Essentially, it reduces women and girls to false milestones and generalized experiences.
“Yeah, we’re all the same inside,” sings Martina McBride in the bridge, and that’s just blatantly false. Sure, women can have similar experiences, but to narrow us all down to being “the same inside” does more harm than good. In an effort to be relatable, the song generalizes women into categories that don’t exist. Say what you want about artistic license, but “livin’ on dreams and Spaghetti-Os” is one of the worst images I’ve heard in a country song, and it took three people to come up with it.
“Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” — Toby Keith
“Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” was a country song written in response to 9/11, so I understand there’s some sentiment attached to it. However, its aggressive nature, over-the-top patriotism, and pro-war message have never sat right with me.
Yes, I was alive before 9/11, but to say “We’ll put a boot in your a**” and then claim “It’s the American way” is really nothing more than sensationalist propaganda. It is, and always has been, a first-rate example of rampant Jingoism.
The Country Songs I Actually Like
“Little Red Wagon” — Miranda Lambert
Country songs are at their best when they don’t try to spout preachy platitudes and are just there to have a good time. “Little Red Wagon” by Miranda Lambert is saucy and fun, checking all the boxes of a top-notch country song. Lambert usually isn’t one for empty sentiment, which is what I tend to like about her.
“What Was I Thinkin’” — Dierks Bentley
Similarly, Dierks Bentley’s “What Was I Thinkin’” is a rowdy romp through a mishap-laden date and messing with the wrong woman’s dad. The composition is endlessly fun, with a sense of urgency that builds to the conclusion. Just listening to this song feels like a car chase.
“I’m Gonna Miss Her” — Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley is also at his best when he’s being a little bit goofy. “I’m Gonna Miss Her” is one of those country songs that always stood out for its sense of humor about itself. Notably, the music video also featured Paisley’s future wife, Kimberly Williams. A successful song and a love story, nothing beats that.
Featured Image by James Devaney/WireImage
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