The Culture of Country Music
Graphic by Karenna Umscheid
By Isabelle Pan
When talking about music with other people, the phrase I hear most often is “Anything, but country music.”
For the longest time, this is something that I would also say, and it’s not shocking that people say it either. In more recent times, country music represents this idea of patriotism and unconditional love for the United States to a naive extent where it doesn’t allow for any critique of the country. For example, a song like “Try That in a Small Town,” by Jason Aldean is what people identify as country music. Though Aldean claimed the song was about appreciation for being raised in a small town, it’s undeniable that the lyrics implied violence and threats to those who are not from the “small town” he sings of. The music video for this song was also filmed on a site where a lynching occurred of a black man in the 1920s. It’s safe to say this song had racist implications, so it’s very understandable why people blacklist country from the categories of music they listen to. Country artists, like Aldean disguise their racism and bigotry through the use of patriotism leading the genre to have a very bad rap.
It’s quite ironic that country is defined by such right-wing ideology today when you look at its rich history. Country music goes back pretty far. It first started with folk songs from European and African immigrants, with a lot of country music stemming from bluegrass music. Once people started moving out west, more of these folk songs arose, reflecting the times people were living in. The “New America” formed, and allowed for a mirroring of the time within the music. This included music that was often about living in rural America and describing the lives of the working class Americans. It was heavy with instruments such as the banjo or guitar. Over time with the advancement of technology, country became its own thriving genre.
In the 1950s, country music branched into a new subgenre called “outlaw country,” which included more of a rock n’ roll feel. This is a strong contrast to how country music is today, as outlaw country was mostly defined by going against the government. A big artist of this genre was Johnny Cash. His music included themes such as prison reform, and it fought for Native American rights. He would perform for prisoners for free in order to get more people to support his cause. Country music continued going this way for a while and was not anywhere near as nationalistic as it is today. From artists like Dolly Parton, all the way up to the 90s with The Chicks (previously known as the Dixie Chicks), the themes that echoed within this genre are starkly different than today. These country music powerhouses often included themes of love and heartbreak in their music. Then there were also songs like “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton describing the life of a working woman. The genre was diverse with many different artists and themes woven throughout the music.
The moment that changed country music was a moment that changed the United States forever. The shift was seen after 9/11, an event that changed the entire culture of life. This was no different for country music. Instead of the outlaw country that was most often played, country artists started making anthems to uplift the nation at a dark time. Songs like “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” by Toby Keith, and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” by Alan Jackson became wildly popular.
Artists create music that often reflects the culture we live in, so it’s no surprise that this shift in the genre occurred. What I do find surprising is that this genre has continued to stay in the lane of patriotism and has simplified life in America to just beer, women, and trucks. The themes like outlaw country are no longer found and simple themes like love have been painted in a way that describes one type of America (lyrics will include something along the lines of blue eyes or a tractor). Instead of the music going through a normal trend cycle, it feels like it’s stuck. A lot of the big names at the top of the country charts have proven to be terrible people and have songs that hurt and offend marginalized communities, yet they are still wildly successful within the genre. Post-9/11 country music has taken a step further from being devoted to America and has gotten darker and more sinister.
It’s unfortunate that a genre that has so much history and such potential is strongly identified with major right-wing ideology, but I feel like I’ve slowly started to see a rise in country and folk music that has more depth and meaning than the current state of country music. The big country names still seem to inhabit the “women, truck, beer” country fad, but there’s a growing number of artists who have backed away from that type of music.
The album that really changed my opinion on country music is Golden Hour, by Kacey Musgraves. Released in 2018, it’s quite a beautiful country album. Although there’s some pop inspiration to her sound, at its heart, it’s country. Her honest lyrics and country twang shine through and really made me realize that country doesn’t have to be defined by an ideology. This album goes a lot further and has more complexity than the country music I was used to hearing. In the song “Butterflies”, she compares a new romance to a butterfly coming out of its cocoon, and the simplistic vocals and instruments brings this song to life. In the song, “Space Cowboy” she discusses a lover leaving, singing “You can have your space, cowboy”. She uses the known images in country music such as horses to discuss the letting go of a relationship. It’s a good combination of what pre 9/11 country used to be known for, while still being relatable to current listeners.
Orville Peck is another example of an artist who is changing the idea of what a country star has to be. Orville Peck’s music is definitely more in line with outlaw country from the 70s or 80s, while also pulling inspiration from other genres. Being gay himself, his music discusses queer relationships, something not common in this genre, but works well with the authenticity and truthfulness that country music tends to have. His voice is very unique, and his whole persona is disguised under a mask with a long fringe that covers his face followed by a cowboy hat.
Other artists like Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, and Sierra Ferrell are more of this new wave of country that is beginning to turn the tide in this genre. Country used to be a genre full of a multitude of themes and artists, and that’s something that has disappeared, but hopefully will come back in the near future. Artists like the ones I have mentioned have made me retract the usual “anything, but country” phrase. There’s so much more to this genre than what the Billboard charts reflect, and as this new wave of country grows, we will hopefully go back to a place where this genre isn’t tied to a close minded ideology.