Hello,
I, personally, have always enjoyed the sound of traditional country music. I practically grew up surrounded by the sounds of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Sawyer Brown, George Strait, and, of course, the legends, such as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. When Garth Brooks went Chris Gaines, my family lost interest and so did I – however, I am slowly re-finding my roots.
As previously stated in this thread and in other similar threads, all forms of popular music will explore the various sinful themes of fornication, adultery, lust, drunkenness, and even birth control because it’s real people who are writing these songs, not angels or saints – and, in the words of Bocephus, they’re “just carryin’ on that ol’ family tradition.” While I do not advocate such behavior, I must also maintain that when the day is over and I lay my head on the pillow, I really am no better than the subjects of these songs. In fact, country music could teach us all a thing or two about what it means to rely on and have the grace of Christ.
For every deplorable song advocating drunken revelvry and fornication, there’s at least two bluesy songs discussing the results thereof. For every “
The Wild Side of Life” there is a “
It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.” And, yes, for every award-winning “Jesus, Take the Wheel” there is the non-award-winning but immensely popular “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” Why? Because man is rebellious and lustful and hungry, but when his rebellion hurts then he turns inward and seeks for answers.
In fact, I was just listening to a few classic country songs this morning and couldn’t help but marvel at the sad, pitiable beauty which they contain. The first I listened to was Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried,” a song which pays homage to a young man’s mother who unsuccessfully tried reforming his rebellious behavior. It’s not a song that glorifies prison or crime, but laments that the young man didn’t listen to his mother. Then I listened to Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors,” a song that glorifies honest sexuality and the true relationship between man and woman. And then I listened to Waylon and Willie’s “Good Hearted Woman,” which honors the devoted wife of a “good-timing man.” Despite the conflicts and occassional sad misunderstandings, there are still the joyful good times which they share.
There is a sad, pitiable beauty behind these songs that can be easy to miss if ignored. I think Waylon Jennings hit it right on the nose when he sang:
Between Hank Williams pain songs, and Newberry’s train songs
And blue eyes cryin’ in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
There ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain
Am I embarrassed
:slapfight:
I especially liked the middle section that I kept.
p), but I have to ask this: why is 1974 the cut-off point? I have heard many, many times in many different places that no good rock music came after 1974. It’s always, always 1974. Not 1973. Not 1975. What defining event happened in 1974 that makes it the clear dividing line?