March 09, 2008
Great song, great video
Have you heard Sugarland's song, Stay? It features the country duo's Jennifer Nettles singing the first song she's written without the assistance of others, accompanied only by Kristian Bush on guitar, with his brother lending a little subtle support on an electric organ.
It's a wonderfully sung song, but it's also one of the few I can think of that gains power and emotional depth from its video. Staying true to the minimalist production values of the original track, the video simply features Nettles singing against a black background, Bush strumming his guitar.
Raw talent and emotion are what music is supposed to be about, which goes a long way towards answering a question: Why do I like country music -- and loathe rap, hip hop and most modern rock and pop?
Because they, unlike country, don't tell a recognizably human story, with real emotions -- or should I say, emotions other than hate -- set to a melody more prominent than the pounding, thumping bass line.
What country manages to do, at least when done well, is make the listener feel empathy with the singer, feelings that usually relate to love: love of family, of friends, of country and faith.
Country: Where seldom is heard a discouraging word -- like pimps or bitches or ho's.
Anyhow, take a few minutes and watch Stay. I think you'll be moved. Isn't that what music's supposed to do?
Posted by Mike Lief at March 9, 2008 11:41 AM
| TrackBack
Comments
Country music songs are about me. That's why I listen. And a lot of them make me cry. And that's a good thing, too.
Posted by: The Little Coach at March 9, 2008 03:58 PM
"Stay" certainly moved me. So much so I had to wipe afterwards. And then flush.
She's an ugly woman with a foul twang and gestures bordering on the retarded, singing about infidelity. What's so moving about that?
And I will never understand the draw of a shiny black cowboy hat. Used to be that a man who wore a hat indoors was a slob or a dandy, and cowboy boots were worn for their functionality on a horse. Now they're odd costumes that, along with a twang, tell us all you're a country singer.
I'm not so sure the distinction you draw between country and the other genres holds up too well under all these affectations.
Posted by: LT at March 11, 2008 07:32 PM
LT --
So ... I'm kinda getting the feeling you didn't like the song, the singer, or country music in general.
Posted by: Mike Lief at March 12, 2008 02:04 AM