Why is Country music so popular in a left of center country?

[Anonymous]

There is so much sexism in so many of the songs. Male narrators who sing this slice uh life stuff bout that there woman who can juggle four kids, a job, and still look good in jeans with a beeeerr. So patronizing. But I’m at a loss to say what left of center music is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:all I know is I can't STAND country music. It makes me want to stick something sharp deep into my ear canal.

That's fine. I feel the same way about jazz, but my husband adores jazz. People like different things. We're both white collar liberals and our musical taste doesn't have anything to do with politics.

Now, there are songs and artists I won't listen to because their politics or message ruins it for me. But that is true across genres. I just had a conversation with my six year old (in the context of "Every Breath You Take" being on the radio) that there are songs we like even though the lyrics are squicky or the artist did bad things, and there are songs where it's just too uncomfortable to enjoy the song anymore, but not everyone agrees on exactly where that line is. My six year old got it, OP.

[Anonymous]

FWIW Trader Joe's had Martina McBride and Reba playing last week and many customers were singing along (including me).

Thanks to the PP who recommended Valerie June, I'm listening now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why you're confused...country music is popular across all races and especially with the caucasian demographic. Since this country is majority white, it makes sense that it would still be doing well.

Also the music genre doesn't tend to have much to do with politics across the entire category.

No better way to show that than the Dixie Chicks standing up to Bush post-9/11 even though they were country music darlings.

Yes, but most white people aren't rednecks. That's a minority of the white population. Yet ever since the Garth Brooke days, country music has made major inroads into the non-redneck white population. For the life of me, I can't see why.

Because the music is good. This is not rocket science

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country music is also really popular in Germany-I have a music app that is all german country stations. I'm far left and into country music.

Country music is associated with red states, which liberals generally sneer at. What is it about country music that they find appealing?

Seriously? First of all, many liberals live in red states. And most liberals don't "sneer at" red states. And most country music isn't about politics--it's quite often about love and relationships, which is a common theme in plenty of other genres of popular music.

People who aren't into country never understand what it really is.

This is true. One of my high school students made me a playlist of country songs. I actually listened to them one weekend. And you know what? Country music was not what I had thought. Also, it is much more wholesome than the rap/hip hop that most of our kids like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For liberal female country artists, look at 2 of the most successful current ones: Kacey Musgraves (“one of the loudest symbols of young country musicians embracing progressive values” says RS) and Maren Morris (pick up the latest playboy mag to learn more).

Interestingly, their music could as easily be played outside country radio. None of it screams (what many view as) country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For liberal female country artists, look at 2 of the most successful current ones: Kacey Musgraves (“one of the loudest symbols of young country musicians embracing progressive values” says RS) and Maren Morris (pick up the latest playboy mag to learn more).

Interestingly, their music could as easily be played outside country radio. None of it screams (what many view as) country.

Which is funny, because Kacey Musgraves has a very twang-y sound. Country music is a big genre with a lot of different sub-types and styles. Saying you like "country music" doesn't actually tell me much about your musical taste.

[Anonymous]

I like country. I find it simple, and on the most part, happy music to listen to. Much of what’s played as pop is angst-y, or trying to force a message.

I also like that many country artists are singer /songwriters, which I have a lot of respect for.

Sometimes, I just want something to tap my toes and sing along to. I have enough politics and negativity in my life. You don't have to over think music. Germans, who many people would argue are one of the more “serious” cultures, have a great music genre called “Schlager”. Much of it is totally ridiculous, but it’s fun, it gets you moving, and it does it’s job of making you feel good. The concerts are huge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why you're confused...country music is popular across all races and especially with the caucasian demographic. Since this country is majority white, it makes sense that it would still be doing well.

Also the music genre doesn't tend to have much to do with politics across the entire category.

No better way to show that than the Dixie Chicks standing up to Bush post-9/11 even though they were country music darlings.

“Standing up to Bush?” They went to England to do it. Super brave. If they’d made those statements at a concert in Dallas, I would have had some respect for them.

Oh puh-lease. I've seen the documentary that shows how they made the statement. It was basically something of a side statement - where Natalie Maines said, we're embarrassed he's from Texas in response to a roar from the crowd. That's what was so shocking to me. It wasn't like she was making a speech to rile up the crowd. It was just a statement in response to the crowd and not a planned protest. And really? It means nothing to you if they didn't say it in Dallas? What's wrong with you? Sorry it wasn't pure enough for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is so much sexism in so many of the songs. Male narrators who sing this slice uh life stuff bout that there woman who can juggle four kids, a job, and still look good in jeans with a beeeerr. So patronizing. But I’m at a loss to say what left of center music is.

I have no problem with that. At least they're revering women, and not referring to them as b*tches and hoes - and worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country music is also really popular in Germany-I have a music app that is all german country stations. I'm far left and into country music.

Country music is associated with red states, which liberals generally sneer at. What is it about country music that they find appealing?

Seriously? First of all, many liberals live in red states. And most liberals don't "sneer at" red states. And most country music isn't about politics--it's quite often about love and relationships, which is a common theme in plenty of other genres of popular music.

People who aren't into country never understand what it really is.

This is true. One of my high school students made me a playlist of country songs. I actually listened to them one weekend. And you know what? Country music was not what I had thought. Also, it is much more wholesome than the rap/hip hop that most of our kids like.

Definitely. It's SO much better than rap, for so many reasons.

[Anonymous]

I also like that many country artists are singer /songwriters, which I have a lot of respect for.

Some are, and more lately, but that’s really not what country is known for. There are song factories in Nashville and the major artists buy/compete for/are offered the songs. I’ve liked (some) country since living in upstate NY in the 90s when there wasn’t much else on the radio, but this part of it always seemed really weird to me. The way the singers talk in interviews about “when I picked that song” or “when Dave brought me that song” is strange compared to how rock artists talk about writing their own stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I also like that many country artists are singer /songwriters, which I have a lot of respect for.

Some are, and more lately, but that’s really not what country is known for. There are song factories in Nashville and the major artists buy/compete for/are offered the songs. I’ve liked (some) country since living in upstate NY in the 90s when there wasn’t much else on the radio, but this part of it always seemed really weird to me. The way the singers talk in interviews about “when I picked that song” or “when Dave brought me that song” is strange compared to how rock artists talk about writing their own stuff.

That happens in every single genre. Maybe country artists are just more open about it.

[Anonymous]

I adore JS Bach. But I am not a fan royalism, an established Lutheran church (I'm not even Christian), or aristocracy.

I enjoy Wagner and Machaut, yet I despise antisemitism.

I sympathize with the politics of Oscar Hammerstein, but dislike many of his lyrics.

[Anonymous]

Americans are tired of perpetual degeneracy being forced down their throat, e.g. Kardashians, pop/rap, pornography, TV, commercials. Although modern country has been bastardized by leech execs at the top, much of it is fairly wholesome esp. vis a vis vulgar pop/rap.