Country Music, Pizza and Sex
Have you heard that saying about how pizza is just like sex? That even when it’s bad, it’s good. That is exactly how I feel about country music. Some songs I’m super passionate about, and some I barely even turn up when they come on the radio. But even the worst country songs are still pretty damn good.So when a friend of mine, a longtime country fan, told me he was going to a big country concert in Detroit, I told him to get there early to make sure he caught Luke Bryan’s opening set. And here’s where the conversation went from there:
Mark: Luke Bryan? Never heard of him. What’s he sing?
Me (singing in my lame faux-twang voice): “All My Friends Say.”
Mark: Oh, my God! I hate that song! He sucks. That is the worst song. Ever.
Me: What? Are your serious? It’s a perfect country song. His voice is so pure. And that accent is totally genuine. What’s not to like?
Mark: It’s so stupid. I hate it. I can’t believe you like that guy.
What I could not believe was that an alleged country lover could be that vehemently opposed to any song and performance as solid as this. I mean, fine, go ahead and hate a tune that lacks a good story line or any banjo solos. But that song has a fiddle you can really hear and lyrics about drinking doubles — two country must-haves, so it just works.
Mark promised me that he’d keep an open mind about Bryan and any other new artists I bully him into downloading. And that’s all it takes, I guess. An open mind. One open to all the brilliance that comes out of Nashville, along with the occasional mediocrity. If you are going to call yourself a country fan, I suggest you accept all the music unconditionally and welcome it with open arms. Just like you do with all the pizza and sex that come your way.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
B.W. LaRoy says:
I’m off the pizza and the sex. I actually like a lot of the country songs now. The only problem I have with any of them is there’s no Dixie Chick attitude to fuel the fire for our politicly increrectnez right now. Obviously, Natty May must be working on a solo project and the media has decided to stay with the boring Britney saga…yuk! Can we get she and O.J. to step up the LUV and do a duet on CMT’s new Duet show maybeeeee?
Mo C. says:
SO true about bad country music–it is still a lot better than the other music out there that I can not tolerate at all. I will take a country song of “mediocrity” over a great rap song anyday. Not so sure about the p&s tho, because those can be really really bad! :)
lois lyon says:
Luke Bryon is one of the best, you are on track when you say he has a fiddle player you can hear
hotelmotel says:
I’ll accept that a bad song, like bad pizza and sex, is better than none at all.
But these days, a good song is just a change of radio station away. If nothing’s on the radio, I can put in a CD. Or turn on my iPod.
There’s no reason to tolerate bad songs when its so easy to find good songs. Same goes for sex and pizza too.
melissa says:
Luke Byron huh? …
Nice catchy headline Alison! And I tend to very much agree. Although I don’t get all that much of either pizza or sex my way. Good luck with that friend of yours. :)
Gordon says:
Well some country songs are like bad pizza and sex though. Just like you would refuse stale pizza and sex with a diseased lover, some songs that I shouldn’t say outloud, are ones that you would turn off. Anything offensive, stupid or loud for no reason fit that list. Luke Bryan isnt on that list–he is bringing country back to its roots with all his songs. I think he has two newer ones on radio now, tell that to Mark.
RONNIE JOHNSON says:
I JUST CANT BELIEVE THE DOWNWARD DIRECTION COUNTRY MUSIC HAS TAKEN I BURN MY MUSIC FROM NOW ON.
Joseph says:
“…even the worst country songs are still pretty damn good.” Compared to what? Obviously not the ones that render the worst ones “the worst,” right?
Your friend shouldn’t be the one left accountable because (a) he doesn’t know one generic male country singer from the next, or (b) he relegates the generic ones into a pile he calls “It’s so stupid. I hate it.”
This is a strange argument because we’re talking about taste. To me, a good song requires more than fiddles you can hear and lyrics about drinking doubles, but to each his (or her) own, of course.
Diane Swenson says:
I am shocked to read any negative news about Luke Bryan! He is a hard working fantastic country singer who writes his own music and also writes for other singers.
Lots of people who know real country music love Luke and his music.
He’s fabulous to many people!! Besides, he’s my cousin.
He has lots of West Coast Fans!!!
Brianna says:
This is so true. Country music songwriters sure know how to put the truth into their songs and sing in a way that grabs the listeners’ attention. Luke Bryan is a prime example of a great country artist with a genuine accent and a whole lot of heart. Keep buggin’ Mark; he’ll come around if he knows what’s good for him. :)
Brianna says:
Here’s a little hint as to how much I love Luke.
http://www.countrystarsonline.com/reviewarchives/2008/LukeBryan_BN.htm
Jourgenz says:
It’s test.
I could’t post a message…