Artist-to-Artist Shout-Outs
I used to think cover songs were the ultimate way to pay homage to another artist. Like if Trace Adkins did, say, a Prince song, we'd all know that Purple Rain had been a major influence on him. But I've changed my tune. I now know that when an artist really wants to show some love, they put a shout-out right in the song. Like when Ashton Shepherd mentions Keith Whitley, or Dierks Bentley throws (Cross Canadian) Ragweed's name into a tune. Some are kind of vague, like Luke Bryan's nod to Lynyrd Skynrd in his "First Love Song." Or Brooks & Dunn's request to Hank it up in "Play Something Country."
Some are made in passing and can be hard to catch the first few listens through, like when Garth Brooks talks about worn-out tapes of Chris LeDoux and Phil Vassar about the best of Jimmy Buffett. But then there are impossible-to-forget lines, like Kenny Chesney's mention of Garth Brooks in a skirt, and Alan Jackson's questioning what would Jimmy Buffet do.
By far, though, the sincerest form of flattery must be when an entire song is written about another country artist. Taylor Swift hit the country radio jackpot when she named her debut single "Tim McGraw." That was a stroke of brilliance. And it's ironic, because when McGraw pulled something similar with "Give It to Me Strait," it didn't even chart. (His latest ode to country's finest, "Kristofferson," is faring much better.) And Eric Church has done his best to tell the world Merle Haggard was his idol in "Pledge Allegiance to the Hag."
If I was Haggard (or Strait or McGraw or Kristofferson), I'd be pretty damn honored. It's one thing to have your own thick songbook of country hits. But to have another star sing an entire tune about you? That might even feel better than a wall full of platinum records.
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David Nisbet says:
There’s a great George Strait tribute song by Kelly Kenning called Pure Strait Country. It’s made up of the titles of songs George has done.
kayefun says:
Alison: Was listening to The Pretenders w/Chrissie Hynde this weekend and I think her song “Back on The Chain Gang” would make into a spectacular contemporary country rock cover even though it doesn’t give one country artist credit for another country artist’s inspiration.
Janet says:
Give It To Strait is an awesome song on Tim’s Not A Moment to Soon album. The reason it didn’t chart though was because it was never released to radio and was never a single. I have no doubt if it would have been released it would of been a hit.
Tamara says:
Doesn’t Gretchen Wilson always sing about Tanya Tucker and Charly Daniels and them? Maybe its just that one song but I thought their were others!
Escalating Gas Prices Put Halt To Concert-Goers — The 9513 says:
[...] Bonaguro says the sincerest form of flattery for an artist has to be when another artist performs an entire song about them, for example, Taylor Swift’s “Tim McGraw” or Tim McGraw’s own [...]
Jim says:
check out this shout out to Johnny PayCheck!
http://www.myspace.com/mikediamondmusic
The song on the jukebox is called Greenfield to Nashville!!
down in louisiana says:
well saying pledge allegiance to the hag and then not having it even resemble country music is a catastrophe in my book! if these singers would actually sing songs with rock bands in the titles and lyrics instead of just throwing cash, haggard, and jones out at free will, we might stop confusing the radio listeners and fans alike. this is just so frustrating to me. i love country music, and if i hear someone throw those names around, i would assume they are actually fans of these heros of mine and not just trying to to sell records to an audience they know will buy them b/c of the name dropping. oh god i could go on for hours. kill me now! or just give me some real country! there was some girl at cma fest (blonde from texas can’t remember her name) she could and should be singing songs about merle haggard. hell she should be singing duets with him and the other greats before they are all gone and the ones now out on radio singing ABOUT merle haggard and george jones are the only ones we have left!