Sarah Buxton’s “Stupid Boy” Wants Space
After Sarah Buxton co-wrote “Stupid Boy,” and Keith Urban recorded it and won a 2007 Grammy with it, I was always left wondering what happened to the bastard she wrote it about. The one who stole her every dream, crushed her plans, took her life and pushed it around and, ultimately, broke her down. I know guys like that, and I think Sarah was making an understatement when she chose “stupid” as her adjective.
And now she’s written another song, which could possibly be about the same guy. Like the “Stupid Boy” sequel. It’s called “Space” and was just released to radio. A sparse acoustic guitar intro pulls you in. Then as you strain to hear her whispery soft vocals, you can start to see where it’s going. The bastard is back, and now he wants space — a little time on his own, to clear out his mind, to not have to deal with anything real. She wonders aloud if it makes him feel free to not need anyone. What I want to know is, where is Buxton hanging out, and why does she keep meeting guys like this?
The one good thing to come from her ability to turn bad men into good country songs is when they finally make it onto the radio. She blogged on her MySpace page this week, “Today was the first time that I have heard it over a real-life, small radio in Norfolk, VA! It was so cool. I love how the strings sound on the radio!!!” Buxton told the press that she wanted the song to show the hurt you feel when someone says they need space. But she was able to turn that emotion into a self-empowering anthem. Smart girl.
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BigMouth says:
I agree with your last statement in the second paragraph. How is it that all these “empowered” and “liberated” women have these songs about all the bastards they find? don’t they have something else to write about in their self-empowered lives? or can you not be empowered and in a good relationship with a good guy like i am, at the same time? does that make me an apathetic, under-achieving 50’s style woman? where’s my anthem?
Rick says:
Sarah co-wrote “Stupid Boy” right after receiving a phone call from her ex-husband when she made the comment out loud after hanging up “that stupid, stupid boy…”. Sarah’s mother didn’t think the marriage would last as Sarah mentions in the wonderful song “Full Grown Woman” off her self-titled debut album that was sadly never released.
The best songs pack powerful emotions and the subject matter of “Space” lends itself easily to such feelings. Sarah just seems to possess a keen insight into human nature and it comes out in her high quality songwriting. If this song were being released by Keith Urban or Sugarland, it would likely do well on the charts. I hope Sarah scores a radio hit with this song.
Kim says:
i agree Rick, great job sarah. but i agree with bigMouth, in part. i wouldn’t mind seeing a liiitle more variety in the subject material from the ladies.
Ms. Feathers says:
I thought the “stupid boy” in the song was an ex of a good friend of Sarah’s, which would make sense that the song is in the 3rd person. I’ll have to dig out my old copy of Country Weekly that has the “story behind the song” for this one and see if I can find this out (I tried online, but no soap).
Personally, I’m not 100% thrilled with the whole male-bashing thing that goes on in our culture, not just country music. Women can be rotten, too. That’s why I think it’s a TOTAL BREAKTHROUGH for Keith to have recorded Stupid Boy. He turned it from just another male-bashing tirade into a cry of self-realization, regret and repentance. “Oh, my God, what did I do?” the song says when Keith sings it. Not too many songs like that out there. A WELL-DESERVED Grammy.
But, male-bashing by female singers (in any genre) sells records, and every woman has at least one guy she could write a bunch of songs about. Heck, Brad Paisley turned his one big high-school/college relationship into about three albums. Why can’t Sarah do the same if the music’s good?
urbanlight says:
“He turned it from just another male-bashing tirade into a cry of self-realization, regret and repentance. ‘Oh, my God, what did I do?’ the song says when Keith sings it. Not too many songs like that out there. A WELL-DESERVED Grammy.”
Well said, Ms. Feathers.
MiaT says:
Hey Alison..Great topic! It seems like jerky guys make great country songs. I think every girl out there has had some kind of “stupid boy”.
BTW: One of Keith Urbans best…thanks Sarah!
Steph says:
Right on Ms. Fathers. i don’t think those lyrics that keith did in the first person were sarah’s. I don’t think they were in her version that was on “almost my record” it wouldn’t make sense if they were. Stupid boy cames across really different when keith is singing it. its self degrading regretful. when a woman does it, its more bashing sounding. jerky guys make great country songs yeah, but all these jerks all at once? its getting a little old between the lousiville sluggers to both of his headlights , shot gun loading, 15 minutes of shame, Justin! pictures to burn, red high heels to go out in, on and on and on…
Steph says:
sorry thats supposed to read “right on Ms. Feathers” typing is not my strong suit. apologies, everyone trying to read my comments.
Ms. Feathers says:
No problem, Steph! I’ve been called worse! LOL
Yes, Keith adds a “verse” at the end during the barn-burning guitar solo that you don’t hear on the radio. It says:
No one’s gonna love me like she loved me
She loved me, she loved me
God please just let her know
I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, baby
I’m down on my knees
But she’s never coming back to me
Just rips your heart out when combined with that guitar - WOW.
Steph says:
Yeah that verse! i’m not crazy! that means a whole lot to the entire song, and the way you interpret it. and amen again! great guitar!
tennesseems says:
Hands down, the best song off of that album. The guitar solo is beautiful.