Sugarland Countrifies Unfamiliar Pop Songs

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 12:43 pm | By: Alison Bonaguro

I have a love/hate thing with live albums. I love them because I feel like I was there and hate them because in most cases, I wasn't. But they seem so rare these days that I'm treating Sugarland's live album like the gem that it is. (It comes out Aug. 4 in Wal-Mart's Live on the Inside CD/DVD set.) When I first read the track listing, none of the cover songs sounded familiar. But because it's Sugarland, and Jennifer Nettles' voice soars and Kristian Bush's mandolin sings, all the songs now sound like theirs to me.

So when you see "Circle" and realize it's the song by Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, don't let that deter you. Or Kings of Leon's "Sex on Fire" or R.E.M.'s "The One I Love" or Pearl Jam's "Better Man." These were all songs I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know and/or love until Sugarland did them. The B-52s' "Love Shack" becomes an instant classic when Sugarland spins it. Then there's Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable." Why does a kiss-off song sound so much stronger with this twang? Like Nettles says on the "Better Man" intro, "It's all about all kinds of music up here in Sugarland. We do it a little countrified." And by countrified, she means that "can't" becomes "cain't," the mandolin takes center stage and the guitars sound a little pluckier than on the originals.

There are still some Sugarland songs here: "Love," "All I Want to Do," "Joey" and "Stay." So really, there's something for the diehard fans who want songs they know and the rookie country fan who digs late '90s alt-rock and Beyoncé. (Because, really, who doesn't love Beyoncé?) But the one thing everyone will love, I predict, is the spontaneous live nature of the music. The performances were captured from shows in Minnesota, Canada, Texas, Kentucky and Georgia. And if you've ever seen the band live, you know just how good this will sound.

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Filed Under: Albums, Songs

Tags: "The One I Love", B-52s, Better Man, Beyonce, Canada, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, Georgia, Irreplaceable, Kentucky, Kings of Leon, Love Shack, Minnesota, R.E.M., Sugarland, texas, Wal-Mart

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Reader Comments

imack says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

Sugarland is amazing. Best “CMT Crossroads” episode ever is still Sugarland and Bon Jovi. Wish CMT would put that on a DVD.
TierraStudios says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

Sugarland sounds amazing live so I’m sure the CD will be a big hit! I’m excited to hear them cover Beyonce and B-52.
MN_dbkugirl says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

imack I totally agree with you!

I can’t wait to get this!!!
mark says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

i love it.they can take a song and put their own style into the song to make it fun.i love how they do LOVE SHACK at their shows,awsome !!!!!!!!!!! it shows the range of JENNIFER/KRISTIAN that they can cover any song out there and have a great time performing. the dvd/cd is going to be awsome,cain’t wait to get mine.awsome SUGARLAND,way to go.
S says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 3:50 pm

Sugarland/Bon Jovi was one of the best CMT Crossroads yet but which one do they have available for sale … Taylor Swift. Go figure!
Redmaz says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

The hatred continues…
Lori Jean says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

Love, Love sugarland! can not wait for their cd/dvd, will be buying it on the 4th.
S says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 4:58 pm

I guess the truth hurts.
Ham says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

I see the jug band leader cannot stay away from a Sugarland blog. Good music just draws the fans in.
Mechelle says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Wow!Sugarland is great.this is a great deal!Thank you.Also kelliepickler is great.Sugarland and kelliepickler love all the fans.Thank you to everyone who vote for kelliepcikelr and sugarland for cmtpowerpicks and the top20 and the purecountry 12 pack and everything!Thank you cmt for showing kelliepickler and sugarland videos.Take care everyone.Have a great weekend everyone!Have fun all!You all are the best!
S says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

I don’t hate Taylor, just her singing. And it appears that a lot of posters on this web site feel the same. Like I said, the truth hurts.
Rick says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

I’d buy it but I’m afraid the CD would cancel on me
Rick says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

you can hate Taylor and her signing all you want…but know this.

Taylor Swift has not canceled over 13 concerts this year. Your beloved Sugarland has, 13 AND COUNTING
WHY??? says:

Posted: July 24th, 2009 at 10:41 pm

Everyone please just stop. I hate all this arguing. People like who they like.
Noah says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 4:13 am

This release that is being raved about by alison on sugarland is just covers and songs from “love on the inside”.. nothing new.. old songs.. they’re out just to make a quick buck…

unfortunately ai and such teach people they have to scream to be good and that just isnt so… look at 13 shows cancelled by jennifer so far this year and carrie underwood almost non existant for months…. all with voice/throat problems from screaming and which has the potential to end their careers at an early age.. leanne rimes is another with constant cancellations..

i hate the screaming and wont buy their albums or go to their concerts..

looks like carrie, jennifer and leanne won’t be around much anyway which is good for me… with their voice problems they will work a few months and be off a few months… leanne has messed with her voice for so long she even has to cancel hosting yep she missed two episodes of nashville star because she couldn’t even talk due to voice problems…
David Nisbet, Scotland says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 6:50 am

Couple of points : Love Shack was already a classic years before Sugarland were even a group. And anyone wonder why so many Country acts are switching from covering classic Country to something outside the genre? And oh, the irony of Sugarland releasing a live album when they can’t be bothered to show up for so many of their live shows!
hjj says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 7:56 am

I don’t get why Carrie would be lumped into the cx/voice issue. She has never cx a show. Yes she was seen at a Hosp this last week for tonsil infection and got tx. However, her concert show went on w/o any evidence of problems. Her absence this yr is because she has been working on her next album. I believe most acts do cover songs and some profit from it. As a fan I’m usually just happy to hear something new from one of my favorite acts.
Sugarfan says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 9:47 am

This is going to be a great CD. And the reason this CD is coming out, is because us true fans of Sugarland have been asking them to do a CD like this. Listening to their cover songs in concert is amazing! It’s great that Sugarland listens to their fans like they do.
RTFan says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 10:38 am

Noah–you need to get your facts straight–Carrie is not going away She will have a new single out very soon and her new Album she has been working on will be here in November–Do you really think just because you want it –it will happen. Just enjoy the Artist you do like and leave the others alone.
I love Sugarland and hope Jennifer is well soon–they are not cancelling concert because they want too.
Tim S. says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 11:02 am

Are people today really this negative? On every one of these blogs, the negative comments greatly outweigh the positive ones. I guess people only want to throw in their two cents anymore when it is negative and puts people down.
Redmaz says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 11:02 am

So Ham…I take it you’re a fan of Sugarland? I don’t know what jug band leader means though. If you get a chance explain that one will ya?
Dan says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Geez, you say one negative thing about Carrie Underwood, and her fans get all defensive…they love to talk crap about other artists, but they can’t handle it when one person says anything short of praise for Carrie.
Dan S says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

I don’t mind Sugarland and I’m sure the fans will love this but to call these songs “unfamiliar” is crazy LOL. The closest one to “unfamiliar” is Edie Brickell’s “Circle” only because “What I am” was a bigger hit for her.
Dennis says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

I love sugarlands music they never have a bad song want to say hi to the best Bass player around Annie Clements of Sugarland she rocks.
Sarah says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

I can’t wait to get this! I love Sugarland & they put on such a great concert! It sounds like it’s going to be a fantastic CD!
& I agree, I really want the Sugarland/Bon Jovi Crossroads on DVD!
OK!!! says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

At least alison is blogging about someone besides taylor” cant sing to save her life” swift!!!!
RTFan says:

Posted: July 25th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Dan–Noah or who ever you are–The only person I see talking Crap is you–You just love to say bad things about Carrie and her fans when the crap cvomes from another fanbase not Carries all people have to do is look around
Chris D. says:

Posted: July 26th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

I’m excited for this album because of how good they sound live. Sugarland is one of the only mainstream acts I would consider paying money to see because they sound great live. The quality should be great because of how great their 2 live tracks on Love On The Inside sounded. Not to mention a CD/DVD pack selling for 12.99? That’s unheard of today, especially considering how good it’s going to look; look at the video of “Love” for proof.
Sammi says:

Posted: July 27th, 2009 at 7:58 am

Noah-
The reason why Carrie is non existent is because she is working on a new album. She is still doing a few shows, and she is going back on tour next year. Her new album comes out on November 3rd, and her new single is going to be released to radio next month. She is not screaming, and Carrie will never fall.

Why do people always bring up Carrie or Taylor in blogs? If you all hate them then why do you all talk about them?

Anyways, I think Sugarland’s live album will be pretty good. They are fun to see in concert =]
Patty says:

Posted: July 27th, 2009 at 8:17 am

Funny comment Rick about the CD cancelling on him…. Jennifer obviously has a strong voice, but what bothers me is that so many female artists scream or over sing through their songs just to show how strong their voice is… I can’t think of any male country artist who does that. They don’t need to. Also, I really don’t want to hear Sugarland do 90’s rock, I want to hear real country music, not rock music “countrified”… which is another whole debate.
Always Right says:

Posted: July 30th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

More like Sugarland pops up unfamilair pop songs.
Lenin says:

Posted: August 4th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

Dear,Sugarland if your reading this I just want to say i love u guys so so much when your cd Love on the inside
got to stores i ran i not kiddingi ran so fast to get your cd and i got screamed at by the Target lady but I ignored her and I got the last one! I love you Sugarland
I ‘m Praying my mom says yes on going to see you guys at the Bradley Center This August.I want to go so so bad
Just the thought me being in the same room as Sugarland
gets me Excited!1 Love u Sugarland keep doing your thing

PS:I saw you guys on Oprah I got up at midnight to see you
guys on the Oprah repeat I loved you guys u were GREAT!!
LOVE you Sugarland
AND People who wnat to talk crap about Sugarland well
Shut your mouth already! Don’t worry Sugarland I got your back Love you guys!!
Bye Kisses Sugarland.