My Change of Heart About Luke Bryan's Question
I have loved Luke Bryan's music since about 10 seconds into "All My Friends Say." And I have loved every song since. Released and unreleased. And when I first heard his current single "Do I," I thought I loved it. Even blogged about loving it. But now that it's on the radio all the time, I have to say I'm having second thoughts.
Because in the song, he's longing for what his relationship used to be. When all they had was a perfect simple kind of loving and how those sure were the days and how that was a time their love ran wild and free. Then he comes to this epiphany: "I just want us back to the way we were before."
Well, welcome to the club. Who doesn't want that back? But how about some lyrics about what steps you're taking to change things, Luke? Instead of just looking back and pining for that passion you used to have, tell all your listeners what needs to be done to relight that fire. Yes, I know relationships feel like you're just rolling through the motions every day. But that's life. I am so sick of men complaining that the passion's gone when, really, they're a big part of the reason why.
If merely leaning in to hold her isn't doing it for her anymore, why not take some of the advice off your debut album. Warm her up in that cold hayloft in your big strong arms. Tell her she's your one from now on, your first love song. Walk through her door and lay her down and kiss her till she feels the truth. Pull a few questions from your "get to know her better" file.
That is what will light up a spark way down deep.
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JAfan says:
So your not going to like one of the best songs on country radio right now because your sick of men complaining?
Megan says:
I Love this song! Its sad that you all of a sudden dont like it…The song brings a new perspective. The guy is asking what he could do to help the relationship. The song is not so much about yearning for they had but I think it is about opening up communication and about reconnecting. Its a refreshing take. Luke is amazing and I cant wait until his new CD Oct. 6th!!!!
TxAGG says:
It’s a song, not a relationship counseling session. You’re putting way too much responsiblity on it.
Traditional says:
Alison seriously when is CMT going to make you unemployed already…Again stop being just another soccer mom on the country band wagon
Robin says:
TxAGG - I’m with you. What the heck are we expecting out of music? It’s usually about one set of feelings in a much more complicated life. It’s about a moment and the “feelings” of that moment. It’s not the Dr. Phil show.
Arcasmsay says:
When is Alison going to realize that songs aren’t real? Hello? It’s not like you’re allowed to think about the way songs relate to your life and stuff and let them inspire or challenge you.
I’m officially starting a petition drive to demand Alison’s resignation! Who’s with me?! Traditional? C’mon, America! Get on your personal mobility devices and RALLY!
btw… I heard that someone somewhere once said he/she didn’t like George Jones. Discuss.
Deb says:
I really like this song but I don’t like the video it makes Luke looks old & mean all the make up he looks really bad.
I understand how Alison feels about songs being overplayed my GOSH if I hear one more Taylor Swift song every 10 min. I’m gonna puke!!
Alison Bonaguro says:
You were up at 2am thinking of me, arcasmsay? I’m flattered.
hotelmotel says:
I think Alison’s post made some very reasonable points.
A lot of people will be able to relate to this song because a lot of people’s relationships have changed over time and they now want back what they once had. For that reason a lot of people will like the song. But the song really offers little to no insight about why the relationship changed, what could be done to get it back, or if the couple can get things back. Its certainly fair to wish that songs would dig even slightly beneath the most surface of layers.
Even though the lyrics discuss a common problem, it does so with cardboard characters (we learn virtually nothing about the woman), little story, little insight, and, therefore, its hard for me to even care if this couple winds up breaking up, rekindling their passion, or adjusting to the new situation.
CJ says:
Country Songs have always had meaning. Just because you want it to be as you see it does not make a bad song. If you disceted all the Country Songs in the past you would be very busy. Let it be what it is.
hotelmotel says:
Because I find thinking about the world around me (including songs) to be interesting and rewarding, I could not ever “Let it be what it is.” Music (and art and most everything) is far more rewarding when I think about it: what I like and dislike about it. That might make me “very busy,” but a life being busy thinking about things sounds like an attractive life to me.
Of course it is rare that everyone agrees on the merits of a song. Its true that “Just because you want it to be as you see it does not make it a bad song.” But if so, its like also true that “just because it is as you want it to be does not make it a good song.”
That is why we should think about things critically and discuss our views with others. It may be impossible to reach a firm conclusion on the merits of a given song, and our tentative conclusions about a song may actually reveal as much about ourselves than the given song, but that only makes the process of discussion and criticism even more valuable.
Redmaz says:
To Alison…since you like to generalize, and put all of today’s music together, you are wrong. This song and this artist Luke Bryan has never been played Americana/Roots radio. Next time specify which radio format you are speaking of, and stop disrespecting music, especially Country Music.
Alison Bonaguro says:
Where, exactly, did I say this song was being played on Americana/Roots radio?
The radio format I write about most often is called “country radio.” As defined by its play list of “country music.” Does that help?
Redmaz says:
Where exactly did you say it was being played on Mainstream Pop Country radio? Specify the genre of which you speak of, or you’ll hear from me. That’s just the way it is.