CMT Blog: Archive

If you're like me, you couldn't wait to see the season premiere of HBO's noteworthy series, Big Love. Depicting a polygamist family's struggles for peace and acceptance in today's society, the series not only keeps me interested and watching, but forces me to listen as well. The musical selections -- often country songs -- are placed cleverly throughout the scenes. Take for example, Sunday's (Jan. 10) premiere that so appropriately placed Dolly Parton's "Love Is Like a Butterfly" in a scene when one of the characters, Alby, is riding in the back of a van having a conversation with his dead father, Roman -- whom he wanted dead. Yes, a lot of love there. In another scene, Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" can be heard while ex-lovers, Frank and Lois, meet up downtown and proceed to talk about how much they hate the other. This contradiction of the song's lyrics to what the viewer is actually seeing sets up a perfect paradox.

These scenes aren't the first time the show has reached for country music. In fact, Big Love has showcased music from artists like Anne Murray, Bill Monroe, June Carter Cash, Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson, Lynn Anderson, Don Gibson and many, many others. In fact, I would highly recommend tuning in for all country music fans because this show's not just big on love, it's big on country music.

Photo credit: HBO