For the country writers:

squids · Post by **squids** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:47 pm

Well, Paul was no slouch when it came to a good phrase. Was jes listenin' to Reno by Alex Woodard since it was part of an article about Sarah Watkins goin' solo from Nickel Creek. Besides the fact that Alex reminds me of Jim Croce (must be his tone sometimes), the song wasn't remarkable. He sounded good on it and the lyrics were okay, jes not outstanding. Did I think it was radio crap though? No, not really. Didn't ring my bell, didn't think it was especially clever except the premise of him finally meeting her at the cafe and takin' her away from it all and even that's not original, it's jes Cinderella from a guy's perspective, I guess. But I didn't wanna break somethin' like I feel about achy breaky heart. Does that make it mediocre? Heck no. It's gonna do okay for him and for a lotta writers, that's what they're hopin' for. As chits tells me, the goal for commercial country writers is to write (hopefully) the massive hit and that sometimes that song isn't brilliant. But I don't think there's a writer here (commercial or not) who would turn down a chance to have their stuff cut by a major artist outta Nashville, even if they know it's not their finest work and even if it won't get in the top 10.I think matt's right in that there's a major highway of subjects in country, with only occasional on-ramps of different, more challenging subjects (Independence Day, Thunder Rolls, Concrete Angel, etc.....social commentary about taboo subjects at the time). Country is based on the rural mindset of family, relationships, hard work, the stuff you get from hard work (or don't, as the case may be). No matter how great a writer you are, it's still gonna be tough to come up with something brilliant consistently when so many writers have come before you talkin' about the exact same subjects.

claire · Post by **claire** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:35 pm

Although....you can't beat a song like this...'where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken, where I come from, a lot of front porch pickin.'----------------------------Gag me. That's one of the few songs I'll change the station on. When it gets into that verse about "the girls that sing soprano" I want to wring his neck.I must say, though, he sure is easy on the eyes. Betcha he cringes, though, at some of those old photos with the sprayed hair and makeup...

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:41 pm

Nov 26, 2008, 4:35pm, claire wrote:Although....you can't beat a song like this...'where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken, where I come from, a lot of front porch pickin.'----------------------------Gag me. That's one of the few songs I'll change the station on. When it gets into that verse about "the girls that sing soprano" I want to wring his neck.I must say, though, he sure is easy on the eyes. Betcha he cringes, though, at some of those old photos with the sprayed hair and makeup...Oh, I love ANYTHING Alan does though...oh yeah, I had a SERIOUS crush on him years ago. He was gorgeous in that Chattahoochie video.....those torn jeans...sigh....

adrienne · Post by **adrienne** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:56 pm

Nov 26, 2008, 4:35pm, claire wrote:----------------------------Gag me. That's one of the few songs I'll change the station on. When it gets into that verse about "the girls that sing soprano" I want to wring his neck.Claire - I totally agree! That line kills me every time I hear it...I never understood why he would be okay with singing it!

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:58 pm

Nov 26, 2008, 4:56pm, adrienne wrote:Nov 26, 2008, 4:35pm, claire wrote:----------------------------Gag me. That's one of the few songs I'll change the station on. When it gets into that verse about "the girls that sing soprano" I want to wring his neck.Claire - I totally agree! That line kills me every time I hear it...I never understood why he would be okay with singing it!Oh, now y'all, don't dis on Alan. Although the 'girls that sing soprano' is a line that should have been left out of that song.His worst song is actually, "Like Red On a Rose.""And I love you like all little children love pennies, and I love you like good times of which I've known many."Now, those are BAD lines....sounds like the songwriter (he didn't write it of course) was just trying to find something to rhyme 'many' with. If I submitted something like that to TAXI, they'd bust me!

adrienne · Post by **adrienne** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:05 pm

Nov 26, 2008, 4:58pm, jchitty wrote:Oh, now y'all, don't dis on Alan. His worst song is actually, "Like Red On a Rose.""And I love you like all little children love pennies, and I love you like good times of which I've known many."Now, those are BAD lines....sounds like the songwriter (he didn't write it of course) was just trying to find something to rhyme 'many' with. If I submitted something like that to TAXI, they'd bust me!Sorry! Alan is great. But there are few lines in some of his songs that get to me. I agree about that rhyme in Like Red on A Rose too! TAXI would have given it a big R But there's probably lyrics out there for many artists that irk me, even if I still love them as artists. I guess once you've made it, it's easier to get away with it.

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:08 pm

Nov 26, 2008, 5:05pm, adrienne wrote:Nov 26, 2008, 4:58pm, jchitty wrote:Oh, now y'all, don't dis on Alan. His worst song is actually, "Like Red On a Rose.""And I love you like all little children love pennies, and I love you like good times of which I've known many."Now, those are BAD lines....sounds like the songwriter (he didn't write it of course) was just trying to find something to rhyme 'many' with. If I submitted something like that to TAXI, they'd bust me!Sorry! Alan is great. But there are few lines in some of his songs that get to me. I agree about that rhyme in Like Red on A Rose too! TAXI would have given it a big R But there's probably lyrics out there for many artists that irk me, even if I still love them as artists. I guess once you've made it, it's easier to get away with it. Hey, Adrienne, I will admit some of Alan's stuff can be cheeseball, and even divisive....that line "the girls that sing soprano' is not a line I'd pick. I like the song overall, but I forgot about that verse. Anyone here like "The Old Crowe Medicine Show"....now if all country was like this, I'd be happy:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJhlM6W4uhk

adrienne · Post by **adrienne** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:01 pm

Hey Chits. I can't seem to get the link to load. I'll try again later, maybe it's my internet. But it looks like they're from a Canadian label, so it must be good music Agreed Claire - Drive is a very moving song. It is one of Alan's best. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:32 pm

Nov 26, 2008, 5:52pm, claire wrote:And in Alan's defense, his song "Drive" is one of my all time favorites. Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. That's genuine writing.Happy Thanksgiving, guys.ClaireHappy Thanksgiving to you too, Claire. Yeah, "Drive" is a great one.And Adrienne, no prob about the link, maybe it will work later as you say.

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:32 pm

Nov 26, 2008, 7:11pm, adrienne wrote:Just got the video to work. Love it! Great song all around and the lyrics are very clever!! That was funny at the end when the man said they were the Sex Pistols - lol!Glad you liked it, Adrienne. Yeah, that older guy at the end cracked me up too!

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