Popology Lessons by Kris Fisher: Post up for country
I have had a love/hate relationship with country music pretty much my entire life. I loved it in the 90’s. Honestly, who didn’t? It was one of the best eras for music in general. They don’t make songs like that anymore.
Then, as I grew up, country music started to feel a little stale and formulaic. Also, I married someone who had a sincere hatred for the genre. So, I decided I hated it too. Country music, it would seem, has been taunting me ever since.
Some of my favorite artists have ‘gone country’ as Alan Jackson once said in a song from the era when I did love country music. The irony is not lost on me. As soon as the news broke that they ‘went country’, I decided that they were dead to me. Kid Rock, Aaron Lewis, Nelly all went country, and I called them sell outs and refused to give any of it a chance.
Then, something happened. As more and more artists that I love either went country or engaged in country collaborations, I found myself liking some of those songs. Justin Timberlake introduced me to Chris Stapleton, Lady Gaga flirted with a country sound for a half a second, and Zac Brown emerged just up I-20. My country palette started to grow.
Fast forward to 2024 and country music is everywhere. My office neighbors at Beasley Media Group liked to laugh at my refusal to play any sort of country-crossover hit on my radio station. Then came “Cowboy Carter.”
When I heard that Beyonce was releasing a country album, my knee-jerk reaction to complain kicked in. However, there are certain artists that get an automatic look when they release new music. And, in pop music, when Beyonce sings, you listen.
She released a song called “Texas Hold ‘Em.” It was polarizing. People either loved it or they hated it. I loved it. It’s a Texas girl singing the brand of Texas country that she grew up on – and it’s a fun song.
Shortly after the Beyonce release, Post Malone started teasing a collaboration with country superstar Morgan Wallen. “NO!!!!” I thought. I’m a big fan of Post Malone’s music. I’m also, above everything else, a hip-hop fan. Now, we’re losing Post Malone to country, too? Say it ain’t so, Po.
It’s so. Post released his hit single “I Had Some Help,” and it is a song that I could identify with and it’s incredibly catchy. I was hooked… and disappointed in myself. I still found myself rolling my eyes every time I read some great review of Post’s new country campaign. Then I came across Post’s song “Yours.” It’s a heartfelt ode to his daughter, who he says has changed his life “in the best way ever”. Boy, can I identify with that. Above everything else, I am a dad and I’m getting more and more sentimental as I get older. So, “Yours” may have made my eyes well up just a little. Maybe. My kids are by far the best thing that have ever happened to me and… wait, what? Don’t distract me with the tugging of my heartstrings, Post Malone! It’s still country music and, just, yuck!
Recently, I read an interview that Post gave about a visit to Nashville and his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. He talked about the happiness that his new music has brought him, saying “for once, I’m not sad anymore.” Well, who am I to knock that? As much as I loved “Beer Bongs & Bentleys,” if country brings him happiness, I’m all for it. I know how much happiness means to me and if I were to find that magic ‘thing’ that brings it, I’d be hooked. Yes, it looks like Stoney has officially traded in his White Iversons for cowboy boots.
So, I caved and listened to his F-1Trillion album and yes, it’s a great album. But I hate country music, right? But I also loved Beyonce’s country music. And, yes, there is the occasional Chris Stapleton, Zac Brown Band and Tyler Childers song that I like…
Maybe I don’t hate it that much. Just please, don’t tell anyone.
