Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with countrymusic

New Ones To Love?

1f2frfbf — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:56:11 -0800

Searching for good versions of Stephen Foster songs. Having been reintroduced to the works of Stephen Foster through the Beautiful Dreamer compilation, I now want to hear more of his music, and in new and different ways. Searching for his song titles brings an overwhelming wealth of options (even on this here site). Help me narrow it down and recommend me some artists and tracks.

Satin sheets = rich apparently?

ND¢ — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:37:07 -0800

Sure I've got money, but what I really want is cock. I would like to make a mix CD of songs with that message. There seems to be quite a few country (and other genres as well) songs about rich women who aren't happy because what they really need is something money can't buy: a deep dickin' (or possibly love, but that is a less fun interpretation). It is most dirtily expressed in Johnny Paycheck's Slide off Your Satin Sheets, which goes "Slide off of your satin sheets, slip into your long soft mink, You know where to find my door, and I know what you're crying for" [spoiler alert: it's cock]. There is also Satin Sheets: "I've found another man, Who can give more than you can, Though you've given me everything money can buy, But your money can't hold me tight, Like he does on a long, long night, You know you didn't keep me satisfied." Finally, there is Little Rock: "Well I'm married to the good life, I said I'd be a good wife, When I put on this ring, I drive a new Mercedes, I play tennis with the ladies, I buy all the finer things, But all that don't mean nothing, When you can't get a good nights loving."

Those are all I can think of with this specific theme. There are lots of other songs about love being more important than money (She Chose the Moon Over Georgia, Better Class of Losers, If You Ain't Lovin' Then You Ain't Livin'), and there may be songs with this message in other genres (Rich Girl, some crap by the Eagles) but I would really like to make a mix CD of country songs with the theme of those three. So, can you think of any other songs with that message? Thanks for your help.

Two Easy Country Music Questions

Bugbread — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 13:16:38 -0800

Two easy country music questions: 1) What is the name of the genre/subgenre of country music playing in the background of this clip from a TV show? 2) What artists/albums are there of this type of country music? Yes, I know this is batshit simple, but I've read descriptions of country subgenres (cowboy, honky-tonk, bluegrass, new country, etc.), and I can't mentally match the text descriptions with the music.

I'm not looking for country music that pushes any boundaries or opens up new territory, nor for originators. I was raised in Texas, but my family was from the north, so we didn't listen to country at home, and neither did any of my friends. However, you'd hear it occasionally in stores/bars/offices/whathaveyou. Now I live in Japan, and I've got some nostalgia going. I'd like to listen to some plain ole country of this style, like what I imagine one would hear on a random country station. So I'm looking for good but typical country music, not historically important or cutting edge stuff.

(I tried googling the few lyrics I could hear, but I didn't get a single hit, so I suspect the music was written specifically for the show to avoid royalty payment needs. Also, the TV show's closing credits don't mention the artist, nor do discussions online about the music in the show)

I need more free stolen music

Roman Graves — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:20:53 -0800

Help me discover more country music. I've always been a fan of alt-country stuff like Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown, Uncle Telupo, Neko Case, Gram Parsons, and Son Volt, but never ventured much into honest to god country.

Here's what I know I like: Dwight Yoakam, Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons (I felt like I had to include him in both), and Hank Williams. What other artists in this vein would ya'll recommend? Please no corporate Nashville pop country.

Should I see the Robert Keen or Lyle Lovett show?

mfriesen — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:50:11 -0800

TwangFilter: Which show should I see, Robert Earl Keen or Lyle Lovett/John Hiatt/Joe Ely/Guy Clark? They're within a week of each other, and leaving my wife home with the 8-week-old twice in seven days is a non-starter. Anybody seen both these tours? Any reason to recommend one over the other? I'm a big fan of Lyle, Hiatt and Keen, and I've seen Lyle numerous times, but never the other guys.

Country fiddle? Anyone? Anyone?

eleyna — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 19:26:29 -0800

I need to find great country fiddle recordings. Help me, Metafilter! I've played violin and viola for years. Mostly, I've done classical things, symphony, etc. I've recently become horribly bored with this, and after putting up an ad on craigslist searching for new kinds of music, new people to play with, I find myself with a gig next Friday.

The gig is with a country band. I'm excited about it, but I've never played country fiddle-style before, and I feel lost.

Problem: I have chord charts, but no melodies - no music written down that says: "Play this." Whatever I play, I'll have to make up in my head.

I need recordings that include examples of great country fiddle, so I'll have a fighting chance at succeeding. Help.

"So, um, whadja think of 'Coal Miner's Daughter?'"

Terminal Verbosity — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 09:10:15 -0800

Asking for a friend: "I have an interview with Loretta Lynn this afternoon. What should I ask her? What should my lead be?" I would have helped her myself, but my knowledge of Loretta Lynn is basically nothing. So, what questions should she ask? I think the best interviews in the world come out of the Onion's AV Club, so something in that vein is what I'm looking for as opposed to the title above. What timely, intelligent or unique questions should my friend ask?

Thanks, all.

Johnny Cash Folsom prison inspiration?

oxala — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:21:50 -0800

I remember hearing once that someone in the audience at Johhny Cash's Folsom Prison performance - as a prisoner - was inspired by it to go on to a successful career as a singer/songwriter. Is this apocryphal? If not, who was it? Someone mentioned to me Waylon Jennings, but I don't think it's him. Google is inconclusive.

Why are country songs so often complete sentences?

stupidsexyFlanders — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 03:57:30 -0800

Why are so many country music songs (compared to pop songs) titled with complete sentences? Sorry, no quantitative evidence for the premise, just a casual observation.

A sad, sad song?

insideout — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 09:59:03 -0800

Is the Merle Haggard song "That's the Way Love Goes" a break up song? Lyrics (but you might have to hear Merle sing it for the full context):

I've been throwing horseshoes,
Over my left shoulder.
I've spent most all my life,
Searchin' for that four-leafed clover.
When you ran with me,
Chasing my rainbows,
An' honey, I love you, too,
And that's the way love goes.
That's the way love goes, babe;
That's the music God made,
For all the world to sing.
It's never old; it grows.
Losing makes me sorry;
Well, now honey, don't worry.
Don't you know, I love you too.
That's the way love goes.

That's the way love goes, babe;
That's the music God made,
For all the world to sing.
It's never old; it grows.
Losing makes me sorry;
You say: "Honey, now don't worry.
"I love you too."
That's the way love goes.

Can anyone recommend some alt.country?

sugarfish — Thu, 28 Oct 2004 09:17:23 -0800

Can anyone recommend some alt.country? I remember I had a mix cd a few years ago that had some really nice stuff on it (Lucinda Williams singing "Passionate Kisses" really stands out in my memory) but I have no idea where to start. I really like the female vocalist aspect, but I am open to all suggestions. Bonus if I can snag it on iTunes.