I can understand it as entertainment, but it's not music. I'm assuming you understand the difference between art and entertainment. Some musicians and entertainers can blur the lines, but only in the same way purple is just blue and red put together. They are not exceptions to any rules, but rather part of a continuum. But, let's not argue about that. My question was about country "music". Why is it relevant as actual music? It has almost no value other than the original song compositions put together long ago. There is very little MUSICAL variety and lyrics alone do not make a song. They can be entertaining for sure, but again it's not very artistic. I don't hear the same variety in song structure or chord progression that other genres have. The lyrics are never presented in more than a few ways either. It's usually a story, or some hard lessons learned, my grandaddy did this, my mom did that, It seems very stale artistically. So, what's up with that?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
The problem in general is that ALL forms of commercial music suffer from what you complain about. It, too, is nothing new: the critics of the 40s and 50s complained of the "moon-spoon-June" tunes. Furthermore, the advent of synthesizers and the "personality/looks over talent" mentality that permeates the music industry today makes it difficult for true talent to make it into the mainstream.
The problem specific to country music is that what you hear on commercial stations today IS NOT COUNTRY MUSIC. It is pop -- and really BAD pop at that. If you were to hear a truly gifted musician (e.g., Chet Atkins, Homer & Jethro, Dale Potter) you would pour ketchup on your words. The trouble is, it's very hard to find truly gifted musicians today. And, again, that is not unique to country music.
Country music, however, was never meant to be on a par with Django and Stephan. This was music for people to sing on the front porch or in the living room after a hard day's work. Harlan Howard put it correctly when defined country music as "three chords and the truth."
it sounds good but not all
only taylor swift's is the best