Filed under: Country Music, Flashback Series | Tags: CMT, CMT Giants, Flashback Series, For My Broken Heart, If I Had Only Known, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood
This was back in November 2006, when Reba was the first to be honored by CMT, on the special CMT Giants. Trisha did a great rendition of this song, off Reba’s 1991 album For My Broken Heart.
Filed under: Alternative Music, Country Music, Country/Pop, Pop Music, Pop/Rock Music, Uncategorized | Tags: Avril Lavigne, Dixie Chicks, Doves, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Green Day, Michelle Branch, Reba McEntire, Stevie Nicks, Tim McGraw
While many music blogs and websites post happier songs on Father’s Day, I thought it’d be more truthful to myself if I posted songs that deal with kids who didn’t have fathers. Either because their dads passed away when they were young(which was my case) or because their dads were estranged from them for whatever reason.
So for anyone who is having a hard time getting through this day, here are a couple of songs that, while sad, may help you realize that you are not alone in your pain and that there are other people out there who can relate.
“Grown Men Don’t Cry” – Tim McGraw
While at first it seems like just another regular ballad by Tim, by the end of the song you realize how much the song is about the narrator’s relationship with his father and how he is trying to make his relationship with his child better than what he had with his dad.
“He Gets That From Me” – Reba McEntire
This one deals with a widowed mom and her fatherless son, as the mom goes back in forth between what the son gets from her and from his dad; And nothing is as sad as when she sings “Last night I heard him pray, Lord, help me and mama make it through, And tell daddy we’ll be okay, He said he sure misses you, … He gets that from me.”
“The Greatest Man I Never Knew” – Reba McEntire
In another one of Reba’s great ballads, she sings about how she never truly knew her dad because of how hard he had to work to keep the family a float, and how she still wishes she would’ve gotten a chance to know him better before he had passed.
“Top Of The World” – Dixie Chicks
One of the most haunting songs of the decade, this deals with a cycle of bad relationships in a family, and one of the adult children wanting to make her relationship with her child different than what she had with her parents While seemingly not a very original concept, the music and vocals of the Dixie Chicks on this one will show you why this has become a true fan-favorite. The music video is as equally good.
“When You Come Back To Me Again” – Garth Brooks
This Golden Globe nominated song was co-written by Brooks for the 2000 movie Frequency. Garth used his mother’s passing as inspiration for the song, and it‘s meaning can be used for a father‘s passing as well.
“I Miss You” – Stevie Nicks
This 2001 pop ballad deals with the narrator proclaiming how much she misses a loved onee and how she has so many questions about relationships, love, and pain. Again, this is up to interpretation, but when you hear Nicks wanting to get advice from the person that she has lost, it makes you think of a child needing advice from their parent.
“Here With Me” – Michelle Branch
This one fits well with both the deadbeat dad or the dad that’s passed.
“The Day You Slipped Away” – Avril Lavigne
Avril wrote this about her grandpa that passed, and put it on her 2004 Under My Skin album. She recalls the day her grandpa had died and how she didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. The song never mentions anything about a grandpa, which was probably a smart move as it opens up many more people to put their spin on it.
“Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Green Day
Many people have thought that his song was written about 9/11 since the music video for this song was centered around it and the September mention to it; but lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong had written this song about his father, who died of cancer on September 1st 1982. At the funeral Joe cried, ran home, and locked himself in his room. His mother came home and knocked on the door, in which Billy replied, “Wake me up when September ends.” The song recalls how the years have gone so fast since his father’s passing.
“You’re Still Here” – Faith Hill
This beautiful ballad is similar to “He Gets That From Me”, in which Faith proclaims that her passed lover is still with her and her child, and how she can see him in her baby’s eyes.
“Caught By The River” – Doves
This one by alternative band Doves is a father’s message to his son not to lose control. While this isn’t about losing a dad, the song is almost an unanswered prayer of sorts from a father to a son, to not let his anger overcome him and his life.
Filed under: Pop Music, Pop/Rock Music | Tags: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, Alasis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Don't Tell Me, Eragon, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Girlfriend, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Let Go, Madonna, My Happy Ending, Pop/Punk, Pop/Rock, Post-Grunge, Reba McEntire, Teen Pop, The Best Damn Thing, Under My Skin
Back in 2002, when I was about 10, I noticed my 23 year old sister had bought the album Let Go by (the then new) Avril Lavigne. Soon after I got a copy of it for myself (I know what a lame little brother, huh?) After giving it one listen I fell in love with pop/rock and the new mature teen pop that was replacing bubblegum pop artists like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys.
2004 came around and Lavigne was back at it again with her 
sophomore album Under My Skin. While the album didn’t sell as much as her debut, it produced the two hits, the first ”Don’t Tell Me” and the second, the smash hit “My Happy Ending”. The album, in it’s musical right, was darker than the first, with songs showing a darker yet mature side Avril as she dealt with more grown-up subjects. With that said it was still firmly rooted in pop/rock which made it a successful, a little more evolved follow-up to Let Go. In the years that followed Lavigne had been one of my favorite pop/rock female artists, with Kelly Clarkson soon taking her lead.
Then around late 
2006, Lavigne released the hit single “Keep Holding On” for the movie Eragon. The song was a bit of departure from the music she had on her previous albums, with less rock influence on it and more power pop elements, which worked well for the song. Early 2007, Avril’s official first single off her third album The Best Damn Thing, ”Girlfriend” hits radio and becomes one of her biggest career hits. I thought the song was a great rush of pop-punk, but from there on I knew that her new album would be a departure from what we’d seen before. After it was released I didn’t know whether to love it or hate it.
So what’s the point of me blabbering on about this? Well I’ll tell ya! Soon after I began looking at many more artists and how they’re styles have changed from album to album. While some artists have barely changed their musical stylings(Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, and for the most part Reba McEntire), using the “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” formula; Many artists have changed their styles multiple times(Madonna, Faith Hill, Alanis Morissette) to either stay-up with new trends or to keep things different and more fresh.
So my question to everyone; Who are some artists who have made changes in their music, for the worse or better?
Filed under: ACMs, Country Music | Tags: 2008, ACM''s 2008, ACMs, Brooks & Dunn, Country, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Music, Rascall Flats, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift
Well the ACM’s were last night. So thought I’d post who won(which you country fans should know) and who I think should have won. I’m also curious to here what you guys thought so feel free to comment.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- Rascal Flatts
- George Strait
- Keith Urban
Winner: Kenny of course. This is the first year that they have had the fans vote for the ACM’s, and my vote was to Kenny. Why? You might ask. Well at first it was between Kenny or Brad. Brad seems like a good choice, now I haven’t seen any at a concert(unless you tube videos count.) But I think after Kenny still performed after damaging his foot and still going on to perform without cancelling any shows.
My Choice: Like above Kenny.
TOP MALE VOCALIST
- Rodney Atkins
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- George Strait
- Keith Urban
Winner: Brad Paisley. With number ones like “Letter To Me”, “I’m Still A Guy”, “Ticks”, and “Online”, Paisley is of course the big wine here. But to be honest, as much as I think his music rocks(mostly from things back in the early 2000’s) I can’t help but change the station every time the song is on the radio. “I’m Still A Guy” is meant to be humorous but it’s hard to find the humor, and doesn’t really show true masculinity, but makes it sound like Brad’s just a jerk. The only two songs I’ve liked from him this past year is “Ticks” and “Online”.
My Choice: I think Kenny should’ve one this. I’m not a big time Kenny fan but he had some better hits out this year. Honestly I think Garth Brooks this year was more deserving of this, but of course he’s already got many of these awards and that big one these ACMs.
Kenny really did have some good ones. “Better As A Memory” his recent single you can’t help but like, even if it isn’t his best. “Never Wanted Nothing More” and “Don’t Blink” each sound like lost songs from one of his earlier years. “Shiftwork” with George Strait is also a nice listen. I’m also a little surprised Alan Jackson wasn’t nominated.
TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- LeAnn Rimes
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Winner: Isn’t it obvious? Yeah Carrie won yet again but we all knew this before last night. Carrie has caused a big fire storm in the country music industry and produed massive hits, some good, some not as great. I mostly dislike many of her songs this year due to the radio doing overkill on playing them. But that’s another story. She does have very good songs but you can’t help but think she’s a little undeserving of it compared to LeAnn Rimes and Martina McBride, but I liked her speech saying she understands she’s undeserving, so you got to give her some credit there.
My Choice: For me it was be LeAnn Rimes, Rimes surprised me this past year with her twangy single “Nothin’ Better To Do”, a great comeback to country music for her. “Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore” and “Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine” also show of the singer’s great vocal range. Taylor coming in for me at close second. I’m really liking her new single “Should’ve Said Now”. I also couldn’t help but want Martina to win, but the only song I really liked from her this past year was “How I Feel”.
TOP VOCAL GROUP
- Diamond Rio
- Eagles
- Emerson Drive
- Little Big Town
- Rascal Flatts
Winner: Of course it was Rascal Flatts, after all they are like the bestest group of male vocalist ever, at least that’s what their female fans think. I don’t know if they really deserved this one though. I mean sure they have had many singles out this year, but they weren’t all that great. The one that I probably liked the most was “Winner At A Losing Game”, and that got old after a while. “Every Day” is played way more than every day making it annoying most of the time. There’s nothing really wrong with their music, except that they never change anything. Their songs all seem alike in aspects.
My Choice: I think Little Big Town was the best option, and the Eagles coming in second. Little Big Town had a really great single with “I’m With The Band” and were great in “Life In A Northern Town”. But there’s always next year right?
TOP VOCAL DUO
- Big & Rich
- Brooks & Dunn
- Halfway To Hazard
- Montgomery Gentry
- Sugarland
Winner: Brooks & Dunn, it seemed like it came to a shock to them, as much as everyone else. But I think this award should’ve been given to somebody else. B&D had one single that I liked this year which was “Proud of The House We Built”. Otherwise “God Must Be Busy” and “Put A Girl In It” just don’t seem to do the duo justice.
My Choice: Sugarland They had many good songs this year especially “Life In A Northern Town” although it wasn’t just them it was still a very good song. “Settlin” and “Everyday America” also were great singles. “Stay” stuttered for me a little. Overall I think they were the best choice.
TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
- Luke Bryan
- Jack Ingram
- Jake Owen
Winner: Jack Ingram, all I have to say is WTF? No really, this guy ticked me off last year when “Lips Of An Angel” came on. I love Hinder singing it, but this guy just makes it sound way too hick. “Measure Of A Man” is the only decent one from this artist, and “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely” just stinks. I’m sorry if I piss some of his fans off but this guys did not deserve this award.
My Choice: Jake Owen doesn’t do anything to even be nominated along with Luke Bryan. I have to admit I’m disappointed in those two selections, hopefully new good male vocalists will start emerging soon. So I’m going with Jake Owen. But I’m not choosing him because he’s supposedly good at singing, he’s just the final pick. Both “Starting With Me” and “Life In A Northern Town” are to my liking so that’s my choice, not that it will matter.
TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST
- Sarah Buxton
- Kellie Pickler
- Taylor Swift
Winner: Taylor Swift. I don’t have much to say to this win except that they were on the money with this one. We knew Taylor would get it, and so did she, although she was in tears when getting it, but come on, Taylor had to have known?
My Choice; Same as the winner, Kellie is also a great choice. Sarah Buxton needs to become more well known and get more singles out before I can decide on that. But I love Taylor’s new singe “Should’ve Said No” is a great choice and is sure to be another hit.
TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
- Carolina Rain
- Lady Antebellum
- The Wreckers
Winner: Lady Antebellum. I’m a little surprised they got this one, there only real single this year was “Love Don’t Live Here” which just became more of a hit, and it no way is my taste. In my opinion it just seems like this award was wasted.
My Choice: The Wreckers, while they have been on hiatus and doing solo work now. I think that they are probably the top choice here, both great singers, and probably the best choice in my opinion.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- 5th Gear – Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville)
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – Miranda Lambert (Columbia)
- Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
- If You’re Going Through Hell – Rodney Atkins (Curb)
- Taylor Swift -Taylor Swift (Big Machine)
Winner: It goes to Miranda Lambert. I’m not complaining on this one though. I think it was a wise decision to have her album be album of the year. The album is great, although I don’t really like “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” or “Gunpowder & Lead” I do love the album. Maybe I don’t like those two songs on the album because I’m a guy, or maybe it’s just a little too rough for me, but I can’t help but sometimes sing along to “Gunpowder & Lead”. This album was a great choice and shocking as well, mostly because we all though Taylor Swift would’ve won. Brad & Kenny also seemed like first choice, but I’m glad it went to Lambert.
My Choice: As stated above Miranda was the best choice. With Taylor as second choice for me. I think both albums are tied in quality. Brad Paisley also had a fairly good album but some of his songs have made me dislike Brad a little.
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
- Don’t Blink
Kenny Chesney, Produced by Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
- Famous In A Small Town
Miranda Lambert, Produced by Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
- Lost In This Moment
Big & Rich, Produced by Big Kenny, John Rich
- Stay
Sugarland, Produced by Kristian Bush, Byron Gallimore, Jennifer Nettles
- Watching Airplanes
Gary Allan, Produced by Gary Allan , Mark Wright
Winner: Sugarland with “Stay”. Good song, a little too overplayed. But fairly good, I think this one is tied to Lambert’s “Famous In A Small Town”.
My Choice: Like I said above.
SONG OF THE YEAR
- Don’t Blink
Kenny Chesney
Writers: Casey Beathard, Chris Wallin
- Lost In This Moment
Big & Rich
Writers: Keith Anderson, Rodney Clawson, John Rich
- Moments
Emerson Drive
Writers: Dave Berg, Annie Tate, Sam Tate
- Watching You
Rodney Atkins
Writers: Rodney Atkins, Steve Dean, Brian White
From The White House (SESAC)
- Stay
Sugarland
Writer: Jennifer Nettles
Winner: Sugarland with “Stay” yet again. Now this is getting a little bit boring.
My Choice; I think I would’ve picked Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink”, it has a great message, and is still fun to listen to if not overplayed like it was.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Don’t Blink – Kenny Chesney
- Lost In This Moment – Big & Rich
- Online – Brad Paisley
- Stay – Sugarland
- Watching You – Rodney Atkins
Winner: Online to Brad Paisley. I liked the video a lot, it was fun to watch and another great Brad song.
My Choice: Again Online by Brad. Why? Because it is HILARIOUS! I’m serious it’s really really funny, and it has Taylor and Pickler in it as an added bonus. My runner up would’ve been Stay as it was a powerful video.
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
- Because Of You – Reba McEntire Duet With Kelly Clarkson
- Find Out Who Your Friends Are – Tracy Lawrence With Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
- Shiftwork – Kenny Chesney Duet With George Strait
- Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore – Bon Jovi Featuring LeAnn Rimes
- What You Give Away – Vince Gill With Sheryl Crow
Winner: Find Out Who Your Friend Are by Tracy Lawerence(w/ Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney). Not my personal choice but it was a decent video.
My Choice: Reba and Kelly should’ve had this one. Great time setting, powerful acting, and just great to watch.
So that’s it for this post. I think the ACM’s are getting better, these past two years have been a little disappointing, and hopefully next year we will get to see more of what we saw here.
