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09 Sep 00 - 10:55 AM (#294097) Subject: How to write a country song From: GUEST,JTT In the How to Create a Folksong thread someone asked whether there were similar rules for country songs. Are there? |
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09 Sep 00 - 11:01 AM (#294099) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: campfire Steve Goodman wrote a song about how to write a country song. Gotta have Momma, trucks, trains, the dog, prison, and being drunk. (The last verse of You Never Even Call Me By My Name) campfire |
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09 Sep 00 - 11:11 AM (#294101) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Sorcha And a Wo-man, gotta have a wo-man!! Then, you gotta lose it all............... |
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09 Sep 00 - 11:13 AM (#294102) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: sledge Oooooohhhhhhhhhhh, Ma woman was a cripple from Nashville, and she done me wrong. Take it away catters |
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09 Sep 00 - 11:26 AM (#294104) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,Rich(stupidbodhranplayerwhodoesn'tknowbetter Well, first you gotta ask yourself if you want to write a Hank Sr. song or a Hank Jr. Song. .......... Rich |
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09 Sep 00 - 01:30 PM (#294155) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Noreen Sledge, didn't Billy Connolly do that one- and her wheelchair went over the cliff? If I could find the words, it's got all the requirements. |
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09 Sep 00 - 01:55 PM (#294165) Subject: Lyr Add: COUNTRY & WESTERN SUPERSONG (B Connolly) From: Noreen Found it, at Billy Connolly Song Lyrics (Copyright obviously) COUNTRY & WESTERN SUPERSONG Noreen |
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09 Sep 00 - 04:15 PM (#294226) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,bdalrymple now I am hearing a perfect country song on Grassy Hill it is by Fred Eaglesmith - from the paradise motel - Jericho (6:13)
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09 Sep 00 - 04:24 PM (#294228) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Uncle_DaveO Noreen, I HOPE that in the fourth line of the third verse they neighborhood people "bawled", not "balled" right out in front of God and everybody! Dave Oesterreich |
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09 Sep 00 - 06:38 PM (#294262) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Noreen Yes Dave, I didn't notice that (not like me). I cut & pasted and just whizzed down the words as I remember them so well. I can picture him doing it too, as we have it on video, I think. It's in very bad taste, but very funny. Noreen |
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09 Sep 00 - 11:29 PM (#294387) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Bill D anyone remember Mason William's song..."You Done Stomped On My Heart"? I have it somewhere...will post it...(it was Mason's tongue in cheek attempt to write a country song) |
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09 Sep 00 - 11:34 PM (#294394) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Mbo Was that "You Ripped Out My Heart And Stomped That Sucker Flat"? |
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10 Sep 00 - 11:56 AM (#294582) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Amos Rule 1: Country songs must contain references to either dogs or women.
Referring to them both is occasionally acceptable. Rule 2: Country songs must contain references to a car, truck or other vehicle. Rule 3. Country songs must contain a reference to love, a three-syllable expression of fixation. Love should be either discovered, betrayed or exagerrated to mythical proportions. Rule 4. Country songs must contain some attempt at insight or humor, or both., Some country songs achieve the latter through ineptitude in the former (e.g., "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma"). Rule 5. Country songs must be in 4/4. The only exception is occasional use of 3/4, in which case a French accent must be employed. Over..... |
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10 Sep 00 - 11:29 PM (#294842) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,FishnJokr Janis Ian has one of these "perfect" country song on her latest album called "Boots Like Emmy Lou's." She explains how she tried to fit in all the supposedly required elements..boots, a dog, a bus, etc. |
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11 Sep 00 - 09:25 AM (#294955) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST Tongue in cheek: get drunk, screw around, get divorced, lose it all to settlement and tax lawyers, ride around in a bus and write about it all. On a more serious note: country music often takes a bad rap because its lyrics often focus on sad themes. But really it's just another, maybe sentimental, way of commenting on life's setbacks. Some of the best lyrics, in my opinion, are those that deal with small town life, situations, and characters. If you can evoke a sense of nostalgia or sentimentality, I'd say you are well on your way to creating a good country song. |
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11 Sep 00 - 02:15 PM (#295117) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Biskit I like to think of it as blues with a twang.-Biskit- |
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11 Sep 00 - 03:01 PM (#295150) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,Amos I should make it clear that I hit a frame of mind every few weeks for a few hours when I relish a good country song. And there are some that I think should be bronzed for perpetuity -- "Don't Let Your Babies...", "The Drummer In Me", even "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain". But I think they follow all the rules above.
A |
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24 May 09 - 12:53 AM (#2639712) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,guest one of my favourite titles is 'my girl ran off with my best friend and i do miss him so' |
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24 May 09 - 01:02 AM (#2639715) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Peace "You done stomped on my heart You mashed that sucker flat" Sean Gagnier |
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24 May 09 - 04:26 AM (#2639756) Subject: Lyr Add: LIFE'S BEEN GOOD TO ME From: alanabit Spaw gave us a wonderful DIY write your own country song kit a few years ago, which was hilarious. I am not going to contest anyone else's views on this important subject, but the boxes I always thought needed to be ticked included family, a cripple, a dog and an unshakable faith in the justice of the Almighty. A humble offering... Life's Been Good To Me My mother died in childbirth – my Dad six months before I was brought up by my sister, who was well known to …sailors But still I can be happy – the reason is you see That on the whole I'm lucky – and life's been good to me Life's been good to me Life's been good to me Yes on the whole I'm lucky and life's been good to me. When starving I stole apples inside the orchard gate The farmer shot my kneecaps – they had to amputate But it worked out for the best – yeah that's the way I feel Cos the prison hospital fed me – and it taught me not to steal For life is bright and breezy – for more I would not beg I hop around so easy upon my wooden leg My one-eyed dog adores me – I'm his Napoleon And though he sometimes gnaws my leg – he's fun to drag along I like to count my blessings – I've really no regrets With fate there ain't no messing – you deserve what you get You pays your money takes your choice and then you can't complain I wouldn't change a thing if I had my time again. |
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24 May 09 - 08:36 AM (#2639804) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: BobKnight Oh Dear - occasionally country songs deal with these topics, but most of it doesn't sound like the country songs I know. It's maybe what country music was like in the 1940's, or some peoples ideas of what it's like. A bit like the "beards, sandals, real ale, and wooly jumpers" myth of folk music. |
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24 May 09 - 09:31 AM (#2639813) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Weasel The problem is, no matter how daft you make your comedy country and western song, there's always one already in existence that's even dafter and supposed to be serious. |
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24 May 09 - 10:46 AM (#2639856) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,GUEST: Old Rugface There is only need for one Country and western song - the one about the truck driver, on his way to collect his granny on her release from prison, who gives a lift to the little crippled boy who is going to the cemetary to put fowers on his mother's grave; the driver has to swerve to avoid the lame dog, who has been startled by the moonshine drinking town drunk, crashes through the level crossing barriers and causes a train wreck. This would get the whole sorry mess over and done with in one go ! |
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24 May 09 - 11:53 AM (#2639892) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Leadfingers And what DO you get if you play a Country song backwards ? |
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24 May 09 - 02:10 PM (#2639943) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Mark Ross You get your job, your truck, your wife/girlfriend,your dog, your house back, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum.... Mark Ross |
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24 May 09 - 06:00 PM (#2640053) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,wordy Let us never complain about folk stereotyping again! |
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24 May 09 - 06:04 PM (#2640056) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: olddude I don't know everything of mine has some train and a cowboy in it. I don't know |
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24 May 09 - 06:06 PM (#2640059) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Bat Goddess Probably my favorite country verse is -- Put the bottle on the bar, so's I can pet it And take down my address before I forget it. Someone's gonna have to take me home yet 'Cause I'm gonna sit here until I forget. The way I figure, I've got nothin' to lose... So, bartender, just pass the booze. Linn |
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15 Mar 10 - 10:30 PM (#2864943) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,phrage song was writtten b y shay healy |
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15 Mar 10 - 10:47 PM (#2864948) Subject: Lyr Add: BEER, BAIT AND AMMO (Kevin Fowler) From: olddude Well now early one day I was a-on my way To my favorite fishin' hole I's a thinking I could sure use Another bottle of booze My baits a-runnin' a little low Yeah and a box of twelve gauge would be all the rage When I'm all liquored up and I'm feeling good Well just down the road there was a place called Bubba's Man he's got the goods *Chorus* And the sign said beer bait and ammo Yeah they got everything in between Yeah they got a-anything any old Beer drinking hell raising bonafide redneck needs They got your fishing hooks Got your dirty books Got your rebel flag on the wall Sign said beer bait and ammo Yeah you ask me they got it all Well now when a-I walked in I can't a-even begin To describe just what I smelt Lord was it the catfish bait Or something bubba had ate Was it those pickled eggs on the shelf? Yeah with a toothless grin He said boy step right on in Make yourself right at home I said no, no, no, thank you, man Just a twelve pack of cans And I’ll be good to go |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:31 AM (#2865074) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Acorn4 I always think this one takes a lot of beating:- Little Rosa |
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16 Mar 10 - 12:29 PM (#2865343) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Mr Happy Why's he talking so strangely?? |
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16 Mar 10 - 12:40 PM (#2865354) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Lonesome EJ The song title "She Thinks my Tractor is Sexy" pretty much says it all, don't it? |
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16 Mar 10 - 01:39 PM (#2865391) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,johnp "three chords and the truth" (said by someone whose name escapes me) |
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16 Mar 10 - 03:26 PM (#2865461) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Stringsinger Which country are we talking about? Do people who write and promote songs in Nashville live in the country? The best way to write a country song for the popular music country market is to first: Write a good song. Then: It helps if you are a part of that culture. Then: Sell that sucker as a country song through a country artist. It can even be: "I Will Always Love You" but not "Hello Dolly". |
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16 Mar 10 - 04:27 PM (#2865515) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,Tunesmith Here's an example of modern country with witty, social comment. Celebrity by Brad Paisley |
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16 Mar 10 - 04:39 PM (#2865522) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,Songbob Actually, country songs as outlined above are cliches, bordering on satires of the genre. If I were a country-song writer, in fact, I'd be kicked out of the club for saying "genre." That said, it's pretty obvious that most country songs start with a 'hook,' a lyrical catch-phrase that somehow becomes the center-piece of the song. You can take most any phrase and make it into a hook, or even take a phrase and change a word or two to make it into a hook. I tried my hand at one called, "I'm Only Resting My Eyes," where the singer is claiming that he's not "really" staring at the babe, just "resting his eyes." Or take some other song's hook and turn it around. I heard this once while driving through Indiana, and what I recall is: I want to thank you for leaving, Lucille. 'Cause under the crops we found oil in the fields. And your ex-mister and little kid sister say, 'Thank you for leaving, Lucille!" Now that doesn't scan exactly the way the original did, so I probably forgot a line in the middle, but that's an example of turning a hook into something else. So start with a hook, include gals or honky-tonks or moonshine or trucks, but start with the hook. You can't go wrong. Bob Clayton |
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16 Mar 10 - 04:59 PM (#2865533) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Allan C. Well, thank you, Bob! The man goes and asks an innocent question and nearly all he got was references to what you so aptly dubbed as "cliches, bordering on satires of the genre". I totally appreciate your thoughtful response and agree completely about the "hook". One of the most amazing hooks was Dolly Parton's "Joline" in which she managed to insert the hook (the name, itself,) more times than anyone anywhere has ever done - and quite successfully, I might add! |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:08 PM (#2865541) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: olddude I wrote one that the hook went like this "Good Lord, I'm not that drunk can ya help me make it though the night Got bills to pay and that's why I play and my jeans are fittin way too tight if I didn't need the dollar I wouldn't even bother and you won't see me no more, so I'm on my last song and I'm moving along and I'm heading out for the door" LOL, good grief it that awful ... LOL |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:10 PM (#2865545) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,highlandman at work Jim Stafford was a genius at perverting the hook concept. He would set you a hook and once you swallowed it he could take you in a completely different, hilarious direction. As in "My Girl, Bill." -Glenn |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:13 PM (#2865546) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: evansakes How to write a country song? Look no further than Blackie Farrell's 'Mama Hated Diesels So Bad'. Ideally find a version sung by Bill Kirchen, preferably on the live album by Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. A tragic short story with most of the standard clichés outlined above. It'll probably bring a tear to your eye and make you smile at the same time. A work of genius if you ask me.... |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:16 PM (#2865549) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: evansakes ps It's been discussed here Mama Hated Diesels |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:23 PM (#2865560) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: kendall And the perfect title: If I had it to do all over again I'd do it all over you. Or: She won't get under me 'til I get over you. and My Father's favorite: Take back your heart; I ordered liver. |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:27 PM (#2865562) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: gnu OOOOOooohhhh... been kinda lonely in the saddle since ma horse died. Dunno where I heard that... mybe even from me? I fergit. |
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16 Mar 10 - 05:38 PM (#2865567) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Lonesome EJ You want real, soulful country music without the cliche phrases that characterize the worst of it? Look at Merle Haggard's music...plenty of hard work, drinking, heartbreak, and prison but without the usual crap. The closest he comes is something like "I've got swinging doors, a jukebox, and a barstool my new home has a flashing neon sign stop in and see me any time you want to 'cause I'm always here at home 'til closing time" which sets the bar for that sort of thing rather than taking advantage of a tired formula. |
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01 Mar 11 - 08:59 PM (#3105308) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,michael aaron mickens hey how do i write a country song im 15 and my dad was bout to go own tour or something to be a singer cuz he had 5 songs he wrote and they were gonna set him up wit somethin but he got drunk and everything and never done it again and every since i was 12 i always wanted to be a country singer but i dnt know how you write the songs i need your help please |
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01 Mar 11 - 11:43 PM (#3105343) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,Richie Hi, It's good that he got drunk- that's a start. Now if he got drunk and ran over his dog with his pick-up truck you might have a song- epecially if your mama was going to leave him. Good luck, Richie |
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24 May 11 - 05:10 AM (#3159605) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,wild girl look im only young but ive always loved country music nd i really need some tips on how to write me own song SO PLZ HELP! |
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24 May 11 - 09:45 AM (#3159708) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: The other Hank "Three chords and the truth!"- Willie Nelson. And a Randy Travis clothes pin for your nose. 'Course that's singing 'em not writing 'em. It's not as easy as people think. "If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me?" Cool. Not too deep but cool. |
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24 May 11 - 10:50 AM (#3159737) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: frogprince I've had a couplle of lines on the burner for awhile, but I've never got the rest of it yet: Dixie walked out on me in Omaha this morning, I wish I was in Dixie, tonight. |
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25 May 11 - 01:50 AM (#3160128) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: Ebbie There's a great line in a song of Juneau's Buddy Tabor (he doesn't usuallyd do country): Well, you say you don't like these country songs But you'll change your mind when you're divorced And she's gone. |
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25 May 11 - 08:41 AM (#3160288) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,wordfella <"three chords and the truth" (said by someone whose name escapes me)> Not Willie Nelson. Harlan Howard. |
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09 Jun 11 - 05:47 AM (#3167516) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: GUEST,Clay T. It's the 21st century people. Stop listening to trucker ballads from the 60's...Geez |
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09 Jun 11 - 07:17 AM (#3167550) Subject: RE: How to write a country song From: kendall Why? The crap that passes for country music these days gives me a headache. |