It's awesome to read the YouTube comments on the song "Steve Earle", they're either gushing praise for Nash-pop duo Sugarland (about whom I know little) or tearing into the song like starving, angry hyenas. I can't say I sympathize with either side. I'm a big fan of Steve Earle (more HERE), as are all the haters, but I can appreciate the song's sharp hook, its talking-blues verses and its slapstick lyrics that chide Nashville for ignoring Earle. Now, I'm not denying that Sugarland's song is a fluffy, lightweight concoction that won't likely stand the test of time like Earle's work but it's still a bit of fun.
Update: The man himself reviewed the song saying “Nothing wrong with a little song to make you smile now and then.”
Update II: Of course, the source for that above quote is from a source called 'Farce the Music" under a heading of 'fake news' (all written in small font I'll point out before admitting that I really should've caught the parody earlier!)
Update: For a grittier lady's take on Mr. Earle Check out this video:
Love?
Hate?
Indifference?
COMMENT!
Do you realize you linked to Farce the Music, which writes parodies, and the article about Steve writing a song for Sugarland is labeled "Fake News"? I have seen a couple articles where Steve was asked about the song and he alwas said he didn't listen to it.
ReplyDeleteI think that the "hyena" reaction is really a reflection of the need to prove one's superior taste in music by dismissing any more popular form of music. Americana and outlaw fans get great pleasure out of looking down their (our) noses at pop country. And yeah, I find myself doing that, but then try to lighten up. I actally think the song is well written, though her voice annoys me.
D'oh!
ReplyDeleteI'm like those guys who get outraged at Onion article and don't know they're fake!
(Of course in this case, that is a really specific sub-site as further perusing of their 'fake news' articles attests.
Your analysis of the prejudices many of us show towards popular music is spot-on. I suppose when you're trying to convince people to listen to talented, under-appreciated music perhaps lashing out at what does sell is an easy way. That doesn't change the fact that there are good songs begin played on country radio.
I can't get past the hey-ya'll-listen-to-mah-twang singing. I can't get past their hip wardrobe. I can't get past their bi video screen, big mugging-for-the-camera, big hey-check-out-my-hat-from-kohls faces. Steve may be flattered - who wouldn't be - they wrote a song about marrying the dude - but Holy Jesus Hopscotch Jumping Christ, isn't this thing everything that Steve Earle is NOT ever, nor ever will be about? I wanted to like this. I really, really, really-and -truly did, but, Damn Sam! What in Sam Hill have we come to? Ugh.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I loved that rant, even though I enjoyed the song.
DeleteWell, at least they recognize what an icon he's become in the Nash-Vegas world of Pop (Country) Music. What they listen to privately may be a total disconnect with what they are in public and on record, but hasn't that always been the way of the music world? At least in my experience (28 years in retail 1971-1998 and as a collector and 'amateur music historian from the 50s on)it has. They're young and making their money and careers...who's to say it won't lead to getting hipper as they have the where and withal to do so? Yeah, it's cutesy and fluff, but wanna bet someone of their audience won't stop and look at the Steve Earle section in their local Wal-Mart next time they're there? I'll bet they linger at least a couple of minutes and look at what's there and who knows after that? Of course in response one might question there even BEING any Steve Earle to see at Wal-Mart. Haven't checked any out there myself lately.
ReplyDeleteI bet the Wal-MArt's in Canada do, but Earle's always been big here, especially in the West.
DeleteBut I absolutely believe things like this help pass on the good stuff.
On the other hand, check out Lydia Loveless's tremendously cool song "Steve Earle.". Wash that Sugarland right out of your head.
ReplyDeleteI did and thought it was pretty damn cool ("introduce me to your son" was a clever line). I also linked to it in the article] - thanks!
Deletevery interesting . . . thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice to see Lydia Loveless slowing it down some, I hope she's learning to sing a little better. Excellent debut album, saw her last month opening for Scott H. Biram. Bloodshot Records rules! The Sugarland song's OK, I would bang those two chicks, otherwise I agree with 12vJoe.
ReplyDelete