Country music is in.
Whether we like it or not, country music has reemerged as one of the most popular genres of music all over the world. Teenage girls flock to Luke Bryan concerts like they do to Justin Bieber concerts. Sales of certain country artists are higher than many major pop acts. But with that, comes the bleeding of popular culture into country music, resulting in very pop and hip-hop-influenced tracks being marketed as country.
Whether we like it or not, country music has reemerged as one of the most popular genres of music all over the world. Teenage girls flock to Luke Bryan concerts like they do to Justin Bieber concerts. Sales of certain country artists are higher than many major pop acts. But with that, comes the bleeding of popular culture into country music, resulting in very pop and hip-hop-influenced tracks being marketed as country.
There have been an influx of pop acts that have attempted to profit off of country music, and country music in turn has also tried to profit off of the pop acts. Inviting major pop stars to perform at country music award shows is one example, as well as major label country artists featuring pop acts in their songs. Notable examples include Kenny Chesney with Pink for "Setting the World on Fire," Brad Paisley with Demi Lovato for "Without a Fight" and many more. With the country music industry becoming such a major pool of money, it makes sense that people from outside of country music would try to enter in.
However, every once in a while, there comes a pop star that doesn't seem to be exploiting the ever growing genre for their gain. They come in and put out a country song that is legitimately honoring the legends that created country music. Miley Cyrus is that artist, and "Inspired" is one of those songs.
The message behind this song is obviously politically charged, but by even not listening to the lyrics, Cyrus is doing something that most mainstream artists can't: she's upholding the traditions of country music. Variation in country music is good and healthy. We need pop-country, rock-country and all of those sub-genres to make the format interesting. But the issue arises when variation is the rule, not the exception. Cyrus hasn't promoted this song as a country song, and she's not trying to profit off of the genre. She's putting out a song that feels real and genuine to her, and for her, it sounds country. She's writing and singing her truth, her story. Mainstream country artists could learn a lot from Miley Cyrus.
Overall rating: 5 crowns
However, every once in a while, there comes a pop star that doesn't seem to be exploiting the ever growing genre for their gain. They come in and put out a country song that is legitimately honoring the legends that created country music. Miley Cyrus is that artist, and "Inspired" is one of those songs.
The message behind this song is obviously politically charged, but by even not listening to the lyrics, Cyrus is doing something that most mainstream artists can't: she's upholding the traditions of country music. Variation in country music is good and healthy. We need pop-country, rock-country and all of those sub-genres to make the format interesting. But the issue arises when variation is the rule, not the exception. Cyrus hasn't promoted this song as a country song, and she's not trying to profit off of the genre. She's putting out a song that feels real and genuine to her, and for her, it sounds country. She's writing and singing her truth, her story. Mainstream country artists could learn a lot from Miley Cyrus.
Overall rating: 5 crowns
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