Monday, July 30, 2007
Here we go again. Public perception, marketing, and political correctness is in the making of country music. Well, maybe not in the making of the music itself, but in reflection of a title of a song.
Here is a except of a post from Jessica Harp on The Wreckers official message board:
"The label has decided that "Cigarettes" will be the last single from the record, but I wanted to give you a heads up: To avoid the risk of offending some people, they are changing the title to "This Old Dirt Road." Confusing, I know, but I figured I should let you all know in case you ever want to call in and request it (We still need your help!!!!)...that's the new title."
Well, isn't this interesting. Why does a title of a song have to conform to political correctness? Come on. It certainly isn't hurting album sales where reports say that the album will easily sell over a million copies. Country music isn't about making everyone "feel good." Country music is about life. Good times, bad times, and everything in between. The song "Cigarettes" is just that too. A deeply written song about a girl driving down the road after breaking up and the female's inner thoughts. Thankfully, the title change doesn't impact the song's message, too much anyway.
One day, in my dreams, I just wish that the decision making individuals would just stop thinking so much. If its a good country song, let it speak in its own words from the writer and performer. It just may surprise you the success it will have.
1 Comment:
Haven't heard this song but no surprise that someone thought it needed to be more politically correct. I still am not sure who decides when the word "hell" is offensive and when it provokes party fun (as in Montgomery Gentry's "Hell Yeah"). Chicks get in trouble for encouraging murdering an abuser in "Goodbye Earl" but it's ok for Toby Keith to appear to brick his significant other up in a basement for eternity (oh - it's ok because he accidently bricked himself in for eternity?)in "It's a Little Too Late"...
Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash stuck it to the censors in live early tv shows ("Sunday Morning Comin Down") just like Jim Morrison did with "Light My Fire."
Goes on and on but I'm shocked they needed to sanitize something about cigarettes when BET shows uncensored videos with language and footage that has me speechless. We're too polite in the country genre. In the words of Jack Ingram's double entendre..."Love You" says it all to me.
By the way, Kris K has a new greatest hits cd out with "Sunday Mornin Comin Down " on it found at sonymusicstore. "16 Biggst Hits"
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