Alan Jackson – “Country Boy”

He could probably sing Gregorian chant and get airplay. It’s line dance music and that still appeals, doesn’t it?

I think that singer-songwriters often only have so many good songs in them and when the supply runs dry they should hang it up (songwriting that is). I consider “When Somebody Loves You” from 2000 Alan’s last truly superior album (apart from “Precious Memories”). Alan’s had some decent singles out since but the other 2000’s era albums have come nowhere near the quality of his earlier 1990’s albums. I purchased “Drive” when it came out and was shocked at all the mediocre filler songs and haven’t been interested in buying any of Alan’s albums since. Once a singer-songwriter derails in my book rarely do they get back on track.

Its nice that Top 40 Fluff Country Radio still plays Alan’s and George Starit’s new singles due to their huge fan bases. On the other hand, if both artists started putting out dreck singles like this it wouldn’t take long for that door to close so Alan needs to be careful what he releases to radio if he wants the good times to continue….

PS – Loretta Lynn was in top form on the Opry last night and Patty Loveless and Crystal Shawanda did fine jobs also. In comparison Jessica Simpson’s invasion of the country music realm makes me want to puke….

A lot of the songs on “Good Time” seem unnecessarily long. I thought that surely the radio edits would be shorter. I must confess that I haven’t listened to this album more than twice. Nothing on it really grabbed me like his earlier albums did. Maybe if I listen to it enough times I may get to like it, but I’m not in the mood to work at liking things these days.

Well, it’s better than “Bob That Head.”

It is because we expect more from Alan Jackson than other artists that we, as fans, are totally let down by this number. While I disagree and think that this song is just as good as half the songs on the radio, I’ve come to expect Alan’s tunes to be better than most of the songs I hear on the radio. So I am unimpressed.

I also kind of expected a ballad after ‘Good Time’. ‘1976′ would have been my pick for a follow-up. But what do I know ? …

I just got a chance to take a listen. I was expecting something much worse after reading this review. Granted, the lyrics arent anything special (in fact, they are probably one step below generic), but the melody in the verses intrigues me. Why? I have no clue. Maybe because I just had such low expectations after reading the reivew?

This song’s “ok”, but that’s all. It’ll wear thin pretty quickly (for me anyway).

I think I agree with most of what Rick said. Even the best songwriters have to know when to give it a rest and cut some outside material.

Good review brady. I personally don’t hate the song, it’s just terribly boring.

“That little white flag flapping in the wind when “Country Boy” comes on the radio is Alan Jackson surrendering to the mediocrity of contemporary country music”

-Great opening line, well-done sir.

we are going to see Alan Jackson in concert in nov .this will be our first. i cant wait. i like Alan. now hes country not like some we have seen.

You guys dont like the song because you cant relate to the lifestyle portrayed in the lyrics. Just a bunch of citidiots.

But why should we have to settle for a mediocre song from any artist?

Nancy said I would take a mediocre Alan Jackson song over Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, and any number of cookie cutter men country singers any day.

Really I would rather take a Taylor Swift song over Alan Jackson any day.

I can’t believe Jackson still wants to be a part of todays Kiddie Pop Country. Grow up Jackson, and get back to your Roots. Think about it, you’re in the same genre as Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift! How embarrassing. Don’t you think it’s about time to be associated with the likes of Dale Watson, Roger Wallace, and Duncan Earl Walters?

I love this song. It is so catchy. Alan Jackson had a weak period, but Good Time is a great CD. Also, people have been bashing new George Strait songs. His new stuff is great too. I do not see what you think is so bad, I think this is a catchy, fun song, and I love it.

Tyler is right, these songs are better if they apply to you. I am done posting now.

it is catchy. did you like Where I Come From?
Have you noticed the similarities between them? I think it will go far.

Maybe it is being a country boy myself, but I really do not agree with you. I love new country songs, and these are two of the best. And it is not stereotypical country. That is about drinking, heartache, etc., not this kind of thing.
And, rap is not catchy. It is just irritating.

Tyler, Jonathon and Jake:
I drive a four-wheel drive vehicle and live in
the “country” and I find this song incredibly boring. And it is very much stereotypical. Drinking, heartache, etc are common themes in
country music, because they’re common themes in real life. This song sounds like it’s trying to actually convince us that the singer is country. If anything, it’s the perfect theme song for a city boy who wakes up and decides to be country.

If this song is trying to say something about life in the country or even about four-wheel drives, as a few posters seem to suggest, it fails.

The four wheel drive aspect is just there to allow for the double-entendres (wind it up or I can slow it down/ Let me know when we’re getting close).

All the events in this song could take place in a city, (except the part about driving though the woods, which merits only one line, anyhow).

One could change the title from “Country Boy” to “City Boy” and only have to change a few lyrics to make the song make sense. The song has nothing to do with rural life, any particular lifestyle. Its just an attempt to make double entendres by comparing sex and cars.

“Bob That Head” actually had better lyrics, although I can listen to this without my ears bleeding.

THIS SONG IS AMAZING!!! U citiidiots go back to your gangster rap stuff

Hey Melissa, In color is definately better than youll ever be. If u dont like good country music u should not listen to country boy.

DUDE u should run for President..u got my vote

Me too, CF, on all accounts.

Mr. Brady Vercher must not be much of a traditional country music fan to call Alan Jackson or Alan Jacksons’s songwriting mediocre. Alan Jackson is the last of a lot. He can be ambiguous and still remain classy and maintain his musical integrity, unlike the horrific “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” by Tace Adkins now that was disgusting to see that video so widely accepted by CMT and country fans everywhere. I am very surprised not to have seen it on BET. As for “country boy” repeating itself most songs tend to do that. Maybe you are not from the south, {and we sure ain’t proud of you if you are} but Alan Jackson is a country boy from Newnan, Georgia and we are damn proud of him. We also relate to and understand his song extremely well and appreciate not being forgotten by Alan. Alan sings a lot about his raising in Georgia, but the songs never make mainstream for so called country fans to hear because they do not support Alan Jackson and buy his album. So find some pop star and write bad reveiws about his music, you would understand it better, because with alan you are barking up the wrong tree. Also for future reference when you quote lyrics from a song make sure you have them correct “Climb in my bed, I’ll take you for a ride” While Alan Jackson remains a true southern gentleman respected by many, you are a jerk who clearly knows nothing about country music/songwriting and more than likely could not drive a five speed, four wheel drive down a country road. so stick to the rappers and the teen boppers they will give you plenty of bad reveiws you will understand.

Is Brady Vercher A TRUE traditional country music fan or is he just a critic attempting to make a dollar? We do not need critics to tell us if our music is bad, we have plenty of resources to tell us that. If the music is bad don’t buy it, if you like the music support your artist; don’t steal from him and don’t give people the impression the artist is untalented. What is a music critic? If the only talent they have is to write reviews about how untalented an artist is, we do not need people like that calling themselves traditional country music fans. Our music is on its last leg without someone trying to kick it out. George strait and alan jackson did a song “murder on music row” do you think they play it on mainstream country radio? Absolutely not. Critics say Merle haggard, George Jones, Ronnie Milsap, John Anderson and many of the like are to country for country radio. WHAT!!! COUNTRY MUSIC!!! They built country music. How bout a little respect. What could a little promotion hurt? After all without these guys we would not have country radio. Jamey Johnson is a talented artist, but he won’t get much help from country radio because his sound is remiscent of the outlaw movement. You know Waylon, Coe, Haggard, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. Instead of destroying the very thing they stood for and years of work in singing/songwriting lets give them the respect they deserve and their rightful place in country music history. Maybe in the process we will give a fresh breath to a dying breed and not be the murderer George and Alan sang about running from Sixteenth Avenue.

I am not suggesting for country radio to promote every new song recorded by an accomplished artist,its impossible and while I do not like every thing I hear on country radio, it sure would be nice to hear a single from ronnie milsap’s latest album which would provide me the opportunity to decide for my self if I want to support the album. Now to each his own, but you have to agree that country radio and critics strongly discriminate against country legends by claiming they are to country. How could you be to country for country radio. That is my argument.

“Now to each his own, but you have to agree that country radio and critics strongly discriminate against country legends by claiming they are to country.”

No I don’t. All the critics I know love Cash, Haggard and the other artists you mentioned.

What critics like and what radio likes are two very different things. Ninety percent of the artists that I (as a critic) am most enthusiastic about can’t get played on radio.

If you were a lawyer attempting to discredit a witness in court, you would want to know every aspect of that persons life pertaining to your case. Right?

Allison Moorer considers herself alternative country and considers her musical influences (that she grew up listening to) to be Waylon Jennings, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. As I said far from a legend.

Christopher, Kelly wasn’t comparing Allison Moorer to a legend. He was merely stating, in joke form, that a critically ‘hailed’ artist is played on radio somewhere.

Matt B, I agree 100%, which is why I asked Christopher for proof of anything to the contrary.

It’s funny that as widely known as the term/genre “Alt-Country” has become, few, if any of the artists commonly associated with that brand accept it as an actual label for what they do.

C. Allen, you seem to be talking only of Pop Country, and Pop Country radio. If you limit yourself to just that, think of all the time you’ll be complaining instead of supporting the artists and genre who are not afraid to and play “traditional country”. How do you feel about todays Roots Country artists, and Roots Country radio?

AMAZACE, What is roots country artists/radio?

Radio has to play whatever’s going to get people listening. They don’t have a moral obligation to play traditional country just because it’s traditional.

BTW, since when is Ronnie Milsap traditional country? His classic stuff was as poppy as anything that’s out now.

Matt B. is right. Pop Country is played on Pop radio. That’s what it’s supposed to do. It’s music that is overproduced and overplayed for profit. Americana/Roots music is just that. It’s an artist/fan driven genre with no limitations. I have yet to be denied a song I requested to Americana/Roots radio. Actually with it’s no limits approach to music, I just sit back and enjoy. If I want to find new music I just hit the AMA or RMR charts, and start checking out artists I’ve never heard of. I don’t really care what Mainstream Pop radio plays. I know what it is and what it represents. They could play the same people and songs all day long and it wouldn’t bother me a bit. Oh…wait a minute. That IS what they do.

That’s a good point. Some of the biggest rock acts in the world, like the Stones and Paul McCartney, can’t get their new music played on the radio.

Screw All Of You This Is One Of The Best Songs Out There

Thank God I’m not the only one who thinks Alan Jackson’s song writing stinks.

A previous comment talked about the song “Where I Come From”. Horrible song.

He also tries uses “Salsa” and “Tulsa”.

Horrible.

I’m saving this site.

all of yall are craxy if dont like country boy its a great song done by a great artist and if u aint country u cant relate to it so i take my hat off to alan jackson and to all those country boys out there

Sexy song. Sexy man. Sexy lyrics. Makes me smile all over just listening to it. In fact it was the first song I chose to listen to today. Reminds me of every country boy I have ever gone for a ride with and I appreciate the song and the memories.