Jason Aldean – “Big Green Tractor”
Songwriters: James Collins Jr. and David Lee Murphy
Jason Aldean’s latest single finds the countrified, hick-ified “outlaw” of a singer in an unusual position: For once, he doesn’t sound like he’s trying too hard.
“Big Green Tractor” is a lazily seductive love song with interesting phrasing that, happily, complements Aldean’s voice instead of drowning it in the cacophony of carefully constructed rock-and-roll chaos so prevalent in the singer’s generic brand of country-rock.
With the rural charm (if not the chops) of “Amarillo Sky,” Aldean’s best song to date, “Big Green Tractor” delivers a catchy chorus with an authentic country feeling without blatantly pandering to stereotypical farm life: “…We can go to town but baby if you’d rather/I’ll take you for a ride on my big green tractor.”
While the song’s title–which, at first glance, looks like the book title of the 1 PM storytelling session at the Kountry Kidz Korral–may seem like a curious way for a self-portrayed country boy like Aldean to describe his beloved machine, the flirty jab cleverly mimics his lover’s skeptical hesitation at climbing on a dirt-covered hunk of metal and draws out the seduction even further.
Beyond that teasing description, the tune’s lyrics only work because of the way Aldean strings them together. While simple, straightforward songs can have their own appeal–just ask Conway Twitty–lyrical substance isn’t the strong point of “Big Green Tractor,” and despite its lackadaisical appeal and imminent commercial success, “Big Green Tractor” will likely be largely forgotten in a year.
Staying power notwithstanding, this guilty pleasure’s production and Aldean’s appealing delivery–if not its simplistic, frying-pan-over-the-head lyrics–should prove sticky enough to stay with listeners through the hot, humid months of summer.
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Big Green Tractor // David Lee Murphy // James Collins Jr. // Jason Aldean
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2 Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URI for this postJuly 1, 2009
[...] Wide Open has produced the No. 1 single “She’s Country” and the current hit, “Big Green Tractor,” which has become the fastest-rising record of Jason’s career. (Country [...]
July 1, 2009
[...] the hit “Amarillo Sky,” are a good fit for Aldean, and even on the somewhat amateur-sounding “Big Green Tractor” Aldean manages to create a fun musical [...]
28 Comments
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May 29, 2009 at 8:13 am Permalink
I think Jason does a great job of singing a mediocre song. Jim sang this one for us at the Bluebird a while back and I didnt like it then and I dont like it much better now. (Jim seems to have a thing for ‘tractor’ songs – he also wrote “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy).
Good production, easy-going pleasant melody, great vocals – doesnt do anything for me lyrically.
While I wont change the station if it comes on (it is pleasing to the ear) I certainly wont seek it out either. So I guess that would be a ’sideways’ thumb for me.
May 29, 2009 at 8:38 am Permalink
LOVE THIS SONG! The first Jason Aldean song that I truly really like. See what happens when you make a nice song without oversinging and overproduction?
May 29, 2009 at 8:43 am Permalink
The best song off of the album, by far.
Too bad it doesn’t have much competition. :)
May 29, 2009 at 8:44 am Permalink
Karlie, I expected to disagree with you, but I can’t. It’s actually a pleasant enough song from someone I typically could live without. It works somehow.
May 29, 2009 at 8:53 am Permalink
I love this song!! This was the 1st song of the album I feel in love with! I love Jason Aldean! If anyone ever gets a chance to see him in concert you need to do so! He puts on one hell of a show and is a great performer! He is wonderful! I don’t think he has EVER had a bad song! He is a great artist, singer and performer!! He has my vote on EVERYTHING he does!!
May 29, 2009 at 9:01 am Permalink
Nice review. I’d give the tune a thumbs at a slightly upward angle. My 7 year old really likes it though. Nothing wrong with a likeable song that doesn’t try too hard.
May 29, 2009 at 9:36 am Permalink
I heard this song yesterday on the radio and thought “I wonder when my buddies on the9513 will review this.” Well, this song, for me, wouldn’t necessarally be a thumbs up for me, yet it wouldn’t be a thumbs down either. It’s much much MUCH better than “She’s Country”, yet not even close to as good as “Why”, “Amarillo Sky” or “Laughed Until We Cried”. It’s a laid-back type of song, but… I don’t know, it just is an ok song for me. I should have a fun time trying to review this one on Tranata.
Anyways, good review, he definately isn’t trying too hard, and actually, his vocals sound good!
May 29, 2009 at 9:43 am Permalink
He’s either a smooth operator or the worst first date ever. She gets all dressed up, gets accosted by his pack of dogs, and then, instead of taking her out on the town, he says “how’s about we just go for a ride on my tractor?” I think the lyric and presentation has a certain charm to it, and I’ve always been a fan of David Lee Murphy, so I’d agree with a thumbs up here. Just not way up.
May 29, 2009 at 9:46 am Permalink
If your “tractor” is green, shouldn’t a doctor take a look at it?
May 29, 2009 at 10:05 am Permalink
Karlie I don’t care what you write girl…I think you are way hot!!
May 29, 2009 at 11:34 am Permalink
When Jason turns down the southern rocking bombast (or better yet turns it off entirely) he’s quite listenable. This is a sonically pleasing little number with the lyrical substance of a cheese puff. They should pair this song on radio with Joe Diffie’s “John Deere Green” so all those suburban soccer moms better grasp his color reference…
May 29, 2009 at 12:07 pm Permalink
Does his tractor make him sexy like Kenny Chesney?
May 30, 2009 at 12:54 am Permalink
I don’t know. I’ve listened to this song several times, and I very quickly get bored with it. It’s not “switch to one of the other country stations even though its playing commercials” bad, but it’s not exactly anything I get excited about hearing. I’ll probably change the channel anyways though, since one of the other two (sometimes 3) is pretty much guaranteed to have something better.
May 30, 2009 at 2:18 pm Permalink
Love this song, even though it doesn’t meet most of this site’s fans americana/roots standards… not all mainstream country sucks.
June 20, 2009 at 9:40 pm Permalink
Jason-u did all men right. Men can buy stuff, say stuff…but if you spend time…with the one you love..what else is there? Great job. Good to see u at Bama Jam.
July 6, 2009 at 9:32 pm Permalink
I love this song so much! Most of the country songs out there anymore are full of cursing and way too seductive stuff for me. This is a song I can listen to while my mom is in the car. This and Amarillo Sky are definently moving up on my list. Two thumbs WAY up! Good job Jason!
July 12, 2009 at 3:45 pm Permalink
Omg i love this song. my ex john sings it to me evveeyyy day i have it memorized by heaet
July 12, 2009 at 11:10 pm Permalink
jasons Big Green Tractor is one of my favorites. It reminds me of when I was young and free.
July 12, 2009 at 11:12 pm Permalink
I love this song it reminds me so much of my teenage years.
July 29, 2009 at 11:01 am Permalink
i love this song it is mine and my boyfriens song!!
if yall ever gett any chance to see him u better cause he is one if the best preformers ever!!!! im glad i got to meet him he is one sweet guy i love him !!! im goin to cee him in consert but serisoly hes the beat and i love all his songs!!!
-sarah-
ily jason aldean && preston<3
September 9, 2009 at 2:16 pm Permalink
awesome song great idea
September 18, 2009 at 2:45 pm Permalink
what mad you make this song
September 18, 2009 at 2:48 pm Permalink
Hi!I love you ………go 98.3 the bull
love
chey
September 23, 2009 at 1:00 pm Permalink
i lov jasons song big green tractor me and my crush sing this song all the time
October 9, 2009 at 11:32 am Permalink
JASON ALDEAN ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2009 at 9:39 am Permalink
omg i love this song i have it on my phone and its when someone texts me i love the song and you it one of my favorite songs i love big green tractor and you lol lol:):):):)
October 16, 2009 at 9:49 am Permalink
Me? Thanks!
October 22, 2009 at 10:25 am Permalink
love the song big green tractor me and my boyfriends song two thumbs up great job
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