Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
Songwriters: Brett James and Ashley Monroe.
Jason Aldean definitely knows what his fans want and expect—country songs about country life and country living…as long as they don’t sound too, you know, country.
Sure, you can throw in a fiddle or a steel guitar, as long as those instruments don’t take away from the drums and electric guitar. Heck, he’s the guy that managed to make Bryan Adams seem like a neo-traditionalist on an episode of CMT’s Crossroads.
To either give his fans a change of pace, or prove to his naysayers that he can sing a song about something other than tractors and rednecks, Aldean’s new single, “The Truth,” may be the most country-sounding song he’s ever released. It comes courtesy of Brett James and Ashley Monroe, and the combination of a proven hitmaker with a new country sweetheart results in a winner of a song.
It’s an interesting little character study they present, and a far cry from the swagger that Aldean showed on “Big Green Tractor.” When you’re begging your ex to cover for you to your buddies in case they ask her why you’re not around, you’ve gone several steps below rock bottom.
We don’t even find out what “the truth” is until the last few seconds of the song (not that it’s a surprise), and by the time we get there, the narrator has pretty much tossed every shred of self-respect out the window.
Aldean pulls it off with a very understated vocal. He only reaches for the big notes when he gets to the line, “If you ever loved me, please, have some mercy on me,” and, by then, you’d expect him to be on his knees belting the words out with whatever strength he’s got left–in that sense, it’s more about the emotion than the vocal gymnastics.
I’d like to think that this song is a sign that Aldean is growing up and realizing that country music means more than wearing a cowboy hat. I’d like to think he’s trading his pseudo-country rockers for actual country songs. He could help guide Nashville from acoustic pop and redneck rock back into country music. It’ll never happen, of course, so we’ll just have to enjoy these little forays into country whenever they happen to come around.
Listen: Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Is Dave Haywood going solo? This and many other of country music's most pressing questions answered in the September edition of The 9513's world famous Mailbag!
Caroline Herring likes to sing songs about life in the South. No, not exactly like Justin Moore and Jason Aldean...
The 9513's resident historian Paul W. Dennis sits down for a chat with country music legend Gene Watson.
As much as we love girl singers, we love songs about girl singers even more. Here's just a few of the many tribute songs out there.
Step away from the river and up to a jukebox, because heartbreak is only temporary, but a good song about drowning yourself—like a diamond—lasts forever.
What do you think about music labels "testing the waters" with a single before providing access to an artist's entire album? 
What country artist, young or old, would you recommend as a must-listen artist to a newcomer on his/her journey through country music, and what would your essential song picks be?Tagged In This Article
Current Discussion
- Matt: I'm glad you chose to review this as opposed to the new Joe Nichols album. Instead of complaining about bad ...
- Terry Ridont: I think its cool. Thats what I like about indy rock artists, everything isn't the same high budget packaging and ...
- Stormy: Jon: The problem is that the progressive country music is now being called Americana. And why is it ...
- Razor X: Maybe his brother did talk him into it but what’s to say he hasn’t ‘always loved’ and ‘wanted’ to ...
- Brian: Josh Kelley will be fine. At the very least it means Katherine Heigl may show up on country award shows regularly. ...
- Razor X: Change may be inevitable but we aren't required to support it and if enough people boycott it, it doesn't last ...
- Jon: "You can’t stop “progress”… We can if we try hard enough. Um, no. Not that I think "progress" is a good ...
- Joe: When she moved from Mercury to BNA, I think we were all just allowed to think there'd be some grand ...
- sam sam: Well, Suzie, maybe if I saw his live show I'd love him. But I'm not interested in attending concerts. Radio ...
- JOHN: Personally Sherrie s voice is as pure as it gets to me. Just listened to her demo songs after reading ...
37 Comments
RSS for comments on this post | Trackback URI for this post
September 22, 2009 at 4:24 pm Permalink
Big fan of this song. It’s a little similar to Chris Cagle’s “anywhere but here”, but Aldean makes this song believable.
Still wish he would of released “On My Highway” instead though.
September 22, 2009 at 4:30 pm Permalink
I like this guy more than I feel like I should…there, I said it, it’s out there…
September 22, 2009 at 4:50 pm Permalink
Since Kelly’s confessin’, I’ll admit that I like “Big Green Tractor” a lot better than this one.
September 22, 2009 at 5:11 pm Permalink
i must confess that ever since i had a chance to meet him when he came here a couple years back with rascal flatts (another confession…shame on me) i’ve loved him. he’s an excellent performer, and has put out some very respectable songs
September 22, 2009 at 5:29 pm Permalink
Gosh, I hope this song does great just to help earn Ashley Monroe some more songwriter royalties! (lol) I don’t mind admitting that Jason’s slower radio singles have been okay and even borderline compelling at times, its the rockers I can’t stand. I think this song is just a mellow change of pace to help keep his radio singles from being too repetitive, but I’m sure a screaming rocker will follow this onto the charts.
Jason is the big money earner at Broken Bow these days, so he needs to keep it up so they can retain Megan Mullins on the roster at the sister Stoney Creek label. That way crass commercialization can financially support true artistry!
September 22, 2009 at 5:34 pm Permalink
Yeah, especially since this song is from the same album as a screaming rocker, “She’s Country.” That’s why it’s doubtful that this is a sign of anything as far as “growth” is concerned, as the songs were all likely recorded around the same time.
September 22, 2009 at 7:58 pm Permalink
“t’s doubtful that this is a sign of anything as far as “growth” is concerned, as the songs were all likely recorded around the same time.”
My thoughts excatly.
I heard this song yesterday, and I’m definatly not a fan of it by any means. Although his previous efforts in the vein of “She’s Country”
“Big Green Tractor” and “Hicktown” are trite and bland compared to this effort, I think those songs show off more of Jasons artistic personality than “The Truth.”
September 22, 2009 at 10:43 pm Permalink
You realize the “truth” in the last few seconds? It’s in the second line of the chorus.. “I’m still strung out over you.” Just saying.
September 23, 2009 at 12:19 am Permalink
I think the “truth” is he’s “asking you to lie”…he even states that in the song. At least that’s what I get from the song.
So I’ll just say I like the song…because Jason told me to. lol
September 23, 2009 at 12:53 am Permalink
I’m nearly certain that the strategy here is to release this to appeal to the fans Aldean gained through softer offerings like “Laughed Until We Cried” and “Why”………and then release “Crazy Town” as the fourth single to appeal to all the fans he gained from the noise pollution pandemonium that is “She’s Country”.
This release is umpteen times more about calculation and rounding up all the bases than it is about maturity.
September 23, 2009 at 3:37 am Permalink
This song is pretty mediocre, which makes it among the best songs on the album
September 23, 2009 at 6:15 am Permalink
why should she, actually? taylormade for radio-playlists and the charts but nothing more. when you have no expectation, jason aldean is quite pleasantly surprising. if you have some expectations regarding country music, he’s still falling somewhat short.
September 23, 2009 at 7:33 am Permalink
I love Jason Aldean all around!! He is great and he is on fire right now! This is a really good song but I agree he needs to release My Highway thats a really good song!! He is awesome! I hope ALL of them go to number 1
September 23, 2009 at 8:39 am Permalink
Holy S! He’s on fire? Shouldn’t someone call 911 or something?
September 23, 2009 at 8:41 am Permalink
Sadly, I have to admit to liking him more than I should.
September 23, 2009 at 9:38 am Permalink
He has a oddly-shaped face.
September 23, 2009 at 10:48 am Permalink
Wow, i thought for sure this site would slam him for this song considering its similarity to Cagle’s song, however I totally agree that it shows a lot for what Aldean is capable of. I think it’ll grow on me, but right now I’m neutral. Once I get over the similarities to “Anywhere But Here” I’ll probably enjoy it a lot more.
September 23, 2009 at 10:58 am Permalink
It’s okay… Aldean has grown on me, but I’m still jogging behind the bandwagon and can’t make myself jump on. I think my problem is, that when I play this up against something like Eric Church’s latest, Aldean’s effort has something missing. I can’t put my finger on what it is.
September 23, 2009 at 2:22 pm Permalink
I liked “Anywhere But Here” a lot and this one less so. Before anyone gets ready to hammer the writers for obvious similarities between the two songs, they might need to figure out which one came first.
“The Truth” was recorded previously by Trent Willmon….and who knows how long either one of these has been floating around town…
September 23, 2009 at 3:16 pm Permalink
I think the similarities are no big deal. With an idea that’s not so far out there, two songs that deal with a similar situation is a similar way is really no surprise.
September 23, 2009 at 5:03 pm Permalink
I like this song a lot. Love most anything Ashley Monroe writes, especially when it’s written with Brett James. I think this song and “Anywhere But Here” aren’t really that similar in that they come from a different angle. In “Anywhere But Here” he’s hiding the truth from her, here he’s hiding the truth from everyone else.
September 23, 2009 at 5:18 pm Permalink
Every time I hear this song – I hear Chris Cagle’s “Anywhere But Here”. I dunno, maybe I like Cagle better and am biased, but I just don’t particularly care for “The Truth”.
September 23, 2009 at 7:01 pm Permalink
Anyone else hear Trent Willmons version of this song? I like it much better!
September 23, 2009 at 7:42 pm Permalink
This has become a confessional for people who like Jason Aldean more than they want to admit. “I just can’t quit you…” :)
September 23, 2009 at 11:13 pm Permalink
This has become a confessional for people who like Jason Aldean more than they want to admit. “I just can’t quit you…” :)
So who is going to grant absolution and hand out penances, then?
September 24, 2009 at 6:25 am Permalink
i love big green tractor its awesome and jason aldean is so hot so is justin moore with a small town usa
September 24, 2009 at 6:38 am Permalink
That’s not a confessional, that’s a support group.
September 24, 2009 at 7:09 am Permalink
I guess he’s not hot if he’s not with “a small town usa”? …I like Trent’s better too. Trent’s VERY much underrated. But not if you see him live. then you’ll be hooked. :) That’s someone who makes real country music, too. If you’re into that kinda thing.
September 24, 2009 at 7:13 am Permalink
stormy, i read your post on “big green tractor”. are we the only people, who have the impression that he’s not really singing about farming equipment with yellow wheels?
September 24, 2009 at 8:40 am Permalink
i get that same feeling (that he’s not really singing about a big green tractor). in which case, penicillin should clear it right up.
September 30, 2009 at 12:04 am Permalink
I like Jason’s take on the song, although I agree Chris Cagle’s Anywhere But Here is a far superior song on the same subject. As good as a vocalist and entertainer as JA is, Wide Open is an extremely average album and a step back from Relentless. “On My Highway,” which feature his most expressive vocal performance to date, would have been a much better choice as Wide Open’s third single. It’s an anthem any JA fan, no matter where they are in life, can relate to.
October 7, 2009 at 1:10 pm Permalink
So glad to read this song got a thumbs up. When I first bought his cd this was instantly my favorite song on the cd. Anyway I have always loved Jason and his music is only getting better. If you haven’t had a chance yet check him out you wont regret it.
October 19, 2009 at 11:11 pm Permalink
Trent Willmon did record this song first and everyone should check it out. It is an amazing recording compared to Jason Aldean’s. I wouldn’t even like the song if I only heard Jason’s version. Trent’s rendition, however…awesome!
October 30, 2009 at 10:01 am Permalink
I second Gina, Trent did it first and best. Anything Trent Willmon sings is better than Aldean’s stuff. These Texas Country guys need more attention!
October 31, 2009 at 8:36 pm Permalink
THIS SONG SAYS IT ALL ! AND THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE SAID IS GREAT!
October 31, 2009 at 8:48 pm Permalink
and i really do have to say i like jasons’s version of this whole theme over chris cagle. I really like his voice and all over everything much better …..
November 11, 2009 at 6:37 pm Permalink
It is a great song, but I always have to laugh at the idiots on this site who like to bitch and moan that country music has changed and follow with the ridiculous claim that it isn’t really country.
Leave a Comment