Kenny Chesney – “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven”
Oh, what might have been.
George Strait recorded “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” for his recent album Troubador, but when the track didn’t make the final cut, Kenny Chesney grabbed the song and it’s now the first single from his upcoming project, That Lucky Old Sun.
I, for one, would like to hear King George’s version. In fact, I’d like to hear a version by just about any artist other than Kenny Chesney, because I trust that they’d make the choices that this song deserves, or at least refrain from making the choice that destroys it.
Kenny Chesney’s recent extensive use of Caribbean instrumentation has always been relatively tasteless and decidedly un-country, but it hasn’t been entirely inappropriate. There is something natural about steel drums on a song like “When the Sun Goes Down,” and as Chesney has grown more fully into his chosen identity as the modern-day Jimmy Buffett, he’s consciously chosen songs that permit his idiosyncratic instrumental choices: see many of the cuts on When the Sun Goes Down, Be as You Are: Songs from an Old Blue Chair and Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates. Make these choices your basis for questioning Chesney’s commitment to the country genre if you will, but one thing that Kenny has thus far avoided doing is force his unique brand onto a song on which it truly does not belong. That is, until now.
“Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” is a good country song. There’s some of that carefree sentiment that characterizes standards like “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young” (without, of course, that last desire), but everything that’s right with the lyric turns bad when Kenny decides to take a trip to the Virgin Islands, a sound that’s infuriatingly incompatible with the song and the country genre itself. I’d rather that Chesney give the Caribbean treatment to a bad pop song, because then the result would be merely unpleasant instead of patently offensive.
Chesney’s new single is the latest chapter in what has been a revealing year for Chesney observers. I’ve long thought that the upslope of Chesney’s commercial value correlates well with the decline of his artistry, and Chesney’s choices in 2008 have done little to dispel that notion. His clumsy production of Willie Nelson’s Moment of Forever suggested, and “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” confirms, that Chesney has not earned the artistic freedom that his commercial success has brought him, and that, left to his own devices, this superstar has shockingly bad taste.
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July 31, 2008 at 7:41 am Permalink
I would like to hear King George’s version, but I love Kenny’s! I don’t agree! Kenny could sing the ABCs and make that sound good!
July 31, 2008 at 7:55 am Permalink
I agree that the Caribbean production ruins this song. I read, however, that the song was written with that production in mind and George’s version seems to reflect it as well, since it also has a similar Caribbean production (from what I heard from the Amazon clip).
July 31, 2008 at 7:56 am Permalink
“His clumsy production of Willie Nelson’s Moment of Forever suggested, and “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” confirms, that Chesney has not earned the artistic freedom that his commercial success has brought him, and that, left to his own devices, this superstar has shockingly bad taste.”
Why do you find it shocking that Chesney has bad taste? It doesn’t surprise me in the least. I’ve never been able to understand how this guy got so far on so little talent.
July 31, 2008 at 8:00 am Permalink
There is a joke somewhere in Kenny Chesney visiting the Virgin Islands, but I can’t think of it right now. MUST. HAVE. COFFEE………
July 31, 2008 at 8:05 am Permalink
Ok .. I just clicked on the link above, and it played Tim McGraw’s “Let It Go”. :-(
July 31, 2008 at 8:08 am Permalink
It oughta be fixed now, thanks for catchin’ that.
July 31, 2008 at 8:09 am Permalink
Fixed! Sorry about that error.
July 31, 2008 at 8:10 am Permalink
Try this.
http://www.allaboutcountry.com/media/music/ram/Kenny_Chesney_-_Everybody_Wants_To_Go_To_Heaven_90645.ram
July 31, 2008 at 8:19 am Permalink
lol, didn’t reload the page. Sorry, guys, for stepping over you two.
July 31, 2008 at 8:45 am Permalink
Thanks Brady / Jim / Stephen
I’m listening now. When I heard Jim Collins sing it at the Bluebird, the way he sang it I thought that it was more suited for Kenny than George, because even acoustically it had that “island vibe” that Kenny loves. I think it’s the chorus melody that gives it that feel.
July 31, 2008 at 9:21 am Permalink
Good Lord, that song is playing on the radio as I type! Nothing outstanding. Same music, same range as everything else he sings. Just will never understand his popularity. But it will be played to death like all his other songs so it doesn’t matter what anybody thinks of him or his songs. He’s got to the top and I guess that’s where he will always be & overshadowing others with way more talent.
July 31, 2008 at 10:34 am Permalink
Agreed on the production – this song could (potentially) be a barnburner with some charged-up guitars, but I can’t feel this as it stands.
I’ll add that the “nobody wanna go now” sentiment is, unfortunately, one too many “End Times” proponents won’t get behind. Those folks want to get to heaven yesterday… and have dedicated their lives so that we all are rushing headlong on the road to Armageddon as they envision it.
July 31, 2008 at 10:46 am Permalink
Matt C. I think that Chesney was never a real artist. His understanding of popularity has always been far more fixed to Garth Brooks’s kind of fame than to Johnny Cash’s. The fact that he has rarely written his own music,the fact that he has moved his sound to this Jimmy Buffet-lite sound, and the fact that he is always on tour points to a lack of artistic concern. He wants to be famous for being a performer. He has no concern about how that will influence his art.
I have to say- and I expect the bullets to fly-that I don’t think Chesney is a smart guy. He knows how to count money, but he has no idea how to craft a song. His voice has less emotion in it than an Idol singer. Notice how his singing on the duet with Reba(”Every Other Weekend”) makes the song go flat whenever he is singing. He doesn’t care about depth, or he can’t create a sound of depth. That is why all of his songs sound the same. He has one emotion he does well- frat/ beach boy having a beer on some island without care. Every other emotion, outside of that world, is foreign to him. And with good reason. He is unmarried, childless, and rich. Nothing is really demanded of him to grow or change, and thus his music lacks depth and understanding. If he were 24 I would understand that, but at 40 it is unappealing.
July 31, 2008 at 11:09 am Permalink
Craig R. — You hit the nail on the head with many of your points, but there are two areas where I have to disagree:
1. “The fact that he has rarely written his own music”.
I’m not sure why this matters so much. Since when is writing one’s own material a prerequisite to being an artist. Many legendary performers weren’t songwriters. Perhaps we’d be more willing to forgive Chesney’s shortcomings as a singer and musician if he at least wrote some good songs. But the fact is, he is neither a great vocalist nor a great songwriter.
2. “He is unmarried, childless, and rich. Nothing is really demanded of him to grow or change, and thus his music lacks depth and understanding. If he were 24 I would understand that, but at 40 it is unappealing.”
I think this is a bit of a cheap shot. Maybe I’m being oversensitive since I’m also unmarried and childless (but not rich), but I don’t see what his personal life has to do with anything. One doesn’t have to experience everything firsthand in order to produce good music. Barbara Mandrell sang more than her share of cheating songs, but has been married and faithful to the same man over 40 years. When asked about this apparent inconsistency between her music and her lifestyle, Mandrell responded that it wasn’t necessary to live every song — that a singer who couldn’t convincingly sing for three minutes about something he or she hadn’t personally experienced was lacking something — like talent. Let’s criticize Chesney for his lack of talent, which is the real issue, not his lifestyle.
July 31, 2008 at 11:12 am Permalink
Based upon the above comments, I hereby crown Kenny Cheesey as “The Reigning King of Airhead Country Radio”. Kenny’s music perfectly embodies the entire concept of airhead country music. Its pleasant and inoffensive with a lot of hooks to make it catchy with a familiar style. It also tends to be lacking depth in the quality of the lyrics and have little emotional impact other than sappy sentimentality. Kenny’s music is typically very likeable but rarely does it have any weight, making it perfect as sonic wallpaper or elevator music. While Chris N. may embody all things country, Kenny is the personification of “Airhead Country” when it comes to the male gender these days. He caters to a massive fan base with a “lowest common denominator” taste in mellow commercial country music.
PS – Copying Jimmy Buffet to carve out a large dedicated fan base of tailgate partying “Parrot Airheads” is a wise choice economically. Kenny isn’t very original, but he’s smart enough to copy a performer with proven track record.
July 31, 2008 at 11:28 am Permalink
I appreciate the ongoing recognition of my complete country-ness.
July 31, 2008 at 12:00 pm Permalink
I still refuse to accept Chris N.’s doctor’s diagnosis of Chris being anything more than 12% country!!
July 31, 2008 at 12:02 pm Permalink
OK, I admit it — I’m rounding up from 90%.
July 31, 2008 at 12:13 pm Permalink
Mr. Craig R and Rick….you guys are my new heroes!! What you two said is exactly right or at least in my opinion! I think I will copy and frame these post!
July 31, 2008 at 12:17 pm Permalink
Well, I guess my head is full of air because I love Kenny’s version of this song George’s is good too they both have the reggae vibe, I hear that The Wailers as in Bob Marley’s (band) The Wailers are in the video.
I do like his island music and he did write every song on the Be As You Are cd. And has wrote some really good songs. JMO!!
July 31, 2008 at 12:43 pm Permalink
Craig, I actually think Kenny is a very smart guy. He’s carved out a niche and he’s sticking to it. I don’t view him as an artist either, but I think he gave up on that long ago. He knows his limitations. His goal is to make people happy and to give them a summer concert experience. In that, he’s successful.
It’s too bad there’s very little balance in country today. I used to be able to enjoy fluff songs, or country jingles if you will, like this on the radio, but when that is all there is…it’s hard.
July 31, 2008 at 12:57 pm Permalink
lynn,
kenny chesney is not a very smart guy but he’s absolutely outstanding in having perfected mediocracy. next to him, even a circle might have second thoughts about its shape.
July 31, 2008 at 1:15 pm Permalink
I disagree with the implication in some of these comments that Kenny Chesney simply lacks the talent to be a good artist or songwriter – I just think he’s being lazy and not living up to his potential as either one. Others may disagree, but I think “Beer in Mexico,” which he wrote, was a great example of his shtick done very, very well. I’m still waiting for him to release something else that good.
July 31, 2008 at 1:44 pm Permalink
I liked “Beer in Mexico” as well, and I’m surprised that it didn’t do as well as other Chesney songs that have used his shtick to lesser effect.
July 31, 2008 at 2:29 pm Permalink
Interestingly, I, too, liked “Beer In Mexico” and I’m not one to likeChesney’s schtick at all.
July 31, 2008 at 5:09 pm Permalink
however, it might be a lot more chic to have less shtick or schtick or stick.
July 31, 2008 at 7:36 pm Permalink
Anyone know why he insists on flattening his voice in the studio so much? It’s painfully obvious on some tracks. Strait does the same thing too, and it just sticks out like a sore thumb.
July 31, 2008 at 7:39 pm Permalink
Totally agree with the review. Chesney is just another example of an artist who should credit his record label, his trainer, his producer and his song-writers for the number of records he has sold, more than himself or his “talent”.
Sadly, I think I could say the same about the majority of “artists” on Country radio these days.
July 31, 2008 at 8:18 pm Permalink
I’m waiting for Kenny Cheesey to do a “Live at the Acroplis” video as he is the country equivalent of Yanni and/or Kenny G. …….
July 31, 2008 at 10:48 pm Permalink
hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate
another hit kenneth!!!!!!!
August 1, 2008 at 7:39 am Permalink
The song may blow (it is Chesney after all) but people please buy the album and help little Kenny buy a shirt!
August 1, 2008 at 8:23 am Permalink
with or without sleeves?
August 1, 2008 at 10:29 am Permalink
Obviously, none of you have ever seen Kenny in concert! He is an unbelievable entertainer unlike most of the other country singers who merely stand in front of the microphone. Looking at album sales and concert tickets you guys are the minority!!!!!!!!!!!!!Keep singing Kenny!!!
August 1, 2008 at 11:03 am Permalink
I just heard this song for the first time and must say I hated it!!!I wasn’t totally against the Reggae sound in country at first,I love “Then What” by Clay Walker, but now it’s ten years later and this little experiment has been done to death especially by Chesney.
August 1, 2008 at 11:11 am Permalink
Ashley: Budweiser is the #1 beer in America, that doesn’t make it any good.
August 1, 2008 at 12:57 pm Permalink
I won’t be able to listen to it now that I know it should of been a George Strait release……
August 2, 2008 at 2:18 am Permalink
I am listening to the sound now and don’t mind it at all. BUT, I also like reggae, carribean and other “island music”. I also like “country-rock”. I don’t think there can only be one type of country music.
As for a comment about Kenny Chesney being too much like Garth Brooks & “not being an artist”… you’re right in one respect, not every singer is an artist… many are entertainers. Kenny is one of them. NO, I don’t believe it’s just about making money. It’s about performing on stage and having people sing along. It’s about energy, the kind he can create and the kind he feels in return.
Listen to what you like rather than bashing someone you don’t understand. Kenny puts on a great live performance. I saw him several years ago and in that same summer saw another country singer who DOES write most of his own music. Guess what, the “artist” came on stage sunburned from being at a MLB game earlier in the day where he probably drank a bit too much – and his performance was boring … he stood there and just sang. To top it off, he didn’t even sing his own songs that well. I still love him on CD, but would never pay to see him again.
Would I pay to attend another Kenny Chesney concert? Without hesitation
August 2, 2008 at 6:35 pm Permalink
Ok, The guys voice is great, the country roots and island influence works. Who in the heck could ever pull that off? Kenny does! Good Stuff Man! Keep painting a picture for everyone that’s not negative and places importance on the real things in life. NOT material things:Bling/gold teeth(lmao).When we all know he could afford WHATEVER you could pay for. This guy just could be music’s as a whole saving grace. Nice
August 2, 2008 at 8:19 pm Permalink
….nice, as in town at the french riviera or nice, as t-shirts whithout sleeves or nice, i’m so pissed that i like kenny’s song in all it’s 98 similar versions?
August 2, 2008 at 8:20 pm Permalink
Thumbs: Then why hasn’t he saved music yet?
August 2, 2008 at 8:33 pm Permalink
he’s still working on that “walking on water trick” to get back from the island and get started.
August 3, 2008 at 2:30 pm Permalink
Wow can someone tell Kenny hes not Jimmy Buffet. What happened to “Dont that make you wanna fall in love” and “What i need to do” Kenny?
August 3, 2008 at 11:04 pm Permalink
Wow clearly everyone on here has something against Kenny. I personally love his music and this song. I think everyone should listen to his album Be As You Are: Songs from an Old Blue Chair. Most of these songs he wrote but didn’t really promote it on the radio because it was more for his fans and true Kenny listeners. This is my favorite album and has some of my favorite songs on it. This man can write…..in fact he wrote Rascal Flatts’ big hit Take Me There….what an amazing song!!! Also do I need to mention that he is an amazing performer and has won entertainer of the year 4 times now and doesn’t look to be giving that title up soon. People are entitled to their opinion but from the sounds of it most don’t take the time to get to know about the subject/person they’re talking about and aren’t very knowledgeable in this case about his career or music.
August 4, 2008 at 7:34 am Permalink
What is there not to know about Kenny! Country Weekly magazine use to have something about Kenny every week!Evey entertainment show covers him constantly. I think that’s a lot of the problem. Kenny Chesney is shoved down your throats…like him or not! He may sound good on record, but the times I’ve heard him sing live he’s flat. On awards shows he’s never entertaining to me.I use to attend some of his concerts with my daughter and I never really thought he was that great. As far as the Songs From an Old Blue Chair, well they featured that on CMT as well. Boring and flat, nothing any other artist couldn’t do. I’ve tried to get on the Kenny bandwagon, but have not been able to. Sorry, but he does nothing for me! Too many other better talents living in his shadow and that is ashame. His one range voice gets old!
August 4, 2008 at 7:50 am Permalink
I have something against Kenny: He makes really boring and lifeless songs.
August 4, 2008 at 8:17 am Permalink
Stormy, I think that’s an unfair generalization of Kenny’s music. He’s certainly made some poor artistic choices, and I wouldn’t even put him in the same tier as a Tim McGraw…but he has also made some very sound country music, including “A Lot Of Things Different.”
I also wouldn’t call “No Shoes…” boring and lifeless. These are examples, but you get my drift.
August 4, 2008 at 8:28 am Permalink
‘What I Need To Do’ was one fine tune – how about if you ‘go back’ to those days, Kenny?
August 4, 2008 at 9:11 am Permalink
For the most part, he bores me to death too. He has, maybe, three songs that I’ve liked over his whole career. Maybe I can stretch it to five. Even his voice bores me.
August 4, 2008 at 9:32 am Permalink
Jim: I would put him in the same tier as Tim McGraw. That teir being eunch male Celine Dion wannbes who serve only to put me to sleep, but that is probably a subgenre that exists only in my music collection (except I don’t collect them).
August 4, 2008 at 2:42 pm Permalink
Jim and Stormy: I would put Chesney in the tier BELOW McGraw. I’m not a fan of either one but at least all of McGraw’s songs don’t sound exactly the same.
August 5, 2008 at 4:18 pm Permalink
This is a song that shouldn’t have an island beat and plus the fact that the video will be shot in Jamacia that is even worse…I have never really been a Kenny fan plus he ruined Shiftwork with the island theme…His only good songs were I Go ack and Better as a Memory
August 5, 2008 at 4:27 pm Permalink
Can we open up the “Better as a Memory” argument again?
Kenny is definitely in the tier below McGraw. McGraw has hair (Tim anyway, not so much with Dr. Phil McGraw), Kenny doesn’t.
August 5, 2008 at 4:29 pm Permalink
Better as a memory arguement?
August 5, 2008 at 4:32 pm Permalink
Ah, Chris J….you are obviously new around these parts.
August 5, 2008 at 4:34 pm Permalink
Yes I am…I really don’t see how there could be an arguement over that song…Could someone please explain?
August 5, 2008 at 4:42 pm Permalink
Let’s go back and argue about “Don’t Blink” again instead.
August 5, 2008 at 4:47 pm Permalink
Which version of Don’t Blink? Chesney’s or one of the other thousand songs with the same ideas?
August 6, 2008 at 11:17 pm Permalink
I like the song, and Kenny, and the caribbean vibe. As for depth and meaning in his songs, his Be As You Are album is one of the best written and sung albums ever. His reflection of his life in the Virgin Isles (he lives there, has several houses on St. John, is poetic justice and DEAD ON! In fact, it inspired my wife and I to go visit many of the places he sang about (Jost Van Dyke)and understand completely the “Genius” behind the man.
August 7, 2008 at 7:16 pm Permalink
Why are you negative wonders here listening to Kenny’s music at all, it is obvious you have never liked him or Country Music? I saw Kenny in concert just last night and HE DID BEYOND FANTASTIC! He entertained and kept it going all night and INTO THE MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOOO!~!~!~!~
I LOVE the sounds of this and all of his songs, and his versatility shined through with some rock songs and old favorites by many artists at his concert. He worked very hard and he has written numerous great songs!
There are MANY new country ‘artists’ and even some cross over’s that really are deserving of some bashing…… KENNY IS NOT! Oh and those that lay mention you don’t like George Strait’s style either……come on……go listen to another genre because it doesn’t get more country then George and Kenny!
August 7, 2008 at 7:44 pm Permalink
hmmm….let’s see… Hank and Lefty, Cash and Haggard, Waylon and Willie, Buck and Dwight, Tammy and Loretta, Wynn and Faron….
yup, turns out it does get more country than George and Kenny!
August 10, 2008 at 7:13 am Permalink
What? No one wants to say anything about how very FLAT he makes his voice in the studio?
August 10, 2008 at 9:15 am Permalink
Bobby,
To me, he sounds just about the same in the studio as he does live, which is actually saying something for him. The same goes for George Strait. I wouldn’t really say that their voices are “flat”, but their songs can be lifeless, sometimes. I’d take George over Kenny a million times over though, by the way.
August 10, 2008 at 11:18 am Permalink
George flattens just as badly as Kenny. Sometimes I can hear the flattening just get WAY off (listen to the line “tumbleweeds roll” in “It Just Comes Natural” for an example). Every time I’ve heard Kenny or George live they sound sick and lifeless.
August 10, 2008 at 12:13 pm Permalink
To each his own, but sick and lifeless? That’s a little extreme.
August 10, 2008 at 3:46 pm Permalink
I love that particular Strait song, so I guess I just don’t hear it. To me, he sings it in his own perfect way, which isn’t always the smoothest, but I wouldn’t say sick or lifeless. I haven’t always loved all of Georges songs, but I like his voice. I certainly don’t like most of Kenny’s songs, but his voice is okay. I think it lacks a lot of depth, but I wouldn’t call his voice sick or lifeless either. I suppose people hear things differently sometimes.:)
August 10, 2008 at 5:51 pm Permalink
Kenny Chesney can sing a song about how to live, the islands/beaches/flipflops, and silly love songs, but he can’t do any without resinging the same song or ruining it.
August 11, 2008 at 5:11 pm Permalink
Personally as a Kenny fan, I love this song. I am certain that I would have liked George’s version as well. As far as for all of you that feel that Kenny is not an artist, well I am damn sure that none of you are making the money that he is, or have 1/100th of the people that care what you are doing right now, so I guess being an “artist” in this day and age is just not that big of a deal. Keep pumping out the feel good, beach songs because I love them as do hundreds of thousands of other Kenny fans!!!
August 13, 2008 at 10:26 am Permalink
I have to agree with Craig on his above post. I do think Keith Urban or Brad Paisley should be Entertainer of the Year or also a woman as they work extrmemly hard also as Kenny isn’t the only one that puts on a good live show. I am a christian and for me this song is sacreligious in that it talks about putting an extra $20 in the offering plate at church to cover the sins he did for that day and is going to do that night. Same thing when Dierks Bently a few years back on an award show gave an acceptance speech and basically said Lord forgive me for the sins I’m going to commit tonight. I think the song and that by Dierks really puts out a wrong message. Drinking and partying doesn’t mix with God. We all fall short but to purposely go out and drink and party, etc. and supposedly have a close relationship with Jesus and be saved that isn’t good. To me if your saved then the way you live your life each day says alot about you as a person and as a follower of Jesus. The only thing with Kenney Chesney is that there isn’t much depth in his songs in that he either likes to look back at his high school or college days or talk about getting away on an island. Just my two cents.
August 19, 2008 at 10:18 pm Permalink
Kenny really has made some bad choices lately. I really like I go back and his older stuff but, this new stuff is well.. crap IMO
August 21, 2008 at 8:59 pm Permalink
look people you need to go spend a week in mexico or the islands and you will understand. Keep up the good work Kenny life is awesome no stress get over yourself and enjoy life
August 21, 2008 at 9:43 pm Permalink
I’m of IRISH and SCOTTISH decent. If I spent that long in the Islands I would spontaneously combust.
August 26, 2008 at 5:40 pm Permalink
I have been saying this for years.
When Kenny First came out I liked his music, then after a little fame comes along they all go crazy. They change their music and style and some sell out to pop radio actually re-cutting their songs to eliminate any hints of country to please the top 40 and make more money.
Yet they vehemently deny they are moving away from country.
Kenny is definately overrated as a singer, his choices have been horrendous over the past few years but his popularity grows.
I stopped trying to figure todays country market when people like Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt, Joe Diffe, Alan Jackson and the like struggle to chart, while people like Shania Twain sells 20 million copies of a pop album passed off as country.
I am a life long country fan, I love the music and the people that make great country music for me to listen to everyday, Unfortunately, people that helped make country more popular, like Shania, Garth, (another one that lost his mind after he became super famous), and others, are the reason country music today sounds like watered Down bubblegum country, oh on a beach lol
Listen to King George’s Song, “The Real Thing”, thats what I want too, “don’t want you under my roof if you’re 86 proof watered down til it taste like tea, if you’re gonna pull my string, make it the real thing for me” That line is not talking about a drink lol
Shape up Kenny, I haven’t bought any of his last 4 CD’s, I can’t get into the beach at Christmas time.
Long Live George Strait, the true king of country…………….. Dave
August 26, 2008 at 6:15 pm Permalink
Kerri
August 1, 2008 at 12:57 pm Permalink I won’t be able to listen to it now that I know it should of been a George Strait release……
Kerri, That is why George cut the song off his CD, even he knew he sounded a little ridiculous saying “Ya Mon” “Ya Mon” but Kenny would not miss the chance to say it.
As the song stands, George’s version is much better than Kenny’s for sure, but George knew better than Junior to keep it on his album.
There is a reason George Strait is the reigning King of country, HE DOESN’T SELL OUT!
August 27, 2008 at 9:24 pm Permalink
kenney chesney was excellent with the wailers.
reggae & coutry…
great mix. and hes sexxy.
i loved it
August 28, 2008 at 8:04 pm Permalink
Y’all why can’t you just agree to disagree?? It’s obvious you have varying opinions but you should at least respect Kenny. He’s Entertainer of the Year in my opinion because he is good and is a great guy. But why argue? You have your opinions, just keep them to yourselves instead of trying to convince everyone else you’re right!
August 30, 2008 at 12:14 pm Permalink
Seems like there’s a lot of Kenny haters here. I think the guys great. So what he’s not like every other country artist. He brings something new that no one has ever really heard before in a country artist. I love the island twist he puts on songs and I know there are a lot of people out there agree.
If it takes no artistic talent to do what he’s doing then why don’t you guys
August 30, 2008 at 12:17 pm Permalink
go try to sell out football stadium after football stadium. He must be doing something right. His music appeals to a lot of people which is why he is one of the most popular artists out there. Period.
August 30, 2008 at 12:31 pm Permalink
I use to like Kenny a lot more but recently i haven’t been liking he’s songs as much. I liked his cd with big star and good stuff and the songs thats says it ain’t fair u died to young and there goes my life. But his stuff has better get worse for me. Like don’t blink well i want to blink and shiftwork ugh. I think he’s starting to get liking Toby Keith I don’t like any of the stuff he puts out anymore like she a hottie that song is real tacky
August 30, 2008 at 2:23 pm Permalink
I’m afraid the “[Artist] is popular, so [he/she] must be doing something right” defense is long since discredited.
September 4, 2008 at 6:52 pm Permalink
Kenny Chesney.he sells out all his concert.so he must have a real big fan base in country music.
September 5, 2008 at 1:50 am Permalink
i thoroughly disagree with you. i have heard BOTH king george’s and kenny chesney’s version of EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO HEAVEN i like both versions and i believe the way that each artist interpreted and recorded the song reflects the individual personality of each artist.
the very idea that you seem to think that good music needs to be pigeon-holed into one particular genre or another shows your lack of appreciation of GOOD MUSIC. truly good music knows no boundries!
kenny chesney is MORE than a country singer/songwriter. he is an artist that has crossed the boundries of many genres and brought good music to his fans. he’s taken us on a journey to the islands, encouraged us to forget about our problems for a while and reflected on the past or what could have been in such a way that we can feel that he is singing to us about our own lives.
September 7, 2008 at 8:56 pm Permalink
I came on here googling because I SOOOOO love his version. I heard Georges, but I think the Carri bean music and the lightheartedness makes this song so fun. You nay sayers don’t enjoy fun, IMO
September 8, 2008 at 5:00 pm Permalink
Kenny Chesney is a joke.
September 16, 2008 at 2:17 pm Permalink
Give the guy a break. He is a 4 time entertainer of the year, A great performer, And has made more of himself than any of you that are down playing him will ever be. Quit talking bad about him. If you don’t like the music, just don’t listen. Don’t be mad because you can’t be a superstar like him. Kenny Chesney is not a joke my friend, you are.
September 18, 2008 at 11:18 am Permalink
To the dummy that wrote the article,
George Straits version has a caribbean feel to it to. That is how the song is supposed to be.
October 12, 2008 at 3:10 pm Permalink
This reviewer is to country music what Christy Lemire is to movies: neither of them likes much of anything. Would it kill you to like one song every now and then? Just one? If you consider every single you review badly produced cliched drivel, why do you even have this job? Pick something that makes you happy, bud. Country music obviously doesn’t.
I’ve also noticed this reviewer complains when a song doesn’t fit his very narrow definition of “classic country” and then complains when a song contains anything that’s remotely been done before. Well, what should it be, then?! Not leaving a whole lot of wiggle room, are you?
I think this is a great song, and I mostly don’t even like Kenny Chesney.
October 12, 2008 at 5:31 pm Permalink
Anne’s comment “Pick something that makes you happy, bud. Country music obviously doesn’t…” Ignores the possibility that one could dislike country music but enjoy reviewing country music songs. Thus the country music reviewer who dislikes country music could very much like his or her vocation.
October 12, 2008 at 6:22 pm Permalink
Also ignoring that loving country music frequently means hating having to watch what Kenny Chesney is doing to it.
October 12, 2008 at 10:47 pm Permalink
You’re right, hairandtoenails. I didn’t think of it that way. :) (But all that negativity does get a little annoying after a while. Surely there’s more to like.)
October 13, 2008 at 3:07 pm Permalink
Wow…I’m just blown away at all the negative comments in regards to Kenny’s latest #1 song… “Everybody wants to go to Heaven”. I’ve loved it since the day I first heard it. Chesney is an amazing performer (whether it be at a stadium or a bar in Key West). His recent music has a great laid-back, easy-going vibe. Can’t wait to get his new album tomorrow. Go Kenny! I love lots of other country artist, but Kenny is by FAR the best guy (to look at and listen to).
October 13, 2008 at 3:15 pm Permalink
choosy you ain’t, susan.
December 14, 2008 at 9:40 pm Permalink
no earlier someone wrote that he speaks and writes about island life so well. that is bullshi– I have spent time on tropical islands all over the world and what he represents is nothing resembling of island life. He represents what trailer trash people think of island life while they listen to this overrated rich hick chesney from the sticks on the deck of a cruise ship thinking they are getting culture. lol. And yes he uses the wailers . this is true. what most people don’t know as in chesney losers is that out of the the fifteen members of the band the wailers, only one is an original member that was with bob marley. and they needed the money and didn’t care “MON” if chesney sucks. it is easy money to them. lol they wailers said lets make some money and sing with the country boy who looks like a turtle on steroids. lol
December 14, 2008 at 9:54 pm Permalink
James: Kenny doesn’t even sing songs about working class Americans. Do you really think he’s capable of making that leap to a whole other culture?
January 21, 2009 at 4:22 pm Permalink
Kenny doesn’t do concerts, he does drunkfest. I’ve been to a couple and had a lousy time because of his drunken followers. I read a review of one his shows where the guy said, half of Kenny’s fans could have cared less who was on stage and what they were singing.I could never understand what is so wonderful about his shows. It’s definitely not about the music. People are obsessed with the idea of Kenny and really don’t care about him not being that great of a singer. IMO…he doesn’t care what he has to do to be on top. He seems to have no life really…..grant it he’s rich, but has nobody to share his life with! His label makes sure he gets what he wants in the business…all his songs going to #1 and him getting the EOTY award. If you notice, that’s about the only award he ever wins. He has never been nominated or won a grammy, until this year, but his label will get him that…wait and see. There are so many artist out there better then Kenny and all work just as hard as he does. Most women are ga ga over his body,(will never understand that)and could care less about his talents. I agree with the poster who said Brad Paisley & Keith Urban should win EOTY or maybe a woman. But there we go again with Kenny’s label getting him what he wants.For you fans that adore him…good for you! Keep on building him up in your minds. What is so great anyway, about filling up a stadium…you couldn’t possibly be enjoying every aspect of the concert, some of you being so far away. I just don’t call that enjoyable. You are just making Kenny richer and richer and his ego is getting bigger and bigger, if that’s possible. JMO!
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