Kristy Lee Cook - “15 Minutes of Shame”
Songwriters: Kelly Archer, Casey Kessel, Justin Weaver
For her debut single, American Idol: Season Seven alumnus Kristy Lee Cook takes on the role of a woman scorned–and she wants to tell us all about it. Just not in the song.
In the here and now, Cook settles for telling us that she’s going to tell us. She says she’s going to “spill the beans” and “shout it out,” but never actually does either of the two, a fact which leaves the whole thing seeming a little bit awkward. After all, here’s a song that proclaims juicy details of some sordid affair are forthcoming, but then serves up absolutely zero of those details.
It would be like if I wrote a review of this song which consisted not of me commenting on the song, but rather on how I’m going to comment on the song in the future. And even if I told you how awesome my not-yet-written, sometime-in-the-future review will be, I have a feeling you wouldn’t care.
You want the actual review. And, in this case, I want the actual story, not the promise of the story. But, in typical 2008 contemporary-country fashion, “15 Minutes of Shame” insults our intelligence by treating us like we have the attention span of a hyperactive fifth grader, as if we’re incapable of comprehending any narrative beyond a perfunctory list of actions that lead the singer from Point A to Point B.
Topical, shallow, unsubstantial, it would be essentially the same song if Cook were just singing the notes as opposed to actually forming the words. We get no indication of how her significant-other has wronged her, other than that which is derived from the song’s use of the most generic language possible. He “lied,” and he “broke his promises,” and that’s supposed to be enough for us.
And then it gets to the hook, and…is that supposed to be funny? “I hope you enjoy your fifteen minutes of shame?” Are Nashville’s songwriters even trying to be clever anymore?
Cook sounds fine at the hand’s of Brett James’ typically slick production–better, in fact, than she ever sounded on American Idol. And I recognize that her time on the show gives her nation-wide name recognition.
But at the end of the day, this signing by Arista makes little sense to me. Cook doesn’t have the charm of Kellie Pickler or the vocal chops of Carrie Underwood, and, based on this single, it appears she has no imagination as a recording artist. In every way, “15 Minutes of Shame” is a format-driven carbon copy, a direct-from-formula pop-country jingle.
And while this kind of disposable, radio-friendly single often strikes fast and hard, I have a feeling its star will fade quickly. It’s tough competition out there right now for pop-country leaning blondes, and this whole package just doesn’t work in an environment where females consistently struggle to garner airplay and sell records. I have a hard time imagining Cook competing in the current format, barring a dramatic shift in artistic direction, as she simply appears to bring nothing new or particularly interesting to the table.
Listen to: Kristy Lee Cook - “15 Minutes of Shame”
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207 Comments
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July 31, 2008 at 12:10 pm Permalink
she could do a layout for ‘playboy’ and extend her 15 minutes, though. after hearing this song, i’m guessing she has about 14 minutes to work with.
i hate myself for listening to this.
July 31, 2008 at 12:20 pm Permalink
She underestimates herself. She could drag out her moment of shame for YEARS.
Songs like this, though, definately help you understand how Corry Morrow would up in the arms of his ex-wife’s younger sister.
July 31, 2008 at 12:21 pm Permalink
Sorry, WOUND up.
July 31, 2008 at 12:25 pm Permalink
I dunno. Call me shallow. I kinda like it. It’s dang sure the most country sounding (radio friendly) thing I’ve heard lately. Reminds me of early LeeAnn Rimes (before she went pop then tried to come back to country).
I cant find the writers on it. Did Brett have a hand in the writing or just the producing?
July 31, 2008 at 12:40 pm Permalink
I agree 100% with the review.
July 31, 2008 at 1:43 pm Permalink
a contribution to country music as remarkable as a bag of rice toppeling over in china.
July 31, 2008 at 2:30 pm Permalink
Stormy, HUH?
July 31, 2008 at 2:34 pm Permalink
In the midst of of the whole spate of woman-done-wrong songs that came out 2006-2007 Corry Morrow released the fairly awesome Good Intentions, which is the story of the man doing the wronging.
July 31, 2008 at 2:41 pm Permalink
i guess i am confused. are you talking about him personally in his own life, or a made-up story in a song he wrote? I read recently that he is happily engaged…i’m lost…
July 31, 2008 at 2:43 pm Permalink
That silly brat lost me back when she said she said she sold her favorite horse to get to American Idol, without knowing if she’d be able to get him back.
Shallow much?
July 31, 2008 at 2:45 pm Permalink
Kelly: I was referring to the last verse (Coda?) of the song where he sings, after loosing everything in his divorce (including his best friend and girlfriend) he moves on to:
“I’m drinking cold beer with pretty women/seems I got another lease on life/woke up this morning lying next to/the youngest sister of my ex-wife.”
Which kind of struck me as the futility of whole “Guess You Should Have Thought About Karoseen Before You Cheated” school of music–while the girls were plotting their revenge the guy was just plotting getting laid.
July 31, 2008 at 2:54 pm Permalink
OH! ok, sorry, i am good now. I cant say I am as well versed in Morrow as you are. If I hadnt read that article in Texas Music Monthly, I wouldnt ahve even caught it at all probably, thanks :-)
July 31, 2008 at 3:07 pm Permalink
Yeah, not knowing anything about Morrow or his music, I just assumed he had an affair with his wife’s younger sister.:)
July 31, 2008 at 3:10 pm Permalink
I hope all these signings of cute and bubbly blonde TV personality female “artists” hits a wall soon so the labels will look elsewhere. Top 40 country radio wants attractive, high media exposure pop culture types with a ready made fan base and Kristy fills the bill. The quality of the music they produce seems not to be important as the studios will take care of that. As long as Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift remain dominant figures in mainstream country radio I fear this trend will continue indefinitely…..
PS - A song about her selling her horse would have been far more interesting than this ditty….
July 31, 2008 at 3:23 pm Permalink
There you go, getting all anal over the lyrics again, Jim. ;-) The lyrics are a warning. Better to warn than to slander.
Sure, it’s a light-weight little ditty, but it sounds good coming out of a country radio jingle, and she delivers the bridge in a way that makes it jump right out at you. I prefer “15 Minutes” to the bland songs that my country station played right before it and right after it.
Written by: Kelly Archer/Casey Kessel/Justin Weaver
July 31, 2008 at 3:41 pm Permalink
Nice to see Casey Kessel doing well, in any event. Check her out:
http://www.caseykessel.com/index.cfm
July 31, 2008 at 3:42 pm Permalink
I saw Casey in a writers round a couple of years ago. I liked her.
July 31, 2008 at 3:44 pm Permalink
Jim King - But this song is all about glorifying the act of slander, even if it doesn’t actually accomplish any real slander. Is that really any better?
And for the record, I don’t hate the single - I just don’t think it offers anything of great value. Give it a few more spins; I promise the initial “cute buzz” wears off.
July 31, 2008 at 3:47 pm Permalink
I’m actually surprised that song came from Casey Kessel, who is a solid and better writer than that song portrays.
I agree, Chris, that I’m glad she got the cut, even if it is a crappy song. Maybe she can line her coffers writing for ex-AI rejects and that will allow her to keep persuing her own career. She is by far more talented than Kristy Lee Cook.
July 31, 2008 at 3:54 pm Permalink
I don’t “hate it” either, except in the sense that it is completely irrelevant. I mean, we’re really talking about “lowest common denominator” stuff here. I don’t hate Twinkies, either–but they ain’t good for you.
July 31, 2008 at 4:09 pm Permalink
Another ‘real’ Country singer can only be a good thing.
July 31, 2008 at 4:11 pm Permalink
David…
I hope you realize the floodgate you just opened with that comment.
July 31, 2008 at 4:17 pm Permalink
Jim, this David guy is the same guy that called Jessica Simpson a “proper country artist” last week. He is clearly swinging those “floodgates” wide open and with glee…sadist perhaps??
July 31, 2008 at 4:26 pm Permalink
Country music practically COMES from Scotland. I bet David could walk down to his local pub and find a more proper country singer than Jessica Simpson.
The jury’s out on Cook. I like the fact that she’s a cowgirl (sort of), but this song is just more of the same pop-country that we’ve been hearing from every blond singer not named Swift (who I give a pass for having a unique narrative voice).
July 31, 2008 at 4:31 pm Permalink
does that include bucky covington too?
July 31, 2008 at 4:41 pm Permalink
Jim: She only recently moved to Oregon. Before that she was a Dallas Deb, just like you-know-who…
July 31, 2008 at 4:43 pm Permalink
You guys are making me LOL with these comments…
July 31, 2008 at 5:43 pm Permalink
OK, I respect your review of Kristy’s song. But honestly, I find it to be a little shallow itself. You don’t take into account what the 15 minutes of shame actually is, or rather, you think the 15 minutes of shame is only one thing. Here is my take on the song, and it is genius in my opinion. The 15 minutes of shame is actually three different things in the song. It starts out being the actual act of shame (maybe him cheating on her) by her soon to be ex, then it becomes him trying to cover it up with his double talk and working a line, and in the end of the song, that is when it finally becomes future tense and he will either be shamous for 15 minutes or she has a plan to make him literally feel shame for 15 minutes (depends on whether you take it literally or figuratively). In the song, if you listen to it correctly, when Kristy sings “shame shame shame on you”, that is when she catches him redhanded and actually catches him in the act of committing his second 15 minutes of shame (trying to cover it up). Notice that the whole song is written in the present tense, so everything is taking place as she sings it. Plus she says “shame” 3 times at the end of the song, leaving me to believe that the actual 15 minutes of shame is 3 different things. If you listen to it in this sense, we know exactly what lies he told and promises he broke. I’m looking forward to the video. I have a cool idea for a video that shows exactly how this scenario I outlined would play out perfectly, but I’m sure the actual video will be more creative. Sorry that was so long, I just wanted to get my point across accurately.
July 31, 2008 at 6:03 pm Permalink
David, I’ll take my Graeme E. Pearson on Sunday nights at the White Hart in Edinburgh (Grassmarket) any day of the week over anything on country radio these days. And that definitely includes Kristy Lee Cook.
July 31, 2008 at 6:48 pm Permalink
Must not make a 15 minutes of shame to get a record deal joke.
Must…..
Not………
July 31, 2008 at 7:12 pm Permalink
I totally agree with your review…its what I have been saying since I first heard it,
What did he do????
and why doesn’t she feel some sort of emotion towards it…anger, sadness, bitterness….i get none of that
i’ll leave any “15 minutes of shame” jokes out too stormy…mine are very very not appropriate
July 31, 2008 at 7:36 pm Permalink
Awful. Somebody tell these karoke singers to shut the hell up and go away.
Like Jamey Johnson said, Nashville needs less of these people and more people with actual talent and the goal of creating music that serves MORE than background noise at offices.
July 31, 2008 at 7:38 pm Permalink
One more thing I forgot to add (or at least want to make more clear) to my previous post. At the end of the song Kristy is actually singing the “shame shame shame on you…” and the final chorus, right to her (ex) boyfriends face because she has caught him while he is trying to cover up his first act of 15 minutes of shame (we’ll say cheating on her, but it could be something else). Him actually trying to cover it up is his second 15 minutes of shame and she actually catches him in the act of doing so. She is actually right there with him telling him shame on you, and you only have yourself to blame, and now every girl in this world is going to know his name for all the lies and promises he has broken because of it. Like I said, everything is happening in the present tense throughout the song. So it really isn’t about a woman being scorned so much as it is about a situation and how one might react in it at that moment, although she knows throughout the song what is going on and what he is doing. I hope everyone can comprehend what I am saying whether you like the song or not. I personally love it. Thank you for letting me express my thoughts and opinion of the song here.
July 31, 2008 at 8:12 pm Permalink
Phil, your detailed analysis is far more than this lyrical trifle deserves. I have Casey Kessel’s indie CD and she is a very gifted songwriter with an okay voice. The material she writes on her own is superior to this piffle, so I don’t hold Casey responsible here….
Also, how dare they mention and thereby besmirch a classic western swing song like “Shame, Shame On You” which Tex Williams sang while lead vocalist with Spade Cooley’s band. The shame is on all of those associated with creating this song…
July 31, 2008 at 8:18 pm Permalink
Phil: She may say Shame, Shame Shame, but she isn’t cool enough to add “everybody knows your name.”
July 31, 2008 at 9:28 pm Permalink
Well, I think a lot of people here are just getting the wrong idea what the song is actually about. It’s just a fun song and situation about a girl who finds out a guy she knows is doing a shameful act that is upsetting to her (cheating is the first thing that comes to mind, but it could be someone she knows who isn’t even her boyfriend), she catches him in the act of trying to cover it up, and she tells him every girl in the world will know all about his lies and broken promises because of it. I know I went a little overboard with my lyrical analysis, but i wanted to convey exactly how I came to my conclusion of what the song is about. Remember, the song is written in the present tense (everything is taking place as she sings it), and that is key! When I first heard it, I was surprised there were no names involved, and I was trying to figure out what his lies and broken promises were too, but really it doesn’t matter if you listen to it in the context that I just described. Sometimes I wish people had just a tiny bit of imagination. If you don’t like the song, fine, but I think my analysis of the lyrics is right on. I still think the song is genius. But you are entitled to your opinions as well, and I respect them all.
July 31, 2008 at 9:37 pm Permalink
Geez, Phil, the song is “genius”?
July 31, 2008 at 10:07 pm Permalink
Well, Jaime, I guess if nobody here can figure out what the lyrics truly mean, it must be “genius”. Either that, or all of the people here are not “genius”. Take your pick. Whether you like the song or not is up to you. I personally love it, and I think it is a nice upbeat song with a catchy melody and very good chorus, and I can’t wait to hear it on the radio when it comes out on August 11.
July 31, 2008 at 10:18 pm Permalink
By that count Neko Case must be the most genuis writer ever!
July 31, 2008 at 10:28 pm Permalink
well i love the song… you guys that are bashing it aren’t even giving kristy a chance… just wacth and you’ll see, she’ll be a famous country artist. :)
July 31, 2008 at 10:34 pm Permalink
i agree with everything phil has said! i personally think this review is horrible! i give it no stars/thumbs down/lowest rating possible! this song is absolutely amazing! be sure to buy it once it comes out!
July 31, 2008 at 10:34 pm Permalink
I, personally, love this song. It’s a nice catchy tune. This song can relate to many women. I can hear “request hour” on the radio now…ticked off girlfriends calling in and asking that the radio station play this song. Give their name and the guy that did them wrong. Broadcasted on the radio…
July 31, 2008 at 10:36 pm Permalink
Ashley, what bothers us is that truly talented artists with something real to offer, such as Sarah Buxton and Ashley Monroe, disappear into the Nashville shadows while second rate stuff like this keeps getting on airhead country radio. If Kristy had not been on American Idol, then she would NOT stand a chance of this single getting played on Top 40 country radio, period. Bucky Covington proves AI fans often have far more dedication to artists than their talent level justifies……
July 31, 2008 at 10:44 pm Permalink
rick, yes american idol does help an artist. but, i do believe that Kristy will do well. maybe she wouldn’t have been as well of if she didn’t do idol… maybe sara buxton and ashley monroe should’ve gone on idol. :P
July 31, 2008 at 10:44 pm Permalink
Ashley: I am a fan of American Idol. I gave her a chance. She used it to become the female Sanjaya.
July 31, 2008 at 10:45 pm Permalink
i agree elphie, cheryl, and phil.
July 31, 2008 at 10:46 pm Permalink
Rick, the problem is marketing. Kristy, nor her fans, are responsible for other artists not getting airtime. Those you mentioned…their record lable and/or producer needs to figure out a way to market them. It’s not Kristy’s fault that they are not getting the recognition. And, whether or not you want to realize this, Kristy has many fans and her fan base grows daily.
July 31, 2008 at 10:48 pm Permalink
stormie- i don’t believe she was the female sanjaya… everybody didn’t like her because of her one mistake with “8 Days A Week”… which i also love. She didn’t get a chance to do what she wanted on AI, she’s way different on tour.
July 31, 2008 at 10:53 pm Permalink
Rick, I think it is fair to say that Kristy earned her way on American Idol. The reason for going on the show is to get your name known and a recording contract. I have nothing against the artists you mentioned, but in today’s music business, marketing and promotion are the keys to success. For everything Kristy went through to get to this point, and then people continue knocking her down got old yesterday. To call this song second rate is purely your opinion. A lot of people love it, and I think it is meant to appeal to a younger female audience, because that is the fanbase she needs to capture first and foremost. I think Kristy is great, and I love her style and voice. I also think this song is just what she needs to build her fanbase, and I am looking forward to hearing more from her in the future as well. I hope for the best for the artists you mentioned too.
July 31, 2008 at 10:56 pm Permalink
I definitely disagree with this review. Kristy has a lot of vocal talent and has just as much charm as Kellie Pickler. This song is extremely catchy and until this review I had not seen any bad comments about it. This song is is already being played everywhere and it is not even officially released. Not only will this song do well but so will Kristy Lee. I don’t think she will fade out, I think she is here to stay. Kristy has a very unique voice that people will come accustom to hearing and will know when it is her on the radio and love to hear her. Kristy is someone people can relate to, she is very sweet and sincere and definitely not forgettable. Kristy is going to be around for awhile as she should be. She is extremely talented, a good role model, and an exciting performer. She has all it takes to become a huge star, and I believe she will be.
July 31, 2008 at 10:57 pm Permalink
nicely put, phil… i agree 100 %
July 31, 2008 at 10:58 pm Permalink
I agree Phil and Katherine. Very well put.
July 31, 2008 at 11:12 pm Permalink
Her nickname on the AI boards was Vanjyna.
July 31, 2008 at 11:33 pm Permalink
Hey Stormy. Believe me, all of Kristy’s fans (Krusher’s) have heard it all. I was on the AI boards since March, and comments like those show just how immature people are on that board. Sorry to see you were one of them. Get with the program, Kristy Lee Cook’s nickname will soon be Gigundo Country Star! Deal with it.
August 1, 2008 at 12:59 am Permalink
Great little song. A good one to kick off her career. I want to hear the songs that will be on the album, much better voice, vocals and personality than Pickler, not quite Underwood yet, give her time.
August 1, 2008 at 1:03 am Permalink
I personally know that Ashely Monroes success evading isnt a matter of marketing. In her case, its a matter of a record label not wanting to put out real country music. Well, a head of a record label, at least.
August 1, 2008 at 1:03 am Permalink
Phil, are you part of Kristy’s label promo team, a street team member, or just infatuated with her? It really doesn’t matter as objective reality regarding this object of your desire is pointless as you will defend her regardless as Kristy can likely do no wrong in your eyes. I feel that way about some talented female artists as well, but Kristy sure ain’t one of them…..(and neither is Julianne…)
Having all these teenybopper girls invade this blog any time there is a feature article on their new faves is getting old fast. Talk about dumbing down the level of discourse… If there was a minimum participation age limit of say 18 I think at lot of Kristy’s die hard fans that posted in this topic thread would never have gotten through. Thank you Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood (and A.I.) for attracting countless throngs of young girls who form the new core of the “airhead country” loving listener demographic.
August 1, 2008 at 5:45 am Permalink
rick,
is there an “official” definition for “airhead”? i’ve grown so familiar with this attribute by now that i think it’s about time i learned what it really means.
by the way, even though phil came across as promo as hell, there’s no reason to be somewhat unfair to the younger fanbase. if this was a blog community that has no room for people that just happen to be born well after hank, merle, patsy, loretta, george, dwight or garth - i wouldn’t want to be part of it. i think the space between a glass standing around and a guitar with teardrops on it leaves ample room for everybody to find something enjoyable.
having said that, i can’t wait for the next friendly kenny-bashing or soul-searching about how country dale watson is.
August 1, 2008 at 8:05 am Permalink
Rick: AI constestants spawn the psycho fans. Be glad we don’t have to deal with the Claymates.
August 1, 2008 at 8:32 am Permalink
Kristy Lee already has one failed country music career behind her (she was signed to Arista a few years ago in a development deal). I don’t see how this song is going to get her second one off to a great start. I couldn’t pick her voice out from the dozens of other attractive blond singers out there.
As for her outpouring Kristy love here, I think it’s become obvious by now that giving a negative review to an American Idol is to risk the wrath of their dozens of fans.
August 1, 2008 at 9:30 am Permalink
Sam G.-b/c of being on AI her name is now well known in many households which will help with her career. and i think many of you just need to face it but she’s going to be a gigundo country star! she has such a unique voice and a very lovely voice at that!
I agree with everything Phil, Cheryl, Katherine, and Ashley said! they are correct and Kristy is amazing! in other words-bashers grow up! and realize she is here to stay!
August 1, 2008 at 9:43 am Permalink
Her name WAS in millions of households. Now the two Davids kinda still have some recognition.
August 1, 2008 at 9:46 am Permalink
Phil did know the radio add date off the top of his head. Makes you wonder.
August 1, 2008 at 9:52 am Permalink
Rick, I won’t give you the pleasure of responding to your comment. Lord knows I want to…but I’ll resist.
Chris N…all Kristy fans know when her song is due to officially hit radio stations across the nation. With her album due in September, last we heard. No offical date has been announced yet, though.
August 1, 2008 at 9:53 am Permalink
People tend to forget that Ashley Monroe was a new artist caught up in the SonyBMG merger a few years back. The reason her deal didn’t do as hoped was because they just had other established artists to focus on, just like Jamey Johnson
August 1, 2008 at 9:54 am Permalink
I haven’t read this thread at all. All I know is from the reaction it’s causing, it’s making me NEVER want to buy anything from Kristy Lee Cook. So whether this is the street team, promo dept. from the record company, or simply fanatics, they’ve worked in conjunction to lose a potential fan. Because I hate when people invade other websites and act obnoxious toward a bad review.
I suppose I should have stopped before the last sentence, as then I’d be just like Kristy and threatening to do what I’m going to do, but without saying why.
August 1, 2008 at 10:02 am Permalink
Stephen H., I’m sorry you feel that way. But this is a blog open to comments and what’s wrong with making it a “two-sided” discussion? That’s the beauty of art (which music is a form of art). There’s varying opinions…this would be a very boring discussion if it was all one-sided to those who dislike the song and/or Kristy.
August 1, 2008 at 10:08 am Permalink
I’ve just been told “fall” on the release date. Probably depends how well the single does.
I’ve heard the full album, and quite like it. If you like Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood’s records (and I do), you’ll probably dig it.
August 1, 2008 at 10:15 am Permalink
I don’t mind a two-sided discussion. I mind a bunch of people who have never posted here before, and never will again other than this thread and other Kristy threads, telling me I need to like the music. Like I said, I haven’t read all the comments, and if the comments haven’t been like in other fan club/street team assaults (in which people who don’t like the song are told not to comment or to in a couple cases leave the site … this is being told to regular posters, mind you), then I apologize. I don’t mind a discussion. I mind being told what I need to like.
August 1, 2008 at 10:16 am Permalink
Chris N., how did you hear the whole album? Glad to hear you like it…now I want to hear it. :)
August 1, 2008 at 10:22 am Permalink
First of all, you don’t have to be a huge fan of someone to have a positive opinion about them and defend them. And so what if her fans do defend her. Every wonder why they were a fan of hers in the first place? Probably because they think she is talented and a good performer. It’s not like anyone here is directly related to Kristy and is defending her because she is family or is defending her because they have to. Everyone defending her here is defending her because they want to because they want to and truly enjoy her music. The fact that she has lots of fans defending her already proves this review wrong that she will fade. She is already very popular and her popularity and status as an artist is growing. Look, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their is nothing wrong with people disagreeing on a subject. So, people like her, what is so bad about that? No one should mind that she has fans and is liked, unless you honestly are just praying for her career to fail, and that would be just sick. Oh, and also, there is nothing wrong with people under 18 having an opinion. This may come as a shock to many of you but people under 18 actually do have the ability to listen to music..and get this…actually think about it. Anyone that is old enough to have an opinion is entitled to one, and considering no one here knows each others ages it shouldn’t even matter.
August 1, 2008 at 10:22 am Permalink
Stephen H., no one here has said that others must like the song. We respect other opinions and know that not everyone is going to like the song…or Kristy. From what I can tell, those making good comments about 15 Minutes of Shame are stating their personal opinion. What bothers me, is when someone who disagrees with my opinion of liking/enjoying/relating to the song…starts name calling (i.e. teenybopper). I’m several years beyond my teens…plus, I think the younger generation has a right to comment on music as well…they have opinions too and probably listen to music more than we adults do.
August 1, 2008 at 10:35 am Permalink
@Cheryl: I’m a music journalist. Or as I like to think of it, a “music” “journalist.”
August 1, 2008 at 10:41 am Permalink
Stephen H.-no one is telling you if you must like it or not. i respect peoples opinion. you don’t have to like the song. just at least respect kristy as an artist and wish for her sucess even if you don’t like her music b/c everyone has a different taste in music-please respect that
August 1, 2008 at 10:48 am Permalink
Why should I respect Kristy Lee as an artist when she has yet to show any evidence of being one?
August 1, 2008 at 10:54 am Permalink
stormy-respect her as an artist b/c that is the polite thing to do. you don’t have to like her music but just respect her and realize that not everyone has the same tastes.
for example i might not like ramiele’s music but i still respect her as an artist and wish that she does well so her fans get her music even though i might not like it b/c i know not everyone has the same opinions as i do. so i do wish that she does well
August 1, 2008 at 11:05 am Permalink
and i thought the bashers were gone… i guess not everbodies gonna like kristy, but this is ridiculous!
Kristy is an amazing performer and i don’t get why you people don’t see that. She deserved to be on American Idol as much as everybody else… why doesn’t se deserve to be a country music star?
And if she doesn’t do to well, fine because she said she just wants to sing. I’ll be happy just to know she’s doing what she wants to do.
Oh and about the defending, why wouldn’t we defend her when people are saying ridiculous things about her?
August 1, 2008 at 11:06 am Permalink
Next thing you know, we’re gonna be shamed into rooting for Kristy.
Stephen, you’re right in that none of the people here have visited any page on The 9513 other than this article, so they don’t really know what the site is about.
Anyways, this ain’t my cup of tea, but good luck to Kristy and may her second go around be more prosperous than her first.
August 1, 2008 at 11:07 am Permalink
stormy- Kristy didn’t get to do what she wanted to do on american idol, and she was also sick with bronchitus half of her time on idol.
every basher- just wacth and all of you are gonna eat your words.
August 1, 2008 at 11:09 am Permalink
bradly- we aren’t trying to get you into rooting for kristy. we just want you guys to stop the bashing ’cause kristy’s a person too. :) and thank for the kind comment. :)
August 1, 2008 at 11:12 am Permalink
bradly-we aren’t trying to get you to root for her. and thanks for respecting her as an artist/wishing her luck!
August 1, 2008 at 11:13 am Permalink
For a second there, I thought I had misspelled my own name.
August 1, 2008 at 11:16 am Permalink
oops sorry *brady
August 1, 2008 at 11:17 am Permalink
brady- oopsie… i noticed it right after i left a comment.
August 1, 2008 at 11:20 am Permalink
Jeez, don’t tell me there are even more Vercher brothers out there!
August 1, 2008 at 11:26 am Permalink
Yup, there’s six of us–all five vowels and the “y.” Brady, Bredy, Bridy, Brody, Brudy and Brydy.
August 1, 2008 at 11:33 am Permalink
Ashley: Funny how David Cook somehow managed to get his artistry across despite having a sick brother, conducting a clandestine love affair and being hospitalized. Amazing what talent can do for ya.
As for why she doesn’t deserve to be a country singer: She can’t sing and doesn’t appear to know anything about or like country music.
August 1, 2008 at 11:39 am Permalink
Brooke was my AI pick by far. I thought she had the most ‘raw’ ‘natural’ talent. She just didnt have any confidence. I hope somebody gets ahold of her and helps her work out the kinks and build her self-image. I think she could do well.
August 1, 2008 at 11:39 am Permalink
Stormy- would you like it if i bashed your fav. singer/didn’t respect them. everyone from the top 10 this year deserves a chance no matter whether you like their music or not.
for example i might not like ramiele’s music but i still respect her as an artist and wish that she does well so her fans get her music even though i might not like it b/c i know not everyone has the same opinions as i do. so i do wish that she does well
and you need to respect that everybody has diff. opinions when it comes to music so some people might like her music and she will be a gigundo country star-just you wait!
August 1, 2008 at 11:42 am Permalink
stormy- i didn’t give kristy pitty votes… i believed she was truly talented… just listen to devoted.
and now she doesn’t love country music… this is all news to me.
August 1, 2008 at 11:43 am Permalink
Was that artistry David Cook was putting across? I didn’t know what that was.
August 1, 2008 at 11:45 am Permalink
elphie- i agree i didn’t like Jason, but i’m still gonna listen to his music and give him a chance. :)
August 1, 2008 at 11:47 am Permalink
and she will be a gigundo country star-just you wait!
What is “gigundo”? It is not in my dictionary.
August 1, 2008 at 11:49 am Permalink
After reading the latest comments, the first thing I’d like to clear up is that I am in no way a part of Kristy’s promotional team, nor am I a part of her family, nor have I ever met her. I do think she deserves respect as an artist, and I do want to see her succeed. Rick, I find your comments about me just as shallow as the actual review of the song. Good, I got that out of the way.
I will admit that after being on the American Idol boards for the last 4 months or so, I got sick and tired of people putting Kristy down for anything and everything, and having very little to back up their obvious dislike for her other than she either outlasted their favorite or were just plain jealous. After seeing who has been attending the AI concerts, I can see who I was talking to the whole time on the forums, and why there is such a lack of maturity on that board. For those of you who have never heard anything Kristy has sang other than what she did on American Idol live, shame shame shame on you. I have listened to Kristy’s AI studio recordings and her album Devoted, and I really like her style and voice. I have seen video of her in concert, and she is nothing like she was on American Idol.
If you don’t like Kristy’s new song, I don’t care. I just came here to give my analysis of the song, and to say that I didn’t agree with the review of it. But to call Kristy untalented and put her down just because you need to make yourselves feel better shows a lot of people have some sort of inferiority complex. Obviously, the song itself had nothing to do with a lot of the comments I have read. Most of you who are putting it down would have disliked it no matter what she sang.
If that makes me obnoxious than I hate to think of the word that would describe a lot of people who put Kristy down. Although a few come to mind.
August 1, 2008 at 11:57 am Permalink
paula- gigundo, humongous, super duper exo mondo, i think you can figure it out…
August 1, 2008 at 12:12 pm Permalink
i agree w/ phil and ashley 100%
August 1, 2008 at 12:16 pm Permalink
“I agree” is not a substantial comment. Comments like the one above will be deleted as spam.
August 1, 2008 at 12:19 pm Permalink
I agree with Jim on that.
August 1, 2008 at 12:27 pm Permalink
Elphie: I would be impressed if you bashed a country singer I like because it would mean that you had heard of them. However, I would pretty much expect you to bash the country singers I like as I doubt Kasey Chambers and Neko Case have too much Kristy Lee Cook fanbase cross over appeal.
I’ll will wait for Kristy Lee to become a “gigundo” country star. I’ll put it on my list of things to do while I wait for Jennifer Hanson, Chely Wright, Rachel Proctor, Jamie O’Neal, Kellie Coffey and ever other bland, poptry chippie that I have had the unmitigated gall to not like come down the pike in the past 10 years to become a huge country singer.
August 1, 2008 at 12:29 pm Permalink
I would agree with Chris but he drank all the beer and did not bring Ryan Adams. So he is NOT a ginorgus country star.
August 1, 2008 at 12:30 pm Permalink
Stormy-I wasn’t talking about just country singers. just any artist you liked i’m sure you wouldn’t be happy if i bashed them.
and just so you know i usually don’t like country but kristy got me to become more of a fan of that type of music b/c she was soo amazing! and she will be a gigundo star!
August 1, 2008 at 12:32 pm Permalink
Elphie: Name three country singers with twangy music that Kristy Lee got you into. (Ew) Made you a fan of.
August 1, 2008 at 12:33 pm Permalink
I’m just curious–did anyone actually read my review?
August 1, 2008 at 12:34 pm Permalink
well i prob. wouldn’t like carrie underwood’s new songs but i like them more now, taylor swift, and i’m not sure if this is twangy but brad paisley is okay too
August 1, 2008 at 12:35 pm Permalink
I’d hardly call Jennifer Hanson, Chely Wright, & Rachel Proctor bland.
August 1, 2008 at 12:35 pm Permalink
I did! Do I get a cookie?
August 1, 2008 at 12:35 pm Permalink
jim i did read it-and it was horribly wrong!
August 1, 2008 at 12:36 pm Permalink
I’d call all but one of them bland.
Yes, you do get a cookie, Stormy!
Elphie…ok–what’s wrong about it?
August 1, 2008 at 12:36 pm Permalink
Matt: Chely has moments of non-blandess, but will generally cave to the bland when pressed.
August 1, 2008 at 12:38 pm Permalink
Chely is the only one I liked well enough to buy a cd by, and then only one and before I really got into alt-country. So my perspective is their radio stuff compared to Lucinda and Neko and Rosanne Cash, etc.
August 1, 2008 at 12:39 pm Permalink
Jim: What kind of cookie?
http://www.threadless.com/product/964/Stupid_Raisins_Stay_Out_Of_My_Cookies
August 1, 2008 at 12:44 pm Permalink
Elphie: That when pressed to name twangy country singers the best you can come up with is Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift is part of why I don’t respect Kristy Lee as country.
Try finding an artist named Dale Watson on You Tube.
August 1, 2008 at 12:45 pm Permalink
There was a review?
August 1, 2008 at 12:46 pm Permalink
Jim, you’re review was wrong because it didnt mention anything about Kristy Lee Cook’s “gigundo-ness”…
August 1, 2008 at 12:51 pm Permalink
From now on, every time I refer to KLC, I will use the word “Gigundo.” Please call me out if I slip up.
August 1, 2008 at 1:00 pm Permalink
Jim, I did read your review. I found it laughable only because you said “it appears that Kristy has no imagination as a recording artist”, and found the song to be shallow and unsubstantial. That is exactly what I thought of your review. You really didn’t use much imagination from what I can tell, and therefore missed the entire point of what the song was actually about in my opinion. That made your overall review of the song shallow and unsubstantial in my eyes. I respect your review, and I am thankful you let me express my views here. Like I said, I’m not here to make people like Kristy’s song or like Kristy for that matter. I just think she has earned the right to be respected as a recording artist, and from reading the comments, it seems a lot of people here had their minds made up before they even listened to the song they weren’t going to like it. But thank you for your honest assessment of the song Jim. Even though I don’t agree with it, I definitely respect it. And thank you again for letting me express my views here.
August 1, 2008 at 2:13 pm Permalink
Stormy- Kristy made a lot of Krushers appreciate country music. I’m sorry i haven’t heard of a lot of the people you are talking about, but i have heard and love, Julianne Hough, Brad Paisley, Toby Kieth, and tons more that i hear on the radio. i think Kristy will fit right in. :)
August 1, 2008 at 2:19 pm Permalink
Fair points, Phil–all except that the deserves to be respected as a recording artist. Why does she deserve that? Because she made a record? Do you respect Vanilla Ice?
RE all: just remember, those who think Julianne Hough as a “proper” country artist probably have never listened to a Beatles album either.
August 1, 2008 at 2:25 pm Permalink
Jim Malec- Nope never listened to a Beatles Album… but she does need to be respected as an artist… i’m not to found of Jason Castro and David Archuleta, but i still respect them as artists.
August 1, 2008 at 2:32 pm Permalink
Sweet mother of all that’s holy, when you finally hear a Beatles album it’s going to absolutely blow your mind. You’re going to respect the utter living hell out of them as artists.
August 1, 2008 at 2:35 pm Permalink
well sorry i haven’t found time to listen to the beatles… i’ve heard what they sang on AI for two weeks though.
August 1, 2008 at 2:38 pm Permalink
Ashley: That’s exactly the problem, Kristy is trickling in a few more fans who don’t know what country is and don’t care about the genre. Country needs to work on winning back the fans who DO care about the genre. The irony is that Kristy lack of country history hurt her badly on American Idol. She would have done far better to rip off Rosanne Cash’s I Feel Fine than Lorrie Morgan’s 8 Days A Week, had she only but heard of Rosanne Cash.
I respect Jason Castro as an artist because he sang the bejesus out of a fairly difficult Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley/Rufus Wainwright/Willie Nelson song and sang it in a way that aped none of them. He also did a good job and brought his own soul to a Dolly Parton song. Kristy, not only did not bring her own spirit to a Dolly Parton song, she wasn’t well enough versed in country to rip off Dolly’s version instead of Shania Twain’s. Kristy Lee did nothing on Idol to earn my respect as an artist, and she has done nothing since then either.
August 1, 2008 at 2:38 pm Permalink
Screw all of you who said bad things about this! Kristy is an amazing singer with an amazing voice and personallity and this song is wonderful, get a life, stop being mean to kristy!
August 1, 2008 at 2:38 pm Permalink
the beatles were “gigundo” weren’ they?
August 1, 2008 at 2:38 pm Permalink
Must not make screw joke…..must….nootttttttttt
August 1, 2008 at 2:40 pm Permalink
Ashley: I can understand not having time to listen to the Beatles. Its been a busy 40 years.
August 1, 2008 at 2:40 pm Permalink
I think so Thomas. :-)
August 1, 2008 at 2:42 pm Permalink
Actually, the Beatles were more Hugnormous.
August 1, 2008 at 2:43 pm Permalink
just picture sir paul’s face when being told that they were a “gigundo” band or a band “gigundo” - i’m not quite sure now….
August 1, 2008 at 2:43 pm Permalink
I think you guys should stop bashing kristy, she is a great singer and has a wonderful personality and this song is gunna be a huge success, just wait and see who will be laughing then.
August 1, 2008 at 2:45 pm Permalink
Stormy- Kristy did awesome on Dolly’s, “Coat Of Many Colors”. I’ve talked to tons of people that say they prefer her version to Dolly’s. Have you heard anything of hers besides stuff she did on idol? Her album, Devoted is amazing… it doesn’t have a song i don’t like on it. She is amazing on tour also.
August 1, 2008 at 2:46 pm Permalink
Show of hands:
How many of us can count the number of singers who were going to “show us” by bcoming “huge sucesses” on two hands?
(I need WAAY more)
How many of those singers actually did?
(For me 2. But to be fair, it was nearly impossible to tell how awesome (in completely different ways) that Madonna and The Dixie Chicks were on their first songs).
August 1, 2008 at 2:48 pm Permalink
Stormy- i’m sorry, i haven’t even been around for 40 years… i’m twelve.
August 1, 2008 at 2:48 pm Permalink
Ashley: No I haven’t heard any of the stuff she did besides the stuff on Idol. And, considering the level of “country” she does, I probably won’t have to. Alt-country does have its advantages.
I do know that anyone who prefers her best song to Dolly’s worst song is a person who’s music collection I would not want to encounter.
August 1, 2008 at 2:50 pm Permalink
Ashley: Someday, when you are 30 you will understand why that explains SOOO much. I rememember trying to convince my dad that Sawyer Brown was TOTALLY going to be bigger and better than the Statler Brothers. It wasn’t until much later that I realized why he was always laughing about that.
August 1, 2008 at 2:55 pm Permalink
OMG, Elenor Rigby is so my BFF. IMO, The White Album is so hot, and if yall cant groove to that, then you will NEVER be able to groove to Kristi Lee Cook!!!!
August 1, 2008 at 2:55 pm Permalink
I got lucky — I was 12 in 1984, which was actually a pretty good year for music even in a pretty awful decade. I can’t imagine being 12 and trying to sort out what to listen to from all the options in the current environment.
August 1, 2008 at 2:56 pm Permalink
Stormy- if you would listen to, “hold your horses”, “good luck”, or “devoted” you’d know what us krushers were talking about. Kristy’s awesome and you guys should really give her a chance.
August 1, 2008 at 2:59 pm Permalink
Chris, I still think there is a LOT of great music out there (country and otherwise), it’s just not getting the recognition / airplay it deserves. And I do like some of the ‘non-country’ stuff that is being played on ‘country’ radio - I just get ticked that it’s being marketed at country when it’s not - no matter how good it is.
Therefore, I just keep making as many trips to Nashville as I can (at $4 a gallon it aint as many as it used to be) and I soak in as much as I can while I’m there.
(And I was 23 and having babies in ‘84. I think the best years for country music were probably the 70’s.)
August 1, 2008 at 3:01 pm Permalink
Stormy- i don’t have to understand, becasue i KNOW that KLC will be gigundo.
August 1, 2008 at 3:07 pm Permalink
Start with the Beatles. Listen to late Beach Boys. Then move on to Michael Jackson and Prince. Follow up with Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
These are gigundo artists. And unless/until you listen to at least two albums from each of them, your claims that KLC is going to be gigundo will fall a little flat–at least with me.
The good news is that at age 12, all of the music I’ve noted is still out there waiting for you to expierience it. Enjoy that time of discovery, because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. Although the records will always sound great!
August 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm Permalink
Speaking of Beach Boys. I am digging the re-release of Dennis Wilson’s record…he could’ve been gigundo, if it werent for drowning and stuff.
August 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm Permalink
Ashley: I gave her a chance. She blew it.
August 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm Permalink
Stormy, i am not trying to be mean, but you need to get a life, nothing is wrong with kristy and there is not doubt she will be a gigundo country star!
August 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm Permalink
Oh, I know. I’m just saying that there are so many more ways to find good music now that I don’t know if I’d know where to start. Nice problem to have, though. At 12 I didn’t even realize there was music beyond what I heard on the radio.
August 1, 2008 at 3:13 pm Permalink
I’m going to be heretical and suggest that Dennis Wilson’s solo stuff is only semi-gigundo because of the drowning.
August 1, 2008 at 3:17 pm Permalink
i maintain that it is gigundo-riffic, because of the drowning, and his beard. “Starry Night” wasnt worth crap until ol’ Vincent kicked the bucket…
August 1, 2008 at 3:25 pm Permalink
Jim - those may be “gigundo” artists …. but listening to them in no way gives me any reason to believe any artist will or will not be “gigundo”. Or even sucessful. I like the Beatles. I like the Beach Boys. You pretty much lose me after that (ok, as a teenager I liked the Jackson Five).
So … listening to “gigundo” artists cant predict other “gigundo” artists - in my opinion.
I know some folks in Nashville that should have been “gigundo” artists 10 or more years ago - and still they struggle day to day to get their music out there. They are way better (in my opinion) than Michael Jackson and Prince and others ever thought about being.
While I’m not going to bash anybody for singing something I dont like, I’m also not going to listen to them or support them. I’ll buy what I like, and hope the one or two or ten albums I buy of their’s will help propel them a little closer to “gigundo” status.
(Although I do suggest that Ashley listen to a wide scope of artists and find those that she likes and appreciates - not just the ones that were “gigundo”. My daughter - 24 years old - loves anything from KISS to Poision to Patsy Cline to Ernest Tubb to Blake Shelton to … well, you get the drift. She also loves quiet nights at the Bluebird and sold out arenas.)
August 1, 2008 at 3:29 pm Permalink
I’d encourage Ashley to find more current artists she likes first. Every generation should have its own music.
August 1, 2008 at 3:29 pm Permalink
Chris: I do think that your theory about today’s music scene is more integrated into a larger media scene that focuses on keeping its audience locked into that one music scene. Movies, video games and radio all seem to turn around the same songs.
Steph: I have a life. More importantly I have a music collection that contains more than one cd. I don’t need to like Kristy Lee Cook in order to have about 50 really good cds to come down the pike year. Who cares if she becomes Hignomouigantic? I don’t listen to the scene she plays in and she doesn’t have to talent to cross to the scene I listen to.
August 1, 2008 at 3:29 pm Permalink
Oh, and Dennis Wilson’s beard was all manner of awesome. I can’t argue about that.
August 1, 2008 at 3:31 pm Permalink
thank you. I encourage all 12 year olds to find a beard in their own generation that fits them the best.
August 1, 2008 at 3:38 pm Permalink
stormy, you in those boots the other day - that was “gigundo”, too.
August 1, 2008 at 3:40 pm Permalink
dammit, I thought I got that off the internet.
August 1, 2008 at 3:42 pm Permalink
nope! try again.
August 1, 2008 at 3:43 pm Permalink
I’m only saying that you cannot talk about artists being “the next big thing” if you don’t understand what “big things” are made of, or what the past “big thing” was. That has nothing to do with liking an artist.
Ashley has every right to LOVE the music KLC makes…but talking about how much you like an artist’s music and talking about how that artist is going to set the world on fire are two very different things.
August 1, 2008 at 3:48 pm Permalink
Jim, thank you for accepting my points, and I respect yours as well, but I can still disagree with them. Yes I respect Vanilla Ice as a recording artist. I may not listen to his music, but I was around in college when he was big in the early 90’s. While he may not be my “cup of tea” as I have heard people say countless times, I don’t feel the need to put him down just because I don’t listen to his music. I respect him for what he did record though as an artist.
As far as Kristy being respected as a recording artist goes, I think it’s fair to say that she should at least be respected and given a chance in the studio before people judge her and say that she lacks “imagination” among other things as a recording artist. So maybe I was a little premature with my statement about already deserving and earning respect as a recording artist, but I hope people at least give her a chance to do so without judging her before she has even released her first official album.
It seems that from reading your review Jim, you try to compare Kristy to other artists like Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood. I think that is unfair. Of course, she is not like either one of those two. She has her own unique style and voice, just as Kellie and Carrie do. That is a good thing in my opinion. Who wants the same thing when you can have something new and different, even if it isn’t “your normal cup of tea.”
By the way, I’m a little flattered that someone actually thought I might be part of Kristy’s promotional team. I’ll take it as a complement, even if it wasn’t meant to be. Sorry everyone, I’m just an ordinary fan who happens to like and respect Kristy because of her unique style and voice. Heck, every Krusher knows when her new song will be officially released…10 more days, and the countdown continues…
Thanks again Jim for letting me express my views here, even if you or some others may have different opinions. I’m sorry for the length of my posts though.
August 1, 2008 at 4:05 pm Permalink
Oops. I guess my last comment was a little late. I missed out on some good stuff. Let me just say that I am well versed in Rock music history, not so much Country music history. It doesn’t mean I’m a fan of the Beatles and the Beach Boys, and I’m not a fan of Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton. Everyone has their own musical tastes, but there is no need to put someone down just because he or she doesn’t happen to be yours. Sorry everyone for joining the conversation late.
August 1, 2008 at 4:16 pm Permalink
We’re definitely in another golden age of beards. Lots of hairy dudes in the music world right now.
August 1, 2008 at 4:21 pm Permalink
Phil: Except that this was a REVIEW and its really hard to do one of those without looking at the song analytically.
August 1, 2008 at 4:28 pm Permalink
Finally got around to hearing this song, and it’s just not very good. I didn’t think Whitney Duncan’s debut single was that great, but after comparing the two, Whitney’s sounds quite a bit better.
August 1, 2008 at 4:33 pm Permalink
How can a song with absolutely nothing to say can speak to so many people? The review is spot on…
Defending KLC is fine by me- she may turn into a decent top 40 country artist. But this song is really indefensible. It brings absolutely nothing to the table. The fact that it was considered, much less picked as a first single is a little scary and a little sad.
August 1, 2008 at 5:11 pm Permalink
okay this is what you wrote stormy
“I respect Jason Castro as an artist because he sang the bejesus out of a fairly difficult Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley/Rufus Wainwright/Willie Nelson song and sang it in a way that aped none of them. He also did a good job and brought his own soul to a Dolly Parton song.”
okay i for one can tell you that i didn’t like jason at all on AI. i just didn’t get his songs. and he couldn’t talk! but i still respect him as an artist and wish the best for him even if i don’t like his music. that’s all i’m asking you to do for KLC. obviously we have diff. tastes in music and i respect yours just respect mine too please.
August 1, 2008 at 5:13 pm Permalink
I really am curious as to why street-teamer types actually think they can go on a forum and hype up a singular artist where people are having actual discussions of country music and the genre as a whole.
Do they really think that rabidly gushing over an artist with generic praise (because they never actually bring in anything of substance like the craft of the song, the vocal stylings, the production values, etc) will win her any fans? As Stephen stated upthread, you actually make it even more remote that most of the regular posters here (translate to mean: people who actually like the genre of country music) will be able to stomach giving your celebrity deity a chance.
Do you think by making comments like “People like her version more than Dolly Parton’s” will make country music fans gravitate to what you say? I would say street teamers should stick to buying concert tickets, merch and downloads and voting in online polls and on fan boards to spread the word. All you are doing here is alienating people farther with the “You must be crazy not to love this mediocre vacuous singer” stuff.
August 1, 2008 at 5:25 pm Permalink
Stormy-I was trying to figure out what you meant by one of your recent statements, and I agree with you completely about how a REVIEW of a song must be done analytically…providing you can also use some imagination into what the song is trying to convey as well. That is how I came to the conclusion I did about Kristy’s song. I was asking the exact same quesions Jim was in his review when I first heard the song. But if you listen to the song the way I outlined ANALYTICALLY in my earlier posts, you’ll see those questions really have no bearing on the actual intent of the song. Names don’t matter since she is actually singing the last chorus of the song right to her (ex) boyfriend anyway. Why would she reveal his name if he already knows it. And her ex boyfriend would already know exactly what lies he told and promises he broke, so there is no need to to bring those details up either. Remember, the song is all taking place in the present tense.
I think people are focusing way too much on what this song isn’t about (what lies and broken promises did he commit?), and not enough time looking at what the song actually is about (Kristy catching her boyfriend trying to cover up his act of shame and letting him know she is going to rat him out and tell the world about it). Then coming to the conclusion after they hear it that it doesn’t meet their expectations because it doesn’t hold up to what they think the song is about, when in reality the song isn’t even what they thought it was about to begin with. So, if you focus on what the 15 minutes of shame is (3 things actually), rather than the lies and promises he told, you’ll have a better chance of understanding the song. That might take some imagination, but it’s all there to dissect analytically in my earlier posts if you try. Sorry, another long post.
August 1, 2008 at 6:48 pm Permalink
Elphie: I don’t intend to do anything with your taste in music, but Kristy has done nothing to earn my respect as an artist.
Phil: There is an age old addage in writing–show don’t tell. This means write what the characters are doing and show those characters through their actions. The problem Jim has with this song is that it gets so busy telling us about the characters that we never get to see the