Maren Morris – “Goodbye”
Songwriter: Maren Morris
Taken at face value, the female narrator of “Goodbye” is an independent woman happily rid of a lover who never really meant that much to her in the first place. Since their break up, she hasn’t shed a tear, could care less about how he’s doing, and is thankful he wasn’t able to hurt her.
To quote the Bard, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
In fact, the only convincing “goodbye” of the tune comes as the last word, and that’s only because the song is over. The ardent rebuff, off 17-year-old Maren Morris’ second album All That It Takes, is a kiss-off that is, thankfully, a far cry from Aaron Tippin’s “Kiss This.”
That said, “Goodbye” could stand a bit of Tippin’s rowdy passion.
The song’s major weakness is that it never quite rings true. There’s something unconvincing about a song that talks about how much the singer is already emotionally over what happened, because if that were true, why bother writing or singing about it at all? The “Goodbye” concept undermines the idea that a song, by nature, is performed to convey emotion or recount an important event.
The song’s most confusing line comes in the last stanza: “But I don’t care/‘Cause I’m already with/I’m already with another guy.” That can’t be true, in fact, when the female narrator has spent the past three minutes caring enough to lyrically beat down her ex. And unless her new Romeo had been waiting in the wings, in the amount of time it would take to replace the guy who ditched her, one would expect her ex’s “petty sorries” to be long over.
There is no denying Morris has a voice to be reckoned with, one that has already garnered her multiple singing and songwriting awards in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It’s a voice that is hard to categorize and lends itself to multiple musical styles, including roots, pop, blues, R&B and country. The obvious comparison for Morris’ cross-genre appeal would be to Michelle Branch, but there are also traces of Lee Ann Womack in her delivery.
No matter what potential there is in Morris’ voice, however, this song’s awkward arrangement, in addition to its misdirected lyrics, keeps it from ever truly climaxing. It takes an excruciatingly long time to build between instrumental breaks, and never fully reaches the passionate send-off the listener is expecting.
With one album already under her belt, Morris is more vocally mature than many of her singer/songwriter peers. It will be interesting to see where she ends up focusing her abilities and what musical audience gives her a chance. Here’s hoping she finds better material to showcase that talent, no matter what the genre.
Listen: Maren Morris – “Goodbye”
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9 Comments
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November 21, 2008 at 10:46 am Permalink
I couldnt get through the whole song. Way too Taylor Swift sounding for me.
(And I came to this conclusion before reading the review and discovering that Maren is indeed just 17 years old).
November 21, 2008 at 2:57 pm Permalink
Why are older singers pushed out for teenagers? What meaningful message can a 17 year convey about love?
November 21, 2008 at 3:36 pm Permalink
Well – I liked LeeAnn Rimes when she came onto the scene at a tender young age. Because … well … she could actually sing! And then there’s Brenda Lee and Tanya Tucker. So I dont diss someone just because of their age if they have good songs and can sing them.
November 21, 2008 at 7:29 pm Permalink
Ouch, that was kind of painful. It seems Texas has hatched another Miranda Lambert wannabe. I will admit I am always on the lookout for unique new artists who don’t sound like anyone else (ie Jypsi) or who sound like classic country artists (ie Amber Digby). Unfortunately Maren sounds like other nameless artists trying to tap into the Texas Music Scene vibe in a hip and informed way and I’m not buying. Texans often show rabid support for a large number of local artists I’d never give a second thought to, and Maren falls squarely into that category.
In this age bracket I’d say Katie Armiger has a lot more going for her than Maren. As far as artists in that neck of the woods Okemah Oklahoma native Shawna Russell is far more interesting musically than this gal. I’d rather pretend Kimberly Murray has just released either “I Can’t Remember” or “The Home You’re Tearing Down” as singles that instead represent some of the best country music Texas currently has to offer and should rightfully be proud of.
November 22, 2008 at 9:05 pm Permalink
Yeah, I’m not so sure Morris is a “Texas country artist” so much as she is a Texan singer. It felt more like I was reviewing a pop song, a genre I think her voice could carry well with better material.
Thanks for the Texas music suggestions Rick–it’s a sub-set of country I don’t know as much about and would like to check out.
November 23, 2008 at 12:58 am Permalink
Karlie, I’m a traditional country loving curmudgeon and don’t much care for the pop-rock stuff that doesn’t sound like country music to me. I don’t mind an occasional melodic pop-country song, but I’m not too keen on rock influences in country.
There is just nothing about Maren’s song/sound/style that I find particularly interesting or unique. She sounds like a Texas version of Jaida Dreyer (who’s based in Nashville) and Jaida is far more unique and interesting. (Side Note: Jaida recently won a John Rich sponsored talent contest in Nashville.)
I am no fan of the edgy, roots rock oriented “Red Dirt” music scene in Texas, BUT Texas does foster the careers of traditionalists like Amber Digby, Kimberly Murray, Miss Leslie Sloan, The Hot Club of Cowtown, The Quebe Sisters, and neo-traditionalists like Sunny Sweeney that are among my favorite active artists. I’ll even take an innovative and eclectic gypsy jazz oriented group like Austin’s “The Belleville Outfit” over 95% of the boring stuff coming out of big label Nashville these days.
I don’t mean to pick on Maren personally, but it seems a lot of lackluster artists get media attention while true talents slip quietly through the cracks….
November 25, 2008 at 5:25 pm Permalink
I couldn’t get through the entire song either. I’m so tired of young girls with nothing but money behind them. There is a slew of them here in Nashville, apprarently in TX also, as more seem to be making the trek daily. I just wish they would stay home. I agree with Rick on Jaida Dreyer, a truly talented girl that is here doing it the right way…writing quality songs and working her butt off. There’s a girl that can sing about heartache and hard times with real emotion and life experience.
June 11, 2009 at 6:18 pm Permalink
I can’t really add anything more to this other than KUDOS to those with the BALLS to tell it like it is. Only thing I will say is to especially agree with the “What can a 17-year old have to say” line.
You’re exactly right. SHE or HE hasn’t enough “life experience” ..She has NOT paid her “dues”
GO find a job waiting tables, study and LEARN the works of REAL songwriters, then try again, in say 5 years or so.
June 11, 2009 at 6:23 pm Permalink
BTW, I made it thru 30 seconds. No more.
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