Sarah Buxton – “Outside My Window”
Songwriters: Sarah Buxton, Victoria Shaw, Mark Jeffrey Hudson and Gary Burr
In a page straight out of the Martina McBride handbook, Sarah Buxton keeps on the sunny side of life with her latest stab at country radio with a little help from rainbows, warm baths and, of course, all the little things that money can’t buy.
“Outside My Window” is bookended by two strange production choices: An odd guitar intro—which Buxton herself tweeted “Sounds like a car alarm at the beginning”—that doesn’t match the rest of the song and a closing sing-along peppered with “la la la’s.” In the middle, however, she pulls together a snapshot of the world from her own point of view. The song’s strengths are in its verses, where Buxton uses specific imagery that runs the gamut from “A red bird, singin’ sittin’ on a wire” to “Sails in the sunlight rockin’ in the sweetest motion.”
Unfortunately, there’s nothing unique about the chorus’ long mishmash of feel-good staples, which underscores its “written by committee” feel: “You still need stars when you’re wishin’ at night/A best friend to set you right, a good laugh, a warm bath/And a beautiful song you can sing along to/Good news that’ll make you cry/All the little things that money can’t buy/No wars, no more, just a big rainbow outside my window.”
With a sound somewhere between SheDaisy, Deanna Carter and Julianne Hough, “Outside My Window” finds Buxton a hopeless romantic and, apparently, her record label a hopeless believer: The single is the singer’s fourth attempt to pull country radio on board with her brand of poppy storytelling music.
Three largely unsuccessful singles (and still no full-fledged album) have already stemmed from her 2006 deal with Lyric Street Records: “Innocence,” despite an emotional performance similar to Carter’s “Strawberry Wine,” stalled outside the top 30 on the U.S. country charts; “That Kind of Day,” a piece of pure pop fluff that relied on vocal gymnastics and cutesy inflections, climbed just a few notches higher; and the breathy “Space” barely cracked the top 40. All were included on the latest version of her digital EP Almost My Record, along with “Stupid Boy,” a song she co-wrote and saw Keith Urban take to the top of the charts.
What’s interesting to note is this mix of songs doesn’t exhibit a progression of growth or give listeners a solid idea of what Buxton is about as an artist; instead, we’re privy to a conflicting range vocal performances and songwriting styles. This makes sense as she tries to break through to radio, but hurts her as she tries to build a fan base and establish herself as an artist with a unique trademark.
Commercially, “Outside My Window” could be Buxton’s big break, even though “Innocence” and “Space” were better songs from an artistic and creative standpoint. Despite the song’s glossy sheen, Buxton manages to come across as authentic and likable, two qualities that will hopefully better benefit her future song choices—if she’s given the chance.
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23 Comments
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June 17, 2009 at 9:23 am Permalink
I’ll listen to it, even though I really don’t like Sarah Buxton at all
The first line of this review was hilarious “In a page straight out of the Martina McBride handbook…” lol
But I don’t agree with the comparisons to Deana Carter, since Deana is one of my favorites… and Buxton is one who I don’t like at all
June 17, 2009 at 9:27 am Permalink
Listening to the song I think she sounds like a vibrato-plagued immature version of Julianne Hough – I even almost imagined Julianne behind the song a couple times, and then Sarah’s voice was do that weird vibrato/cracking noise and that image would shatter
Hope radio snubs her again if she doesn’t improve in the vocal and material departments
June 17, 2009 at 9:57 am Permalink
I like to stay happy via all the things money can buy–Music, books, alcohol, chocolate….money buys good things.
June 17, 2009 at 10:37 am Permalink
I really wish Space would’ve charted higher, I liked that one.
June 17, 2009 at 10:54 am Permalink
Hey Karlie – i like your review. Of course. Anyway, I think you should put your picture up here so that everyone can see how pretty you are.
June 17, 2009 at 11:19 am Permalink
Apart from the plodding guitar intro I really like this song. Okay I’ll admit I’m really biased towards Sarah as I think she is a delightful person. This is just a fun “summer song” and deep insightful lyrics aren’t necessary to enjoy it. I really don’t know if Top 40 Airhead Country radio will take to this, but I doubt it based upon Sarah’s track record thus far. Well that and the fact it doesn’t sound like Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwear…
My favorite songs from Sarah are the tracks on her self-titled debut Lyric Street album that got left on the shelf when her “Almost My Record” EP was released. Fortunately for Sarah’s fans advance copies of that album turn up frequently on Fleabay these days and sell for reasonable prices since so many of them were produced and distributed. Those bluesy and folk pop delights are among her best compositions and I will agree with Karlie that since then I haven’t really heard her songwriting get stronger, just different. Those early songs also proved Sarah doesn’t need to hook up with songwriting committees of Nashville’s hit makers. Go Sarah!
June 17, 2009 at 11:23 am Permalink
I’ve always been a fan of “That Kind of Day”… I love her raspy sound and wish she would’ve gotten more credit for the great bit she did with Dierks on “Sweet and Wild”. It’s sad, too that “Sweet & Wild” didn’t get much fanfare either.
Nonetheless, she does very well on XM (Space was played quite a bit) and they often have her in studio. But then again, one of the reasons I invest in XM is because they are light years ahead of mainstream country in playing new artists (Eli Young Band and Love & Theft, anyone?) and play a much better selection.
June 17, 2009 at 12:37 pm Permalink
Sarah Buxton is an amazing talent who is incredibly underrated; I had the pleasure of seeing her a year or so ago at 3rd and Lindsley with Jedd Hughes (who is also incredibly underrated). It was one of the best shows I have seen in this town, I still rave about it to lots of people when the subject of Sarah comes up. Instead of it being a “pop country” show, it was more along the lines of Rock and Americana. That was the first time I had ever heard “Space”, and I was absolutely blown away by that song. The recording has NOTHING on her live performance. That whole evening was filled with great songs by both her and Jedd, it was very memorable.
Sarah is very much a live artist, I don’t feel that her unique voice translates as well through recordings. She is a great songwriter, and a very interesting and entertaining performer. I feel like she is being pushed into a style of music that she is not suited for. I hear a lot of criticism towards her, but I am always one to defend her; you have to see her live, and I believe you will understand her and her art.
June 17, 2009 at 3:20 pm Permalink
“Well that and the fact it doesn’t sound like Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwear…”
Really? Underwear? That makes no sense at all… at least from calling Julianne “Fluff” (instead of Hough) I knew what you were talking about
June 17, 2009 at 5:15 pm Permalink
“Carrie Underwear” has never made sense to me, come to think. She isn’t really known for dressing in a risque manner or anything.
June 17, 2009 at 5:38 pm Permalink
I’m sorry I mentioned Carrie as I didn’t mean to derail this thread’s focus on Sarah Buxton! But since we are on the subject:
http://stylebell.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/carrie-underwood.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/realitytv/1/0/B/9/CarrieUnderwood1.jpg
See! (lol)
June 18, 2009 at 10:08 am Permalink
Nope, still doesn’t make sense. She doesn’t dress any more scantily than … well, say, Sarah Buxton, for instance.
June 18, 2009 at 2:26 pm Permalink
Wow this is unfortunate. I love Sarah’s voice and previous to this song her material, but this song is just plain bad. I wouldn’t be surprized if this becomes a monster hit for her though because it seems this is the type of song that top 40 fans/ programmers eat up.
June 18, 2009 at 7:22 pm Permalink
Todd, this song was written by a committee whereas Sarah’s previous songs were written primarily by Sarah herself (except “Love Is A Trip” which Sarah had no part in writing). I don’t know if it was Sarah’s perogative or direction from Lyric Street that led to her working with groups of fellow songwriters, but all it can do is dilute what makes Sarah unique.
As for this new single the intro alone will dissuade most Top 40 country radio programmers from ever giving it a spin. The ADHD listening audience needs something to hook their attention in the first second or two, not a a half droning half dead air boring intro that makes people groan…
July 29, 2009 at 8:40 pm Permalink
I love listen to this song so much! I couldnt imagine any better of a song to listen on a nice northern woods drive :)
God bless :)
August 9, 2009 at 5:20 pm Permalink
I love Sarah Buxton. I love “Space,” and “That Kind of Day” is fun and makes me laugh. And makes me glad there’s a song out there from a female who actually DOESN’T like phone calls from their mother. :P I also agree with the comments here from Roberta, Lisa, and Rick. Very cool to know about Sirius/XM. (By the way, thanks Rick – I didn’t know that Lyric Street had actually shelved a full-length album from Sarah!!! I thought they were just “waiting.”) Her version of “Stupid Boy” is flooring. And the first single “Innocence” was highly underrated as well – especially since the also extremely talented Georgia Middleman co-wrote it.
This is just a fun song though you really do have to know more about Sarah to fully appreciate it. The video is GREAT, I love the way they illustrate the “rainbow” in various ways and also that they have the songwriters in it. And yes, seeing her live really does bring a whole new dimension to hearing her recorded music (especially when she plays with Jedd Hughes). BTW, if her label believed in it the way you say they would’ve released the album already!!!
August 16, 2009 at 12:02 pm Permalink
Hey you guys. It’s Sarah Buxton. I was just looking for where this song is on the charts this morning, so I googled “outside my window country charts” and this article was the 1st thing that came up. Not exactly the kind of reading material I’d like to read 1st thing on a Sunday, but I’m glad I did….because I just want to respond to what some of you are feeling about this song. Not to the people who just hate the rasp in my voice… I haven’t a single thing to say about that.
You are 100% right that this song was an attempt to get country radio airplay. My first three “largely unsuccessful singles” were a huge disappointment to me. The first two, “innocence” and “that kind of day”, were from my first record that, YES, got shelved. There were other songs on that album that probably would have displayed a little more of my writing chops, but they weren’t chosen…because they weren’t thought of as female radio singles. “Stupid Boy”, included. Thanks to an already established ( totally bad ass) male artist, it became a hit and now people wonder why I didn’t put it out myself. That’s just hilarious to me! I’m so glad I gave it to Keith. He is a GENIUS.
The reason why I’ve never released any product is because my record label has no way of promoting a product that isn’t a gigantic hit on country radio. That’s just the way they operate. I’ve been wrestling with this giant for 3 1/2 years now (since 2006) and I’ve thought of every single possible way around it. I have tons and tons of songs…and its so annoying that everyone in the world has only heard 4 of them! Picture me an annoyed face. Grrr…
All this being said… Let me tell you that I am a very passionate music listener. I have been that way since I was a little girl. I understand what it’s like to completely hate a song and that’s the great thing about music…it makes us FEEL. That’s what its there for. PLEASE, KEEP FEELING WHAT YOU FEEL! It keeps music alive.
I do think you guys are right about some things:
-there’s alot of great things money CAN buy (what up, chocolate and beer!)
-of course “outside” was chosen in hopes of it being a huge radio hit!
-XM radio ROCKS
-I am very much a “live artist”….
-you definitely have not heard my songwriting getting stronger, just trying
to get a hit so that I can be amongst my fellow peeps with albums out.
Lets not put the cart before the horse.
So…speaking of horses…. I believe you’ve just heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
Love,
Sarah
August 16, 2009 at 12:09 pm Permalink
Saeah: I mean this in the best posible way, but have you evewr considered signing with a label that does know how to promote a product that isn’t a giant hit on country radio? Anti and Yep Rock come to mind.
August 16, 2009 at 1:28 pm Permalink
Hey Stormy…OF COURSE I’ve considered signing with labels like that after all that I’ve been through on this specific journey. OF COURSE I have. A contract is a contract, though, and I have to honor it until I’ve exhausted all possible avenues. The good thing is that I still love what I do. There’s nothing like writing and performing music. I will be doing this until I am a wrinkly little old lady and people are blogging about how old and ugly I am. Maybe at some point soon, I will be in a different situation with different circumstances…..but even if I’m not….I have had a lot of fun times with what little success I’ve had and I expect to have a lot more. :)
August 16, 2009 at 2:20 pm Permalink
I just mention that because that’s where I buy most of my albums from.
August 19, 2009 at 12:48 pm Permalink
Hi Sarah! Since you’ve posted here, I’ll try reaching you here. I’m not sure if my email will come through or not, but I really like the sound of this song. It’s just something cheery that I recognize when it’s played on the radio. And it is getting a fair amount of radio play lately. I don’t think I’ve heard your other songs, but I’m not sure about that.
I would like a copy of the music. Where can I download or purchase it from? You can email me at bl_smith25[at]hotmail[dot]com since I only fell upon this by accident.
August 26, 2009 at 7:46 am Permalink
I think Sarah Buxton is great and I can’t figure out why she DOESN’T have a record out yet. I’m sure there’s a business reason from the label’s point of view, but there are other people on that same label that get pushed who really aren’t anything out of the ordinary. It would really be great if they would just put her on a tour where people could really hear the tunes. But at least she keeps trying and God Bless her for that. Hang in there Sarah, your flugelbinder is out there!
November 16, 2009 at 4:38 pm Permalink
Sarah, I’m a little late to join this conversation but I just “discovered” you at the Grand Ole Opry show at the Ryman November 7th, 2009. My wife and I thought that you made the whole show that night. You are now our favorite singer. We’ve been requesting your music as much as possible so that you can get more much deserved radio play.
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