Nashville Anthems: Dissecting 80s & 90s Country Music

Buckle up and hang on tight, as we race this pickup truck out of the driveway and into Garth Brooks's frantic 1993 hit "Ain't Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up)".  We start by talking about when the blues is not the blues and finish by exploring the concept of rural authenticity that is starting to feel like it's at the bottom of this whole 80s & 90s country music phenomenon.  Or is it?  Join us as we try to figure it out.

We journey over to the harder side of town to idealize about working ourselves into our destinies as we dissect an early Tritt hit "I'm Gonna Be Somebody."  We talk about the rootsy instruments, chords, vocals, and, most of all, "family values."  If this song were a southern dish, it would be grits.  But is it glossing over some important details?

Hang out with Melton by the pool at Southfork Ranch as we soak up this singular confluence of outgoing and incoming musical trends in 1993.  What comprises that particular Little Texas sound, and how does it relate to the difference between playing honky-tonks and playing basketball arenas?  What unexpected streams does this song draw from?  And when does religious language imply the opposite?  You have to listen to believe.

God Blessed Texas

Melton takes a train beat ride down to Georgia to discover what happens you when you set a violin/fiddle exhibition inside a blend of folk and southern rock music.  Also, what is this diabolic sound of a blues scale in a minor key?  So rosin up your bow and give this one a listen.  And don't worry, the dog doesn't bite.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia

We take an airboat through central and south Florida to explore John Anderson's 1992 classic "Seminole Wind".  We get into the song's driving rhythm, how that relates to its plaintive urgency, and how all of that works within a context of (super)natural mystical imagery.  Also, there's that idea of authenticity that just keeps coming up.

So let's come sit upon a cypress stump and work through this one together, as we work through what exactly made the wide river of 80s & 90s country music flow.

We seek to build our understanding of 80s & 90s country music by looking at Garth Brooks's energetic and unapologetic 1991 classic "Rodeo".  We talk about the song's killer instrumental track, bluesy vibe, contrast between restrained verses and a frenetic chorus, and unironic celebration of western U.S. imagery.

Grab your boots and chaps, and let's dig in.

In the debut episode of Nashville Anthems, Melton looks at what makes Patty Loveless's song "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" special.  We discuss Loveless's unique voice, storytelling in song, piano balladry, and heartfelt heartache.

Give the song a listen or two, then tune in!