Bro Country Music
Over the past few years, there has been a new trend in country music called “bro-country.” In my opinion, bro-country is country that has been twisted to the point of vulgarity. Where I live, bro-country music has almost completely taken over our radio stations. And in my opinion, the time has long come for bro-country music to die out.
Individuals may define bro-country differently, but generally, it is music with lyrics that focus on young adult males, their pickup trucks, wild partying, intoxicating beverages, and women dressed in skimpy clothes whom they find attractive and call “girl.” Traditional country elements, such as the fiddle and banjo, are not featured prominently, while guitars and hip-hop elements are more prevalent.
For examples of bro-country, look at the work of artists such as Luke Bryan, Florida-Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, and Jason Aldean. Listen to their exemplary bro-country songs: “That’s My Kinda Night,” “Sun Daze,” “Boys ‘Round Here,” and “Just Getting’ Started.” The typical bro-country elements pervade each and every one of these songs.
The result of all this bro-country? A tsunami wave of monotonous songs flooding most country radio stations, and the very frightening promotion of irresponsible, immoral living. I mean, how many people should go out wildly partying every week? Zero. People have responsibilities—school, work, building relationships, and generally being a constructive part of society—and they should not spend their free time pursuing a destructive lifestyle. And, how many women who respect themselves and value their personal freedom actually enjoy being objectified? I’d guess close to zero. Bro-country is harmful to society because of the very corrupt values it promotes.
Some people may say that bro-country is harmless; it is tunes just to have fun listening to. Bro-country songs have had wild success with audiences, so people must find something good in it. I myself have jammed out to a few catchy bro-country tunes. However, when compared to other country music—that which features more rustic guitars and fiddles, less rock or pop elements, and lyrics that speak about down-to-earth, everyday life—bro-country is almost what I would call “primitive.” It has repetitive, extremely basic lyrics and shows not one bit of sense, maturity, or morality.
There’s still some good country out there. For example, Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel,” Tim McGraw’s “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Miranda Lambert’s “All Kinds of Kinds,” Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away,” and Eric Church’s “Talladega” are wonderful examples of modern country music that does not rely on the tired motifs of bro-country. Whether we like it or not, though, bro-country continues to exist, so I and anyone else who opposes it must endure the racket until it passes. If bro-country prevails, though, we must cling ever tightly to the simple, down-to-earth style that country music was meant to be.
Inspired by: Carlson, Adam. "‘Bro Country’ Is Still Thriving, Even If Everyone Hates It." TIME. Time Inc. Network, 14 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Image sources:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=720242
http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2015/01/05/country-fireball-inside-the-rise-of-florida-georgia-line/
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/pickup/163_1206_2013_ford_f150_first_look/photo_15.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXAgv665J14
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/0/a/5/7/1398716003622347489beer-bottle-clipart-4.png