Tequila Makes Clothes Fall Off – But There's So Much More To Learn From Country Music
Posted: Friday, January 21, 2011
by Brianna Popsickle
I enjoyed country music for years until my children were old enough to take control of the CD player then suddenly Brad Paisley and Brooks & Dunn were replaced by Brittany Spears and Pink.
I have to admit my taste in music changed. I didn’t mind their music. It was mindless. I could forget everything and just get lost in the beat, mainly because quite often I couldn’t make out the lyrics. It was great music to listen to while doing housework or working out, and a real motivator when power-walking.
Listening to songs like, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, Somewhere With You, or Breath You Take, I’m reminded ofwhat I loved about country music. You can’t ignore the lyrics. They’re clear and undeniable. They’re witty and fun, romantic and sad. They can make you laugh and cry and tug at your emotions, causing you to acknowledge feelings you never knew you had, and some you would never admit to.
The other day I heard, You Can Let Go sung by Crystal Shawanda. It’s a song about goodbyes.
It tells of a girl who says goodbye to her father several times throughout her life. First as a little girl growing independent, then as a young woman leaving to get married and then a final goodbye before her father passes away. The song captured just how I felt several times throughout my life when saying goodbye to someone I loved or goodbye to a part of myself at different stages in my life.
I remember having mixed emotions when I left home to start a new job. I was sad to say goodbye to my parents, who had always given me unconditional love, and sad knowing I’d be leaving the child in me behind. At the same time, I was proud to be venturing out on my own and excited at all the possibilities that lay ahead for me.
As life went on I learned that some people come into your life for a time and then for whatever reason they’re gone. Hearts are broken and tears are shed. With each ending a part of you goes with them, while memories of them remain with you. Goodbyes open you to new possibilities and new relationships.
Then one day someone enters your life and you just know in your heart it’s forever. Such was the case when I met my husband. As my dad walked me down the aisle on my wedding day, I said goodbye to the young girl in me but was excited at all the possibilities that lay ahead for us.
When my children were born I said goodbye to part of myself once again, as I jumped whole-heartedly into being the best mother I could be. In what felt like an instant, I was helping them pack for university and watched as they drove off. I remember having mixed emotions as they left but was excited at all the possibilities that lay ahead for them.
Saying goodbye or letting go is never easy, but life goes on.
New to Facebook, I recently looked up an old friend, not to establish a new connection, just to see if he was there.
Thirty years older, a goatee and moustache, I stared at the picture wondering if it could really be him. Then I recognized a familiar scar beneath his eye. Suddenly I was eighteen again as memories of him and I flooded back. At that time I could never have imagined life without him but I learned, as quickly as people come into your life, they can be taken away, some without warning and no chance to say goodbye.
As a result I’ve learned to tell people how I feel about them.
Hearing the country music song You Can Let Go, reminded me of it once again.
It caused me to stop and think about my aging parents and some friends who are having health problems. It made me realize how big a part they play in my life and just how much I’d miss them if they were suddenly gone.
So I think it’s unfair that country music gets a bad rap from so many people unwilling to give it a chance.
I figure any song that makes me appreciate the people in my life, and moves me to tell them how I feel, can’t be all bad, country or not.
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More commentsHey, the guys still there doing your renovation work ? You mentioned in your past articles last year that the kitchen needs to be redone.... hope they complete what they should ASAP for you, Brianna.I love some country songs as well or even older songs like : Jim Croce's , Rick Nelson's , John Denver's etc ...........I love Jim Croce's I'lll Have to Say I Love You in a Song! As for my renovation guy, he's been off a week since coming down with a bad case of food poisoning. Honestly Hilda, I only meant to make him suffer a little, didn't intend on making him quite so sick. (just kidding) Hopefully he'll be back this week! It's almost done! Thanks for asking! :)That's the main song of Jim Croce's made me crazy about him, Brianna. We love the same song madly. His voice of yesteryears was so unique.....But I am sad over his untimely early death. Such a good musician = Jim.
Your last couple of lines kind of sums it all up, doesn't it? Nice article, Brianna.I thought they summed it up. :) Thanks Joyce. Always nice to hear from you.
Simply put...a real nice article.Thanks Steve!
You did it again, Brianna - great work ! I have found that some country songs are so depressing, I feel better just hearing that it's over...and that my life isn't as bad as I had previously thought...Oh but Dave, some are so funny and SO romantic! You're just hearing the wrong ones. Keep listening. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it! :)
Country music is the soundtrack to my childhood. Back then, I wondered why Johnny Cash was dumb enough to go close to the burning fire in the first place, and why Patsy Cline would walk around after midnight, that sounded cold and scary. I parted ways with it for many years but when Johnny Cash died and my sons didn't even know who he was, I knew I'd failed them, so I went out and bought a Greatest Hits CD and forced them to listen. They scoffed at me at first but I can with great pride now say that they will sometimes randomly belt out, "A Boy Named Sue" or "One Piece at a Time". That lead to me having to make sure they also knew "when to hold 'em... when to fold 'em" , those are serious life skills, right?
I still don't listen to Country on a regular basis but on a road trip there's no substitute for "On the Road Again" and "Country Road Take Me Home".You are absolutely right Jean. There are life skills to be learned from country music like, knowing when to hold'em and fold'em. Hilarious! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Fantastic article, Brianna. I listen to a mixed genre of music, but there are quite a few country songs I like for the exact reason you said in your article, the meaningful lyrics.
This was a very touching and well written article, thanks for sharingI listen to a mix as well Sydney. My twenty-three year old daughter enjoys some country but my twenty-one year old son, not so much. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Great article! I think country music has its own language that invigorates vibes in the body that can't be stopped. It's a good feeling.You bet it's a good feeling! (Although sometimes it does bring tears to my eyes James, but sometimes a good cry is just what one needs right?) Thanks for reading and commenting I appreciate hearing from you.
I love your title, Brianna! I love country music too. It's so alive with passion. I can't believe those wretched contractors haven't finished yet!I loved the title too! That song is hilarious! You're too cute. Those wretched contractors is now just one.(The other finished his bit long ago.) I'm long past getting mad at this guy. We just had a long discussion about his wood carvings and his stainglass and how his grandmother taught him to knit and crochet when he was seven. Who can get mad at a guy like that? It's just a kitchen and it's almost done and it will be beautiful! :) So nice to hear from you, I wondered where you'd been! Hope the New Year is off to a good start for you.!! Your contractor reminds me of The Edge of Reason (2nd Bridget Jones book) - have you read it? She has a complete fruitcake contractor, it's terribly funny! Yours doesn't sound quite so bad... I hope we're going to see pics of your kitchen. I hung out in my cave for a while - yes, I know, men are supposed to do it, not women! But I'm out, and yes, the year has started well for me. For you too? I hope so.No I haven't read it but I bet I could identify with it. :) I will post pictures on my Facebook very soon! We're almost there! The other day I got talking with my contractor about music (he's very musical) and I ended up getting out my electric guitar (from when I was a kid) to show him. He tuned it for me and played a little. I was sitting there thinking, 'hmmmm what's wrong with this picture.' My kitchen is going to look great though! Glad you're out of the cave. (That can be good for the soul) and glad you're year is off to a good start.
Hi Brianna, how could I not respond to something with a title like this? Great read. (Real) Country music is basic and all about life. Moreover you can hum, smile, grimace or sing along to/with it. Now really, does tequila make your clothes fall off? Darn agave plant, anyway.
JohnYou couldn't not respond. And yes, country music is real. I like real. But whether tequila makes your clothes fall off, that depends on you John. :) Nice to hear from you.I think it actually depends on HOW MUCH tequila... :)
Hi Brianna! I really liked this article. I'm a music lover from way back in my earliest childhood and country music ranks in my top 3 genre's. Of all other's country rings the most of real life and sometimes I just need a good cry!! ;) Thanks for this one! LindaYou're welcome Linda! Thanks for stopping by!
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