I am a sucker for a sad country song with a soaring steel guitar.. Very few things can hook me faster. I say that, but let me preface by also stating that there are so many different elements that have to align. Emotive lyrics, a soulful vocal delivery, a memorable melody line, and a relatable narrative all have to be in place, and pull the whole song together. Not to mention timing, especially with songs timing is everything.
The timing I'm talking about is when you actually hear the song, and what's going on in your life. But as much as I bleed for sad songs, and will binge listen to my ever so short list of favorite artists for hours, and sometimes days on end timing can quickly stomp out my mindless self indulgence.
Yes, it can, has, and will again, I'm sure of it. There are times in your life where a sad song cannot properly help you get to the next phase of your life. Maybe last year, I would have gleefully illustrated the finer points of getting through, and over with a well placed sad country song. COVID19 however has adjusted my viewpoint somewhat. With all the uncertainty, sickness, and modifications to our entertainment, you start to see the world through an unfamiliar lens..
I've caught myself finding solace in songs that talk about familiar things that I enjoyed before COVID19.. The mundane every day list of items that I took for granted such as hugs, long walks with loved ones, and breaking night with friends.
Wallowing with Lefty, and drinking with Merle doesn't quite stack up the way it use to when impending doom looms large.. Lol, ok a little melodramatic, but even the saddest country songs have an underlying hopefulness that makes you feel better when you are going through a tough time.
In this COVID19 world, I've found myself enjoying songs that are fun, whimsical, and downright silly! Not that I didn't before, but now they take on an almost nostalgic and yearnful tone. In some cases, the tailgate down, and barn fire blazing songs are sadder than say I've Aged 20 Years In Five. It's a reminder of what we can't "comfortably" do anymore.
Regardless of the current pandemic or other life questioning moments that are bound to touch our lives sooner or later, I've consistently found solace, hope, and peace firstly in the good book, especially The Book of Psalm, but also in the lyrics of some amazing songs. I figured, if some of these compelling narratives helped me before, and now, and I'm sure again in the future, they might help you too.
I've included ten of my personal favorites, and I also provided the full song for your enjoyment. Some songs are about toughing through, and other tunes are about staying hopeful. Sometimes we need our hand held, but other times, we need a good talking to. Either way, I think you'll find what you need here.
Feel free to drop a message in the chat-box, if you've been helped by any of these songs. And don't forget to share the love.
Tagged: Maturity/Goals
When I'd get lost
in a momentary
weakness of emotion
All the angels came around
to help me through..
Life pulls fast changes
Wind blows past pages
All I see is I don't need this
High-strung tightrope walk
Ticking time-bomb clock
Scratch my name off
Cut these chains
I'm Free..
Artist: Faith Hill
Song: Free
Album: Cry
Released: 2002
Tagged: Mental Toughness
I'm a bring it on, get'er done, don't run s.o.b.
Times are tough, but they ain't got nothin' on me
Artist: Chris Knight
Song: Nothing On Me
Album: Little Victories
Released: 2012
Tagged: Redemption/Hope
God will save his fallen angels
And their broken wings
he'll mend
When he joins their hearts together
And they learn to love again
Artist: Patty Loveless
Song: When The Fallen Angels Fly
Album: When The Fallen Angels Fly
Released: 1994
Tagged: Mental Toughness/Perseverance
You want somethin bad
You gotta bleed a little for it
You gotta look it in the eye
You gotta call it out by name
Song: Long Drive Home
Released: 2015
Tagged: Hope/Fun
Then we'd travel far, we'd be some big, shining star Just you and my guitar, and stay there, sweetheart, for always
Single: "I Want to Be with You Always"
Artist: Lefty Frizzell
Album: Listen to Lefty
B-side"My Baby's Just Like Money"
"Released March 19, 1951
Tagged: Hope/Optimism/Advice
I hope you still feel small
when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
Released: 2000
Tagged: Hope/Perseverance
But there'll
always be tomorrow
And I'll
beg, steal, or borrow
a little sunshine
And I'll
put this cloud behind me
That's how
the man designed me
To ride the wind
and dance in a hurricane
Single: "I'm No Stranger To The Rain
Released: 1988
B-side: "A Day In The Life Of A Fool"
Tagged: Maturity
All your life that's how it's been
Lookin' out for number one
Takin' more than you give
Movin' on when you're done
Artist: George Jones
Song: The Cold Hard Truth
Album: The Cold Hard Truth
Released: 1999
Tagged: Time Management/Friendships/Family
Gonna hold
who needs holdin'
Mend
what needs mendin'
Walk
what needs walkin'
Though it means
an extra mile
Pray
what needs prayin'
Say
what needs sayin'
Cause we're only here
for a little while
Artist: Billy Dean
Song: Only Here For A Little While
Released: 1990
Tagged: Maturity/True Love
Hey baby,
I love you
Hey baby,
I need you
Hey baby,
you ain't got to prove to me
you're some kind of
macho man.
You've wasted
so much of your life
running
through the dark nights
Let me shine some love light
down on the blues man
Song: Blues Man
Released: 1980
Spread good country music around,
and share with the social media links below.
Also, don't forget to follow the blogger on Twitter:
Listen to more good country music here
Check out our interviews on Pandora