The Most Notorious Country Songs
We're all about country music at the ol' SPT Saloon this weekend.
There's a feature by yours truly: "Southern Comfort: The music industry is sliding. The economy is in the dumps. Sounds like the perfect time for a country song."
There's a killer Country Quiz concocted by none other than that hot urban cowboy Steve Spears (CLICK HERE TO PLAY). Let us know your score. I made a bonehead mistake, but still managed a 13.
There's a great mini-movie of backstage antics with Dierks Bentley and his fans at a recent Tampa show (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THAT).
And to top it all off, here's a playlist of THE MOST NOTORIOUS COUNTRY SONGS. Not just the bawdiest and bad-assiest, but enevelope-pushers and shaggy old faves, too. These songs have kick and swagger to 'em. And the list isn't done, of course. So crack open a tallboy and fire off some of your faves, too.
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
You missed some truly notorious ones>
You Never Even Call Me By My Name - David Allan Coe
Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash
Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
Mama Don't let your Babies Grow Up To be Cowboys - Willie Nelson
The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band
You Got The Goldmine, I Got The Shaft - Jerry Reed
It's Hard To Be Humble - Mac Davis
Posted by: Bassnote | March 28, 2008 at 01:55 PM
By the way, I got 14 out of 15 on the quiz.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 28, 2008 at 01:59 PM
I must be a total country geek, I got all 15 right! (maybe for my prize you could send Tim Mcgraw tickets?)
My alltime favorite country title... I'm Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home, by David Frizzell.
Posted by: SP | March 28, 2008 at 02:05 PM
I scored an 11. (And that's my actual score, not just a tribute to Jane's love of Spinal Tap.) :)
I'm surprised I only scored that, as I have a deep love of all things trashy and country-fied.
Posted by: Sherrie | March 28, 2008 at 02:06 PM
OH, calling Spearsy "urban cowboy" is fightin' words. Oh no! Oh my! If he's a closeted urban cowboy ... well, my fantasies will come to a halt.
Oh, and you should add "Shift Work" by Kenny Chesney.. I sing it at work and people are ready to jump when I sing, "a big ol' pile of shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiift work" Yeah, like I would ever toss out a swear word. Heh.
Posted by: Marissa | March 28, 2008 at 02:40 PM
So, I just took the quiz and I scored a 12. Had it all been about old musty country I never would have done well. I guess that means I still have some Jawja twang left in me.
Posted by: Marissa | March 28, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Marissa, I just bought "Shift Work" on Itunes for my son's iPod...though it may end up on mine as well. That's a cool song, it makes me happy. I also got him "International Harvester".
Posted by: Sherrie | March 28, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Songs like "Shift Work" are the only ones I tend to like in the genre that is country.
For grins and giggles I made a compilation CD to play at work entitled, "Hey! Bartender!" It's primarily country songs about drinking. I even added Budweiser's Real Men of Genius jingles.
Haggar's "Mas Tequila" is on there to represent my love of the hard stuff.
Posted by: Marissa | March 28, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I really need to learn to gather everything together so I don't post 27 comments. However, since my brain is in ADD mode, here I am again.
Sean, I just read your feature, "Southern comfort for hard times." Very nice. Country music lovers really are a different breed...inbreed, whatever. ha! No offense, but it was just too easy.
I have friends that would often report an Alan Jackson sighting. They lived in Newnan, GA where, if I'm not mistaken, is Jackson's hometown.
I crossed the Chattahoochee everyday on my way to work while living in Gainesville, GA. I couldn't help breaking out into song, 'way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, it gets hotter than a hoochie-coochie.' Since I am prone to changing lyrics to songs, my version had a slightly crass tone to it. Yee haw!!
Posted by: Marissa | March 28, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Scored a 13 on the quiz -- not bad for a chick who's been drinking beer out at the ballpark all afternoon.
Groovin' on the fact that there are two Dixie Chicks songs on the list -- I LOVE them to death. And Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound is awesome, as is pretty much any Hank Jr. tune. Plus, I always sing the bass part with "Elvira."
Must also second Bassnote's suggestion of "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." That is a great song to sing after several long neck Buds. Not that I'd know anything about that.
Posted by: jane | March 28, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I'm doing a wedding next Friday where the predominant music will be country. I just spent about $30.00 on iTunes to get myself prepared.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 28, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Wow, a 6.
I stink at that.
How about Papa Loved Mama
Posted by: David-b | March 28, 2008 at 09:27 PM
This has absolutely nothing to do with country music. Howevah! I had to share it.
Mike Myers has a new flick coming out in June called, "The Love Guru" and myspace has a profile for it. Videos on there by "the love guru" had me nearly choking on my Ricola drop. His mantra? "Mariska Hargitay"
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=334020854
go. go giggle yourself silly.
Posted by: Marissa | March 28, 2008 at 10:35 PM
scored 13
"If That Ain't Country" David Allan Coe
"Longhaired Redneck" ditto
"Tulare Dust" Merle
"They're Tearing the Labor Camps Down" Merle
Anything by Robert Earl Keen
Posted by: DoctorDrew | March 29, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Shaggy old fav of mine -- anything Faron Young sang! Let's not forget him.
Just read a neat bio of him called Live Fast, Love Hard and it gave me a whole new appreciation for his music.
Cheers,
Linda
Posted by: Linda | March 30, 2008 at 03:37 PM