Lyrics by Luke

Luke Bryan has become more popular recently. Two more mainstream hits by Luke Bryan are " I Don't Want This Night To End" and his more recent hit, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye." Both songs are popular among country music fans, but are beginning to gain popularity with other fans as well. 

"I Don't Want This Night to End" is a song with lyrics about not wanting a night to end because you are with someone you don't want to leave. This song is upbeat and has lyrics that many people can relate to. The lyrics and music video suggest he is singing about having a good time with a significant other and not wanting to leave her. But, the audience can relate because everyone wants to be with the people they love: significant other, friend, or family.  These lyrics are simple and relatable. The lyrics are as follows: 


Girl I know I don’t know you
But your pretty little eyes so blue
Are pulling me in
Like the moon on your skin
I’m so glad you trusted me
To slide up on this dusty seat
And let your hair down
Get out of town
Got the stars coming out over my hood
And all I know now is it’s going good
You got your hands up
You’re rocking in my truck
You got the radio on
You’re singing every song
I’m set on cruise control
I’m slowly losing hold
Of everything I got
You’re looking so damn hot
And I don’t know what road we’re on
Or where we’ve been
From staring at you girl
All I know is I don’t want this night to end
Gonna cuss the morning when it comes
Cause I know that the rising sun
Ain’t no good for me
Cause you’ll have to leave
Gonna make the most of every mile
Do anything to make your smile
Land on my lips
Get drunk on your kiss
Clock on the dash says 3:35
There’s plenty of gas and the night’s still alive
You got your hands up
You’re rocking in my truck
You got the radio on
You’re singing every song
I’m set on cruise control
I’m slowly losing hold
Of everything I got
You’re looking so damn hot
And I don’t know what road we’re on
Or where we’ve been
From staring at you girl
All I know is I don’t want this night to end
You got your hands up
You’re rocking in my truck
You got the radio on
You’re singing every song
I’m set on cruise control
I’m slowly losing hold
Of everything I got
You’re looking so damn hot
And I don’t know what road we’re on
Or where we’ve been
From staring at you girl
All I know is I don’t want this night to end
I don’t want this night to end
No I don’t want this night to end

Luke Bryan is popular with the ladies and many of his songs and music videos are suggestive. Both of these songs have to do with relationships and have suggestive music videos. "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" is a current popular hit of Luke Bryan's. The song is upbeat with instruments such as guitar and drums. There are some backup vocals toward the end of the song, but for the most part, Bryan's voice is the most prominent thing heard when listening to the song. The lyrics are easily understandable and relatable because everyone has had a relationship that did not work out. The music video accurately portrays what the song is about.  

Luke Bryan "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" Music Video

Both "I Don't Want This Night To End" and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" are about relationships with others, specifically significant others. Luke Bryan has many songs about this topic. This is a topic both men and women, young and old, can relate to. Luke Bryan has many songs that are popular among country music listeners. These two songs are hits that are popular among country music listeners, but are becoming popular with other listeners. 

Neither of the songs mentioned above are popular mainstream hits, but Luke Bryan does cover mainstream hits at his concerts. Bryan does not cover a lot of songs, but has been known to cover Justin Beiber and Adele. 

Willie Nelson Song Analysis

Willie Nelson's Poetry of the Common Man

Willie Nelson seems to be the epitome of an authentic country artist, but his sound and persona are far from Nashville’s stereotype of real “country” musicians. Nelson’s sound always remained original and unaffected by pop-culture, and his mainstream success could be credited to his innovation and rejection of country artist sterotypes. People gravitated toward this artistic nuance as a breath of fresh air in the realm of country music. He made no to attempt to fit any mold, and this liberation allowed Nelson to transcend the limitations of the country genre, as well as transcend the limitations of social class as his music appealed to audiences of all ages and statures. This widespread and unique appeal drove Nelson to become one of the most iconic artists of all time.

Country music lyrics often argue for their own authenticity, where artists sometime falsely link themselves to a working-class, rural lifestyle that they never actually experienced. However, Willie Nelson’s lyrics are seldom perceived as trying or pretentious. Instead, his lyrics are representative of both his lifestyle and the lifestyle of his audience, and are arguably the poetry of the common man. His song “The City of New Orleans,” included in his “16 Biggest Hits” album, was written by Steve Goodman, but appealed to Nelson’s admiration and empathy for the struggles of the average working-class man. Nelson tells the story of a man’s journey through America on a freight train as he struggles to provide for his family. Nelson’s connection to the lyrics and his appearance of authenticity are both vital elements for the song’s widespread appeal where the significance and success of the song depends on whether or not the audience really believes that the artist’s heart is poured into every word.

“The City of New Orleans”

Dealin' card games with the old men in the club car

Penny a point ain't no one keepin' score

Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle

Feel the wheels rumblin' 'neath the floor

And the sons of Pullman Porters

And the sons of engineers

Ride their father's magic carpets made of steel

Mothers with their babes asleep

Are rockin' to the gentle beat

And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel

These lyrics provide a sense of empathy for the working-class family, where every day is a struggle and overworked men take pleasure in the acts of heavy drinking and gambling. The mention of the job “Pullman Porters” is interesting because the original Pullman Porters were often slaves that had been recently freed. The mention of this job suggests that many working-class Americans are slaves to their occupations, where people do whatever is necessary to survive. Nelson sympathizes with the struggle of the common family, and represents the traditional values of this culture through his own humble beginnings as a child of the Great Depression.

Nighttime on the city of New Orleans

Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee

Half way home, we'll be there by morning

Through the Mississippi darkness

Rolling down to the sea

And all the towns and people seem

To fade into a bad dream

And the steel rails still ain't heard the news

The conductor sings his song again

The passengers will please refrain

This trains got the disappearing railroad blues

In these lyrics, Nelson seems to understand the insignificance and routineness of these people’s lives as the train goes from city to city and all of the towns and people “seem to fade into a bad dream.” Although the song’s lyrics are melancholic, the music sound is uplifting and inspirational, as if Nelson is encouraging these people to stay positive, calling himself America’s “native son” which suggests Nelson is along for the ride with them. Nelson’s authenticity and genuine concern for the struggles of these people is arguably the reason this song achieved such notable mainstream success. 

Willie’s song “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” is arguably the saddest song he was ever written. Written after his son’s suicide, Nelson expresses his deepest emotions and allows his audience to mourn with him in a way that makes the listener feel like they know him personally.

"Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground"

If you had not have fallen

Then I would not have found you

Angel flying too close to the ground

I patched up your broken wing and hung around for a while

Trying to keep your spirits up and your fever down

So leave me if you need to, I will still remember

Angel flying too close to the ground.

I knew someday that you would fly away

For love's the greatest healer to be found

So leave me if you need to, I will still remember

Angel flying too close to the ground

Fly on fly on past, the speed of sound

I'd rather see you up than see you down

So leave me if you need to, I will still remember

Angel flying too close to the ground.

Regardless of whether this song is mourning the loss of his son or some other fallen relationship, the message is undeniably powerful and the emotions are real. It is relatable not through the stereotypes of the “country” lifestyle, but because everyone who has ever experienced the loss of a loved one can sympathize with Nelson’s sorrow which, in a way, connects Nelson to his audience even more. The song’s sound is slow, melancholic, and mournful, as are the lyrics. His live performance of this song could draw a tear from anyone’s eye, and it even seems Nelson has to refrain from tearing up as well. To me, this song speaks to Nelson’s authenticity through its honesty and believability, where only the most serious and sincere heartbreak could inspire such poetic lyrics and artistry.

Miranda Lambert In Song

            “Timbral, inflectional, articulatory and grammatical details come together to make the sound of another’s voice as instantly recognizable to the ears as another’s face is to the eyes. And yet words and voice, though they were intimately intertwined, were not reducible to one another. Knowing all the words did not mean knowing a song. The right words had to be saturated with the sweat and specificity of a particular body, a particular life, and a particular voice.” (Fox 315).

I have mentioned in my prior posts that  because of Miranda Lambert’s ability to be empowering while still remaining vulnerable, she is a relatable idol. Above I posted Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town” music video. Here she embodies an empowering, tough girl, my way or the highway, country girl. Aimed more towards women, this song and video is very feminist and strong, giving the gender a bold face. This concept is aided by the setting of the music video in a bar, where Lambert sports a bad chick, ripped jeans and leather vest outfit. Smoking cigarettes and drinking beers, it is clear to the viewer that Miranda Lambert is in control. “’Fastest Girl In Town’ is Lambert breathing fire again.” (Dukes) Lambert and her friend in the music video manipulate a man at the bar, stealing and making a get away, hence the title “Fastest Girl In Town”.

            The release of the single “Fastest Girl In Town” was somewhat of an image saver for Miranda Lambert. Having been recently married, people were wondering if “Nashville’s most explosive firecracker has settled into life as a domestic diva.” (Dukes). However, “the song works better because she is married now. Conservative country fans will breathe easy knowing she’s playing something of a character, whereas before she seemed too dangerous to trust. Somehow, down gives this singer room to push her songs further. That is dangerously delicious cocktail.” (Dukes). In a way “Fastest Girl In Town” gives Lambert some mystery. Everything about this artist seems so real, but is it really possible to be so much? That’s up to the viewer to decide. Because Miranda Lambert embraces so many personas, she sort of becomes what you want her to be, making her so popular. Lambert can be your settled down woman or your on the loose bad girl.

            Musically “Fastest Girl In Town” is supported by Miranda Lamberts consistent use of scream singing. Combing speech and song, Lambert frequently yells a lot of her lyrics. Because she has such a strong voice, Miranda Lambert is able to pull this off, essentially making her music bolder. An example of when she does this is during the phrase “ain’t ya baby”. By screaming this lyric she transforms the phrase from possibly sweet to fairly mocking and daunting.

            However, at the same time, Miranda Lambert always seems to dwindle down to a very honest, vulnerable woman who is relates to both sexes. Her heart wrenching song “The House That Built Me” is a perfect example of this.

            This music video and song is something that almost everyone can relate too. At some point almost all of us have to leave home, whether for a period of time or for good. Miranda Lambert is very innocent in this song and video. Pulling her vulnerable side, you see Lambert reach into very deep-rooted emotions. “The production is pleasingly stripped down throughout the song; it builds up a bit approaching the bridge, but Lambert wisely resists the urge to turn the song into a bombastic power ballad as she sings:

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can


I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am.

Most people can relate to the deeply ingrained memories that are attached to one’s childhood home, and Lambert’s nostalgic musings will undoubtedly lead the listener on a similar trip down memory lane.” (Razor X).

            “The House That Built Me” is simple. Because Miranda Lambert naturally has a very strong voice, combined with the guitar, the voice is enough. She bends notes and takes her time to pull your emotions, tugging on your memories. Lambert makes herself personable to make herself successful. She proves that she is a real person and in doing so generates a large country fan base. Miranda Lambert is every woman you want her to be. Whether you need to scream or cry, she’s your girl.

Works Cited

Dukes, Billy. "Miranda Lambert, ‘Fastest Girl in Town’ – Song Review." Taste Of Country. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://tasteofcountry.com/miranda-lambert-fastest-girl-in-town-song/>.

Fox, Aaron A. Real Country. Durham: Duke University Press, 2004. Print.

Miranda Lambert- Fastest Girl In Town. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbaEVA259IE>.

Miranda Lambert- The House That Built Me. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQYNM6SjD_o>.

Razor X. "Single Review: Miranda Lambert – ‘The House That Built Me’." My Kind Of Country. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://mykindofcountry.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/single-review-miranda-lambert-the-house-that-built-me/>.

Mirandas Road to Success

            Miranda Lamberts songs all seem to have the tendency to paint mental pictures in your heads while hearing and truly understanding the words. Lambert has made it clear over the years that her songs are very meaningful and most relate to her as a person, her life, or even someone or something she cares passionately about. I choose two song by Miranda Lambert that stand out to me the most, not only because I enjoy the songs but because when listening to them you can understand what the song is about and you can relate to the songs in one way or another. The first song I chose to focus on is a song I continue to bring up in my blogs, Gunpowder and Lead. Gunpowder and Lead was a top ten hit and was nominated for CMA single of the year. The inspiration for this song came when she was growing up. Her parents took in abused women and their children, and Lambert shared her bedroom with a mother and her daughter. In an interview from Dial-Global magazine Lambert stated, "The song is actually about waiting for a husband to get out of jail so she can shoot him," Miranda told Dial-Global. "But it came from a real place in my life. When I was 14 years old, my parents took in abused women and children. I had to share my room with a mom and daughter. And my brother had to share with two brothers, and their mom lived downstairs, and it was a three-bedroom house. It really has a meaning to me."  The lyrics of the chorus say it all:

“I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
If he wants a fight, well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
He slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man?
I'm gonna show him what little girls are made of
Gunpowder and lead

These lyrics are describing a lady who has been abused by her husband and has had enough of his abuse. Lambert captures the intense feelings in this song by certain words she using within her lyrics. For example, “he slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll”, this lyric here is understood by the listeners that there is a woman in an abusive relationship and has had enough. Miranda Lambert is a huge advocate for domestic abuse, and unfortunately there are tons are women out there who are abused every single day and don’t have the strength to leave. This song topic is very much so related with domestic abuse and that is something that does not fly with Mrs. Lambert. With this song Lambert captures her audience’s attention by letting them know she knows what it is like and by performing this song she hopes that they can gain the strength they need to leave the abusive relationship. I have experienced this sense of empowerment from listening and belting out this song. Although, I have never experienced an abusive relationship I can still hear this song and relate to being a strong women and standing up for myself. This song speaks to the larger concept of country music and authenticity because, this song very well is based off some type of experience Miranda has dealt with, and being authentic within ones music is very much more understandable when one can relate or has felt the pain that someone they care for is going through. The figure of this song is essentially that domestic abuse is not okay in any shape or form and by singing this song, Miranda hopes she can reach her audience and help them overcome a time of weakness.

            The next famous Miranda Lambert song I have chose to speak on is, The House That Built Me. This song is a pitch-perfect retelling of her childhood, a song that no matter how many times Lambert and her family hear, it always brings them to tears. This song is describing a time of despair when Miranda and her family literally lost their home, “the home they built with their own hands.” About twenty years ago, the Lamberts were private investigators in Lindale, Texas. A few bad business decisions doomed the company and left the family of four, including Miranda's younger brother, with few options. Quickly the family had become bankrupt and found themselves completely homeless, they soon found themselves in a house that was for rent, but was in terrible conditions. Some of the rooms didn't have windows and everything needed fixing or replacing from floor to ceiling. The Lamberts eventually got that house, though, and moved in. They lived in one room at a time while Bev started a restoration project. She also planted a garden and tended it every day, pulling what the family needed from the ground. And Rick provided the protein. Miranda wrote this song for when the Lamberts revisit that time in their lives, their emotions vary. Shame and pride. Fear and joy. There are just as many laughs as there are tears. It was actually Blake Shelton, Lamberts husband who pursued her to write and publish the song, he said when he read the lyrics he balled his eyes out and that it was beautiful and true. These lyrics below truly stood out to me about why Lambert chose to write this song and what she was hoping for in return.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

this brokenness inside me might start healing.

Out here its like I'm someone else,

I thought that maybe I could find myself

if I could just come in I swear I'll leave.

Won't take nothing but a memory

from the house that built me.

This verse here explains the struggle Miranda deals/dealt with when hearing this song, Lamberts lyrics describe a time and place where she dreamed that if she could just go back in time and be in the house again she could move forward and deal with the pain she has inside. This song is very relatable to anyone who has struggled with finances and the pain of losing something they put hard work and tears in. The concept of this song within country music and authenticity shows the pain and struggle the Lamberts dealt with and that their life wasn’t always wonderful. This is yet another very relatable song Miranda audience can relate to and hopefully gain strength in moving forward and starting fresh.