Often when a question is raised regarding the popularity of almost anything, it opens up a provocative discussion.
It presents us with the opportunity to reflect a little more deeply about why exactly it is that we enjoy, like, or adore, a given piece of music, artwork, dance, film or perhaps a book. The same is true for genres of music.
For some the idea of listening let alone enjoying classical music makes limited sense. On the flip side of that, others may express a complete dislike for current musical trends preferring to immerse themselves purely in the world of classical music.
One of the most enduringly popular genres of music is what broadly comes under the umbrella of Country music. I say broadly as when you pause to consider the vast array of different types of country music that a single word encompasses, you’ll grasp why I mention it.
Why Is Country Music So Popular?
Under that umbrella, we need to include Bluegrass, Appalachian Folk, Classic Country, Red Dirt, Pop Country, Texas Country and many more.
This is typical of many genres of music. As the genre progresses it evolves and develops, expanding its horizons and fusing with other existing genres of music.
In a similar way to other popular types of music, Country songs are created to appeal to. Ultimately, artists who compose and perform music are aiming to grow a fan base and sell their music. Country music, with all its sub-genres, is no exception.
If you want to appeal to a wide section of the population then you need to write music that in some way connects to people. You should aim to compose music that has a commonality, and humanity about it that almost anyone can associate with on a personal level.
Here, I feel, is where Country music has been very successful and continues to build its audience.
Let’s look more closely at what these commonalities could be. Country music regardless of style is written within tried and tested harmonic, melodic and structural norms. The music is tonal, written in a given key be it major or minor.
This in itself opens an access door and aligns with the expectations of most people who listen to popular music. I don’t believe atonal popular music exists, which makes sense if you’re aiming to appeal to a wide audience.
The form of Country music, or how the songs are constructed, falls into regular frameworks for popular songs. By this I mean, verses, choruses, bridges, middle-eight sections, introductions and outros or codas.
These song structures are very old and it could be argued are embedded into many cultures across the world. As such, they conform to our expectations of what a song should be.
We will have heard thousands of songs throughout our lives that will have used these patterns or structures. Over time they stay with us maybe even at a subconscious level and govern our response to the music we hear.
Hearing a Country song that follows one of the established structures increases the likelihood we will enjoy the track. It may also mean we listen to more of that genre.
There is more to consider. With familiar structures and relatively simple harmonic language, Country songs already have a strong appeal. A further element is the construction of the melody lines.
For many Country songs, how the melody is approached by the artist is key to the appeal of the song. Such devices as including a wider leap in pitch in the chorus sections contrast with a more static verse melody.
The delivery or performance of the melody is at the heart of the success of many country songs, and even though there may be compositional hallmarks written into the melody line, it is ultimately how it is sung that will sell it to the audience.
The above ingredients certainly make a significant contribution to the popularity of Country music. What I feel is at the very core of a great Country song are the lyrics. Not all, but many Country songs orientate their lyric content around a story.
This has a deep resonance with people. We all enjoy a story, and if that story has love, loss, and heartbreak as its topic, it has a strong pull. Lyric content in Country music is richly relatable to many people and that brings with it huge appeal.
This is not to say that the lyrics in Country music are in any way generic. Instead, you often discover clever metaphors and complex rhyming schemes that hang seamlessly on the melodies.
The instrumentation is attractive to audiences. Lap-steel guitars, bright acoustic guitars, deep basses, tight backing vocals, pianos, organs and catchy drum parts.
So much Country music has a distinctive sonority that on a single hearing it’s unmistakable. Sometimes it is the unique sound of the lead vocalist that glues the song together and defines that country sound but when added into the instrumental line-up, you have a winning combination.
It’s important to add to this exploration the extremely high-quality production quality of Country music. The engineers, mixing and mastering of these songs and albums come from some of the most talented individuals alive today.
Careful attention to nuance and colour in Country often distinguishes it from other genres with each album meticulously crafted to embody the artist(s) and the focus of the tracks.
For some, Country music is great music to dance to. With that engagement comes a certain feel-good factor that is undeniable. The rhythmic uniqueness of many Country songs underlines this aspect of the genre.
In addition, the Country comes with its own fashion. It is a vital part of the appeal of Country music and parallels it with other music genres.
Consider how rock or hip hop has influenced fashion and provided an identity to which numerous people now align with. Country music offers this in a big way bringing a further reason for its popularity.
Country music is far greater than the sum of its parts. Breaking down any genre of music is a little like explaining a joke. Once you have, the joke itself is somehow lost.
Whilst the various elements of Country music stand as examples of why it can be appealing, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. You can only really come to enjoy a genre of music if you allow yourself the chance to genuinely experience it. This is wholly true for Country music.