Reading this has me thinking deep thoughts today:
Jessica Simpson has booked an appearance during the Country Thunder USA festival in Twin Lakes, Wis., in what her representatives say is her first full concert since shifting from pop music into country.
The music on her first country album, due this fall, will represent her truthfully — at least at an emotional level.
“Most of the music is from real-life experiences,” she said. “I can’t sing about something that I haven’t gone through. I can’t make you fall in love with that song if I can’t relate to it.”
A Modest Proposal:
For every pop star that crosses over to country, we get to send a country star over to pop. The proverbial scale needs to be balanced. It’s long time that country music got something out of this deal.
So, thank you for Jessica Simpson, pop. Here’s Taylor Swift.
Welcome to country music, Bon Jovi. So long, Rascal Flatts!
Make yourself at home, Jewel. Happy trails, Bucky Covington!
This could work out pretty well in the end. Any other trades we should make?
Hahaha I love this.
I don’t know which crossover pop star (maybe Darius Rucker?) would be worthy of subbing in for Keith Urban (who I find consistently brilliant, for the record), but his music is becoming less and less “country” all the time, and I’d really love to see songs like “You Look Good In My Shirt” (especially in its new “classic rock”-sounding incarnation) and “I Told You So” become pop or modern rock hits instead of (or at least in addition to) in the country format, where they only very loosely fit sonically. That’s not to say he can’t still make great pop-country records – I’ll take “Stupid Boy” or “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me” on country radio over a lot of other songs anyday – but I sort of feel like he’s not living up to his full commercial potential by primarily gearing his all his stuff toward the country market.
Good Lord, Jessica Simpson vs. Taylor Swift is some kind of a “Death Is Not An Option” conundrum…
I’m not crazy about his single, but Darius Rucker does have a great, distinctive voice. I’d keep him and jettison someone from the Jason Aldean / Keith Anderson axis of people I can’t ever tell apart from each other.
Out of all of the washed-up pop stars who’ve turned to country recently, I will say that Joan Osborne’s Pretty Little Stranger was a solid album. Which, after her gorgeous cover of “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” for the Dolly Parton tribute record a few years ago, wasn’t a huge surprise. I’m also legitimately curious as to what Jewel might be able to pull off if she were ever to distance herself from John Rich.
Yeah, Here’s Taylor Swift. Keep her.
I agree with Jonathan; if Jewel sticks around and finds herself a worthy country music muse, I feel like I could really embrace her; she’s a unique talent.
One thing that is interesting about this whole pop crossover discussion is the “art” factor.
When I look at a lot of the current crop of commercial country music, I see very little that springs organically. It seems like most of what comes out of Nashville is either a copy of previous success or a counterpoint to one of those successes. I see very few mainstream artists who are making music as an art.
On the other hand, you have Jewel and Rucker, who, while certainly commercial to an extent, at least attempt to make music that has a certain resonance.
We could debate whether or not they are successful, but that’s not the point. Jason Aldean talks to me (through his music), like I’m an idiot. Jewel talks to me like I’m adult. And I just think that when we have more of the sentiment in the genre, it’s a good thing. When we have artists who genuinely care about their music as an artistic expression and an emotional exploration, that’s a good thing.
The extent to which those artists are successful is really irrelevant.
As far as trades go, let me make an obscure offer: The Lost Trailers for The Fray.
the idea sounds like fun but so did the inquisition to the roman katholic church, probably. these bush-years seem to have done more damage than i could have imagined.
I really don’t worry about pop artists “going country” – it’s been with us since the very first Billboard C&W chart showed Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters at #1 with their cover of “Pistol Packin’ Mama”
Many artists have drifted into country music for a while without staying including John Fogarty (as The Blue Ridge Rangers), Leon Russell (Hank Wilson), Ricky Nelson, Ray Charles and Otis Williams . Others came to stay such as Conway Twitty, Emmylou Harris and (for 20 or so years) Anne Murray.
Who would I trade to the pop world in exchange for Jewel ? Probably anyone who considers the Eagles, The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynard as their primary influence?
I really don’t like Jessica’s “Come On Over” the title sounds like a rip-off from Shania’s song. Then when you here the song it sounds somewhat childish with dull lyrics. I like some of Jessica’s song but not this one. I mean it’s ok, I’ll give her that, we’ll just have to see what she does. But really I don’t think any genre wants Jessica, mostly because of her embarrassing moments that are outside of music. I watched her on the View, her interview was horrible, and her live singing, ok, but nothing worth getting worked up about.
And then Elizabeth comments; Yeah I really think your voice is suited for country.
??!!!! Ok…… But I do like the trading thing. I have to admit I didn’t like Jewel’s “Stronger Woman” but I am liking her “I Do” single, so I hope she stays country.
I think many country men have fallen into this thing where they all have to be the new Garth Brooks or Tim McGraw. It’s just not possible, I long to see a male country singer who doesn’t try and be like them and one that won’t do that hat act as that has gotten old now. It worked for Brooks and some others but not anymore.
I agree with Jim’s sentiments to a point; I also don’t care who’s making the great art as long as it’s being made (or at least trying to be). That said, though, I do want to hear the traditions of country music at least somewhat honored by those who carry its banner. It seems to me like Rucker intends to move firmly in that direction and I couldn’t be happier to have him in the genre (even if his first single isn’t a masterpiece); Jewel has released two rather poppy singles and an album with mere hints of country magic and I’m still not entirely convinced that she’s not just trying to net herself a sales boost with the whole affair. That’s the impression she’s honestly left me with – that she might just not care too much about what sort of “art” she’s making as long as it brings home the bacon – so from my perspective, the artistic “success” of her output (a measure which, in my thinking, includes the degree to which it actually sounds like country music) is hardly an “irrelevant” concern. I’m not saying Jewel should restrict herself artistically to please anyone, but if she’s going to seriously market herself as a country artist, I want to hear the proof in the musical pudding.
LOL. Kevin, I like your switches.
Paul W. Dennis: “Probably anyone who considers the Eagles, The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynard as their primary influence?” Does that leave out any new artist?! ;)
One of my biggest concerns about Jessica (and the future of country radio which continues to play her first single) is summed up by this quote: “The music on her first country album, due this fall, will represent her truthfully — at least at an emotional level.”
Some lyrics from “Come on Over”:
I need you now, I need you bad
I need you, baby, looking just like that
Don’t pack your bag, don’t make me wait
I wanna kiss that smile that’s on your face
I need you wrapped up in these arms
I want you just the way you are
Come on over
Baseball cap and torn-up jeans
A pair of flip-flops on your feet
Just come on over
Don’t slow down, don’t stop for gas
Keep those four wheels spinning fast
Just come on over
I’m waiting for the deep, heartfelt song about tuna and chicken…
Re: crossovers to pop and Jessica Simpson…I love her single…was shocked to hear the DJ say it was her…nice tune well sung.
As for the trade concept, that’s hilarious. I personally love a broad range of stuff, so I’d keep everybody in the country camp, no matter how arena rock or straight pop they go. It’s all still way more enjoyable than the Umbrella-ellas of the world.
^^Lol at the tuna and chicken. I think I’m the only one who really dislikes Jessica. Idk if it’s just her dumb attitude, but it’s her singing. I mean she does have a pretty good voice, not the greatest but she doesn’t apply herself to any real heartfelt stuff to me. At least with her new song. If she is going to go country at least sound just a tad bit country. I’m not a traditionalist or anything, but her song is basically for pop radio.
Country on it’s own has more heart, and that’s what I don’t like, what happen to the heart these artists had put into their music. Pop has more heart in their songs right now.
I only see a very select few of country artists that I can be proud of saying, “I grew up listening to them.” Jessica is not one of them Lol.
In my country music class, my students and I watched Taylor Swift’s CMA Awards performance. So many of them said, “She’s country? Since when?” Her voice is just like Avril Lavigne’s. I heard from one of my students that “she’s going pop now,” and the sooner the better.
And I truly don’t like Jessica Simpson, either. “Come On Over” is pitiful, to put it nicely. Bleh. OK, OK, so her line of shoes is pretty hot. But I can’t stand the thought that I’d be putting money in her pocket so she can afford to rent a studio and create more crappy music, so I do without those awesome shoes. [sigh]
I’ll have to do without the shoes too then.:)
Jessica Simpson is nothing but T&A. And by that, I absolutely DON’T mean Talent & Ambition.