Music videos feel like a dying art form in country music, if only because so few videos are played on CMT and the life cycle of a single often stretches past six months. But there have been a few good ones this year. Three of my favorites:
Patty Loveless, “Crazy Arms”
There’s something haunting about the darkened room in which this forlorn ballad is being sung. Loveless is no stranger to lonely rooms doubling as video sets, with “You Don’t Seem to Miss Me” and “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” taking a similar approach. But it’s never been more effective, perhaps because it sets such a perfect tone for the song itself.
Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith, “Waitin’ on a Woman”
This won CMA Music Video of the year, and deservedly so. I was somewhat tepid on the song before seeing the video. I don’t remember ever listening past the second verse, actually. But the Andy Griffith appearance added a new charm to the song, and kept my attention long enough for me to hear the bridge, which clinched the song for me. Now it’s one of my favorite songs that Paisley’s ever done.
Lee Ann Womack, “Last Call”
It’s easy for me to take the beauty of New York City for granted because it’s just the place where I happen to live. But every once in a while, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to live here. Just the other night, driving home from my school’s Christmas show, I saw the first snow of the year falling on Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. That was one of those times I was reminded. This video was another. I love a song that’s country as it gets being acted on the grand stage of New York. We get our hearts broke up here, too, and there’s no shortage of bars for people to drown their sorrows in.
You can check my selections out on YouTube by clicking on the song title, or at CMT by clicking on the graphic on the right.
What do you think were the best music videos of 2008?
I was really impressed by both “Waitin’ On A Woman” and “Just A Dream”. Those are my two favorites of the year.
just a dream! hands down, very emotional, great vocals, a true tearjecker
Totally agree with Kevin’s three… good songs and good videos.
I would definitely add “Just A Dream”.
Jamey Johnson – In Color – something about the simplicity of the video and the song always gets me.
More Like Her – Miranda Lambert – not a typical video for Miranda, but I like it –
Johnny and June – Heidi Newfield – just shows what she can do on her own
I know everybody is tired of hearing me beat the Reba drum, but ‘Every Other Weekend’ was a great video too. I particularly loved how she got her co-stars from the sitcom to play the divorced couple …
Also, ‘Stay’ from Sugarland was, and still is, the best music video I’ve seen in a long, long time. It was released in 2007, but most of its airplay came this year, so I am counting it as a 2008 video too.
I liked the treatment given to ‘Last Call’ by Lee Ann Womack and Lady A’s ‘Lookin’ For a Good Time’ quite a bit too …
‘Just a Dream’ and ‘Waitin on a Woman’ were my two favorite videos of the year. Carrie’s video perfectly suited the song and Brad’s video was stellar, most in part, to Andy Griffith’s appearance.
Notable mentions:
‘Last Call’ Lee Ann Womack
‘Cheater, Cheater’ Joey + Rory (loved Naomi at the end!)
‘More Like Her’ Miranda Lambert
‘You Look Good in my Shirt’ Keith Urban (I think this showcased how energetic and entertaining a Keith Urban show is)
‘Every Other Weekend’ Reba and Kenny (I totally got choked up because I love Cheyenne and Van and they totally need to be together forever and this video was so sad! I loved it though!)
Just a Dream- Carrie Underwood. Hands Down.
If I see Stay one more time, I will vomit. It is so over-done already.
I have to admit that I wasn’t paying attention to videos much in the first half of the year. But here are some ones I noticed and loved:
Ashton Shepherd, “Sounds So Good”
Zac Brown Band, “Chicken Fried”
Lee Ann Womack, “Last Call”
Randy Houser, “Anything Goes”
Brad Paisley, “Waitin’ on a Woman”
Hayes Carll, “She Left Me For Jesus”
And I really liked certain parts of “Just a Dream.”
Patty’s Crazy Arms video is my favorite, no surprise..Her heart wrenching vocals, the setting and Patty’s facial expressions and gestures all work together to make this a very powerful torch song video.
I’m with ya Kevin on Brad’s Waitin’ on a Woman as well…Andy Griffith adds such a powerful visual presence to an already great song.
And I agree with Dan about Chicken’ Fried…a refreshing breath of real Country air!
“This Is Me Your Talking To” I love when Trisha plays herself in her videos, she does a great job….makes me miss her days on JAG haha
“Just a Dream” is my clear pick for best of the year. Runners up include “last Call”, both Ashton Shepherd’s videos, “In Color” and “Cowgirls Don’t Cry”
“Just A Dream” my favorite! I did also love Keith’s “You Look Good In My SHirt”. There is just something about him that mesmerizes me. He has so much charisma!
I saw Brad and Keith’s video today for “Start a Band” So whenever we have a list for WORST videos of 2008, I will be sure to vote for that one!
1) “Waitin’ on a Woman,” Brad Paisley
2) “She Left Me for Jesus,” Hayes Carll
3) “Last Call,” Lee Ann Womack
4) “Anything Goes,” Randy Houser
5) “Just a Dream,” Carrie Underwood
6) “Crazy Arms,” Patty Loveless
7) “In Color,” Jamey Johnson
8. “More Like Her,” Miranda Lambert
9) “Lookin’ for a Good Time,” Lady A
10a)”Every Other Weekend,” Reba McEntire
10b) “This Is Me You’re Talking To,” Trisha Yearwood
“Waiting On a Woman” is memorable mainly because of Andy Griffith’s appearance.
“Just a Dream” featured a powerful, expressive performance by Underwood, but some of the sequencing of the visuals has always bothered me.
I like Faith’s “A Baby Changes Everything.”
“Every Other Weekend” actually needed Kenny C. on camera, I think, since it’s a duet that bounces back and forth between the two points of view. The song itself really grew on me.
“Just a Dream” was one of Carrie’s best video performances to date
Miranda had an interesting one with “More Like Her”,because it was different for her
“Crazy Arms” was a great video, and its great to see Patty on CMT and GAC
“Last Call”, I don’t see the video much, but the song is still great