These three modern country staples are pure poetry. They all emphasize lyrical content and speak directly to the listener. In decades to come, these songs will likely be seen as shining examples of what the craft of songwriting can accomplish at its best.
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“Shake The Frost” — Tyler Childers
A modern-day classic, this folk song perfectly highlights Tyler Childers’ stunning lyricism. “You remind me of a Sunday / Back home in old Kentucky / With the church choirs just beltin’ to the pines / And I love you like the mountains / Loves the way the mornin’ opens / To a soft and bright greetin’ from the sun,” the lyrics read.
Childers is known for his poetry. Every one of his songs is just as stunning on paper as it is in practice. A book could be made of all his powerful verses. This song is a particularly strong example of his command of words.
“A Simple Song” — Chris Stapleton
If Chris Stapleton has a thesis statement of sorts, it’s that he doesn’t think simplicity is a bad thing. That idea is wrapped up in the aptly titled “A Simple Song”. “But I love my life, man; it’s something to see / It’s the kids and the dogs and you and me / It’s the way it’s alright when everything goes wrong / It’s the sound of a slow simple song,” the lyrics read.
This song is domesticity incarnate. It reminds us all to slow down now and then in a deeply poetic way. Many modern country poets lean toward intricate lines and complex feelings; this song takes the opposite approach, but it is still stunning.
“The Architect” — Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves’ “The Architect” is a profound look at the world. While many of Musgraves’ songs tend to leave everything on the table, this track is okay with not having all the answers. Musgraves sings in this touching ballad, “Sometimes I look in the mirror / And wish I could make a request / Could I pray it away? Am I shapeable clay? / Or is this as good as it gets?”
It’s a deep, sometimes painful outlook that leaves the listener reeling. But it leans into poetry’s core function: capturing the human experience in all its many colors. This one happens to live in the shade of unanswered questions.
(Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
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(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls at event, New York, 1990s. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images) -
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images -
Pop group The Byrds (l to r): Chris Hillman; Dave Crosby; Mike Clark; Jim McGuinn; and Gene Clark. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)