jesster
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Post by jesster on Jul 16, 2014 7:53:39 GMT -5
Overall that is quite a flattering article in Rolling Stone Country for an act just starting out. But yeah, it certainly puts some fuzzy edges on what they are doing with this song -- they don't just love the bro country guy singers, but the songs name-checked in the song are ones M&T chose because they "love" them. Interesting. So the point (maybe) isn't about some of the bro country songs objectifying women and making women identity-less (except for their sugarshakers ), it's about it being hard for a girl to "live up to the expectations." I suppose whatever their intent, it's not in their best interest to come across hard-edged in media interviews, nor on a radio tour talking to PDs who are probably playing the heck out of bro country songs on their stationers for listeners who like those songs.
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mylifeback
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Post by mylifeback on Jul 16, 2014 11:27:11 GMT -5
I've always thought this song was more about marketing and seeing an opportunity and less about the actual message. That interview sort of confirms that in my mind; they didn't come out strongly with a firm statement about the message, more of just "this sounded like a fun idea".
Video sounds like it will be fun, though. I wonder if they have any cameos in the video from the guys they're singing about.
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Post by 43dudleyvillas on Jul 16, 2014 11:56:21 GMT -5
I'm unbothered by the Rolling Stone Country interview. These are what I see as the key quotes:Neither of these strikes me as backing down -- they reaffirm that they are "poking fun" at the bro country cliches, and the checklist (plus its appearance in the video) only reinforces the idea that bro country is songwriting by formula. It seems to me that their "love" of these "awesome" bro country songs is rooted in the sound of the songs, and I think most of us here already agreed that the appeal of those songs was, in fact, not their lyrics, but the catchy beats and melodies. It seems to me that Maddie & Tae are acknowledging the same while pointing out the lyrical deficiencies of that style of song. Interesting. So the point (maybe) isn't about some of the bro country songs objectifying women and making women identity-less (except for their sugarshakers ), it's about it being hard for a girl to "live up to the expectations." I see those two things ("objectification" and "expectations") as related. The image of "girls" proliferated by bro country songs is unrealistic, as all the "girls" are barefoot, bikini- or tight jeans-clad, and silent/compliant. Here, their point seems to be that if the shoe were on the other foot, guys wouldn't like being judged by similar expectations, so they should understand the consequences of bro country's proliferation of a very limiting image of females. And I don't think that it's unreasonable (much less self-contradictory) to suggest that the proliferation of this very limiting image can have adverse consequences for the self-image of the young women listening.
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kanimal
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Post by kanimal on Jul 16, 2014 13:41:34 GMT -5
That Rolling Stone Country interview was...interesting. It is almost as if they are talking about a completely different song than the one they released.
The interview makes it seem like the true message of the song is to criticize A) the unrealistic female image portrayed by bro country songs and B) the repetition of cliches within the lyrics.
While I could see those focuses covering the first half of the first verse (the deal about uncomfortable jeans and bikini tops), they do not aptly apply to the balance of the song. The chorus and second verse, in particular, deal with disrespectful treatment of women.
And as for point B, the TYPE of cliche is important (see this line: All y’all we ain’t a cliche, that ain’t no way to treat a lady). The reason the cliche bothers the narrators of the song is that it is demeaning to women. If it had nothing to do with disrespect to women and everything to do with poking fun at repetition in country songs, then the song could just as easily be "Truck in a Country Song" or "Lake in a Country Song" or "Beer in a Country Song." There's a reason it's GIRL.
Additionally, lines like "you're gonna get slapped," "we used to get a little respect," "Conway and George Strait never did it this way" and "I ain't your tan-legged Juliet" all deal directly with objectification and a lack of respect.
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The other problem associated with saying the song creates unrealistic expectations for women is that it implies the way these songs portray women is FLATTERING. When talking about societal images, "unrealistic expectations" = impossibly flawless. To criticize country for setting "unrealistic expectations" is to say that women ASPIRE to be the types of girls in these songs but largely can't pull it off.
What the song truly seems to be portraying, however, is these songs set BAD expectations for women. They portray women--and the appropriate treatment of women--in a negative way.
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jesster
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Post by jesster on Jul 17, 2014 7:19:49 GMT -5
Or worse, the women aren't really human individuals. Just interchangeable dolls with pink nail polish and their backsides planted in the truck passenger seat -- when not robotically shakin' it on command in the painted on jeans of course
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Jul 17, 2014 7:42:42 GMT -5
I think that if Maddie & Tae are going after the 'bro-country' movement in their first single, they need to act like real women about it. After all, you're in the big league now so act like you belong there.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Jul 17, 2014 8:22:53 GMT -5
Their statements proved what I felt all along. It's the opening salvo for the duo at radio and "nothing more." They knew it'd be buzzy and from a marketing POV, having a buzzworthy song is a great way to create identity in a new act. Still, I wouldn't expect them to be too revolutionary as people like MusicRow think they are. Great song but not revolutionary.
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Post by wonderstruck on Jul 17, 2014 13:24:07 GMT -5
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Post by George Strait Junkie on Jul 17, 2014 14:19:00 GMT -5
man after watching all those videos i can not wait for a CD from them even if they do work for the Devil
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on Jul 17, 2014 14:20:16 GMT -5
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kanimal
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Post by kanimal on Jul 17, 2014 23:11:45 GMT -5
They sound fantastic live (although part of me wishes they were also the ones playing lead guitar, but what can you do), but I didn't realize Maddie sings lead the whole way. I assumed she was the twangy voice and Tae was the one singing the smoother "treat a lady" note. So, yeah, short story is that I'm walking away really impressed with Maddie.
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Post by wonderstruck on Jul 20, 2014 20:52:45 GMT -5
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kanimal
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Post by kanimal on Jul 21, 2014 13:42:59 GMT -5
Very poorly written, but interestingly skeptical article at jezebel.com/girl-in-a-country-song-is-going-to-change-country-music-1604907233I do think that article proves how important it was that Maddie and Tae started getting buzz for this song *BEFORE* giving those interviews explaining why it isn't really a diss track and that they actually love bro country and country bros. This is the first major article I've seen using those comments against them, and I'd imagine it wouldn't have been the only one had they articulated their motivation for this song earlier.
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14887fan
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Post by 14887fan on Jul 21, 2014 13:58:14 GMT -5
I'm really not sure if their love for these guys and their songs is as genuine as they've played it out to be in their radio tour. That's such a ballsy move, calling out contemporaries of theirs that are in much bigger and better positions in the industry. I'm not sure if they truly do love and appreciate the "bro"-ness that's clogging the airwaves, but I'm leaning towards the idea that they were told to say these things. Why would they make a song like this, then garner attention, and then suddenly back down and say "NO JUST KIDDING WE LOVE YOU!!!" in these interviews now that they're on the scene? I think they're just giving face.
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mylifeback
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Post by mylifeback on Jul 21, 2014 14:12:15 GMT -5
Why would they make a song like this, then garner attention, and then suddenly back down and say "NO JUST KIDDING WE LOVE YOU!!!" in these interviews now that they're on the scene? I think they're just giving face. As I've thought since almost the beginning, it was for marketing; to get attention. I don't doubt there is some sincerity of conviction in their lyrics but it's always smelled like a way to be noticed more than anything. And it was smart - they did get attention for themselves and their debut song. I think it will be fascinating to watch how they navigate the waters now that the original goal of attention has been met. They're going to have to find their own path amongst the two extremes of those who are angry at their "attack" on current radio and those who see them as flag bearers for the anti-bro movement. I suspect most people are, like me, somewhere in the middle of those two sides. Still, I think it will be interesting to see how this all plays out for their careers and how they handle what comes next.
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Post by wonderstruck on Jul 21, 2014 14:25:24 GMT -5
51 first week adds. 10,230 singles sold.
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mus1cr0w
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Post by mus1cr0w on Jul 21, 2014 14:26:57 GMT -5
51 first week adds. 10,230 singles sold. You just beat me to it!! What a debut!!! MR
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Jul 21, 2014 14:30:00 GMT -5
I can't wait to see what this does. Nonetheless, here's hoping it does something! How does 51 first week adds sound? ;) Thanks to wonderstruck
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kanimal
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Post by kanimal on Jul 21, 2014 15:00:02 GMT -5
51 first week adds. 10,230 singles sold. Source? Thought these don't get published until 3AM... (N/M - I see they retweeted someone's post about this)
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mus1cr0w
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Post by mus1cr0w on Jul 21, 2014 15:06:19 GMT -5
Source = we know stuff.
MR
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on Jul 21, 2014 15:12:12 GMT -5
kanimal, the adds close at 3 pm, and several users have access to the adds board. Country Aircheck also sends out an adds email in the late afternoon. Regardless, the Maddie & Tae news is being parroted all over Twitter at the moment from many sources, so I'd consider it correct.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Jul 21, 2014 16:44:27 GMT -5
Aircheck's reporting 32 Adds this week. Perhaps 51 total at first week. That's a good start but Dean Alexander had 29 his first week out too, so it's not as if Maddie & Tae are 'revolutionary' or anything just yet.
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on Jul 21, 2014 16:46:52 GMT -5
Aircheck's reporting 32 Adds this week. Perhaps 51 total at first week. That's a good start but Dean Alexander had 29 his first week out too, so it's not as if Maddie & Tae are 'revolutionary' or anything just yet. Yes it's 32 this week, 17 last week, and 2 additional BB-panel-only adds.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Jul 21, 2014 17:02:45 GMT -5
Aircheck's reporting 32 Adds this week. Perhaps 51 total at first week. That's a good start but Dean Alexander had 29 his first week out too, so it's not as if Maddie & Tae are 'revolutionary' or anything just yet. Yes it's 32 this week, 17 last week, and 2 additional BB-panel-only adds. But to believe folks like Musicrow, this would've gotten an earth-shattering amount of adds this week. What it got was pretty par for the course for newer, buzzworthy artists. Still, props to M&T for getting the most-added slot their first week out, that is an impressive note. Good thing it wasn't scheduled for next week or last week. They got the right week for the buzz-building chapter.
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Kentucky25
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Post by Kentucky25 on Jul 21, 2014 18:05:39 GMT -5
I saw an above poster mention cameos in the music video and I've been trying to figure out whether that's a good idea or not and I'm torn. On one hand, having a Jason Aldean or Luke Bryan cameo in the video would speak to them getting their attention and draw even more viewers, but it'd also come off hurting the message of the song because they did include those guys in it.
If I had to decide, I'd say have the M&T (and other female singers like Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, or whoever they could get) parodying the male singers in some way. Like maybe one wearing a hat like Aldean and such. I'm not sure on the execution of it, but I think playing up the parody and giving a strong female message should be the purpose of the video.
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Post by wonderstruck on Jul 21, 2014 18:39:43 GMT -5
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kanimal
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Post by kanimal on Jul 22, 2014 1:27:17 GMT -5
I saw an above poster mention cameos in the music video and I've been trying to figure out whether that's a good idea or not and I'm torn. On one hand, having a Jason Aldean or Luke Bryan cameo in the video would speak to them getting their attention and draw even more viewers, but it'd also come off hurting the message of the song because they did include those guys in it. If I had to decide, I'd say have the M&T (and other female singers like Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, or whoever they could get) parodying the male singers in some way. Like maybe one wearing a hat like Aldean and such. I'm not sure on the execution of it, but I think playing up the parody and giving a strong female message should be the purpose of the video. The second idea sounds kind of clever. I just really hope they *DON'T* do that "reverse sexism" gimmick that has already become painfully stale at pop. The Ingrid Michaelson and J-Lo videos were enough. And while I fundamentally agree with your first point, the ship of combative sincerity pretty much already sailed when they started saying they like bro country and that this wasn't a diss track. If saying their song is "all in good fun" hasn't derailed it, then I'm not sure featuring a country bro in the video would do so either.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2014 1:29:26 GMT -5
Yeah, a pretty strong adds date here--definitely a little above average for the typical new artist--but nothing mind-blowing or anything. Still, it's getting some big audience spins from big markets and as a result they're already at #45 on Billboard, on adds date, after chart week #3. They're up a strong 1.35 million for the week. Things are definitely looking good here.
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Post by 43dudleyvillas on Jul 22, 2014 21:48:12 GMT -5
Why would they make a song like this, then garner attention, and then suddenly back down and say "NO JUST KIDDING WE LOVE YOU!!!" in these interviews now that they're on the scene? I think they're just giving face. As I've thought since almost the beginning, it was for marketing; to get attention. I don't doubt there is some sincerity of conviction in their lyrics but it's always smelled like a way to be noticed more than anything. And it was smart - they did get attention for themselves and their debut song. Wait, I didn't realize that there was any disagreement about whether this song was chosen as Maddie & Tae's lead single for the purposes of generating buzz and perhaps reaching out to a fresh audience. Scott Borchetta, Dot Records' Chris Stacey, and Big Machine publisher Mike Molinar said as much in the EPK, that it was "the right song at the right time," a viewpoint not currently represented in the marketplace, a credible message from a genuine act, etc. Country radio is so absurdly tilted against female voices at the moment, of course Dot Records would be happy to have a buzzworthy single to generate discussion and facilitate name recognition for a new artist. Lead single choices are typically the product of strategy, not principle. But it doesn't follow (at least not for me) that Maddie & Tae wrote the song for attention-getting purposes. When I watched that acoustic performance posted by wonderstruck, they seem utterly unaffected and natural in delivering the song, they're having fun, and playfully and good-naturedly making their point. They are entirely believable. And I have to say the acoustic performance shows me just how much the (bro country inspired over-)production detracts from this particular song, because I hear a hit in the acoustic performance in a way that I don't in the studio version. Maddie & Tae get to speak at more length regarding their thoughts on "Girl in a Country Song" in relation to "bro country" and what they hope it achieves in this NPR interview. They once again assert "no beef" with the songs parodied, but as Taelynn says,They address having the look of the "girls" in the "bro country" songs, as well, saying that they're not opposed to cutoffs or looking good for the boys, but that "it's not all we have to offer." When the interviewer asks them about the possible mixed message sent by claiming that they "love" these songs while also claiming that the songs treat them poorly, Taelynn talks about giving the "girl" of these songs a voice, saying, "Yes, we wear bathing suits and we wear cutoffs, but we do it when we want to, not necessarily when the guy puts us in that place." Maddie chimes in to say,Maddie also says that they "hope" that they reach the male writers of these songs, That's the kind of game-changing I can believe in, as opposed to game-changing to the point of ending bro country. It's also the kind of game-changing that feels achievable to the extent that "Girl in a Country Song" generates conversation and to the extent that it becomes a hit, whether on the radio or through other means.
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mus1cr0w
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Post by mus1cr0w on Jul 24, 2014 8:38:52 GMT -5
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