Zazie
5x Platinum Member
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 5,144
|
Post by Zazie on Nov 15, 2014 13:54:05 GMT -5
Here's the thing about this song to me. I do think this song is sincere and there are some tugging at your heart strings moments within the lyrics - and I said before that I love Wynn Varble's songwriting as well as Don Sampson's. But this song is not nearly as good to me as "The Baby" and "Angels". I really do feel this will grow tiresome on people once its on radio therefore I don't see this becoming a huge hit for Garth. People have different beliefs on many things and religion and God is two of them. If I dislike a song because of its lyrics in terms of God or one's religious beliefs then I would at least find it in me to respect where the writers are coming from and understand everyone has they're opinions as do I. Just because I personally believe in God (which I do) doesn't mean it's in my right to judge people who don't and feel that songs like this are wrong headed. I like to think that many understand where someone is coming from who loves this song and understand someone who doesn't think that a song should use God when it comes to sentimental songs about one's mother. Country songs about Mom's have been around as long as I can remember since it's something that is near and dear to someone and your Mom is often times the person who has been there for you the most in your life. When you have a song like "Mom", I could see how someone, whether they have lost their Mom or haven't, can criticize it by using God to stir up your emotions about a mother. What I do like about this song is I find it totally sincere which is the most important thing to me anyway. But I do find that some of the lyrics are cheesy - at the same time I find no fault using God in a song like this since I personally believe in him, though I understand someone who doesn't will automatically be turned off by it. I guess I'm torn on this one personally but I can clearly see how this has already made people fall one way or another. In the end, I feel that Wynn Varble and Don Sampson just wanted to write a song about Mom's and perhaps for anyone who has lost their mother - nothing more or less. I don't feel it was trying to be controversial therefore even if I disagreed with it, I could not find it in myself to criticize for its unrealistic (which it is) subject. I can totally understand where both tim and Zazie are coming from and respect their feelings about this song even if it differs from mine. Excellent post. And perhaps the best part of it is your own absolute sincerity. You're such a kind and decent man -- I wish I knew you in person. I never judge the sincerity of a song, or almost never. How can I possibly know? And certainly I have no basis for saying the songwriters are insincere here. I can't imagine making the effort to write a song like this just to get a hit record -- it must be from the heart. If I had no religious feelings, I wouldn't have bothered to post at all. But I do, and I wanted to point out that not all people with religious feelings find this song appealing. I object to it on religious grounds, because I have a low tolerance for sentimentality in religious matters. Not trying to hijack the thread, but I just want to make my point of view clear. Every single religious person I know well would dislike this song because of its sentimentality. There are plenty of us, and then throw in all the irreligious listeners out there -- I think there are lots of people who will not want to hear this song, and that makes it a questionable single choice. But maybe its backers will be so fired up by it that it will wind up a charttopper. It's hard to know. Sorry if I stepped on any toes out there.
|
|
Ten Pound Hammer
9x Platinum Member
Banned
I watched it all on my radio
Joined: August 2006
Posts: 9,595
|
Post by Ten Pound Hammer on Nov 15, 2014 14:32:43 GMT -5
Is it just a coincidence? -- maybe my least favorite song ever about a mother is Garth's Papa Loved Mama. What an awful portrayal of a woman that is. And the same singer who managed a big hit with that tribute to domestic violence now chooses to release this awful single? Yikes again. I'm through with Garth for a few months, anyway. Maybe he can find something to rope me back in, though. He's certainly capable of it. Okay, maybe this is my natural inability to detect subtlety and nuance, but what is so detestable about the mother in this song? As far as I can read it, the only "bad" thing she does is commit infidelity, and there are zillions of country songs where the woman does that. You sometimes have quite different interpretations of songs, and I like to see where you come from when you do. (Then again, I still have absolutely no clue how you came up with your interpretation of Jason Aldean's "Why".) Also, on a somewhat related note, my mom said she didn't like "When I Think About Cheatin'" because she doesn't understand why someone who's, for all intents and purposes, in a decent relationship would think about it...
|
|
buythecaseof12
New Member
Just the facts. I don't care about your opinion.
Joined: July 2006
Posts: 363
|
Post by buythecaseof12 on Nov 15, 2014 16:08:15 GMT -5
A friend of mine thinks this is a song about God, Jesus, and Mary. That is his take on the song, and he said that he likes it.
|
|
rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,528
|
Post by rsmatto on Nov 15, 2014 17:29:20 GMT -5
Is it just a coincidence? -- maybe my least favorite song ever about a mother is Garth's Papa Loved Mama. What an awful portrayal of a woman that is. And the same singer who managed a big hit with that tribute to domestic violence now chooses to release this awful single? Yikes again. I'm through with Garth for a few months, anyway. Maybe he can find something to rope me back in, though. He's certainly capable of it. Okay, maybe this is my natural inability to detect subtlety and nuance, but what is so detestable about the mother in this song? As far as I can read it, the only "bad" thing she does is commit infidelity, and there are zillions of country songs where the woman does that. You sometimes have quite different interpretations of songs, and I like to see where you come from when you do. (Then again, I still have absolutely no clue how you came up with your interpretation of Jason Aldean's "Why".) Also, on a somewhat related note, my mom said she didn't like "When I Think About Cheatin'" because she doesn't understand why someone who's, for all intents and purposes, in a decent relationship would think about it... As far as the thinkin' of cheatin', many people think it but never act on it. THAT is human nature. It comes up with something as simple as instant attraction to someone nearby, someone you pass on a street, in a bar, restaurant, store, etc.
|
|
|
Post by George Strait Junkie on Nov 15, 2014 18:56:44 GMT -5
nice this is a great song the lyrics just grab you awesome songwriting Wynn Varble is a great writer. All of his cuts have been loaded with great emotion (Have you Forgotten and Waitin on a Women are the first two that pop to mind). i know i love his songs i have his cds too great singer also
|
|
SoMuchToSay
3x Platinum Member
Joined: August 2010
Posts: 3,497
|
Post by SoMuchToSay on Nov 15, 2014 19:30:14 GMT -5
I wish this song was available for d/l without having to get the whole album. Everything about this release is annoying the hell out of me. I feel like the only way this will be a real hit is by releasing the single to iTunes. Casual fans aren't going to go buy the whole album for only one song, when for any other artist they could just go buy that 1 song. Apparently their strategy w/ the 1st single and album release has failed miserably.
|
|
someguy
Diamond Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 16,024
|
Post by someguy on Nov 15, 2014 20:22:30 GMT -5
A friend of mine thinks this is a song about God, Jesus, and Mary. That is his take on the song, and he said that he likes it. That's an interesting take on it. I hadn't thought of it that way before.
|
|
dajross6
Platinum Member
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 1,132
|
Post by dajross6 on Nov 16, 2014 10:59:53 GMT -5
I wish this song was available for d/l without having to get the whole album. Everything about this release is annoying the hell out of me. I feel like the only way this will be a real hit is by releasing the single to iTunes. Casual fans aren't going to go buy the whole album for only one song, when for any other artist they could just go buy that 1 song. Apparently their strategy w/ the 1st single and album release has failed miserably. Well, people used to when Garth was big. That's how he sold roughly 134 million albums :) But this isn't 1995 any longer, and I agree an iTunes push would help, but I don't see this song having much success either way.
|
|
charlesb
New Member
Joined: November 2014
Posts: 1
|
Post by charlesb on Nov 16, 2014 23:56:23 GMT -5
I created an account because I just had to comment on this.
What should country music hang its hat on? GOOD SONGS!
If country radio doesn't play this song all the way to the top 10, they are crazy. This song is awesome. If a Blake Shelton song about a Neon Light can make it to number 1 , so can this. If Jason ALdean's song about being naked on a bed can make it to the top, so should this. As a country fan it gets so frustrating that every other song on the radio sounds a like. There are still those of us out there that like to hear songs that have a story...songs that mean something. Here's something that's a breath of fresh air and every one automatically thinks it has no chance? Come on now.
There has to be alteast one number one hit on Garth's new album ..if not more. This one deserves a chance and radio better give it that chance.
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,916
|
Post by sabre14 on Nov 17, 2014 0:43:32 GMT -5
I created an account because I just had to comment on this. What should country music hang its hat on? GOOD SONGS! If country radio doesn't play this song all the way to the top 10, they are crazy. This song is awesome. If a Blake Shelton song about a Neon Light can make it to number 1 , so can this. If Jason ALdean's song about being naked on a bed can make it to the top, so should this. As a country fan it gets so frustrating that every other song on the radio sounds a like. There are still those of us out there that like to hear songs that have a story...songs that mean something. Here's something that's a breath of fresh air and every one automatically thinks it has no chance? Come on now. There has to be alteast one number one hit on Garth's new album ..if not more. This one deserves a chance and radio better give it that chance. First of all, welcome to Pulse. :) Secondly; the reason that some of us are pessimistic about this songs chances at radio, is because we're realists. It's not because we want this song to fail, its because country radio is a completely different animal than it was when Garth was in his hay day. There are many factors why this song might (and I stress might) not be able to be put into heavy rotation. Garth's music is not available on iTunes, which is a huge stumbling block in 2014. Digital sales are crucial for radio determining a songs interest. There's also the fact that his previous single flamed out so incredibly fast, even with a hourly debut deal. While "People Loving People" was not a smart return single IMO, it still failed and failed hard. Finally this is a slow and sentimental ballad - not exactly the kind of material country radio has been putting in high rotation lately. If I had a dime for every song that deserved a better fate than the way country radio treated it, then I just might have enough money to get myself that dream car of mine, lol. I too want Garth to be successful, and many feel likewise. But I just wish that he had picked another song right now that was a more radio-friendly tune to establish himself at radio once again. I'm certainly not saying that this won't do well, as nothing is even close to being sure in this business - Garth just might get top 10 with this afterall and win ACM's song of the year award. But right now I'm pessimistic about this song's future at country radio.
|
|
randym
New Member
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 3
|
Post by randym on Nov 17, 2014 9:57:48 GMT -5
At the end of the day people in the business can love it or hate it BUT only the listeners can truly dictate how it does on radio. THEY drive the business and if they request it it gets played and moves up the charts....Only time will tell.
Personally I think (because of the holiday season) the song could really play on anyone who may have lost a mother especially this time of year. Like a healing comforting song for the holidays..Sure beats Jingle Bells for the 1,000th time!!!!
|
|
|
Post by drummerman2009 on Nov 17, 2014 10:21:02 GMT -5
I may be the only one who feels this way but I don't think this song is all that special. Sounds like the writers are writing for Hallmark greeting cards with all the sappy lyrics.
I would rather listen to George Strait's "I Believe" and "The Breath You Take" on repeat a whole bunch of times than this. I don't think that this will do anything for Garth and I think it will do even worse than PLP. If this was 1995 it would have been an automatic #1 but close to 2015 I don't think that sappy songs aren't that hot and Garth not releasing an uptempo song instead going for two ballads isn't helping him much.
|
|
gurustu
New Member
Just call me "Stu", not Stuuuuart!
Joined: August 2014
Posts: 150
|
Post by gurustu on Nov 17, 2014 11:56:46 GMT -5
I completely agree with the Looney on the fact that this song is released at the "perfect" time for Radio because Programmers could EASILY throw it into the mix for the Holidays. So, until now and through January (which should help it get some Chart traction).
However, I disagree with the posts about this song being better or just as good as "The Dance" or "Unanswered Prayers", etc. Not that this song isn't great or well written, but THOSE songs were incredibly amazing and "Mom" too me just can't hold a candle to those. None the less, it's still a great song for the album; it's going to touch A LOT of people out there and is hitting radio at the perfect time. Would be nice to see Garth get at least one #1, not sure if this will be the one though.
As for the Single Cover artwork, I completely agree; it's fantastic and MUCH better than the actual Man Against Machine cover art!
|
|
rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,528
|
Post by rsmatto on Nov 17, 2014 12:03:14 GMT -5
I may be the only one who feels this way but I don't think this song is all that special. Sounds like the writers are writing for Hallmark greeting cards with all the sappy lyrics. I would rather listen to George Strait's "I Believe" and "The Breath You Take" on repeat a whole bunch of times than this. I don't think that this will do anything for Garth and I think it will do even worse than PLP. If this was 1995 it would have been an automatic #1 but close to 2015 I don't think that sappy songs aren't that hot and Garth not releasing an uptempo song instead going for two ballads isn't helping him much. "The Breath You Take" IS even more "greeting card" worthy than that.
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,916
|
Post by sabre14 on Nov 17, 2014 12:17:15 GMT -5
I may be the only one who feels this way but I don't think this song is all that special. Sounds like the writers are writing for Hallmark greeting cards with all the sappy lyrics. I would rather listen to George Strait's "I Believe" and "The Breath You Take" on repeat a whole bunch of times than this. I don't think that this will do anything for Garth and I think it will do even worse than PLP. If this was 1995 it would have been an automatic #1 but close to 2015 I don't think that sappy songs aren't that hot and Garth not releasing an uptempo song instead going for two ballads isn't helping him much. "The Breath You Take" IS even more "greeting card" worthy than that. I agree. I could and probably have seen a greeting card that says "Life's not the breath you take, but the moments that take your breath away". Perhaps with a sunrise over a mountain top in the backdrop.
|
|
rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,528
|
Post by rsmatto on Nov 17, 2014 12:39:22 GMT -5
"The Breath You Take" IS even more "greeting card" worthy than that. I agree. I could and probably have seen a greeting card that says "Life's not the breath you take, but the moments that take your breath away". Perhaps with a sunrise over a mountain top in the backdrop. Exactly. They were out BEFORE the song was out. I remember that much about the song (having worked retail a few years before it came out).
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,916
|
Post by sabre14 on Nov 18, 2014 11:45:19 GMT -5
For anybody who doesn't own the album, the studio version is now up on All Access
|
|
gopolks
New Member
Joined: July 2013
Posts: 39
|
Post by gopolks on Nov 18, 2014 16:21:23 GMT -5
Well Garth has a new number one country album!
Congrats to him!!
|
|
14887fan
Diamond Member
Joined: November 2013
Posts: 11,254
|
Post by 14887fan on Nov 18, 2014 18:52:03 GMT -5
CHART DATE: 11/17/2014 LAST UPDATE: 11/18/2014 13:20:50 NOW IN: FINAL
LW TW artist / album label sales index % change 1 1 TAYLOR SWIFT BIG MACHINE 309,787 -23% 1989 -- 2 FOO FIGHTERS ROSWELL/RCA 190,051 -- SONIC HIGHWAYS -- 3 PINK FLOYD COLUMBIA 167,302 -- THE ENDLESS RIVER -- 4 GARTH BROOKS PEARL/RCA NASHVILLE 126,122 -- MAN AGAINST MACHINEFor a comeback as longed for and as hyped as this was, those sales are underwhelming in every sense of the word. Any opening over 100k is great in today's sales climate, but for the so-anticipated-that-he's-sold-out-every-show-he's-announced-weeks-before-playing comeback from Garth Brooks, one of the biggest artists in the history any format of music, this is a huge smackdown.
|
|
gopolks
New Member
Joined: July 2013
Posts: 39
|
Post by gopolks on Nov 18, 2014 19:46:17 GMT -5
I still think the album will have legs and continue to sell, Garth will always do things his way. Its a great album, it deserves to sell well.
|
|
gopolks
New Member
Joined: July 2013
Posts: 39
|
Post by gopolks on Nov 18, 2014 21:02:09 GMT -5
Has it been officially released to country radio yet?
|
|
sabre14
Diamond Member
Vince Gill & the Muppets make everything better
Joined: October 2013
Posts: 26,916
|
Post by sabre14 on Nov 18, 2014 21:05:04 GMT -5
Has it been officially released to country radio yet? Yes. The add date is the 24th.
|
|
|
Post by drummerman2009 on Nov 18, 2014 21:23:24 GMT -5
Some huge questions.
Has radio turned off of Garth Brooks?
Has anyone noticed that Garth's 25 year debut on the country charts has had very little coverage?
Is Garth picking the singles or the record company? If it's either one or both then they have really dropped the ball on what is turning out to be a bigger fail.
Will Garth "retire" again after all of the singles produced from "Man Against Machine" will probably be shunned by radio?
|
|
gopolks
New Member
Joined: July 2013
Posts: 39
|
Post by gopolks on Nov 18, 2014 23:24:32 GMT -5
There is no way Garth is retiring, look at his tour and how successful its been, there is still the xmas period for his album and a ton of songs that can be released as singles.
|
|
zaclord 🌈
Diamond Member
Jesus Jamz POTY
It'll all be alright...
Joined: July 2009
Posts: 10,794
|
Post by zaclord 🌈 on Nov 19, 2014 10:54:06 GMT -5
I don't think that Country radio has "turned off" Garth. I think if Garth had come back with a fantastic single as the lead for this album, he would have had another top 5 hit to his name. However, People Loving People was an extremely underwhelming song that in my opinion completely killed all of his comeback momentum.
Now I'm not sure "Mom" will get him a hit either, because his style definitely still sounds like 90's country on this one, but at least its more interesting than PLP. If his sound on this new album was more in the vein of how "More Than a Memory" sounded (somewhat contemporary sounding, but still rooted in traditional country), I think he'd still have a chance at success at radio.
|
|
gurustu
New Member
Just call me "Stu", not Stuuuuart!
Joined: August 2014
Posts: 150
|
Post by gurustu on Nov 19, 2014 11:50:13 GMT -5
Garth is NOT going to Retire. He's already started cutting songs for his 2015 release. Let's just hope the choices he makes with the new album will be more solid than "Man Against Machine". The more I listen to that album the more I'm turned off by it, just doesn't make me want to come back and listen to it again and again. Really hoping the 2015 album is MUCH better!
|
|
rsmatto
6x Platinum Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 6,528
|
Post by rsmatto on Nov 19, 2014 11:51:53 GMT -5
I think if he sends the right songs to radio, they'll play him. This one still could do well. It got 9 early adds and if they're really warming up to ballads again, he's gonna be in good shape as they're the best moments on "Man Against Machine."
The radio edit cuts off 1 minute of the album version and clocks in at 2:58 minutes long.
As for the album's sales. They are underwhelming, sure. But if GhostTunes sales aren't added in yet (and it's likely they weren't for Garth yet, for the album or the Bundle) then there could be a bigger 2nd week or later happening when they DO get added (or a bigger 'total').
|
|
gopolks
New Member
Joined: July 2013
Posts: 39
|
Post by gopolks on Nov 19, 2014 17:14:20 GMT -5
Garth will be singing live on the American Music Awards, they will be crossing over to him via satellite during one of his live concerts, if he sings MOM, it will be a massive hit.
The thanksgiving and xmas period will be kind to him also.
Again look at tour, breaking records where ever he goes. This album has only been out for a week, and the only single that has been played from it on radio so far is the weakest on the album, People Loving People.
Man against Machine will go platinum for sure.
|
|
gopolks
New Member
Joined: July 2013
Posts: 39
|
Post by gopolks on Nov 19, 2014 17:21:08 GMT -5
|
|
gopolks
New Member
Joined: July 2013
Posts: 39
|
Post by gopolks on Nov 19, 2014 18:38:00 GMT -5
This is what Brian mansfield from USA Today tweeted out.
"It's my understanding they may not report for a year or more, until the digital bundle is fulfilled with the next album."
|
|