Beyond the ‘Everything but country’ mentality

In the ever-expansive realm of music, a common answer to the question, “What music do you listen to?” has become “Everything but country.” This dismissive response to country music often stems from the misconceptions and stereotypes associated with the genre. That is until Beyoncé released under the genre where now everyone is on the “honky-tonk” wave. “Everything but country music” neglects the rich tapestry in this genre, as well as the history and blend of the making of country music. For those who pride themselves on embracing all music including country, that experience goes beyond the playlist. It is a journey into diverse cultures and emotions.

Beyoncé’s latest release in country was a turning point in the preconceived notions that have long plagued the genre. Suddenly, the people who once claimed to loathe country music are intrigued by Beyoncé’s soulful vocals mixed with its twangy pop beats. This crossover has sparked a new interest in such music, leading more people to explore its roots and appreciate its depth. I mean, if your TikTok isn’t already overrun with people wearing cowboy hats and boots, it will be soon. As the boundaries continue to blur between genres, the true essence of country music is being rediscovered by a wider audience.

Society’s new kick into country music, although great, will be short lived. As the question arises: is it possible to listen to everything without having preferences? There are about 10 genres of music and that doesn’t include their subgenera. I mean, to be truly open to music, one must be open to all genres, and I don’t think that’s totally possible. Music being an art form has always served as a vessel for artists to express themselves and convey direct and indirect messaging to their audience. There is true beauty in the interpretation of those lyrics and that usually resonates most with an audience. Although Beyoncé has made a significant groundbreaking contribution, other artists have done it before. For example, Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” which demonstrated that different genres could appeal to a wide variety of audiences especially when injected with a new perspective.

Music is constantly evolving and breaking barriers, allowing for more creativity and diversity in the industry. As the audience, we can appreciate the innovation and risks taken by artists to push boundaries and create new experiences for listeners.

Nonetheless, we gravitate towards specific genres more than others for a variety of reasons. Each genre has a different musical style, lyrical approaches and cultural influences. Given our diverse backgrounds, it is understandable that people gravitated towards one over the other, like rap versus country. Rap features rhythm and rhyme, there’s great emphasis on the beats and the flow, as well as the intricacy in wordplay and metaphors. Compared to country, which emphasizes a melody, usually heartfelt storytelling and more relatable down-to-earth language. While both genres can convey the same themes, they do so differently due to the artist. One leans towards a more urban experience compared to a rural influence. These differences in genre preferences can be attributed to personal experiences, upbringing and individual tastes. It is important to recognize and appreciate the diversity in musical tastes and understand that each genre has its own unique appeal.

Perhaps the question should become “What genre speaks to you the most?” encouraging us to reflect on how our personal experiences and preferences shape our musical tastes. Ultimately, the diversity in music genres allows for a wide range of expression and connection with listeners from all walks of life.