A few weeks ago Paul, the proprietor of one of my favorite music blogs, Setting The Woods On Fire, posed the question of what would be the most representative country song, or, the “Perfect” country song.
As Paul mentioned in his post, in 1974, Steve Goodman and John Prine wrote what they considered to be the perfect country song. “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” was recorded by David Allan Coe after he suggested that Goodman include lyrics about “mama, trains, trucks, prison, and gettin' drunk” in order for it to be considered the “perfect” country song. I’ve included the song on the Bus for those of you who missed Paul’s original post.
I can’t argue with or add to Pauls’ four point (and two extra point) litmus test for the perfect country song. Clever lyrics, a regret-filled storyline, a “stalwart, but flawed, protagonist,” and a peddle steel guitar are the timeless ingredients that made the country music of the late ‘40s to the ‘70s such classics.
Although I may have made a few different selections for top contenders, the selections that Paul chose as runners up are all very deserving. Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams are all to be expected on any list of great country artists. As his selection for The “Perfect” Country Song, Paul selected George Jones’ ”He Stopped Loving Her Today”.
What would my choice for the “perfect” country song be? To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought. Perhaps I’ll open a 12-pack of inspiration one weekend, warm up the old turntable and give it some serious research. How about the riders on the Bus? What song would you nominate as the “perfect” country and western song?
Here are a couple tunes to get the gears moving.
David Allan Coe - You Never Even Called Me By My Name.mp3
D.A.C. website: officialdavidallancoe.com
Buy it here: Amazon.com
Dave Landers - Draw Up The Papers, Lawyer.mp3
Yet another gem from our good friend Walt’s Cousin Wes and his amazing collection of 78s.
Dave Landers was a singer and impressionist. This record was released Jan. 1950.
Landers does impressions of all the greatest country artists of the time.
The Notorious Cherry Bombs (Vince Gill & Rodney Crowell) - It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long
(YouTube video)
One couldn't make a list of "perfect" country songs without including this modern video classic.
