.99 Review
Randy Houser
"Whistlin' Dixie"
The People's Take
New Hank Jr. (5 Stars) – We have a new Hank Jr. Thanks Randy for bringing country back to our music.
-by Bchurc01
New Country (2 Stars) – Sorry Kids but these New Guys are all the same, Can't sing without Pitch Correction Machines and everybody wants to be a Hank Jr. Whats going on with Country Music, no wonder the Rockin Rollers Laugh at these People, I feel for them. They've gone from Kareokie to Record Deal.
– by MusicMan Nut
My Take
Since this is another "I'm a real country boy" listing song and I plan to rip into it momentarily, I probably shouldn't defend Randy, but MusicMan Nut (People's Take review #2) is throwing a wide net (and what's up with his capitalizations?). Sure commercial country as a whole includes way too many glorified karaoke singers, but Mr. Houser is not one of them. His rich, genuinely country, character-filled voice is one of the reasons I still have hope for the genre. Defense over.
My biggest peeve about this song is that this title/hook was wasted on yet another grocery list. I won't claim to be a consistently Nashville-calibre songwriter (I have a couple of indie cuts and a few published songs) but I wrote a lyric a few years ago called "Whistlin' Dixie" that was about a woman in a poisonous relationship who kept threatening to leave her boyfriend and move to the south, then she finally did it... thus "she ain't just whistlin' Dixie." Again, I'm no Craig Wiseman, but mine is a far better theme for this title, in my humble opinion... but the title's commercial viability is now shot for a while.
Sour grapes (FTM's favorite food source ;)) aside, this is fairly engagingly written for what it is and does present a few elements of southern living that may not have been touched on in the 1,245 previous songs about country pride. It's also well performed. I'm fairly certain that the vocals will never be an issue with Ronnie, errr, Randy.
So why waste that instrument on this song? Surely there's some narrative that could have tied all these good ol' boy touchstones together. I know I shouldn't harp on the genre as a whole when critiquing a single, but at some point, these listing songs became a parody of themselves and even your average country radio listener is going to catch onto that soon enough. This well's almost dry, boys. Find another source, or at least find a more creative way to use this one.
All in all, "Whistlin' Dixie" is far from hate-worthy, but it's a terrible misuse of a fine set of pipes.
Bonus points for not rhyming hippy with Mississippi. And shockingly, this only gets two marks on the checklist.
Total value: .55/.99
The Checklist
Church/God
Mama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost Love
Love
Hometown/Country PrideKindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey
Beer
Life AffirmationUSA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
yea and I guess you idiots like that new tune by that kid singing about Taylor Swift too, it is apparent that you have not an inkling about real country music, maybe your little white butts need a whippin!
ReplyDeleteand as for you music man nut, that is exactly what you are, a nut, but really more of a nutcase. Randy is no Karaoke singer, he grew up with a guitar in his hand playing and singing. What exactly is that you do for music?
ReplyDeleteWow. Looks like you struck a nerve, even with the one of the friendliest reviews ever. Haha.
ReplyDeletewasn't friendly enough! I was very offended.... Don't make me come up there!!! lol
ReplyDeletewas more directed at the musicman nutcase that you have putting his 2 cents in on this. Pissed me off something awful!
ReplyDeleteSOMEONE'S a little touchy.
ReplyDeleteSo this is a good title waiting for a song? Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love how these people that don't actually make a living performing and or writing music decide what's wrong with everyone else's. I think the idea of a girl moving down south to leave her boyfriend is WAY to thought out and contrived. The fact that you have to write that in 3rd person tells me that. I think the phrase "I ain't just whistlin' dixie" has more effect as an extensive phrase as in Randy's song here. As if to say, I don't just whistle dixie, I AM dixie. I like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm in no mood to argue about the subject of critiquing music but your opinion is wrong. Look, it's obvious his idea is the more commercial one or it wouldn't be on the radio. Whether it's better or not is entirely subjective. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure some of you know how to read. I agree with the review. Randy Houser rocks.
ReplyDelete