Song Review – Garth Brooks’ “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance”
Oh, Garth.
You’d be hard pressed not to recognize that Garth Brooks has been by far the best-selling performer in country music in the last few years, topping the Forbes list of country’s biggest bread winners. The problem is all those sales are coming in the form of concert tickets as the American public exercises its pent-up Garth Brooks fervor bottled up during his formal retirement.
If Garth’s comeback is going to be broad based and lasting, he’s got to impact beyond being a vessel for nostalgia. He needs a “Kokomo,” or at least something that impacts radio even slightly so he’s not just re-singing “Friends In Low Places” forever. The presence of a “hit” is what was missing in the whole Man Against Machine release, though it may have only been partly Garth’s fault, and partly RCA Nashville that was in the midst of a leadership change and appeared to have no radio strategy for a record that actually had a few decent single candidates. And Bro-Country was still going strong at the time. The radio environment for someone like Garth Brooks is significantly more hospitable at the moment.
But Garth Brooks is taking no chances. He needs an ear worm, and he needs it bad if he’s going to keep the dream of world domination alive. And so we get “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance.”
Let’s not forget that music is there to be enjoyed, including by mainstream listeners who are simply looking for something upbeat to chase away the monotony on a morning commute. But “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance” is pure pap, pandering, with astonishingly-recycled lyrics, and even elements of the whole Metro-Bro movement that we were hoping and praying a person like Garth Brooks would side step.
Look at these rehashed lines:
- I get this feeling that I can’t explain
- I got to tell me girl you drive me wild
- I’m moving like I’m in a trance
- I’m a victim of your circumstance
- {random bass solo}
I mean these are the kind of lyrics a 5th grader would write by listening to other pop songs and trying to write their own (no offense Grace Vanderwaal). And even worse, in a couple of instances Garth seems to use urban annunciations like we’ve been hearing from these Metro-Bro performers. Why Lord, why could have this not been one of the songs that got destroyed on Garth’s phone? Or maybe it was, and he jotted the lyrics down by memory on the back of a fast food napkin. It sure sounds that way. Actually check that, looking at the credits now, there were five songwriters for this: Garth, Kent Blazy, Steve Dorff, Victoria Shaw and Kim Williams. A five-headed brain trust, and this is the best you can do?
As for the music, it’s fine. It’s playful, funky, upbeat stuff. My antenna were perked immediately for the presence of an electroniclly-generated drum beat, and the bass solo is pretty unfortunate. But you know, it’s fun. It’s just not country, even in the slightest. There is nothing in there to draw in your country music ear whatsoever. This is no different than a Sam Hunt or Kelsea Ballerini song in how it’s country sheerly in marketing.
Garth hasn’t sold out here because he never sold in. This is arguably his most non-country song ever this side of his Chris Gaines material—even more non-country than “Two Piña Coladas,” though the purpose is the same: get the bored public to pay attention en masse. This is music for Chewbacca Mom.
There will be better songs on whatever comes of the new Garth Brooks record because for as much as he likes attention and money, Garth also has a strong sense of legacy that he won’t even let his greed overcome. But this is pretty terrible, and let’s not overlook that it basically boils down to a sex song.
You’re better than this Garth. Or are you?
Wallace
October 13, 2016 @ 9:29 am
I hope this album isn’t as disappointing as Man Against Machine was. I like Garth, he’s not 100% country, but he still respects the traditions of country music. You can still hear a fiddle and pedal steel in his albums to the point where it’s significant to the songs even. But his comeback has fallen short….very short of the mark. It’s very telling that his current concert set list only features on song off the Man Against Machine album, and that is the title track and it’s the first song. The rest is hits. I have hopes he can do better. First single is a first single, but in a recent interview he did mention the words “new sound” and that has me worried.
chuck
October 13, 2016 @ 9:04 pm
I never liked Garth. Changes his voice/accent depending on the song. And left the door wide open for new ‘country’ to happen.
Kevin H.
October 13, 2016 @ 9:44 am
“This is music for Chewbacca Mom.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Garbage, unoffensive, boring music.
Pete Marshall
October 13, 2016 @ 9:45 am
Garth has some good songs and he has some bad songs in the past. I haven’t heard this song yet and I wasn’t a fan of his last cd Man against Machine. People loving people was horrible, and 2007 More than a memory was terrible.
BwareDWare94
October 13, 2016 @ 10:04 am
In what universe is “More Than a Memory” terrible?
Pete Marshall
October 13, 2016 @ 10:19 am
That’s my opinion! I don’t really care for that song.
BwareDWare94
October 13, 2016 @ 11:09 am
I’m saying you have to like the song, but unlike “Baby Let’s Lay Down and Dance” and “People Loving People,” there’s nothing wrong with “More Than a Memory” at its core. It’s just a song you don’t like, whereas these two recent lead singles were shit the instant they were released.
Pete Marshall
October 13, 2016 @ 11:28 am
I don’t want to start an argument jus don’t like that song and just leave it like that. Carry On, please!
BwareDWare94
October 13, 2016 @ 11:49 am
For the record, it’s supposed to say “I’m not saying you have to like the song.” I hate commenting from mobile.
Amanda
October 13, 2016 @ 9:50 am
This song is so boring. Garth can do better. See “The Thunder Rolls” and his Chris Ledoux tribute, “Good Ride Cowboy”.
Kevin Smith
October 13, 2016 @ 9:54 am
A clear attempt to reach the chosen demographic of females age 25 to 50…worthless drivel engineered to cash in on the current trend of “girl” themed cannon fodder being hustled to a clueless public. Clearly the early Garth who sang about Trucks, rodeos and lost love is no more. Sad…reminds me of how Alabama tried to cash in on the Bro trend with their last abomination.
Ok so isn’t he at a point where he could do anything he wants to musically? Why even try to kowtow to the Trashville machine….just make some fun music…your way…sky’s the limit..I mean he has the budget and connections to practically be able to record with anyone he wishes…how about a western swing album , or a bluegrass record or form a super group project with other legends like The Highwaymen did or Waylon did with Old Dogs or Willie did with Last of the Breed. Seriously, with clout and connections like Garth has, he is in perfect position to do something cool.
Not that I’m a Garth fan…cause I consider anything after Ropin The Wind to be garbage….but he proved with his first couple albums that he could make decent music.
Fat Freddy's Cat
October 13, 2016 @ 11:13 am
Even if the goal is to chase that particular demographic it’s possible to do better. I did a little DJing in the ’90s; the wimmen just loved The Dance.
Pete Marshall
October 13, 2016 @ 9:56 am
I just heard this song and it is stupid and horrible music 0/10 2 guns all the way down. it’s worst than donkey, vacation, and Love me in the field. No Garth is s not better than this lately in he past 5 singles.
BwareDWare94
October 13, 2016 @ 10:03 am
Why is thw recording quality so piss poor on this? You’d think it’d be significantly better from such a high profile artist. The instruments all disappear in the mix.
Really disappointing song from what will likely be a really disappointing album.
seak05
October 13, 2016 @ 10:08 am
This song stinks. Garth is 54 years old and singing a song that equates romance to have sex with me. It sounds a little more country than a Sam Hunt song, but the lyrics are dumb, and I don’t like the delivery. Bad music is bad music, country or not. This is complete radio pandering bad music.
Janet
October 14, 2016 @ 12:37 pm
Is it me, or are other ladies out there grossed out with these lyrics. How many guys are singing about how “turned on” they are? Why don’t they just sing “I’m walking around with a big ol erection.” Yuck
Brandon F
October 13, 2016 @ 10:33 am
Can we go back to that time when we thought Garth was going to release “Tacoma”? Hopefully Caitlyn Smith gets the chance to send her cut to radio, but if not I was hoping Garth would.
Trigger
October 13, 2016 @ 10:59 am
I think you could probably write a book about the legacy of Garth Brooks’ post-retirement singles. “Tacoma” was shipped to radio and all ready to go, and then at the 11th hour, is replaced with “People Loving People.” Then Gary Overton steps down, Sony and RCA are thrown into chaos, and “Tacoma” never sees the light of day. Garth Brooks’ single strategy has been one big face plant, and “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance” is the result.
Cody
October 13, 2016 @ 11:52 am
Tacoma was the best song off of that album by far
Erik North
October 14, 2016 @ 12:12 pm
I could be totally mistaken about this (it wouldn’t be the first time), but might Garth, in having released a song that could have been done by almost any Metro-Bro guy today, not only be a victim of the times, but also a victim of his own past success, which some would argue led us to where the genre is now?
And what does he really have left to prove anyway by doing this? He was arguably as big, in terms of commercial success, in the 1990s as were Elvis and the Beatles in their times, though they each far outdid Garth in terms of shaking up world culture. Having heard this song a couple of times, it is just hard to shake the impression that he isn’t somewhat slumming to regain what he once had (right down to that photo, where he looks a bit too much like Jason Aldean). I’ve never been a fan of his, but I’m not a rabid hater either. But this isn’t a good song, by any means. It is what is considered standard-issue these days, and that’s Mediocre (IMHO).
Warthog
October 13, 2016 @ 2:29 pm
Just listened to Caitlyn Smith’s cut of “Tacoma,” and holy shit. That blew me away.
Jen
October 13, 2016 @ 10:33 am
I knew when I heard the title I didn’t want to hear it. Glad I wasn’t wrong, because I turned it off almost as soon as I heard the title on the radio just a few minutes ago! This is just sad…he’s a grandfather and singing about getting it on under the sheets…there’s a much more romantic way to say it, than this! My ex asked me if I wanted to go to a Garth concert for $60. I told him no. Not much of a fan. I honestly don’t see what his hype is about. He’s not all that!
Amy
October 13, 2016 @ 10:37 am
Heard it twice on the radio in traffic this morning & wasn’t a fan. The lyrics were like a cry for help. Garth can have his new music relevant again but he needs to have way better words in his songs. The pandering to radio in this song makes me sad for him. Fingers crossed much better new music is to come.
MH
October 13, 2016 @ 10:48 am
The lyrics are pathetic. What a snoozefest.
Summer Jam
October 28, 2016 @ 2:32 pm
They are better than most songs on country radio. IMO the absolute worst lyrics (so bad that i’d compare them to a cesspool) come from Old Dominion.
BrandonWard
October 13, 2016 @ 10:50 am
I have to admit, I’m kinda disappointed in the material that Garth has released into his comeback. After reading the article and listening to the song, I went back into the liner notes of his earlier CDs (GB, No Fences, Ropin’ the Wind & The Chase) to check out the songwriter credits as a means of restoring my faith in Garth’s ability.
“If Tomorrow Never Comes”, “Much to Young..”, “Thunder Rolls”, “Victim of the Game”, “Unanswered Prayers”, “Burning Bridges”, “What She’s Doing Now”, “The River”, “Every Now and Then”, and “That Summer” were all songs that Garth co-wrote. Granted, they weren’t all big singles, but they are among the best work on each of those albums. The talent is there, and I hate to think that we lost songs comparable to these on his damaged phone while this latest single survived making the cut instead of being cut.
C’mon, Garth!!!!
scott
October 13, 2016 @ 12:01 pm
Much Too Young… is one of the finest country songs, ever.
Scotty J
October 13, 2016 @ 12:07 pm
Yep
Jackie Treehorn
October 13, 2016 @ 5:48 pm
I’ve always thought the same. Garth just sorta went downhill from that first album. Although, I do love me some some “papa loved mamma” though.
Acca Dacca
October 13, 2016 @ 3:17 pm
This is merely a matter of personal preference, but I freaking LOATHE “That Summer.” That it’s considered something of a classic will never cease to baffle me. I just find it to be interminably creepy and nothing else; I detect no substance to latch onto, only a song with overt sexual overtones that was ahead of its time and seemed “edgy” as a result.
Spoony
October 14, 2016 @ 1:35 pm
I mostly agree. I liked it better when I was too young to get it. I did happen to hear it on the radio the other day, and the steel guitar is still great, as is most of the electric guitar work by my standards.
luckyoldsun
October 14, 2016 @ 9:56 pm
I agree with that.
Of course, I liked Garth’s debut album and “No Fences” and “Ropin the Wind,”–and not much else of his, after that. “That Summer” is creepy–with clunky lyrics.
Sue
November 2, 2016 @ 10:16 am
I totally agree about That Summer. I have always felt that way, and to me, if a singer records it, it is a reflection of him/her. Bleccchhhhh
MH
October 13, 2016 @ 10:53 am
This song needs to lay down and die.
Joey B
October 13, 2016 @ 10:59 am
Yikes.
Warthog
October 13, 2016 @ 11:07 am
I’m far from a Garth Brooks fan. I’ve more than once let the statement “Garth Brooks did to country music what pantyhose did to finger-fucking” fall from my mouth, and I’ve pretty much stood by it every time. That being said, I like some of his songs, mainly his earlier stuff, before he became too poppy for my taste. His debut album is solid, “No Fences” and “Ropin’ the Wind” both had really good cuts. The last Garth album I gave a shit about was his fourth, “The Chase.” In my opinion, he hasn’t released an overall good album since then, and even that album wasn’t perfect, with the godawful “We Shall be Free” starting off the track list.
Also, this song is bad, and that’s coming from someone who actually likes “Two Piña Coladas.”
Sue
November 2, 2016 @ 10:20 am
Truly revolting post. It is not what goes into someone’s mouth, but what comes out of it that is an indication of the kind of person one is. Maybe you thought it was a witty line when you were 15, but by now you should know better. And to think that you have been walking around saying that ‘more than once’ and confirmed in people’s mind what they may have suspected
Benny Lee
October 13, 2016 @ 11:07 am
At first I thought, “Well, OK, he’s just in it for the money now.”
But Garth has enough money to buy his own country. I don’t think that’s his motivation.
I think, instead of simply chasing money, and (very unfortunately) instead of chasing country music perfection, Garth is chasing “success.” He’s a BIG STAR, and let’s face it, it went to his head a long time ago. He wants to be on top again, and he’ll do ANYTHING to get there. The sad thing is that if he were simply true to himself he would probably get there naturally.
Scotty J
October 13, 2016 @ 11:07 am
Every one of the five songwriters are at least as old as Garth if not much older. I assume this is the Kim Williams that past away earlier this year at 68 and Steve Dorff is in his late 60s. Shaw is 54 and Blazy is older than that I think.
So these are all accomplished adult songwriters with many, many good to great songs on their resumes.
It’s kind of interesting that these professionals can come up with something so bland. This isn’t Sam Hunt or that Bixbee guy these are quality country songwriters.
Scotty J
October 13, 2016 @ 11:14 am
Further, Victoria Shaw co wrote ‘The River’ with Garth as well as many others, Blazy co wrote ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ with Garth as well as many others, Dorff wrote ‘I Cross My Heart’ and ‘The Man In Love With You’ for George Strait and Kim Williams wrote ‘Three Wooden Crosses’ by Randy Travis and a great early Kenny Chesney song called ‘Fall In Love’ as well as many, many other songs.
These are serious songwriters that came up with this.
Trigger
October 13, 2016 @ 11:19 am
Yeah, it’s like they got the old band back together of hit writers from the early 90’s—and decided to do their best busbee impersonation.
Todd Snider has a good story about Kent Blazy…
Brandon F
October 13, 2016 @ 11:25 am
You even wrote an article about it! https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/what-todd-snider-really-thinks-about-garth-brooks/
Benny Lee
October 13, 2016 @ 11:24 am
The lyric is the part that feels most out of place IMO. I think the music has a carefree, dance-friendly vibe, and it’s not terrible. Forgettable, but certainly tolerable. And the sound of Garth’s voice is fantastic, as always. I just think the title should be something like “Baby, Let’s Get Up and Dance”.
Brian
October 13, 2016 @ 1:17 pm
I agree, it could have been a nice fun song, however the fact it is a sexual song makes it a little odd.
seak05
October 13, 2016 @ 11:17 am
Let this just be your latest gentle reminder, that many artists want to be heard, and to sell, and they are willing to give people what they think they want to hear to accomplish those aims. (and for someone who wants to entertain, it is a reasonable aim, and as long as we all acknowledge what they are doing, one I am ok with, doesn’t mean they’ll get my money though)
Mike
October 13, 2016 @ 11:26 am
I’m a big fan of Garth’s… he could always be counted on to bring something, if not great, at least different to the airwaves. Songs like Standing Outside the Fire and the Red Strokes, if a bit theatrical, were at least different from the rest of the material on the radio (which was thematically and musically similar). Hell… I even dug the Chris Gaines thing and thought Man Against Machine (although even more theatrical) filled a void in music, country or otherwise.
This was disappointing. When I saw the title I winced. When I heard the music, I frowned. By the first chorus I had forgotten I was listening to it. I had to listen again to try and stay tuned in. Failed. I hope he has better material on this album.
Razor X
October 13, 2016 @ 11:40 am
Somebody did a lot of airbrushing on that cover photo.
Scotty J
October 13, 2016 @ 11:46 am
It’s not as bad as the other one from his last album where it looked like some creepy morphing of Garth and Tim McGraw.
ElectricOutcast
October 13, 2016 @ 11:43 am
We’re actually going through a divide on this with PlanetGarth right now, when I first heard the title, I was scared of how it would turn out and once I made that opinion known on PG it opened the debate floodgates again on whether Country Music should stay traditional or not. Now listening to the song in general, I’m just getting a big headache over it.
Some of them are saying they miss Allen Reynolds being the producer and Mark Miller has taken over production. I say it’s time for him to move towards new ground and get some completely new people like maybe Brendan O’Brien, Dave Cobb or even Jimmy Ritchey (William Michael Morgan’s producer) or better yet go with Lloyd Maines (Hold My Beer Vol 1)
hunter1979
October 13, 2016 @ 12:38 pm
Garth. You’re killin’ me. Stop trying so hard for the love of God. Remember a simpler time with cleaner and more country production and lyrics? Remember when your voice didn’t sound so desperate and pandering? When your songs had atmosphere?
I don’t follow the hate on Garth like some others (but I understand it to an extent). And I was still loving his albums through In Pieces and most of Fresh Horses. Sevens was just good. Scarecrow started losing me a little. Man Against Machine only has two songs that I keep going back to (Tacoma and Midnight Train).
So I prayed he’d go back to basics on this album. Quit with the agendas (spread love, sound young and marketable and poppy, etc) and just make good country music that you claim to love so much. The business has changed and you have too.
BUT maybe the album will be better than I fear. Though his describing it as a SUMMER album gives me pause since I always equate the best Garth stuff with a Fall and Winter feel. Whiskey to Wine sounded great (hopefully it’s not over produced and over sang on the album) but I’m already planning to hate Weekend (fine, I’ll keep an open mind).
Where are the story songs? The cowboy songs? The heartbreak songs? That lonesome fiddle from Cowboy Song or Cold Shoulder? The haunted feeling of Wolves?
Anyway there’s my rant.
Convict Charlie
October 13, 2016 @ 6:59 pm
This was supposed to be a cut from the album. It was pulled last minute from man against the machine.
https://youtu.be/WJMhehkUGyY
His sound on most of his earlier albums was recorded in analogue and transferred to digital. Even at the time was outdated.
Benny Lee
October 14, 2016 @ 6:25 am
Man, it’s like he’s a totally different person in that video!
Great song. Very country. Religious, but in a thoughtful, introspective kind of way.
Still way too religious for the godless pop radio world. Not surprised it got cut.
Frank the Tank
October 14, 2016 @ 9:49 am
You make some really good points.
When I was a teenager, I bought a box set with his first six albums and I got a lot of mileage out of it. Sure, not every song was a classic, but, for the most part, the albums were really solid, with a good mix of styles. I always enjoyed the one cowboy song that was included on each album. I started losing interest with “Sevens,” as the quality just wasn’t up to the standards of the previous six albums.
bob
October 13, 2016 @ 12:37 pm
You did a typo “most non-coutnry song “
Kent
October 13, 2016 @ 12:42 pm
Unrelated Trigger.
But Bob Dylan has just received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Will you write something about it? For me are Country Music and Folk cousins, even if they not always has been friends ..
The Söderberg sister are are of course overjoyed….
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgdjEUlMlu/?taken-by=firstaidkit
Fuzzy TwoShirts
October 13, 2016 @ 1:21 pm
WELL! as someone who really enjoys a couple Garth Brooks albums (the man is really quite a remarkable singer and he has a lot of respect for Country Music, and people who disagree need to look at facts)
but this is garbage. He’s always stooped a bit low for radio singles but his albums are strong. So it’s not “surprising” in anything more than the extent that he stooped.
So… pretty typical Garth Brooks.
Six String Richie
October 13, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
Is it known if Garth ever did get those songs back from his phone? I remembered thinking that was such a strange story. I couldn’t believe that an artist could have music only stored on his smart phone and nowhere else.
hoptowntiger94
October 13, 2016 @ 1:43 pm
I really liked the KOL song that followed Garth’s on the embedded iHeart Media player. I haven’t paid attention to them in years.
justin casey
October 13, 2016 @ 9:22 pm
i wasn’t a huge KOL fan (i liked a few songs, closer and use somebody are 2 of my favorites) until their last album mechanical bull, this new track sounds like is carrying over from that album which i thought was solid but unfortunately overlooked
JB
October 13, 2016 @ 2:27 pm
Heard this for the first time on my commute to work today, and reflected that it had all the unfortunate earmarks of Garth’s post-’95 commitment to sugary dance-hits and pop humanism. I remember getting his 2-disc Greatest Hits album as a high school graduation gift. The former half of each disc was pure gold, and the latter half was borderline unlistenable. “We Shall Be Free”, “The Change,” “Wrapped up in You”: all examples of diluted kumbayah ideals and faux-introspective fluff. He pulled the same shtick with the awful “People Loving People”. Garth is great when he’s not trying to be Chris Gaines or country music’s liberal savior.
Chris
October 13, 2016 @ 2:32 pm
For a veteran artist to try to get a big hit single and appeal to the kids who otherwise see them as no longer relevant by following the current trends almost never works out. For an example from the pop side, look at Madonna. Still a significant concert draw, but hasn’t had a significant hit single in nearly a decade, and hasn’t been truly relevant in closer to two decades. Yet she continues to look for that elusive Hot 100 chart-topper by teaming up with no-talents like Nicki Minaj, and it hasn’t worked. While a Cher “Believe” moment in which the artist emerges from years of irrelevancy to score a surprise #1 smash isn’t totally out of the question, it’s also not likely. Garth, please stay Garth… you are not Thomas Rhett or Sam Hunt, so please don’t try to be, because we know you’re better than that.
Craig
October 13, 2016 @ 2:46 pm
Honestly, this would have disappointed me three years ago, when all we had was crap on the radio. Now we’ve got Mo, William Michael Morgan, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, etc. I was missing some ‘Western’ on the radio back then. Now I have it. I really don’t care what Garth does or doesn’t do. Although I do wish Trisha would convince him that he’s 20 years too old for his facial hair. Yeah I know the other old rock stars do it, but you were never a rock star, no matter how much you wish you were.
John Tyler
October 13, 2016 @ 2:58 pm
“This is music for Chewbacca Mom.”
Gonna use that one soon.
albert
October 13, 2016 @ 3:34 pm
Terrible fucking title , terrible fucking derivative lyric , terrible fucking recording with the vocal mixed WAYYY to high ( Garth’s stuff has always been badly produced ). This sounds like someone doing Garth karaoke and making up the words as they go along . Man …how much WORSE can all of this straw-grasping shit music get and who the hell would possibly drop hard-earned dollars to support this ??
Pete Marshall
October 13, 2016 @ 4:45 pm
I miss early Garth Brooks with Much too Young, If tomorrow never comes, Not Counting You, The Dance, Friends in low places, unanswered prayers, two of a kind, working on a full house, the Thunder Rolls, rodeo and The River are the song I really liked the best. American Honky Tonk Association and Good ride Cowboys etc…
TheKillerRocksOn
October 13, 2016 @ 6:38 pm
Chris Gaines is back baby…showin the young’uns how it’s done.
Haven Hamilton
October 13, 2016 @ 6:49 pm
That guitar riff is verrrry similar to the one in “Listen To The Music” by the Doobies.
Chris
October 13, 2016 @ 7:40 pm
Disagree completely that he needs to impact radio, nobody cares what he puts out just play friends in low places and Baton Rouge and he can sell out arenas for as long as he wants
Acca Dacca
October 13, 2016 @ 7:56 pm
Just wait until that long-forgotten re-recording of “Friends In Low Places” with Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and George Strait shows up in that new Target box set this fall. Then we’ll really have something to complain about.
Trigger
October 14, 2016 @ 11:25 am
Ugh, thanks for reminding us that’s in the offing.
justin casey
October 24, 2016 @ 8:15 pm
even worse, looks like it’s on the tracklisting for gunslinger
chuck
October 13, 2016 @ 9:08 pm
I never liked Garth. Changes his voice/accent depending on the song. And left the door wide open for new ‘country’ to happen.
He is a fake poser.
Pete Marshall
October 13, 2016 @ 9:13 pm
good one!
Kross
October 13, 2016 @ 9:13 pm
Ok ok…just gonna lay this out here…what’s up with cheesy cover art? Don’t we already know what he looks like in a cowboy hat? Seriously country people nobody cares how your wranglers fit. Its time to think outside the cover art box already.
chuck
October 13, 2016 @ 9:24 pm
For him to be classified now as ‘classic old school country’ pisses me off to no end. He may have musical talent but he will always be in my book as a fake ass accent changing act that really wanted to be Chris Gaines back in the day rather than being a real and not fake country artist.
justin casey
October 13, 2016 @ 9:28 pm
well this isn’t great (it’s kind of terrible) but’s not as bad as that stupid do me in a field song you reviewed yesterday (i know that’s not the name but it should be)
on another note i learned from the comments that apparently tacoma (which was the best song lyrically and vocally on man against machine) was planned to be the lead single from man against machine i really dug garth’s vocals on that song but after hearing caitlin smith’s version (WHY IS SHE NOT FAMOUS?) he should never sing tacoma again
Trigger
October 14, 2016 @ 11:23 am
Caitlyn Smith is criminally underrated. I’ve been touting her for years, as have others (to no avail), though she has done very well for herself as a songwriter.
justin casey
October 17, 2016 @ 8:11 pm
very true that she has done very well as a songwriter just one example is her songwriting did what i once thought was impossible
it made me not hate a megan trainor song
Steffan
October 13, 2016 @ 10:56 pm
Who was the record label genius who thought dropping a Seinfeld-style slap bass solo in the middle of this turd would work on any level? As you said before, Trig, if only Garth could use his massive global stardom to promote real country music, rather than…slap bass. No offense to slap bass, but it will never be country. Can someone have an intervention with Garth and force him to sit in a room with Rick Rubin and Dave Cobb and hear about how his choices are having a negative impact on all our lives? Maybe Rick Rubin could hold Garth down long enough for Dave Cobb to produce his next album and save us all from the slap bass apocalypse.
Cowboyal
October 14, 2016 @ 2:29 am
Toby Keith – How Do You Like Me Now:
The main guitar riff from this song is a copy of the above song.
Calvin
October 14, 2016 @ 5:06 am
I personally i think its catchey. Nothing more than a bit of fun. No it may not be his best. Garth said this new album was gonna be up beat an fun. If this is the kind of tempo we are gonna here then Mission accomplished. To say its not country well. Country is a broad bases to cover. U compare it to George Strait then no its not. U compare it to Kieth Urban it is. Its up beat an easy to listen to. Thats what i love about his music. Well done Garth.
CCRR
October 14, 2016 @ 7:57 am
I haven’t listened to this yet, and I can only hope it isn’t nearly as awful as everyone is making it sound. I really love Garth’s older material, and have always considered some of his music amongst my favorite. I really hope this is classic SCM burn-em-at-the-stake mentally I am reading in the comments…please don’t let this song be that bad. I have to admit that after reading Trigger’s review, it is not sounding promising….dammit.
By the way, I love that you actually acknowledged the existence of listeners like myself, Trigger; “Let’s not forget that music is there to be enjoyed, including by mainstream listeners who are simply looking for something upbeat to chase away the monotony on a morning commute.” And I almost feel like you weren’t saying it in a patronizing way….lol
CCRR
October 14, 2016 @ 12:32 pm
Replying to my own comment because I just listened to the song. It’s not that bad. It’s also not that good. Basically, I don’t care about this song either way – not worth my energy one way or the other. Felt like I had to amend what I said since I actually have an opinion now. I am a little sad it isn’t better….he could have done better…
Unknown Shredder
October 14, 2016 @ 8:03 am
Just awful. Was never a fan but clearly his best days are behind him…totally grasping now.
country21
October 14, 2016 @ 9:31 am
This is just another release to the radio for the purpose of pleasing the pop country scene. If you dig around there are several good country songs, whether they’re played on the radio or not is another thing. You had Alan Jackson release “Angels and Alcohol” last year, not one song was played on the radio. George also falls in this category. And those who pen Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean for being completely not country have not listened to their albums. What they release on the radio may not be country, but what they record is. If you look at both of their albums, from past to present, there is country., even if its not completely traditional. Chris Stapleton is completely taditionlal either.
Bryan has songs such as “We Rode in Trucks”, “Dirt Road Diary”, “Scarecrows”, and “Harvest Time”.
Aldean has several from his earlier albums also with “Laughed Until We Cried”, “On My Highway”, “Country Boy’s World”, and “If My Truck Could Talk”.
Dustin Lynch also has a good country sound when you listen to his album, not radio releases.
Country radio will never be back to what it was, bu there is hope right now for more of a country sounds, especially if big name artists like Bryan and Aldean would release some of this songs.
Garth’s new song? In my opinion, its not all that impressive.
CCRR
October 14, 2016 @ 10:27 am
Completely agree with a lot of what you’re saying, and I HATE that artists do this….but, well, a lot of times it works….in terms of airplay and popularity. I think my favorite, Eric Church, is a good example (sorry, I never shut up about EC, I know)….I always felt like a lot of his singles were his worst songs – I don’t feel this way anymore, I think it’s gotten better over the years, but a good portion of his most popular music (in terms of what people recognize as his, based on radio airplay and recognizability) is not indicative of his overall body of work – and a lot of times he was unfairly labeled as another “bro” guy because of this. I’m starting to notice people are recognizing he’s more than that, and that makes me happy. I don’t know a ton about Bryan, but I know Aldean had some good songs in the past and maybe they are better than what they’re labeled as too. I also wish that artists would stop just releasing what they think will get the airplay – although this is an industry obsessed with money and putting up big numbers so change is going to be slow if it happens at all. It’s not always up to the artists….they have people they answer to, unfortunately.
Dave
October 14, 2016 @ 3:41 pm
Honestly, what is wrong with change? I’ve listened to this song a few times now and think it’s a fun toe tapping song. Nothing spectacular in terms of original lyrics and nothing like the old original Garth sound but in terms of cranking it on the radio and enjoying the beat, it works. A song to put a smile on your face while you drive to work. I think many of you are over thinking this type of song. Not meant to win any song writer award. I like it for the fun of it. A typical upbeat current radio single. Nothing more.
Michael Reddy
October 14, 2016 @ 4:07 pm
I was 14 years old when the Class of ’89 was a thing. It was artists like Garth Brooks alongside artists like Travis Tritt, Alan Jackson, Clint Black and Randy Travis who first drew me into country music, Without them I would not have discovered George Strait, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and so many others. I was and still am a “music nerd” I love finding and discovering the artists that influenced the artists I love.
Whiskey Pete
October 14, 2016 @ 5:20 pm
Looks like Jason Aldean. He just wants to be part of the basket of deplorables.
Biscuit
October 14, 2016 @ 5:30 pm
Chris Gaines. ‘Nuff said.
ElectricOutcast
October 14, 2016 @ 7:49 pm
Well me and some of my friends at PG got into a big fight this morning about this song and I wasn’t trying to start any fights either, all I was doing this morning was explaining to them that I could not support the song because it interferes with my personal conscience that I have as a music consumer. For the record, I’m not going to name names but I am going to post the responses I got.
“So people should support what you like? So music should be what you think it should be? From posts I’ve from you on this subject, I really think you need to take a chill pill.”
“Filed under ‘people that take music too seriously’.”
I got so angry that I told them “IF YOU DON’T LIKE MY OPINION YOU CAN KISS MY ASS!”
It basically escalated to the point of the admin warning us to calm down or the thread would be closed. So the entire day I just avoided the site and took care of some errands in order to calm down and deciding to at least be as best of a man that I could get, I extended an apology to the PG-ers for my ‘kiss my ass’ outburst and explained to them why I wasn’t going to support the song.
Pretty much everything about the song turned me off, I found absolutely no redeeming quality with it. I even tried to play this song along with “Free” by Jack Ingram (Big Dreams and High Hopes album) but all it did was just make it worse. I would put my opinion on why I especially don’t like the lyrics but I feel it would come out a little too coarse and vulgar. But what I can tell you is that the quality was nowhere NEAR up to the level of Ain’t Going Down, That Summer or even Rodeo or Mexico, that’s how flat I feel this song was.
In a way, I’m getting a little too spoiled by Texas Country and the Independent Scene to the point where I was hoping Garth would keep doing what he did best and that’s breaking the rules. This song did none of that, if anything this song was like playing with Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders.
If I were to just be a blind mule and support this song, it would be like having my body and soul sold to DAESH (ISIS) and that is something I am not willing to compromise on.
dave
October 15, 2016 @ 2:51 pm
Its like Waylon once said about garth brooks ive never see somebody get so much of out of nothing!!! my opinion he had a few great songs early on but so did a lot of others I don’t see whats so great about him and I think his live show sucks ass he looks like a cowboy airport controller wit his gay microphone!!! alan Jackson and travis tritt came out around the same time and they smoke him by leaps and bounds
Brett Dale
October 18, 2016 @ 7:23 pm
I have huge hopes from this album, the song is catchy, but lets face it, this song was released to get him back on Radio, its radio friendly, and its done its job. As you said, Man against Machine lacked a hit, but there was some good solid songs on it,
The new album is going to be nowhere near bro country, “Whiskey into Wine” is a beautiful country Ballad, will probably get close to number one, and deservedly so.
Yes Garth has a sense of Legacy, and even without this album, he’s already has it, I think GunSlinger will cement it though. There will be some amazing songs on it, that will put erase any doubts that Garth belongs in country music.
Ryan Michael
October 19, 2016 @ 1:36 pm
I believe someone mentioned above but it is confirmed a boxed set through Target will be available, you guessed it, in November (11th, not Black Friday surprisingly)……..that is our Garth. 10 disc boxed set……….buying boxed set is the only way to get his new album before it is released nationally as a standalone. I wonder if people will just be done with his boxed set/ultimate collection gimmicks.
Saint Savage
October 22, 2016 @ 10:36 am
He is just like all the other Legends that can’t get a song on Country Radio. He continues to whore himself out with re releasing albums over and over again in some special packages. Also thinking he is above putting music on iTunes because he doesn’t want his albums sold piece by piece. I have seen albums on there sold by whole album. Greed has been his downfall since the ’90’s. His first 4 albums were his best.
Woogeroo
October 22, 2016 @ 10:38 pm
5 songwriters for that… I’m with you Trigger.
*shakes head*
I’m seriously underwhelmed by this track.
Abigayle
October 30, 2016 @ 6:20 am
I agree. This song is terrible. I get the feeling he’s trying to keep up with the young guys, but he doesn’t realize the bro-country guys suck. Chris Stapleton is what true country is about. Garth needs to go back to his country roots and stop trying to be “modern.” I won’t buy this able based on this first release.
Sue
November 2, 2016 @ 10:13 am
I googled “Garth Brooks new song stupid”, and here I am. So I guess you know my opinion of it. Put your pants on Garth….or just shut up!
Sue
November 2, 2016 @ 10:24 am
Poor guy is just getting shredded on here, but that song deserves it.