Why Justin Timberlake Should Make a Country Record. And Now.
What on God’s wide creation would compel a cantankerous country music critic who normally would rear up like an infuriated grizzly bear on its hind legs whenever some washed up rocker or crumbling pop princess decides that country music is the nursing home of their career and actually call for a pop star to crossover into country?
I’ll tell you want: This horrific, effusive, spare no one trend of stupid, sometimes dumpy, mostly mid 30’s country male “entertainers” deciding it’s sexy time and saddling up with EDM producers to make Bee Gees-inspired non country bullshit.
These artists were pretty terrible at making “country” records to begin with. Then you start trying to squeeze them into sport coats two sizes too small and ask them to sing falsetto and throw dance moves down to syncopated rhythms, and the whole thing is about as seductive as a dumpster fire fueled by soiled baby diapers. What the hell happened with this thing? This is supposed to be country music, right?
The only thing challenging the sinister nature of the sounds of these disco country offerings is the depth of penetration this malevolent trend has achieved throughout the populous of male country stars. Of course the stables of idiotic trend chasers who will do anything for a buck were all over this craze when their producers and label lackeys told them this was the next big thing, but hell, Gary Allan? Randy Houser? This is like a bad zombie movie where nobody is spared from the wave of flesh-eating pestilence.
And don’t give me that “Ooh, country music can’t sound like Johnny Cash forever old man, it needs to evolve!” Screw that. This R&B country is just bad music no matter how you slice it.
And that’s why ladies and gentlemen I propose that we need Justin Timberlake to show up and wipe his ass with these half-baked hayseed country hacks trying to take a stab at R&B by showing them how someone who has actually perfected the discipline over his entire freaking career does it. One Justin Timberlake country single, and the ditsy front row panty line chicks who screech all over the music at arena concerts would be saying, “Thomas Rhett, who?”
Hell I can’t even count myself a Justin Timberlake fan. Ask me to name one of his songs beyond “SexyBack” and I stumble mightily, and don’t have the spare energy to navigate to Wikipedia to discover any more. But I’ll sure as shit guarantee you a Timberlake country record can’t be any worse than what “country” music is offering up right now via drum programs and MacBooks, and it would probably be more country.
Timberlake has been hinting of making a country record for years now. Back in 2013 he said, [I] grew up outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Listened to country music, R&B music, classic rock, you know, everything”¦I still got my eyes set on a Best Country Album. There is time for that.”
Yeah Justin, and the time is now.
So in the interest of decapitating the current Metro-Bro trend, I invite you, Mr. Timberlake, to make a country record. As one of the assholes who can be counted on to be screaming and shouting every time some falling pop star wants to use country as their safety net, I hereby promise to sheathe my claws, lay down the poison pen, and offer you safe passage to nothing but the finest studios and best session players on Music Row to do your worst.
…and of course, the end result will probably be a collaboration with Sam Hunt, and a remix with Ludacris.
Good Lord, why couldn’t Jerry Reed have lived forever?
John B
May 28, 2015 @ 10:11 am
I’m probably about as familiar with Justin’s music as you are, but what little I heard was 10 times better than most of what has been played on pop radio over the last 15 years or so. I think he could actually make a very good modern pop country record. Sounds like an oxymoron, I know, but I think he can pull it off.
Cobra
May 29, 2015 @ 3:32 pm
I would agree. Much like Kelly Clarkson, I think that Timberlake has the talent to make a good record and also to discipline himself to keep it within the genre of country music if he really wanted to. Would it be award-winning (or maybe I should say what most of us on here would consider award-caliber)? Unlikely, but I think he could make something listening to.
Suzanne
May 28, 2015 @ 10:22 am
JT is one of the rare mainstream artists who actually do have musical talent. And he’s a hell of a lot better looking than the dirt bags many female “country music” fans swoon over. I’ll take him over Luke Bryant and Jason Alden any day!
dukes
May 28, 2015 @ 10:22 am
Timberlake’s Country Album could win Best Country Album pretty easily. The pop crowd is already in Country, and he’d have more to say than 99% of the artists on current country radio. Actually, he may even stress the authenticity angle and do something along the purist route. He’s a beast.
Matt
May 28, 2015 @ 10:29 am
My concern with Timberlake making a country record is that his success in pop is largely due to the fact that he was smart and lucky enough to hook up with two of the best pop producers of the time in the Neptunes and Timbaland, people who were making the most genuinely interesting but catchy and mainstream pop music in the 00s. If he was to do the same thing in country, I’m just not sure who he would turn to in this era to get the kind of quality he would want without sacrificing the mainstream appeal. Shane McAnally would probably be the best choice, but it would also be a safe one and I’m not sure the music wouldn’t be overshadowed by the novelty.
Hmmmm
May 28, 2015 @ 12:12 pm
I’d like to see him work with Frank Liddell personally.
Matt
May 28, 2015 @ 12:14 pm
Funny, right as I hit “post” that name popped into my head.
Ramona Martinez
May 28, 2015 @ 2:41 pm
Sooo glad you brought up Timbaland & the Neptunes. JT is an incredible singer and performer but Timba is the genius behind the operation. That said I still await JT’s country album with baited breath!
Swannanoa
May 28, 2015 @ 3:49 pm
I think we are missing the point here though. Its not that a great producer makes a great album or song, the burden is half on the artist. The producer has to set the artist up with the opportunity to make a great album. If given only samples of trash to choose from then the end result will suck.
Matt
May 28, 2015 @ 5:07 pm
In both country and R&B it is typical for the producer to co-write or at the very least work with the artist in developing songs. Timberlake has co-written his last three records with Timbaland and his team, and I imagine he would do the same with a country producer.
Trigger’s (good) point is that Timberlake would likely have the taste and respect needed to avoid the pitfalls many country acts are currently wallowing in, but to do that he’d need the right co-conspirator.
Medigaagora
May 28, 2015 @ 10:34 am
I don’t really know much about Timberlake. But I do know his version of “The Auld Triangle” in the movie “Inside Llewyn Davis” is fantastic. It is Irish folk, not country, but it has all the virtues. If he could do twelve songs like that, it would make a great record.
Medigaagora
May 28, 2015 @ 10:42 am
To be fair, he had Chris Thile, Chris Eldridge, Marcus Mumford and Gabe Witcher with him on that, which obviously helps. But knowing who to work with is half the battle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pju-UH36IIE
lisa
May 28, 2015 @ 10:38 am
I really feel like he would be the only pop/rock person to go country that might actually make it work. I dont think he would be doing it to chase a trend – he is already more than successful enough that he doesnt need it, and isnt trying to make any kind of comeback like many other popstars are when they “go country.” If he goes country, I get the feeling it will be “real” country – otherwise, why would he bother? I really dont picture him doing EDM/pop ala Sam Hunt – why bother? And I dont picture him singing garbage about fireball, moonshine, pickups, moonlight, riverbanks, and girls in short-shorts, I think he’s too good for that. I can see this being a good thing – heres hoping he puts all the bro’s to shame in their own genre!
Eric
May 28, 2015 @ 10:44 am
Here is a recent Justin Timberlake song that was a major hit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuZE_IRwLNI
Yes, it is way better than modern country.
Jim
May 28, 2015 @ 11:05 am
Funny, I barely know the guy’s material either, but I read this article and thought, “That ‘Mirrors’ song is pretty good…”
Bill
May 28, 2015 @ 10:53 am
Sam Hunt: “Wait, Justin Timberlake isn’t classic country?”
All probable quotes aside, JT was upset when “Cry Me A River” won Video Of The Year at the Grammys over Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”, so there’s that.
Bill
May 28, 2015 @ 11:01 am
Also, I always assumed that Jerry Reed never died, that him and Burt Reynolds are on a beer run, hiding from Jackie Gleason.
Jon
May 28, 2015 @ 11:04 am
Justin Timberlake singing “Friends in Low Places” live. And his fans are singing along.
https://youtu.be/-_yCEVmepsQ
Anthony
May 28, 2015 @ 11:04 am
Lmao. This is spot on. #BringJTtoCountry
Anthony
May 28, 2015 @ 11:09 am
And no offense to Brett Eldredge at all, but it reminded me of him in his recent video for some reason lol. #BringJTtoCountry
JC Eldredge
May 29, 2015 @ 7:52 am
That new Brett Eldredge song does sound like a few JT/NYSYC songs and the video to NYSYNCs I Drive Myself Crazy is very similar to his video.
Aaron
May 28, 2015 @ 11:14 am
I saw Justin Timberlake sit in on upright bass with Dale Watson last year at the Continental Club. He was outstanding. And I don’t like his music at all, but he sure can play.
BrettS
May 28, 2015 @ 11:23 am
Well that pretty much already gives him more credentials than 95% of the mainstream acts if he sat in with Dale.
Trigger
May 28, 2015 @ 1:14 pm
Did that really happen, or am I just not getting the pun? Are there pictures?
Scotty J
May 28, 2015 @ 1:17 pm
We’re getting to the point that it is hard to tell reality from parody!
Aaron
May 28, 2015 @ 1:25 pm
It really happened. I’m not kidding.. I’ll email you a picture, if I can find one.
BrettS
May 28, 2015 @ 1:26 pm
Have no clue what to believe anymore
Dogit
May 28, 2015 @ 1:29 pm
Long Live Dale Watson!
Sam Jimenez
May 28, 2015 @ 11:26 am
I’m about as far from being a fan of Timberlake’s music as a person could get, but I like the dude. And he strikes me as being really respectful of music and the people who made it before him. It could be alright! Who knows? I’d like to hear and find out though – bring it on!
Enjoy Every Sandwich
May 28, 2015 @ 11:31 am
I don’t know about his music, but I enjoyed his character in Trouble With The Curve.
Kale
May 28, 2015 @ 12:13 pm
He’s more country than Sam Hunt.
Truthiness
May 28, 2015 @ 1:00 pm
Justin and Reba singing live, “The Only Promise that Remains”…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKf-Vmba3zk
Co-written by JT
Albert
May 28, 2015 @ 1:20 pm
Wouldn’t it be funny if all the pop stars went country, took all the pop fans with them and Taylor Swift was the ” last man standing” in Popville after the exodus ? C’mon …doncha think that would be funny ? Ironic as hell but c’mon ….sooo funny !
Dogit
May 28, 2015 @ 1:32 pm
I like this idea a lot. JT’s country album would be authentic country. He would want the album to be an all-time great. Chasing trends will not get him the recognition that he wants. He does his own thing in pop. Man, it would be cool if he got Willie Nelson to produce it or even Dale Watson himself.
Albert
May 28, 2015 @ 1:38 pm
Hey …here’s a crazy idea . To hell with all of the pop people who suddenly wanna be cowboys and start respecting and giving some exposure to all the REAL country music writers and singers who can’t even get table scraps from the industry they grew up in and supported and KNOW INSIDE OUT !!! .
And while we’re at it , how ’bout we ” let the girl sing” more than once an hour . You know ….that girl who is country born and bred and raised on country music and can write as good or better than 99% of the ” country music songwriters” getting cuts ?
And how ’bout we find some country DJ’s steeped in the tradition with stories and anecdotes coming outta their hineys they know from before Ryan Seacrest was born ?…..not these kids planted behind the mic to keep energy up and cue commercials between music that THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW ISN’T COUNTRY !!
How ’bout fuck all these pop stars and former pop stars , trend chasers , straw-graspers and FAKES and give the airwaves to folks who were ‘country when country wasn’t cool ” . There are only thousands who deserve the shot ….shouldn’t be hard to find a half dozen who are amazingly talented artists neglected by labels and the masses .
Justin Timberlake could sing any song in any genre and make it work . But he isn’t a country ARTIST .
Shastacatfish
May 28, 2015 @ 2:41 pm
My fear is that Timberlake and Kesha will join forces. Both of them have some sort of country pedigree and have hinted at going country in the past. They would be the country music Skynet, taking over and destroying everything, with only small pockets of Texas, Red Dirt and roots resistance left to put up a fight for authentic country.
Lunchbox
May 28, 2015 @ 2:55 pm
JT for Taylor Swift
Tammy Lee
May 28, 2015 @ 2:57 pm
If you’re gonna pick a pop star, at least pick one whose music isn’t so overproduced and who often resorts to objectifying women in his lyrics and videos. Check out “tunnel vision” and “ayo technology”. Perhaps a pop star with a bit more depth. Can’t think of any names though, maybe John Legend
Trigger
May 28, 2015 @ 3:43 pm
I didn’t “pick” a pop star. I’m not looking for pop stars to goad into going country. The was more a commentary on this new trend of R&B “country” as it was any legitimate effort to recruit Justin Timberlake to make a country record.
Nate
May 28, 2015 @ 3:46 pm
Ed Sheeran?
Mo Crawford
May 28, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
A new David Allan Coe record is what we need
judd
May 28, 2015 @ 3:46 pm
We need sturgill to drop his 3rd album. the dang thing is a sure fire lock in to go #1 on the charts as long as one of the male heavy hitters doesn’t drop around the same time.
I am awaiting adels album. but something about phil Collins producing a “Nashville ” inspired record worries me a bit.
Liza
May 28, 2015 @ 4:14 pm
Justin is talented and he would do it right.
Nathan
May 28, 2015 @ 4:22 pm
This goes to the heart of the argument that there is just way more talented people in the pop genre than in country at the moment. Ed Shereen being another. If you want to hear Timberlake doing something that would represent today’s modern country try “Drink You Away”. Craig Morgan has been covering this song in his concerts for over a year. It’s really a hell of a song.
j
May 28, 2015 @ 4:35 pm
Now dont you dare go dissing the Bee Gees. I actually enjoy some of their music. Maybe because it was one of my moms favorites but still. lol
Sam Jimenez
May 28, 2015 @ 5:20 pm
I’ve been known to do a crazy acoustic version of Stayin’ Alive at my shows… 😀
Bill
May 28, 2015 @ 5:28 pm
Hey, the Bee Gees have made some damn fine folk music over the years. Barry Gibb even dueted with Ricky Skaggs on Ricky’s last album. It’s just that they contributed to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, so they’re pigeonholed as a disco act.
I will say, the Bee Gees made the only disco music I like.
Trigger
May 28, 2015 @ 8:54 pm
It’s not a knock on the Bee Gees, but they are not a country band. I can’t tell you how many recent singles I’ve seen them listed as an inspiration for. If I want to listen to the Bee Gees, I’ll listen to the Bee Gees. I don’t need to hear Thomas Rhett doing a terrible impersonation of them.
Mike
May 30, 2015 @ 3:01 am
Although they were responsible for Islands in the Stream, and much of Kenny Rogers’ Promises in the Dark album. They were very aligned with pop country in the early 80s.
Noah Eaton
May 28, 2015 @ 6:28 pm
With Garth Brooks’ floundering upon his comeback bid outside of touring, I now personally believe Adele is the singer/songwriter most likely to potentially shake up mainstream country music, and in a positive way.
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I’ve made my case on the site Country Perspective in a May 7th Hodgepodge thread discussion as to why I genuinely believe this, and Country Perspective has since broadened that discussion………………..but allow me to reiterate it here.
Kelly Clarkson has said in a recent interview that Adele”™s forthcoming third album is notably much more country-influenced. Adele has yet to confirm this herself, but considering “21” consisted of ample gospel, blues and folk influences with a contemporary sheen, that is not far-fetched to imagine.
If you”™ve listened closely to both “19” and “21” (but especially “21”)”¦”¦”¦.they are both highly influenced by traditional American music. At the time “19” was released, a secondary wave of a trend known as “blue-eyed soul” was ravaging Europe like wildfire: namely a disputed term used for traditional rhythm, blues and soul music performed by white entertainers. Duffy”™s “Rockferry” also is considered a landmark blue-eyed soul album of that time.
Adele”™s “19” was also highly influenced by “blue-eyed soul”. And though “21” also was to a large extent, it was during the North American leg of her 2008-2009 tour where Adele reportedly had many smoke breaks with her tour bus driver and, in the midst of them, listened to a lot of bluegrass and rockabilly music that she immediately came to appreciate due to their immediacy and narrative structure. She has also specifically cited the likes of Tom Waits, Neko Case, Nick Cave and the Steel Drivers, among others, for the general direction she took the music.
Obviously “21” was a more streamlined effort than the aforementioned inspirations, but it didn’t diminish how committed she was in finding producers and collaborators that could effectively angle her brand of pop music with these flavors. She didn’t just settle with boilerplate. It’s clear she was involved in most, if not all, aspects of the album’s composition because she was emphatic in stating what she wanted and what she wanted to say.
Hell, “Rumor Has It” and “Rolling In The Deep” both are replete with influences to gospel and swampy grooves that are obviously much more country than the vast majority of what is played on country radio presently. So, when Kelly Clarkson is acknowledging that her upcoming album is even more influenced by country music, I believe her. Even Clarkson, whose music I don”™t care for overall in that it”™s just so interchangeable and overproduced, nonetheless has a respect for genre contrasts. She is in the process of making a country record herself, and each time she has dabbled into the format before via two features with Jason Aldean and Reba McEntire, and her own single with Vince Gill”¦”¦”¦”¦.it differentiated from the likes of “Breakaway”, “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Stronger”. It didn”™t strike me as blatant carpetbagging.
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So, assuming Adele has only continued to expand her country/roots music listening experience since touring the United States in 2008/2009, I’m willing to bet she EASILY has absorbed a lot more eclectic a soundtrack of the heartland than most solo male entertainers currently congesting the airwaves. Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves and perhaps Blake Shelton quite likely have a more studied heartland musical upbringing…………..but there’s certainly not many. Most strike me as deriving most of the influences from 80s arena rock and, most recently, from Southern rap as well.
Adele certainly may not have genuinely grown up steeped in a pastoral or agrarian lifestyle, nor was immersed in the country and/or roots music tradition………………so some purists would argue that already accounts for two strikes against her. But you know what? I’d rather have someone inject a passion into the scene as an outsider who nonetheless has a respect for genre identity and culture and is willing to further enrich their listening experience and palette………….than someone who may have lived the lifestyle growing up, but is complacent and has a superficial attitude toward the musical community itself and just tends to go through the motions. And Adele is just that kind of former entertainer in my view.
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Forget the talk about Garth Brooks being the one who has the most clout to shake up Music Row and country music as a whole at this juncture.
My money is on an outsider to the format: Adele.
Albert
May 28, 2015 @ 6:49 pm
“With Garth Brooks”™ floundering upon his comeback bid outside of touring….”,
Floundering ? Floundering….?
ANYONE in the biz should be so lucky as to ” flounder ” the way Garth flounders . The man will generate more revenue from sell out show after sell out show on his ” comeback ” tour than most acts will in a lifetime …often 8 or 10 nights in the same city . And how ’bout CD sales at the shows , T-shirts and all kinds of other merchandise , a back catalog you can purchase separately or as a box set…all this after an already stellar career that saw him perform solo in Vegas for what …3 years ? Why the hell would Garth want anything to do with the mess that is ” contemporary country radio ” ? He doesn’t need some punk label head telling him to record spring break music or to take the fiddles off his records .
When I grow up , I hope to flounder like Garth …..lol
Noah Eaton
May 28, 2015 @ 7:13 pm
I say “flounder” because many, if not most of us, were expecting a lot more commercially from his return……………..and it has nothing to do with demanding he change his musical style. As far as sticking with his sound, Brooks has that part right.
But let’s face it: Brooks’ judgments as a businessman have largely not been up to snuff this era. From his underwhelming single selections to GhostTunes fading into irrelevancy to the radically edited sales projections preceding the album’s release on through the midst of its opening week, to his adversarial attitude with YouTube…………….he’s basically almost shunning an entire generation of music listeners and a barrage of opportunities.
So yeah, “floundered” is a fitting adjective as far as I’m concerned.
CountryKnight
May 29, 2015 @ 7:34 am
Honestly, I knew from the start Garth wouldn’t return with the same impact. He sent 90’s songs to an environment that moved on to bro country. Bros aren’t interested in heartfelt songs about moms and babies. (They prefer babes.)
Albert
May 29, 2015 @ 10:03 am
I don’t think any of Garth’s ” comeback” approach should surprise anyone . It’s always been Garth’s way or the highway when it comes to the music and the business aspects of his career and it could not have worked out more successfully . Sure he’s stumbled a time or two ….but on his OWN terms …not a label that dictates ‘how its gonna be ” . Now he’s made the record HE wanted to make and wasn’t trying to ” fit ” or cow tow to anyone’s formats or expectations . And in mine and many peoples’ opinions , he made a great record chock full of solid writes , a variety of music / instruments and and overall organic sound as opposed to the ” band in a box” records most of the bros are making . . I’m certain his songs were only sent to radio as singles to let people know he was back rather than to score yet another #1 . And people know he’s back , alright , ….with or without the help of radio .
I was never a Garth fan ..For me ….he came off as a phoney , an ‘over-the-top humble” act that many could see right through . BUT I believe he loves making music and , as mentioned , his new record is about as good as it gets in the country genre .
Trigger
May 28, 2015 @ 8:58 pm
But what would be the benefit to Adele to go country? Taylor Swift went pop because she found the country genre too limiting. Adele has already reached the top level of commercial performance. Sure, maybe she’s just inspired to do it and screw the financial repercussions.
I more see Adele making a “country inspired” record, sort of like Beck or Yellawolf did, but still steeped outside the genre, and not pushed through country channels. But frankly, I would defer to your expertise on this matter. The reason I think Timberlake might do it is because he’s said he would. Adele’s country move at this point appears to still be mostly in the speculative phase, right?
judd
May 29, 2015 @ 3:39 am
Trigger,
as you know I’m a fan of the adele move for the next album.
I’m not expecting a move to end all moves and she stays in the genere and leads the way. I’m expecting a solid to very good album that can pave the way within country music. Its sad you need someone outside the genre to show the way but its needed. I’m hoping Adele can help out with this non-playing of women issue. She can help reverse that (though idk Taylor swift didn’t exactly turn it around). heck it went to crap while taylor swift was in country so idk.
I know one thing a person with the voice and creativity of Adele is welcome to make a country album at any time.
Also “country inspired” album is right. Which is fine. Its hard for artist in other genres to come out with a stone cold country album. Artist need to be true to them selves while trying new things. More artist need to be true to themselves in country.
Justin
May 28, 2015 @ 6:33 pm
Christina Uglyaria and they could be the new Conway and Loretta.
pete marshall
May 28, 2015 @ 6:50 pm
Hop aboard! to the country wanna (sorry I sound like Chase Rice and Thomas Rhett on wanna ) be train.
Noah Eaton
May 28, 2015 @ 7:00 pm
As for Justin Timberlake, I’ve long respected him for having a sophisticated craftsmanship to all he does as a professional. You can tell he doesn’t half-ass anything as far as the style of his music is concerned.
*
That said, when he does decide to make the foray into country music………………firstly……………it is imperative he seeks out qualified songwriting collaborators.
One of my longtime main issues with Justin Timberlake is that, while his music sounds grand (sometimes grandiose for sure, but at least you can tell effort was put into it), opulent, colorful and textured thanks to Timbaland’s penchant for layering beats and rhythms and ability to fuse music from different generational molds together, and with that gives it a great deal of class,……………the lyrics are a whole other story and have fallen well off pace in terms of ambition. Sure, the wrapping paper is absolutely gorgeous, but when you peel the puppy and look deeper……………there’s hardly much more there. It’s rather lightweight and shallow. “Suit & Tie” is just a song about Timberlake gussying himself up in his suit and tie to impress everyone else, especially his lady. “Strawberry Bubblegum” is actually built on predictable candy and Tootsie Blow-Pop metaphors and is about exactly what you think it’s about. “Spaceship Coupe” is about Timberlake trying to woo a woman to hop into his hot set of wheels and take her to the moon where they have sex. You get the idea.
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.
Which leads to my second word of caution for Timberlake: he needs to curb his narcissism.
When I listened to his two most recent albums, I was taken aback by how aggressively Timberlake brags on track by track. Everything is about him and, worst of all, there’s no broader point to be made behind his motivation to brag. It’s basically all “Hey, I’m good-looking, I have a hot set of wheels, I make all the ladies want to sleep with me……………..oh, did I mention I look damn good in my suit and tie?”
And that hemorrhages away both any potential for populism in his music, as well as an intimate connection to the narrator himself. Who is Timberlake exactly? Why should I care when Pitbull is doing the exact same thing aesthetically with his image, but at least briefly hints on his rags-to-riches story in choice lyrics and thus better succeeds at populist appeal?
*
As an entertainer, yes: Justin Timberlake is charismatic, passionate and sophisticated; the latter of which is a relative rarity in modern pop music. That already makes him a qualified candidate to shake up country music from a stylistic standpoint.
But unless he curbs his egoism, injects the same amount of passion he places into his image and marketing into his songwriting and aspires to open himself up and be more vulnerable………………….I think any stab at a country crossover will leave much left to be desired.
Runner
May 29, 2015 @ 8:00 am
The cautions you brought up are valid but I would have to say that I think JT could pull it off. He has been writing pop songs with his pop song writing partners. If you listen to the lyrics they hit on the modern era pop R&B but there is also something of classic R&B in his “20/20 Experience”. A lot of older R&B fans enjoyed this album because of the classic influences.
My caution would be that he gets connected with the wrong producers or label and ends up guesting a lot of today’s pop country elite…Yuck! However, I think he would have the integrity not to do that.
Justin does put a lot of work into each album. With good writing partners and a quality producer…maybe David Cobb who did the production on the last Sturgill album I think he could have something. Will he make a country album? Doubtful. But it would, if nothing else, be entertaining. As you stated in your post he has all the qualities of a first class entertainer.
Albert
May 28, 2015 @ 11:41 pm
“One of my longtime main issues with Justin Timberlake is that, while his music sounds grand (sometimes grandiose for sure, but at least you can tell effort was put into it), opulent, colorful and textured thanks to Timbaland”™s penchant for layering beats and rhythms and ability to fuse music from different generational molds together, and with that gives it a great deal of class,”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦the lyrics are a whole other story and have fallen well off pace in terms of ambition. Sure, the wrapping paper is absolutely gorgeous, but when you peel the puppy and look deeper”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦there”™s hardly much more there. It”™s rather lightweight and shallow. “Suit & Tie” is just a song about Timberlake gussying himself up in his suit and tie to impress everyone else, especially his lady. “Strawberry Bubblegum” is actually built on predictable candy and Tootsie Blow-Pop metaphors and is about exactly what you think it”™s about. “Spaceship Coupe” is about Timberlake trying to woo a woman to hop into his hot set of wheels and take her to the moon where they have sex. You get the idea.”
Yup …Totally agree . Its a great ” package” and I’m a fan of JT as a performer and I’m a fan of the musical ideas he uses in his arrangements. But there’s just no song there to start with . Trite lyrics short on melody and subject matter . Big grooves , little else .
Mike
May 29, 2015 @ 8:40 am
This reminds me of the scene with Samuel L. Jackson yelling at the thug in 187.
COME ON, IF YOU’RE GONNA BE STUPID, DON’T BE HALF WAY STUPID….BE ALLLLL THE WAY STUPID!!!!
And it’s true. If Country Music is going to destroy itself, it shouldn’t do it half-assed. It needs to go down in a heap of burning ruins and a blaze of glory!
RD
May 29, 2015 @ 8:47 am
I just can’t imagine his voice working for a country song.
greg
May 29, 2015 @ 9:22 am
I hear there”™s folks
Tired of us talking about dirt roads
Tailgates, tan lines and corn rows
It sounds made up but that”™s the life I know
We know all about some moonshine
Moonlight, bonfires
Seein”™ all the stars on a summer night
Don”™t see how that”™s gettin”™ old
C”™mon
Ride with us on Friday night
See if we ain”™t jacked em up
See if we ain”™t settin”™ it on fire
See if we don”™t burn it up
See if we ain”™t crankin”™ Hank
Sippin”™ on a little somethin”™ strong
Hey man, you”™ll see why we can”™t
Quit sangin”™ that same old song
The same old song
74 Riviera
June 1, 2015 @ 7:29 am
Trigger that pick of Justin as a little kid it’s was on Mickey Mouse clubhouse
Pete
June 1, 2015 @ 12:55 pm
Justin Timberlake = Sam Hunt on steroids.
Be careful what you wish for.