Song Review – Kellie Pickler’s “If It Wasn’t For a Woman”
I’m not exactly sure what Kellie Pickler is all off into these days, starring in some CMT reality TV series I could never bring myself to watch, and apparently now hosting some syndicated morning show where she’s undoubtedly wearing flowing ponchos with exposed shoulders and sharing pumpkin spice recipes like every other personality on daytime television. Hey, God bless her. She’s figuring out ways to keep the cash coming in and her name in the spotlight after Sony completely screwed her over after the release of her excellent record 100 Proof.
Some recent converts to Saving Country Music might be surprised to hear Pickler’s 100 Proof was SCM’s Album of the Year in 2012, and still holds up. With contributions from Chris Stapleton and Brent Cobb, today the record looks like a precursor to the insurgency in the mainstream we are currently experiencing, even though it still hasn’t sold 100,000 copies, and Kellie Pickler’s country music career seems drowned in the television floodlights, and slowly waning towards non-existence. So maybe there’s no better time to self-release a new song, and remind people why she’s a celebrity in the first place.
Kellie Pickler is at her best when she writes her own material, and when she makes it personal. That was at the heart of 100 Proof‘s critical success. Of course she was just finding her strongest voice right as Bro-Country was on the rise, so nobody was paying attention. But Pickler’s shattered upbringing of an absentee mother and alcoholic father have made for some excellent country music over the years, and her personal history is what inspires her latest song “If It Wasn’t For a Woman.”
Not necessarily a single—or at least not announced as one yet—the song is about Pickler’s late grandmother Faye who passed away in 2002, and was Kellie’s primary guardian growing up. It is written by Picker with her husband Kyle Jacobs and Brian Bunn. The song initially emerged in a debut performance at the CMA Fan Fest in June, but has recently been released in studio form.
Part tribute, part empowering anthem, and all Pickler, “If It Wasn’t For a Woman” is full of reminiscent memories of Pickler’s grandmother, and affirmations about the importance of role models and upbringings. If you’ve ever known someone who was raised by their grandparents, you know they’re special people, with manners and values that weren’t diluted by a generation, and a level of respect and gratefulness for themselves and others not found in most. Grandparents raising kids is obviously not the way life was designed, and puts an undue burden on those later in life. But it’s often a gift for those involved. Willie Nelson was also raised by his grandparents.
“If It Wasn’t For a Woman” is pretty quintessential Pickler, with steel guitar and emotional-laden lyrics making for a very sweet song. This is not a Song of the Year candidate, but it does get you frustrated that an artist like Pickler with so much talent has to resort to the reality TV and talk show circuit for her daily bread, when she should be making country instead. Hopefully the song is a precursor to a new project, and with Pickler’s new audiences, she can sidestep the gender bias of mainstream country radio, and find the support her music deserves.
1 1/2 Guns Up (7.5/10)
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Scotty J
October 10, 2017 @ 11:16 am
Pickler’s lack of mainstream success on the radio a few years ago was really a canary in the coalmine situation. She has all the things that should make a mainstream country star from talent, personality, looks, compelling backstory and great name recognition from a major TV show yet it didn’t happen.
If one were to make a timeline of the decline of mainstream country music her career would need to be on it. Sucks.
CountryKnight
October 11, 2017 @ 7:47 am
She and Josh Turner were the biggest victims of Bro-Country.
Both derailed by a long black train.
Michael Reddy
October 11, 2017 @ 6:21 pm
My three sister picked up the slack when my Mom lost her way for a but after my daddy dies of a sudden heart attack when I was 9. They showed a level of grand, compassion and understanding that was way beyond there age. They are what this song is all above. Without there love and guideance I would not be where I am today.
Dan Morris
October 10, 2017 @ 11:48 am
I’ve always liked Kellie Pickler, both her music and her down home, self deprecating charm. She has always reminded me of Dolly Parton. But if she is serious about continuing with her music career maybe she should give up the reality and talk show circus acts and just do what musicians have done forever…get on a bus or in a van and hit the road playing the honky-tonks and beer joints. It may be a step backwards but it could also be the best way to show people she can still has music in her that deserves to be heard.
Carter Burger
October 10, 2017 @ 11:55 am
I can guaran-damn-tee you it will be added to the playlist on my radio station.
Gabe
October 10, 2017 @ 12:12 pm
Imagine if this got a Grammy nomination… I can only dream right?
Kevin Davis
October 10, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
This a fantastic song. I hope her success through CMT gives her the freedom and self-confidence to pursue another album like ‘100 Proof’.
Caitlin
October 10, 2017 @ 1:38 pm
I’ve never given Kellie’s music the attention that it apparently deserves. You’ve inspired me to do that. I will be sure to explore her work now.
Kent
October 10, 2017 @ 2:32 pm
Will you be reviewing Margo Price’s “All American Made”,
I’m a bit surprised you haven’t already. Or have I missed it?
Gabe
October 10, 2017 @ 2:38 pm
Her album isn’t out yet, it’s just available for preorder. It will be released on the 20th, that’s 10 days from today
Kent
October 10, 2017 @ 3:01 pm
I knew that but I thought reviewers could get it before the release day. But thank you, suppose I’ll have to wait then… 🙂
Trigger
October 10, 2017 @ 4:23 pm
Yes, I’m sure I’ll be reviewing the new Margo Price close to the release.
Kent
October 11, 2017 @ 2:37 am
Thanks
BenBen
October 10, 2017 @ 3:10 pm
Never been a fan, but I’ll check out the album.
countryfan24
October 10, 2017 @ 4:21 pm
Solid review and I enjoy this song. Her most recent album released in 2013, “The Woman I Am,” also had some good cuts. Hope to hear more from her (aside from the CMT shows lol.)
albert
October 10, 2017 @ 5:34 pm
A couple of years ago a large well-known western Canada drugstore chain began selling computers ….then lawn chairs …then cornflakes . A drug store .
Its called ‘ cross -marketing ‘ and many, many retail chains once known for a specific product now sell a bit of everything . Music folk have done it for years ……land a movie role to sell their music ….release a record ..people go see the movie …….have a record ….go get a TV show or a perfume brand ….or a clothing line ….or how’ bout a weight-loss pitch job ? Management has ALWAYS cross-marketed their artists in this way …..keeps them on the radar ….keeps them in the magazines , on TV ….in movies …and on the radio . KP is just doing whatever it takes to stay on the radar and in the limelight …no matter how she has to do it . Its just the way it is . I mean ….shit George Clooney is doing coffee commercials . So KP does talk shows .
I LOVE Kellie Pickler’s music sensibilities …loved the 2012 record 100 proof . But if she’s going to have to stoop to the level of so many ‘ radio ‘ folk just to get airplay she might as well do a talk show / reality show ..whatever and TRY to keep her music sincere and authentic . That’s my take . No job is harder than selling out the thing you love for $$$$$$. No job .
Biscuit
October 10, 2017 @ 6:40 pm
Kellie left her last record label and I am not sure she’s signed to one right now. Trig?
Kelly needs better management for her music career. Much of her music has fallen out of print and 100 Proof hasn’t appeared on vinyl yet. I think reissued releases would allow for a new focus on her music, coupled with recording a new traditional country album.
I like her, ahe’s a good ainger, funny, a fun entertainer.
AT
October 11, 2017 @ 7:22 am
I’ve also gotten the impression that the politics of the music business are something that Kellie Pickler doesn’t have any interest in. She seems to be happy doing things on her own terms and exploring opportunities.
Here are some excerpts from a Rolling Stone interview with her a few years back:
“The goal is to get to a place where we can cash out and help the world.” – regarding her future plans.
“If our biggest thing is fighting to get on the radio, then that’s a good problem to have, considering what other women are dealing with around the world, who would do anything to trade problems with women in country music.”
Will
October 11, 2017 @ 7:58 am
Probably a little biased here since I’ve followed Kellie’s career since her early days on American Idol. Her life literally is a country song – small town girl raised by her grandparents just dreaming of one day making it in the music business.
It’s unfortunate she can put together such a great body of work with “100 Proof” and a follow up “The Woman I Am,” and then fall off the face of the earth music wise. But to anyone that’s followed her career a little more closely, the CMT show and the new talk show make perfect sense. She’s always been a personality, not just a voice. Kellie and Kyle are entertaining each week on the CMT show, you just want to be their friends. And the talk show has been great – not just your run of the mill talk show. Pickler & Ben has set itself apart by helping people and promoting Nashville celebs and talent.
I think being dropped by the labels has given Kellie the ability to step back and think what she really wants to do musically. And the 2 TV shows have allowed her to bring in the $$$ and keep her name and face out there to the public. Here’s to hoping for more songs in the vein of the one here. And if radio isn’t going to play her, I’d really love for Kellie to fully embrace the 100 Proof era and be recognized with the likes of other great non-mainstream acts of today (Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Monroe, Margo Price…) Excellent review by the way, Trig!
K
October 12, 2017 @ 8:59 am
Love Kellie Pickler! Hopefully she can make money out of tv so she can afford to record the music she wants to instead of trying to get radio hits.