The Maturation of Kacey Musgraves
To read the proclamations of the politically-charged entertainment media, the major expression of Kacey Musgraves’ career so far has been the song “Follow Your Arrow” with its pro-pot and pro-gay stances, which we’re told are incredibly evolved and forward-thinking for the stuffy and ultra-Conservative country music environment. Of course this glosses over the fact that country artists like Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson were singing about getting stoned 50 years ago, and an artist like K.D. Lang was charting singles and winning multiple Grammys in country starting in the late 80’s.
But that doesn’t fit the prevailing media narrative for Kacey Musgraves, which is one of a groundbreaking political activist in the country genre. Nor does the fact that the song “Follow Your Arrow” was released some 7 years and 4 albums ago, and is not really relevant to Kacey’s career at the moment, and neither is the inconvenient truth that Kacey’s current album Golden Hour doesn’t really take any political, liberal, or activist stances at all. In fact Kacey Musgraves herself went out of the way to purposely make Golden Hour politically inert, despite the portrayal of much of the media and many fans.
Speaking with Holly Gleason for HITS Daily Double, Musgraves said about her approach to Golden Hour:
“People expect [social commentary] from me, I know. And part of my creative persona is that. But three years later, it’s gotten so extreme and convoluted. There are so many issues; everyone’s on a soapbox and has an opinion. It’s just loud and churning people up in not always great ways. I wanted to focus on the beauty in the world. There are these parts of life we’re all missing because we’re getting hit over the head by the ‘fake news’ 24 hours a day. They’re—whatever side you’re on—keeping you churned up, and we’re missing all this good in our world.”
Nothing against Kacey’s “Follow Your Arrow” specifically. It is a mild song lyrically and sonically, but it probably did push some thematic boundaries forward that were important to help loosen the collar of country music’s sometimes too buttoned-up nature, though the net result was probably more mindless Florida Georgia Line songs about getting high on a beach as opposed to some more generally open-minded approach to the country mainstream taking shape.
But for those who were actually following Kacey Musgraves in country music in 2013 when her debut record Same Trailer, Different Park came out, the much more important song from the album was her debut single, “Merry Go ‘Round.” In some ways, the song was probably even more subversive to country music’s traditional values than “Follow Your Arrow,” but it was also more poetic, foreboding, and was actually well-written and composed. It was the dour, cloudy, disillusionment with small town life. Even if you didn’t like the song, it was easy to like the fact that the song did so well. It was something different, especially in the era when Bro-Country was on the meteoric rise.
It was “Merry Go ‘Round” that made it to the Top 10 on country radio, and stayed there as a charting single for an incredibly long time during it’s run (“Follow Your Arrow” didn’t make it past #43). It was the success of “Merry Go ‘Round” that allowed Kacey’s debut album Same Trailer, Different Park to get a street date from Mercury Nashville, and for a song like “Follow Your Arrow” to even see the light of day. It’s “Merry Go ‘Round” whose lyrics comprise the title of the album Same Trailer, Different Park. And “Merry Go ‘Round” is also Kacey’s best-selling song to date, with some 300,000+ more sales and streaming equivalents than “Follow Your Arrow” at last count.
“Merry Go ‘Round” also happened to win Kacey Musgraves the 2014 Grammy for Best Country Song, and anchored Same Trailer, Different Park on its was to winning the Grammy for Best Country Album. “This song has changed my life,” Kacey said, accepting her Best Country Song award during the 2014 Grammy Awards pre-telecast. “I’ll never get tired of playing that song. It’s so special to me.” It was also “Merry Go ‘Round” playing when Musgraves walked up to accept her Best Country Album Grammy, not “Follow Your Arrow.”
Yet it’s “Follow Your Arrow” that is always cited as Kacey’s signature song, including by media outlets that love to portray Musgraves as country music’s gay icon, even though she’s not gay, and artists such as Brandy Clark, Brandi Carlile, and others are, and are much more worthy and fitting of that crown. Meanwhile the impact and success of “Merry Go ‘Round” goes completely ignored, even though this is truly the moment Musgraves arrived.
Kacey Musgraves is up for three country awards at the 2019 Grammys this Sunday (2-10), including for Best Country Song for “Space Cowboy,” Best Country Solo Performance for “Butterflies,” and Best Country Album for Golden Hour—which won the same award at the 2018 CMAs in November. Golden Hour is also up for the all genre Album of the Year—the Grammy’s top prize. If Kacey wins, one of the primary reasons will be due to Grammy voters supporting what they believe to be a political album, because that’s how the media inside and outside of country music have falsely portrayed Golden Hour, even though it’s in direct conflict with Kacey’s wishes, and an accurate and objective assessment of the Golden Hour effort.
But instead of political expressions, the underlying theme of Golden Hour is much more about the maturation of Kacey Musgraves herself. “Merry Go ‘Round” was a foreboding ode about the boring cycles of life, about the ills of getting married, having kids, never leaving your hometown, and never experiencing life. It was a song written within the mindset many Americans feel as they exit the angst of teenage years, and enter the idealism of young adulthood. This epoch also commonly coincides with political expressiveness, which Musgraves most certainly exhibited in “Merry Go ‘Round,” “Follow Your Arrow,” and other early songs. Kacey Musgraves was rebelling against the restrictive small town life she was raised in.
But Golden Hour hits on a completely different note. The ‘Golden’ in the title is for Kacey’s hometown of Golden, TX, (pop. 200). One of the most stunning tracks on the record is the intimate piano tune, “Mother,” which reminisces on missing one’s mom, and how our mothers probably miss their own mothers too—tying the song to the cycles of life as opposed to denouncing them like “Merry Go ‘Round.” Golden Hour was written and recorded in the wake of dating and eventually marrying fellow songwriter and performer Ruston Kelly—a fate the “Merry Go ‘Round” version of Kacey Musgraves would never succumb to. The final song on Golden Hour is the sad sounding, but incredibly hope-filled “Rainbow,” which is probably fair to portray as the antithesis of a song like “Merry Go ‘Round.”
It’s not that Kacey Musgraves was wrong in 2013 when she wrote and recorded “Merry Go ‘Round,” “Follow Your Arrow,” and Same Trailer, Different Park. It’s that we often believe when we’re young that the regular cycles of life are like a web that we must avoid, and we shield ourselves from their ensnarement. But as we get older, a search for meaning ensues, and often that meaning is found in those same things we spend young adulthood trying to avoid, which is settling down, allowing ourselves to love and be loved, and God forbid, maybe even having children or finding ourselves back in our hometown.
The reason that Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves has resonated so deeply is not because it’s politically relevant to our time. It’s because it’s timeless in how it canonizes the everyday cycles of life. It’s a record that carries universal themes that can unite people, as opposed to politically-charged themes that can pull people apart. Ultimately, Kacey Musgraves took her own advice. She “followed her arrow.” And like with so many, it led her to marriage, to settling down, to finally understanding where true happiness dwells, and to not see the mundanity in the cycles of life, but to see the inherent and eternal beauty in them.
In other words, she let go of her umbrella.
Corncaster
February 5, 2019 @ 11:08 am
“where true happiness dwells … to not see the mundaneity in the cycles of life, but to see the inherent and eternal beauty in them”
Well said, but I would’ve liked this song better as a Bakersfield shuffle.
Anne
February 5, 2019 @ 11:19 am
She’s performing rainbow as well as sending to country radio on 2/11 … let’s see if this goes anywhere. Doubtful but I’m hoping for a Stapleton effect for her post Grammys.
Saving Bro Country Music
February 5, 2019 @ 11:41 am
When it comes to her politics, Kacey is definitely a “we hear what we want to hear” kind of person.
On the surface, so much about her seems progressive/liberal. Yet her music really isn’t that overtly political (“Follow Your Arrow” is pretty modest in its political stance). And let’s not forget her big, unsarcastic “if we armed everyone with guns, this wouldn’t happen” tweet after the Pulse shooting. Many ignore this with her because we believe she fits into some very neat, hyper-left box … but if someone politically neutral or right-leaning said that, they’d be #canceled.
So – yeah – I really do appreciate this article, and the more nuanced look at why her music works.
That said, your whole gay icon thing doesn’t really track at all. It’s as if you’re unaware that Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Madonna, etc are the quintessential “gay icons” of our time. Not actual gay women.
Trigger
February 5, 2019 @ 12:42 pm
I’ve said before that it’s not my place to name the icons for the gay community because I’m not part of it. But the more I think about it, the more I feel it’s an insult to Brandi Carlie, Brandy Clark, Sarah Shook, Trixie Mattel, and other gay country artists to name a straight performer country music’s “gay icon” above them. Yes, I understand there are other straight “gay icons,” but the whole thing just seems diminishing to me. Kacey Musgraves is country music’s “gay icon” for the 2019 Grammy Awards with four nominations, yet Brandi Carlile has five, and the gay community is like, “Who?”
Head Case
February 5, 2019 @ 1:25 pm
Trigger, this may not be the place for this, but I’ve always thought that terms like “gay community”, “black community”, and whatever else, are more divisive than all of the so called racists and homophobes and sexists. Everyone claims they want to be equal yet they give special names to these groups that they are apart of. I don’t run around telling people I’m part of the straight community. If I did I’d be labeled a homophobe or something. We should all just be called humans.
Trigger
February 5, 2019 @ 2:27 pm
The media and the political industrial complex have a vested interest in dividing people into groups, and then pitting those groups against each other to drive clicks and money into the coffers of political campaigns, and they often imprint their agendas on popular figures such as Kacey Musgraves to build interest. Who gives a shit if someone is gay, black, man, woman, trans, or whatever? Is their music any good?
Seth of Lampasas
February 5, 2019 @ 8:33 pm
Self-identifiers are more dangerous to themselves than the “so called” racists, homophobes, and sexists? Can you be a little more specific about who we’re comparing here?
Communities have inherent characteristics. Turning a blind eye to that doesn’t help anything.
There are icons in every community, sector, religion, business, family, etc. Icons are a part of human nature. Tim Tebow is a good example of an icon at the other end of the spectrum. There would be more of his type if Christians were a minority in need of leadership.
Head Case
February 6, 2019 @ 3:21 am
My point was if everyone wants to be equal then you shouldn’t put yourself in a certain little box and label that box as some type of community or group and then complain when someone not in your little box doesn’t agree with something you say.
Seth of Lampasas
February 6, 2019 @ 7:38 am
Sounds like you’re talking about Christianity
Luke
February 5, 2019 @ 4:39 pm
Sigh. You keep saying it’s not your place, but you keep doing it. Generally speaking, gay icons are not gay people. They’re typically female entertainers whose personas are flamboyant, fabulous, messy, or some combination thereof. Kacey is fabulous and campy and therefore the gay icon of modern country (overall she’s dwarfed by Dolly), even though most gays still don’t know her.
Even though Golden Hour isn’t overtly political, her actions still are. Kacey was a guest judge on Drag Race, and at her Montreal show, she dedicated “Rainbow” to a gay guy she’d met in the audience whose coming out to his parents didn’t go well. It’s not the sort of thing you usually see at a country show! (Or any other show, for that matter). She showed her liberal stance early and her actions continue to back it up, so it’s unsurprising that that’s part of the narrative around her.
I agree with everything you said about the appeal of Golden Hour, though. Its themes are timeless (and the music beautiful), so it continues to resonate. It’s probably now my favourite album of all time.
Trigger
February 6, 2019 @ 9:46 am
Look, I understand that I come across a straight while male redneck boob every time I bring up this issue. But it’s my job to give my opinions, and with the lack of attention and media support flowing to artists like Brandi Carlie, Brandy Clark, and the current Saving Country Music Album of the Year winner Sarah Shook—and the excessive media attention and Stan fawning over Kacey Musgraves to the point where it’s probably hurting her career more than helping—I feel the need to speak up.
And as for flamboyancy, you don’t get more flamboyant than Trixie Mattel. She didn’t just appear on Drag Race, she won it. She also has put out some really good country music.
The problem with mainstream entertainment media covering country is it’s incredibly skin deep, and done under poptimism as opposed to objectivity. The reason they are naming Kacey Musgraves a “gay icon” is because they have no idea Brandi Carlile even exists. We’ll presume they do now that’s she’s nominated for 5 Grammy Awards. And if they’re still ignoring her because she’s not glittery enough, then they’re shallow assholes.
Luke
February 6, 2019 @ 10:46 am
I don’t want to belabor this too much, but you’re conflating “gay icon” with “supported by the gay community”. Trixie Mattel has crazy support from the gay community, but the label “gay icon” is not a good fit. As at least one other has pointed out here, the big gay icons are Britney, Mariah, Cher, etc. Straight women whose fabulousness appeals to a certain segment of gay men. Kacey Musgraves is not a gay icon because the media is unaware of Brandi Carlile. Kacey Musgraves is a gay icon because she is a straight woman who wears glittery outfits, sings “Follow Your Arrow”, appears on Drag Race, and is generally fabulous. I’d guess that a sizable portion of Brandi Carlile’s fanbase is gay women, but that does not a gay icon make. Maybe that’s too bad, but that’s just how it works.
King Honky Of Crackershire
February 7, 2019 @ 2:55 pm
Trigger,
You bow down and apologize when you’ve done nothing wrong, and suck up to SJWs way too much to ever be viewed as any type of redneck.
Seth of Lampasas
February 5, 2019 @ 8:19 pm
You lose me every time you bring up Trixie. Presumably, a gay icon would have to be good at their vocation, right? Saying that clown is good at making country music is like saying Ronald McDonald sells gourmet hamburgers.
Trigger
February 6, 2019 @ 9:47 am
Trixie Mattel is good country music. She is a better songwriter than most.
Seth of Lampasas
February 6, 2019 @ 6:00 pm
Than most? I’m going back to listen again. I’ll get back to you on that.
emfrank
February 5, 2019 @ 8:56 pm
It is worth noting that the term “gay icon” generally refers to women idolized within the male gay community, and a narrow part of that community.
Queer women have their own idols, and they do tend to be other queer women, like k.d. lang or the Indigo Girls in the past, or Musgraves now.
Dom
February 6, 2019 @ 1:28 pm
As a gay man, I can tell you now I wouldn’t be where I am without Kacey Musgraves. Her music has been a powerful force in my life and she is an ally for the gay community. Brandi Carlile is a fantastic artist (Firewatcher’s Daughter being a phenomenal record), when I heard her music I loved it. However, she was already an out and proud woman. I wanted to be out and proud like her but unfortunately, I never saw a day when that could happen.Therefore, I couldn’t connect to her music fully.
In her song Rainbow, Kacey held out her hand with the lyric “It’ll all be alright”. The song itself for me encapsulates the coming out experience in a way I had never heard verbalized in song before. It was a straight women that helped me realize that I shouldn’t be afraid to be who I was and that no matter what happened it would all be alright in the end. Those were the exact words that I wanted to hear. That is why Kacey Musgraves is a gay icon; she is a straight woman who extends her love to the gay community and understands how hard it can be.
Vintagegalholly
February 9, 2019 @ 3:01 pm
“Follow Your Arrow” became an anthem in the LBTQ+ community in Los Angeles/California because, at least in part, it was when we finally legalized gay marriage. All the other artists you named are true but they’re also “older.”
Benny Lee
February 5, 2019 @ 11:47 am
That was a phenomenal write-up, Trig.
I was a big naysayer to Golden Hour in 2018, but these songs keep getting better every time I revisit them. At this point it’ll end up in the running for my top 2018 album of 2019.
wayne
February 5, 2019 @ 11:48 am
Wiki states, “As of January 2019 the album has sold 141,100 copies in the US.”
With all the attention and awards nominated (pending) and already received for this album, seems like that would have resonated in more sales.
The statement, “The reason that Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves has resonated so deeply…” might be more applicable to the critics, reviewers, and awards committees rather than the general population that does not seem to my notion of being blown away by this album.
That is not my own personal opinion as this album sure beats the heck out of most thigh-bearing, hip-shaking, blond-banana, Spears-wanna-a-be’s that make up way to much of the oft-denigrated female genre of this thing we still call “country music” though why I cannot begin to understand.
Matt
February 5, 2019 @ 11:58 am
She’s selling out almost every stop on her tour, so the general population might disagree with you.
Trigger
February 5, 2019 @ 12:44 pm
Kacey Musgraves’ streaming numbers are very strong. I agree the sales aren’t spectacular, but they’re solid for the streaming era, and for an artist with no major radio play. As a critic who was very lukewarm on this album and went on record saying I thought it would virtually flop, I see resonance with it among a wide variety of listeners.
Bruce Bremer
February 13, 2019 @ 12:08 pm
A million streams and $2 will get you a cup of coffee.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
February 5, 2019 @ 12:10 pm
I have to disagree.
The reason “Golden Hour” resonated so deeply (and didn’t with me) is because it’s if nothing else a variant from the mindlessness of mainstream pop country.
It’s not good, not by a long shot, but it’s different.
For somebody like me with around 1400 hundred different albums across all genres of music, Golden Hour is objectively very sub-par.
I respect that for people used to a hundred same-sounding songs about beer and trucks its something completely new
But if I sat around in horse shit for a week I imagine cow shit might be a refreshing change of pace
Better than Luke Bryan is still not good
Even though I think she’s a hokey writer with gimmicky lyrics without a whole lot of substance, and I think she’s a poor singer
I can’t help but think that the media pushing her into their mold is even worse than the actual music.
I probably never would have enjoyed her albums a whole lot, but I might enjoy them more if everyone in the media echo chamber shut up about them and stopped trying to make me enjoy them
Stupidwordpress
February 5, 2019 @ 12:45 pm
Much more eloquent than what I was going to say.
Cackalack
February 5, 2019 @ 1:36 pm
Your analogy is backwards. Horse shit is a good bit more pleasant to sit in than cow shit.
Nicolas
February 5, 2019 @ 12:12 pm
Make disappear all this actual political divide, and the beauty will be visible again.
What’s important, with “Golden hour”, is that Kacey Musgraves says to all those people who wanted to use her for political purpose that the important is art and beauty. I can’t agree more with her when she’s saying, as you perfectly underline in this post : “I wanted to focus on the beauty in the world. There are these parts of life we’re all missing because we’re getting hit over the head by the ‘fake news’ 24 hours a day. They’re—whatever side you’re on—keeping you churned up, and we’re missing all this good in our world”.
Country music, more than any other genre, can unify people, unless activists with political aims try to use it for their fight. “Golden hour” is the perfect answer to those who wanted to create division. Kacey is not an activist. She’s an artist.
Sarah
February 5, 2019 @ 12:13 pm
You keep on saying that Golden Hour isn’t a political album, but I kinda disagree. Golden Hour is about Kacey being a self-actualized woman, who is complex, independent, sincere, and confident. Messages like these can’t help but be a little politicized because they go against how much of pop culture has portrayed and continues to portray women. I’m not saying that this albums fits some liberal ideology, but I understand why it gets politicized to some extent.
CountryKnight
February 5, 2019 @ 3:04 pm
Pop culture is supportive of strong, independent women.
Not sure what more that side can ask for outside the complete withdrawal of man.
Sarah
February 5, 2019 @ 4:26 pm
Allowing women to make up more than 10% of songs played on country radio for a start. That’s barely the “complete withdrawal of men,” but call it what you want.
Kristen
February 5, 2019 @ 12:17 pm
Going to be hard for any album for me to beat Interstate Gospel. The songs are just so well written and sung. To me if this album didn’t get a cma, acm and Grammy nominations plus a win that would be sad for country music. It wasn’t critically acclaimed by a lot of people for no reason. It that good…
Glen
February 5, 2019 @ 2:39 pm
Do you realize this is an article about how Kacey’s music has evolved and how the media portrays her? What does Interstate Gospel have to do with anything lmao.
Kristen
February 5, 2019 @ 6:27 pm
I do realize that and I said Interstate Gospel is hands down better than golden hour and I’m not a Kasey fan. Don’t get why this album is somewhat popular. There you go is that better Glen!!!
Piggy
February 6, 2019 @ 12:38 pm
miranda stan alert
Gabe
February 5, 2019 @ 5:11 pm
I will not be surprised if Pistol Annies do not win anything (let’s forget nomination). They released their album late 2018 and without any radio potential. I know radio is not the only yardstick to measure consumption in today’s world but they’ve never had any luck award wise
Kristen
February 5, 2019 @ 6:28 pm
Well that would be such a shame. Good music never gets recognized so I wouldn’t be surprised but very disappointed..
Blackh4t
February 5, 2019 @ 12:27 pm
Still can’t listen to the album, i keep trying and give up after a few tracks.
Same Trailer was way better, I think you miss a point about Follow Your Arrow, its better written than it seems. Its purpose its to make both sides seem less scary and more amusing and relateable.
You could play it to a bunch of conservatives and they’d all sing along to ‘kiss lots of girls’ because it just sounds like harmless fun.
Its how social songs should be.
And she was very smart to stop doing social humour. It wouldn’t work nowadays and she isn’t all that clued up on social issues.
King Honky Of Crackershire
February 5, 2019 @ 12:44 pm
But…just like in 2013…she still can’t sing…so…
Therealbobcephus
February 5, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
Just curious, who *can* sing in your estimation?
Trigger
February 5, 2019 @ 2:24 pm
If you watch the performance of “Rainbow” above in a completely naked and live environment and pronounce that Kacey Musgraves can’t sing, you don’t have a right to that opinion. You can’t argue taste. But the idea that Kacey Musgraves “can’t sing” is ludicrous.
King Honky Of Crackershire
February 5, 2019 @ 9:31 pm
Hi Trig,
Kacey Musgraves cannot sing.
albert
February 6, 2019 @ 12:44 am
King Honky …I ve been dwelling on this commetn and here’s what y dwelling led me to . A huge facet of Singing with a capital ” S” I believe , is the ability to emote . In that respect I can appreciate your comment . As a fan , I am impressed by GOLDEN HOUR first for the melodic ideas and the wonderful vibe she and her producer have created . Its unique , fresh , different than 90% of what’s out there . But if KC has one ‘flaw’ in terms of her vocal delivery is that she doesn’t emote . She doesn’t deliver a song like a Stapleton or Lee Ann Womack , Ashley McBryde , Sara Evans and others . She sings with a small “s” . There’s a sameness about her delivery no matter the subject matter . Tunes are solid but demand little from her in terms of soul or passion . In this respect alone , I understand your comment ..
Kevin Smith
February 6, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
Weighing in on this Musgraves can’t sing meme. Saying she can’t sing implies shes often out of key either flat or sharp, pitchy as they say. Look, she does sing in key. She can sing and her vocal range while limited, has a pleasantness to it. But what I think folks here are noticing is that she lacks sustain big time. Her notes tend to be short. No vibrato either. If you graphed out her vocal, the line would be overall lacking in peaks and valleys. It’s monochromatic. Flat overall, not in pitch but in tonal color. So, yes there are better singers for sure. But, she’s pleasant, some good songs there and a sound that apparently grabs some folks. I’m not a fan due to the above factors but I give her a listen now and then and like some of her more country sounding tracks.
King Honky Of Crackershire
February 5, 2019 @ 7:03 pm
I’m going to go ahead and assume that you are asking me about folks who are still above ground, so here’s a few names.
Mo Pitney
William Michael Morgan
Luke Combs
Luke Bryan
Gene Watson
Darrell McCall
Johnny Bush
Mark Chesnutt
John Anderson
Dwight Yoakam
Michael Bublé
Blake Shelton
Patty Loveless
Tanya Tucker
Charley Pride
Randall King
Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Byrd
Joe Diffie
Ronnie Dunn
Clint Black
David Allan Coe
Earl Thomas Conley
Hank Williams Jr.
Kevin Denney
John Michael Montgomery
Randy Travis
Tony Booth
Ken Mellons
Loretta Lynn
Tricia Yearwood
Dailey And Vincent
Pam Tillis
Lorrie Morgan
Randy Travis
Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Van Shelton
Doug Stone
Josh Turner
Vince Gill
Connie Smith
Sammy Kershaw
Trace Adkins
Travis Tritt
Wade Hayes
Aaron Tippin
David Ball
Jerry Lee Lewis
Smoky Robinson
Jake Hooker
Johnny Rodriguez
Wesley Dennis
Kenny Rogers
George Strait
Paulette Carlson
T.G. Sheppard
Ronnie Milsap
Royal Wade Kimes
Mariah Carey
This isn’t comprehensive.
Black Boots
February 6, 2019 @ 9:29 am
I’m laughing at plenty of this list, but to say that Luke Bryan can sing better than Kacey Musgraves is maybe the funniest thing you’ve ever said. Thank you for your comedy that never lets up. You’re a treasure.
King Honky Of Crackershire
February 6, 2019 @ 9:52 am
Funny because I’m dead serious, and he really is more talented than her at both singing and writing, and that triggers you?
Or, funny because you think I’m kidding?
Seth of Lampasas
February 6, 2019 @ 8:57 pm
@Honk
“and that triggers you?”
He’s not triggered. I thought you were being ironic, but you say you’re being serious, so now I don’t what’s real anymore if King Honky of Crackershire thinks Luke Bryan can sing. Forget comparisons to Musgraves. The fact that you have any shred of admiration for the Innocent Antichrist is enough for me to give up Pringles. Once you pop, you can’t stop. Megastack 4 Life.
dukeroberts
February 8, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
I stopped reading that list as soon as I saw Luke Bryan’s name. He’s a better singer AND a better writer? Mkay.
ghost of gram
February 5, 2019 @ 12:50 pm
Almost a year later since its release and you are still talking about Golden Hour and how she shouldn’t be regarded as a gay icon because she isn’t gay haha. We get it. The media makes her more political than she actually is. I feel like we’ve heard this a hundred times before.
Trigger
February 5, 2019 @ 1:07 pm
The insult the majority of entertainment media has paid to Kacey Musgraves and “Golden Hour” by not actually listening to the record and instead basing their features on a 7-year-old song and ignoring Kacey’s wishes to not make the record a divisive work is part of this story. But ultimately what I was trying to do here was trace Kacey’s narrative arc that takes her from an angsty young adult, to a confident woman willing to embrace happiness, and how that speaks to many of our own lives, and universally, beyond the current political rancor.
You want to call Kacey Musgraves a “gay icon?” Fine. But you better do the same to Brandi Carlile.
Jack Humphrey
February 5, 2019 @ 12:52 pm
Well said, Trigger. I wish people could stop holding up Kacey Musgraves as some sort of progressive icon. She is certainly a trailblazer, but not because of any political stance.
Kevin Ross
February 5, 2019 @ 1:21 pm
I like universal themes that everyone can relate to. all music should be like that. Space Cowboy is definitely the best song on the record. High Horse is kind of fun too. Not really country, but has a nice throw back 70’s disco vibe that’s kind of neat.
North Woods Country
February 5, 2019 @ 1:55 pm
Both Kacey and her husband (Ruston Kelly) put out top 20 (Golden Hour) and Top 5 (Dying Star) albums, in my opinion. Dying Star is incredible.
JB-Chicago
February 5, 2019 @ 2:50 pm
I think the front page article in the latest of issue of Country Aircheck Weekly (2/4/19) “Perspective: A Woman’s Voice” by Sue Wilson where an “anonymous” program director chiming in about the lack of women on Country radio playlists says “The songs coming from women to radio just aren’t of the caliber we’re getting from male artists”
Huh??? I nearly fell off my chair thinking this person (probably a guy but no proof) thinks that the quality of songs by current males on the chart far surpasses any female offerings…..LOL As of today women have 2 songs in the top 25. A 23 to 2 margin?!!
Maybe this doesn’t have a lot to do with this discussion but it angered me never the less knowing all the women artists “offerings”(singles) we love on this site and talk about everyday including Kacey aren’t even considered as good as Russell Dickerson, Jordan Davis, and Michael Ray??? Of course we know none are as good as the mighty Kane Brown…..LOL
Full disclosure my personal current album playlist is about 40% women.
Trigger
February 5, 2019 @ 3:39 pm
““The songs coming from women to radio…”
That is the important phrase there. Remember, Kacey Musgraves purposely didn’t promote a single to radio from this record. What lebels and artists are sending to radio is part of this problem. It sounds like they’re setting up “Rainbow” to be sent to radio just in case Kacey wins big at the Grammys, and gets a bump from her performance. But this will be the first proper radio single from a record released nearly a year ago.
Darren
February 5, 2019 @ 3:54 pm
I think it’s still way too early to be calling Kacey an icon of anything, but there is a reason why she is so embraced by LGBT people, in particular young gay men. Her humor, over the top style/campiness at times, and music is what they relate to and love. She’s a glamorous character. She even went on Drag Race. I don’t know Brandi’s music all that well, but I can tell you this. She doesn’t have a huge personality and her songs, sonically speaking, aren’t what many gays like, which is generally some kind of pop music. And Golden Hour certainly has plenty of pop tendencies in it.
TilBillyHill
February 6, 2019 @ 4:32 am
Brandi Carlile is very popular among the Ls of LGBT. And, she shows a lot of personality through her music. She covered some Johnny Cash when we saw her in concert. She deliberately doesn’t make a lot of statements specifically about her sexual orientation, choosing to treat it as most heterosexual artists do. She doesn’t hide it, but she also doesn’t treat it as something she has to raise. She has expressed gratitude for the Indigo Girls and k.d. lang for being the trailblazers that make it possible for her to be herself without having to officially “come out” or be categorized by something other than the music itself.
An artist or type of music might be hugely popular among lesbians or bisexual women while barely popular at all among gay males or bisexual males. Dolly Parton seems to be the artist everyone loves (and no, not because of her bosum). It’s probably as much about her enthusiastic acceptance and love for people as it is her music. She writes great songs AND is over the top in her hair, makeup, and clothing. P!nk and Reba also have great breadth to their appeal.
LG
February 6, 2019 @ 9:09 am
I still believe Carlile is a Dylan-level talent and hope she wins all the Grammys.
Kevin wortman
February 5, 2019 @ 3:57 pm
I missed kacey naked. Dang it.
albert
February 5, 2019 @ 4:05 pm
”Meanwhile the impact and success of “Merry Go ‘Round” goes completely ignored, even though this is truly the moment Musgraves arrived. ”
For me as a country fan and a songwriter , hearing this song for the first time on my local country music station had me welling up with gratitude , with awe , with shock ,sheer disbelief and excitement ! Amidst all of the crap country radio had been cranking out we suddenly got this pure artistry ….a country singer and writer with a voice , an honest perspective and an expression of undeniably real and universal circumstance . A song saying something ! I recall being so elated in that moment that I couldn’t wait to tell friends , musical and otherwise , the great news: Country radio had awakened from is coma !.
Of course , it really hadn’t …it had just kind of rolled over to check the time before returning to its unconscious stupor . But at least we knew there was still a heartbeat there and it was , hopefully , just a matter of time before it was fully awake and relating to the real world again .
Another insightful commentary , Trigger . I’m not sure I ever got all the political stuff associated with KM in light of one line in one song on one album ….but I’m totally on board with GOLDEN HOUR being acknowledged for its complete consistency in vibe , production and , as you point out , timeless elements from vision to performances .
For the Birds
February 5, 2019 @ 4:47 pm
Rooting for Golden Hour to win AOTY this week. It’s so gorgeous and inspiring. I didn’t listen to any record nearly as much this year.
Fesgrow
February 5, 2019 @ 6:58 pm
She’s second to Carrie in the looks category.
ScottG
February 5, 2019 @ 7:20 pm
(So far) someone might be able to declare “The Maturation of the SCM Comment Section,” relatively speaking. Just an observation.
Archibald Meatpants
February 5, 2019 @ 10:42 pm
Glorious article.
TilBillyHill
February 6, 2019 @ 4:07 am
To me, “Follow Your Arrow” isn’t “pro-gay” or “pro marijuana*” as much as it is pro-freedom and ‘pro-leaving people to their own lives, even if you live differently.’ The asterisk is for the line when she follows “roll up a joint,” with “I would.”
She could have added “buy you a shotgun,” “make your own ‘rot gut,’ ‘shoot you a big buck,’ or other examples of things she sees as ‘to each his own.’ She makes that point more directly in (mind your own) “Biscuits.”
To me, it’s along the lines of when Rockin’ Randall said, “if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn.” Hiram Hank had a similar point with “Mind Your Own Business.”
“Follow Your Arrow” takes a classic country stance of staying out of other people’s business, but gets called political because of the assumption (possibly correct) that a majority of self-described fans of country music also would describe themselves as not in favor of gay marriage / homosexuality. I know many who feel that way, but who also recognize each person’s right to live their own life. We called it “your rights end where my nose begins” and vice versa.
You can be a tee-totaler without demanding we revert back to prohibition. You can decide pot or gay marriage isn’t for you without demanding that the government outlaw them for everyone. And, a person can be in favor of gay marriage without demanding that everyone agree. Kasey’s song doesn’t tell people to be one way or the other, it just makes a point (no pun intended) of respecting freedom and personal liberty among consenting adults. That kind of respect for individualism and independence is the core of country music for me, and can co-exist with the gospel and religious roots of country music.
Black Boots
February 6, 2019 @ 7:42 am
My name is Black Boots and i am a fan of Kacey Musgraves.
Stringbuzz
February 6, 2019 @ 9:19 am
Really enjoyed the Austin City Limits performance.
Although, I may have enjoyed the Lukas Nelson half it better.
I still can’t get all the way through Golden Hour in one listen.
scarlettide
February 6, 2019 @ 9:58 am
I find it refreshing Trigger gives lesbians icon status. Society needs to follow suit with LGBTQ artists being icons who pave the way for the community. Way too many times it the straight women with certain personality that gets the credit in mainstream. Someone who is out as lesbian, gay ect is important for breaking down barriers and paving way in music. Thanks trigger. Its very appreciated from me. I love all country music (yes that includes mainstream such as Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Zac Brown Band). I enjoy Kacey as artist. I don’t mind straight women or men getting iconic gay status especially when having songs supporting us. They should not get it over LGBTQ artists who are important to us for coming out in the music industry especially when they are acclaimed/successful. That happens way too often.
Follow Your Arrow is okay song. I do like the live and let live meaning. Girls kissing girls isn’t really controversial. Two beautiful women has never been problem. In fact lesbians are overly sexualized but I digress. I do agree Merry Go Round is written better.
I think she is getting better as artist as she gets more experience in writing and living life. I think Golden Hour cd is great. I have loved more songs on Golden Hour than her others. Vast majority of song are highlights for me such as Mother, Happy And Sad, Space Cowboy, Slow Burn, Butterflies, Oh What A World, Lonely Weekend, Rainbow and Velvet Elvis.
Kacey has beautiful voice live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIYqhhUNanA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbFQmZBQBWQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g3ALwzdDmI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUjqTTL9TZQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTLZs6OaiPk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTxyJYJRQ-s
Chris
February 6, 2019 @ 12:01 pm
And of course, Garth Brooks has been openly pro-gay rights for ages.
the realist
February 7, 2019 @ 9:59 am
This community, that community..,..Nothing but division disguised as “diversity” which is ironic in itself.
altaltcountry
February 8, 2019 @ 5:21 pm
The American media (on all sides) love a simple story. Everything binary. Good vs. bad. Open-minded vs. prejudiced. African-American vs. European American. Gay vs. straight. Male vs. female.
In my biased opinion, we’d all do well to turn off the media (SCM excluded) and turn on the music.
Kate
February 13, 2019 @ 6:27 pm
Could you be a little less Old White Stereotype Dude in her opinions about music?
You never bitch about Johnny Cash doing social commentary, but a woman talks about being pro gay and pro weed, you have a fit (you aren’t having fits about Willie’s pro weed stance, though.)
No “maturation’ process happened. It’s a new branch on the Musgraves tree, but it’s no more emotionally mature just because the subject matter doesn’t make you uncomfortable anymore.
Camie Jo
February 13, 2019 @ 7:52 pm
Her voice is stronger now and she’s absolutely stunning. Her beauty has bloomed since her marriage. Always looks like a million bucks… along with her band. All of that adds to her performance, really hit her stride.