Blog Post #2- Women in Country Music

 

 

Abbie Minsker

 

The Power of Country Women

 

To me, the strength and power that come from the women in country music is portrayed best through their songs. The lyrics sung by some of the most famous female country singers like Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and Shania Twain, are some of the most powerful messages shared through country music. Some examples of these powerful messages are stories of women seeking revenge after being cheated on, physically abused, verbally abused or sexually abused. Also other examples include how women are just as superior to men in the roles they play, and also that women are independent.

 

The two example lyrics I will provide both fit under the category of a woman's revenge after facing abuse from her husband. Both these songs brought up a lot of controversy about the idea that a woman killed her abuser, who in these cases is her husband. These female singers sing to show that it is okay for women to stand up for themselves if they are apart of an abusive relationship. But what I love about country music and the female singers associated with country, is that they do not care. Women in country music fight for equal rights, and believe that they as females are just as strong and powerful as men. They, along with some men as well, still continue to portray strong messages of things that happen in society, and they portray this through their lyrics.

 

The first song is by Martina McBride called Independence Day.... 

 

Well she seemed all right by dawns early light
Though she looked a little worried and weak
She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again
But daddy left the proof on her cheek
And I was only eight years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way
So I took myself down to the fair in town
On Independence Day

Well word gets around in a small, small town
They said he was a dangerous man
But mama was proud and she stood her ground
She knew she was on the losin' end
Some folks whispered and some folks talked
But everybody looked the other way
And when time ran out there was no one about
On Independence Day

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay it's Independence Day

Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July
By the time that the firemen come
They just put out the flames, and took down some names
And sent me to the county home
Now I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong
But maybe it's the only way
Talk about your revolution
It's Independence Day

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay it's Independence Day
Roll the stone away
It's Independence day

 

This song is mainly about a woman who burns down her house with her abusive husband inside. But it also hits on other points like the neighbors turning their heads and not doing anything about it. Also, about how the mom stood her ground and did not give into him. It is a sad song/story, but I believe it is a inspirational one as well.

 

The next song is by Miranda Lambert called Gunpowder and Lead...

 

County road 233, under my feet
Nothin' on this white rock but little ole me
I've got two miles 'til, he makes bail
And if I'm right we're headed straight for hell

I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
If he wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
He slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm going to show him what a little girls are made of
Gunpowder and lead

It's half past ten, another six pack in
And I can feel the rumble like a cold black wind
He pulls in the drive, the gravel flies
He don't know what's waiting here this time

I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
If he wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
He slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm going to show him what a little girls are made of
Gunpowder and lead

His fist is big but my gun's bigger
He'll find out when I pull the trigger

I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
If he wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
He slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm going to show him what a little girls are made of
Gunpowder and, gunpowder and lead


This song, a lot like the other, is about her husband and/or boyfriend's abuse toward her and the revenge she seeks. The only difference is this song is much more direct, and if you have heard the music along with it is much more casual. Miranda takes another angle then Martina, and instead of making the woman seem more of the victim, Miranda turns the woman into the male or dominant role. She talks about how she's going to show him "what little girls are made of" to show men that woman are not to be messed with.

 

As you can see from only two of the many songs sung by woman country artists, that women are not afraid to sing about touchy subjects. They are also not a believer of women being passive and weak. I love listening to the lyrics of country songs because they all have an important message. So next time you listen to a song with a catchy beat, listen to the words and you might learn something!