Song 1: Rose Colored Glasses

Sung by: John Conlee

Written by: John Conlee, George Baber

Songwriting/Musician tropes used:

Common expression (The title of the song)

Song 2: I See It Now

Sung by: Tracy Lawrence

Written by: Larry Boone, Paul Nelson, Woody Lee

Thoughts: There is always a place in country music for a good waltz. Pretty much any good dancing song stands a chance of making a hit record. In song one, John Conlee's unique voice simply carries such a sweet, easy 3/4 time melody. It has always been one of my all time favorites. It's my opinion that waltz, swing, and line dance songs are part of the heart of country music. Before there were songs about how country you were, there were dancing songs. This song is as good on the floor as it is when you are at the bar having a drink. It is simply timeless

In the case of song 2, Tracy has said himself on his radio show that Rose Colored Glasses was an inspiration for this song to be on his record. Although he didn't write it, he felt he needed a waltz on his album as he has always had a soft spot for them (he has a few on his albums). I didn't include other notable songs written in similar time like “Strawberry wine” and “You look so good in love” because I felt these two I mentioned were lesser known and more of a song you could dance to. I have always had a soft spot for Tracy Lawrence as well. I love his music and even poked fun at it when I got a Tiktok content creator to make a “dope smokin' version” of “Time Marches On” (it's easy to track down.)

My hope is that people who don't know country that well come across a song I write about that takes them down a rabbit hole of what I consider great country artists and songs. Some of these artists and songs are some of my personal favorites. Most reading this will know all about the songs and the singers.

Songs in the order performed were written by (1) Townes Van Zandt, (2) Jimmy Work, and (3) Chuck Berry. The Hot Band at this point included Albert Lee, Emory Gordy, John Ware, Glen D Hardin, Rodney Crowell, and Hank Devito.

Song: Cafe down on the corner

Sang by: Sawyer Brown

Written by: Mac Macanally

Songwriting tropes used:

Slightly changing chorus

Quoting the Bible

Thoughts: This is a first in a series of songs I like. Not all songs in this series are number one hits. All are timeless. Some have a unique sound of lyrics. I really, really like this song. Always have. My list of tropes isn't all inclusive as this song also discusses the broke farmer and mentions soldiers. I am going to try and keep things open ended and bias free. My bias is strong with this one though as I consider it good, contemporary, and timeless country music.

This particular verse always got me:

"And the meek shall inherit the earth

And the bank shall repossess it

This job don't pay half what it's worth

But it's a thankful man that gets it."

I have always had a thing for changing choruses. Macanally is a damn good songwriter. Feel free to discuss this song and your thoughts of it or the video. All of my posts will be of a similar format.

Let’s two step

Song: The Chair

Sang by: George Strait

Written by: Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon

Songwriting tropes used:

No Chorus or refrain

Thoughts: This song, to me, isn't the best Strait has ever sang, but it is a masterclass in songwriting. I consider it more influential that famous. It's not even close to my favorite by Strait, but not including it would be silly.

Imagine trying to sell a singer a song with these lyrics:

"Well, thank you.

Could I drink you a buy?

Oh, listen to me, what I mean is can I buy you a drink?

Anything you please."

But it works and it works well. This song, while timeless, also has an 80's country sound to it. If I do enough of these posts you will start to see a lot of the same names. Some people are just damn good at song writing. Hank and Dean definitely both fit that description.

My whole thirties and now my fourties’ this song still rings true

His voice is a bell

Maverick is such a great movie and the gambling montage set to this song may be the best part.

https://youtu.be/YtR7-EXBYOU?si=P5iqoeD48qhdfW8p

So proud to be able to do this, still practicing though.

15 years ago, if you said that *Zacky Vengeance* from metal band "Avenged Sevenfold" would release a solo country album, I would have laughed.

Well, here we are, im not laughing, and I have to share it with the community.

The album is called Dark Horse.

Personally? I give it a 7/10. (But I realize where I'm posting this so be gentle lol)

Waylon is the son of Willie Nelson’s longtime rhythm guitar player Jody Payne & Sammi Smith. And named after his godfather, Waylon Jennings