Let It Go

Now, I like country and by that I mean I can stand it.  When you grow up around it, my grandfather always has MISS103 playing on the radio in the shop, you learn to accept it for what it's worth.  However, that is not to say that I am a country fan.  With that said, I do not own nor listen to much new country.  In fact, the only country I own is Zac Brown Band, mainly for their ties to that rock sound I like.  So as much as I would like to pick two opposite country song to blog about, I'm stuck talking about more Zac Brown Band (plus the clock is ticking to get this in on time).
Anyway, "Let It Go" is a great song from his newest album You Get What You Give.  It starts off with an inviting guitar riff and easy bass-snare combo that pulls you into the song.  "Save your strength for things that you can change/ forget the ones you cant/ you gotta let it go."  A pretty good take on things I think.  Pretty much don't sweat the hard stuff but if you can handle something put everything you got into it.  It kinda runs with the same perspective as "Toes" but that's country music right?  Overall though, it's a pretty good song and I like the style of music Zac Brown has come up with.
Check out this "Devil Went Down to Georgia" cover.  Pretty sick guitar solo towards the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QVWQTDoMr4

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band is a country band, which is often described as a more fusion-rock sound.  His song Toes is a great song with a great message.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the little things in life.  He uses the example of sitting on the beach with the water lapping up against him.  This is a great use of imagery and is a great way to take advantage of his genre.  He talks about "not a worry in the world/ a cold beer in my hand/ life is good today." For many people and country stars, that's what its all about:  just having a good time and not worrying about all the stress in life that comes your way.  The song is a great representation of a beachside jam session.  With silky smooth guitar riffs and a steady jamming drum beat, is easy to be attached to this great song.  But I think what he says is right.  Why should people put so much stress on themselves, its only going to hurt them in the long run.  So just "prop up by the lake/ with not a worry in the world/ and a PBR on the way."

GPN

Another rock band that has been particularly influential to me is Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  With the passing of my brother-in-law Lance, I was listening to the group's song, "Tiny Light."  The song is about death and how we as people deal with it.  "As we all fall down it's hard to see a brighter day but... I see a tiny light telling everyone to hold on tight."  This line really sticks out to me.  When tragedy strikes, its difficult to believe that things will get better.  And so many times, people can not deal with the loss of a loved one.  However, this song demonstrates how things will get better, and things will be "brighter" in time.  I like how she illustrates the light as a tiny one.  In times of hardship, people may see light through the darkness, but it will not be a bright light.  As people mourn death or whatever the tragedy may be, the good never comes immediately.  Often it is in a long ways away.  The final line is a good representation of how the good times take work as well.  "I see a tiny light but its not going to shine without a fight."  This is very true.  Happiness will not just happen after something tough hits your life, you have to work hard to move past what is hurting you and realize that, although it may seem so distant that you can barely see it, happiness and joy and peace will come back to you one day.

Come as you Are

No matter what genre of music you listen to, each one shares a common effect.  Music, in itself, attempts to understand the world we live in, regardless of whether country music is playing or hip hop music is playing.  Rock music strives for this understanding as well.  Nirvana was very influential to the grunge rock scene in the 1990s.  Their song Come as you Are, written by Kurt Cobain, was one of the band's most well-known works.  When I first heard the song, it really spoke to me.  The opening lyrics stood out most.  "Come/ As you are/ As you were."  Powerful words from a powerful band.  Cobain, here, is telling his listeners not to jump on the bandwagon, or to follow the crowd.  Instead, he tries to establish that as humans we are all different in our own way, and we should not be ashamed of who we are.  He wants us to be ourselves and not to worry with what other people think.  One line speaks to that idea specifically.  "And I swear/ that I don't have a gun."  Through this line, Cobain attempts comforting his listeners and assuring them that they will not be shot down for what they believe.  This piece of art tells me that I should not be afraid of who I am; that I should be who I want to be, and be happy with that.