I still think that one is pretty obviously a good piece of writing craft, even if the radio hit version doesn't do it justice. I could never enjoy that version after hearing Hoge's much more heartfelt original, so I can't really say how I would have felt about it if I'd heard it without already knowing the song. But I often encounter songs on mainstream country records that, even if I'm not necessarily feeling the artist's delivery or the production, I can be bowled over by the writing itself.
Yeah that's fair. I think I'd probably like McGraw's anodyne "Portland, Maine" had I not heard Donovan Woods do it so much better.
Yep. Or pretty much anyone doing a Lori McKenna song, or a Chris Stapleton song, or a Natalie Hemby song.
I’m a lyrics first guy but I reallllllly value a good hook. I guess for me how good of a writer you are is also about how you set your lyrics up for the biggest possible impact, which is definitely a talent of Taylor’s... she has internalized song structure in a way that allows her to build momentum, and communicates that really, really effectively to her collaborators despite not being very articulate in music theory. Nate Ruess from fun. has that skill also. It takes a ton of self confidence. Not a big instrumental listener but there are a few random things that I love.
Yep. I can’t claim to understand how songs from A Star Is Born were eligible in back-to-back years, but I was happy for that win. I should say that I am also a sucker for a great hook.
There’s something to be said for delivery being nearly, if not equally, as important as lyrics. There are a lot of artists I can think of whose lyrics don’t necessarily read that well on paper but gut me because of the particular inflection or cadence they’re delivered in.
got a lil drunk and sat outside in a rainstorm and listened to exile and I think that’s how it was meant to be experienced.
Least favorite on the album for me. However, it seems like everyone has different favorites for this album lol.