Aldean's attitude exemplifies how the opioid crisis flourished for decades. You won't find the New Jerusalem anywhere on Earth. I've seen far more discarded heroin needles in the small town I grew up in than the big city I live in now.
I'm from a small town that has neither a red light nor a liquor store. Growing up what felt far more common than property crime was people fearing big cities while also feeling strongly that the problems of the big cities would never come there. The opioid crisis and deaths of despair have absolutely come to small towns, but unless it's happening to people you know, it seems incredibly easy to ignore.
It's accurate though. I say that as someone with literally zero country songs on playlists, hard drives or vinyl. I am more of classical music and experimental electronic music sort of guy. From that it doesn't follow his lyrics are not an accurate description of small town life at least in Midwestern, southern and western small towns. I wouldn't know about small towns on the east coast as I don't like the east coast it is the home of the globalist establishment
I notice you say grew up in a small town, did you move away so you could find a city to be a snide pretentious liberal in? LOL!
Wow. You should visit more of NY state. Beautiful countryside, mountains, lakes, farms etc. I am still a small town girl living in a small town area. I am a democrat who is on the liberal side bc it's my nature to be kind and care about others, others who may be different than I am. I've visited cities bc I enjoy seeing different places and ppl. I've never lived in one. I've never had a bad time in a city and have found ppl generally friendly and helpful. Also my comment on the song was honest. I've listened to the lyrics which are silly and seen the vIdeo which is divisive and dishonest
This point of yours really strikes me, Addison: "When we have proper cities and a proper country, we have beautiful regions that work together. The odd thing out here is suburban sprawl." As someone who tries to highlight wise climate-focused city leadership in my own work, especially when it comes to transportation and what makes for sustainable communities, I don't see it get enough attention (SDG 11 needs a publicist!) . Heading into Climate Week NYC and COP28, we need a lot better storytelling about how the huge majority of us want to live in cities that support joy, health and wellbeing (whatever size they are!).
I have been trying to put this sentiment into words (which you just did masterfully) for a few months now. This fall my partner and I tried to see Alan Jackson in Kansas City - she is from College Station, TX and I am born and raised Kansas City. Though we both come from sprawling, car-oriented iterations of our respective communities, we both identify with each place's essentially Western cultural/political history. Thus, someone like Alan Jackson speaks to our conception of home and place. One song by Jackson particularly resonates with the two of of us: "Gone Country." The song talks about a woman from Long Island, a businessman from L.A. Country, and other average Americans who find solace in country music's alternative vision to mainstream American hustle and bustle. For Jackson, "going country" is radically inclusive, inviting all Americans into a shared ethos. I find this historically inclusive vision missing from so much of today's country music, typified by "Try that in a small town." Whereas for Jackson, country is a phenomenology, Aldean's view is something akin to a birthright - an inherently anti American worldview.
I live in a small town is 17K. Actually we are technically a borough right outside of Manhattan. Lots of pride flags and we voted for HRC and Biden. But we also have our share of Trump flags and stolen election nonsense. You have to remember Trump got 70 million votes. Aldean isn’t singing his racist dog whistle for my town which is largely diverse and home to people who work in education and media. He’s signing for the towns in PA and down south. He knows his target audience. Disempowered white men who feel like woke America is ramming things down their throats. They’d rather live in some fantasy land where they are the tough guy hero. It’s kind of sad. it’s like the guy you went to high school with whose brightest days were when he was 17.
So much to disagree with, but I'm going to call you out on two points. Claiming that Aldean's opinions about small towns is invalid because he grew up in a small city? That's ridiculous. An artist can't express an idea because he didn't actually live through something himself? Is that your standard? You know that Dante never actually visited any of the Circles of Hell, right? And I don't want to be around when you learn what religion Irving Berlin was, you know, the artist who wrote "White Christmas"? (and, fun fact, the man who wrote "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" had never actually attended a baseball game). And you say he moved to Nashville? The home of his chosen industry? What a fake he must be!!! He might as well be French!!
More offensive, though, is this: "I can even understand this lingering feeling that “the left” hectored people for not wearing masks while making excuses for urban riots, or some version of this. That’s a narrative, not a fact, but it’s one of those narratives that explains some things because it’s widely held." It is a fact. It happened to me. It happened to friends of mine. A former boss of mine had a promotion withdrawn when he was spotted not wearing a mask on public transportation. Maybe it never happened to you in your bubble because all of your friends were on Team Fear and Team Lockdown, but maybe you need to develop a wider circle of acquaintance.
Maybe if you admit that you've never lived anywhere other than the suburbs your entire life (and no, your part of NJ really is the suburbs, no matter how you try to spin it), maybe then you can start to try to understand a) those of us who actually have to survive the dangers of urban life and b) your fellow Americans who really do live in small towns (i.e., the ones who grow the food you eat, etc.).
Holding country music or the country stars responsible for our moral agency is troublesome. There is so much confusion and misunderstanding of moral agency in NashVegas it is legendary. Jason Aldean did not write this song. As is customary these stars are handed songs to perform by the establishment. It is doubtful he stopped to think very hard about the lyrics or how they would be interpreted.
NashVegas is so confused they have difficulty with any sense of direction. Now those who did not know even who Aldean is have shot his song into the stratosphere.
They work so hard on manufacturing our division and our consent to be governed by fools. Unfortunately we don't seem to get the joke.
I am no fan of fake modern country music. From that it doesn't follow that the song doesn't capture a real fuck around and find out vibe in small towns outside the coasts. Is the song perfect, hell no, I am a free speech guy and support people's right to burn the flag, any flag whether it's a 'Murican flag or a pride flag. From that it doesn't follow that he's wrong that if you try a car jacking in my neck of the woods you will get shot. Real talk.
I moved to a small town as a person with liberal arts education from one of the best liberal arts schools in the country to get away from the crime, pollution, high cost, and noise of urban areas. So while the hick stereotype is incorrect, the idea the are no differences between small towns and urban neighborhoods is utterly laughable.
Perhaps what you say is true in east coast small cities with populations of say 10 to 20 thousand people. Midwest and western small towns with populations under a thousand have literally zero urban characteristics. Turns out you are the one with a political agenda making sweeping generalizations.
Yeah no, as someone who actually lives next to an actual small town with a population of 300 people Alden is closer to correct then you are. There are no car jackings around here because if you try it you will be shot, now you know.
You've certainly painted a convincing picture of a community that has no respect for the rule of law, due process, and constitutional rights. The only question is why you (or anyone) would actually be proud of such an uncivilized state of affairs?
I'm not a fan of country music, so I will not be listening to this song but from the outset of this discourse I thought that he was trying to get the same attention that Morgan Wallen did for getting caught using racial slurs. It seems like he caught all the right buzzwords to appeal to the country music fanbase not that topping charts is that significant of an achievement anymore.
The fact he can get canceled for legally protected free speech under the 1st Amendment speaks volumes about the cultural sickness in America which yes is mainly coming from leftists in urban areas.
Aldean's attitude exemplifies how the opioid crisis flourished for decades. You won't find the New Jerusalem anywhere on Earth. I've seen far more discarded heroin needles in the small town I grew up in than the big city I live in now.
I'm from a small town that has neither a red light nor a liquor store. Growing up what felt far more common than property crime was people fearing big cities while also feeling strongly that the problems of the big cities would never come there. The opioid crisis and deaths of despair have absolutely come to small towns, but unless it's happening to people you know, it seems incredibly easy to ignore.
I grew up in a small town, population under 2,000, and I think Aldean's song is stupid and divisive.
It's accurate though. I say that as someone with literally zero country songs on playlists, hard drives or vinyl. I am more of classical music and experimental electronic music sort of guy. From that it doesn't follow his lyrics are not an accurate description of small town life at least in Midwestern, southern and western small towns. I wouldn't know about small towns on the east coast as I don't like the east coast it is the home of the globalist establishment
I notice you say grew up in a small town, did you move away so you could find a city to be a snide pretentious liberal in? LOL!
Wow. You should visit more of NY state. Beautiful countryside, mountains, lakes, farms etc. I am still a small town girl living in a small town area. I am a democrat who is on the liberal side bc it's my nature to be kind and care about others, others who may be different than I am. I've visited cities bc I enjoy seeing different places and ppl. I've never lived in one. I've never had a bad time in a city and have found ppl generally friendly and helpful. Also my comment on the song was honest. I've listened to the lyrics which are silly and seen the vIdeo which is divisive and dishonest
This point of yours really strikes me, Addison: "When we have proper cities and a proper country, we have beautiful regions that work together. The odd thing out here is suburban sprawl." As someone who tries to highlight wise climate-focused city leadership in my own work, especially when it comes to transportation and what makes for sustainable communities, I don't see it get enough attention (SDG 11 needs a publicist!) . Heading into Climate Week NYC and COP28, we need a lot better storytelling about how the huge majority of us want to live in cities that support joy, health and wellbeing (whatever size they are!).
I have been trying to put this sentiment into words (which you just did masterfully) for a few months now. This fall my partner and I tried to see Alan Jackson in Kansas City - she is from College Station, TX and I am born and raised Kansas City. Though we both come from sprawling, car-oriented iterations of our respective communities, we both identify with each place's essentially Western cultural/political history. Thus, someone like Alan Jackson speaks to our conception of home and place. One song by Jackson particularly resonates with the two of of us: "Gone Country." The song talks about a woman from Long Island, a businessman from L.A. Country, and other average Americans who find solace in country music's alternative vision to mainstream American hustle and bustle. For Jackson, "going country" is radically inclusive, inviting all Americans into a shared ethos. I find this historically inclusive vision missing from so much of today's country music, typified by "Try that in a small town." Whereas for Jackson, country is a phenomenology, Aldean's view is something akin to a birthright - an inherently anti American worldview.
I live in a small town is 17K. Actually we are technically a borough right outside of Manhattan. Lots of pride flags and we voted for HRC and Biden. But we also have our share of Trump flags and stolen election nonsense. You have to remember Trump got 70 million votes. Aldean isn’t singing his racist dog whistle for my town which is largely diverse and home to people who work in education and media. He’s signing for the towns in PA and down south. He knows his target audience. Disempowered white men who feel like woke America is ramming things down their throats. They’d rather live in some fantasy land where they are the tough guy hero. It’s kind of sad. it’s like the guy you went to high school with whose brightest days were when he was 17.
So much to disagree with, but I'm going to call you out on two points. Claiming that Aldean's opinions about small towns is invalid because he grew up in a small city? That's ridiculous. An artist can't express an idea because he didn't actually live through something himself? Is that your standard? You know that Dante never actually visited any of the Circles of Hell, right? And I don't want to be around when you learn what religion Irving Berlin was, you know, the artist who wrote "White Christmas"? (and, fun fact, the man who wrote "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" had never actually attended a baseball game). And you say he moved to Nashville? The home of his chosen industry? What a fake he must be!!! He might as well be French!!
More offensive, though, is this: "I can even understand this lingering feeling that “the left” hectored people for not wearing masks while making excuses for urban riots, or some version of this. That’s a narrative, not a fact, but it’s one of those narratives that explains some things because it’s widely held." It is a fact. It happened to me. It happened to friends of mine. A former boss of mine had a promotion withdrawn when he was spotted not wearing a mask on public transportation. Maybe it never happened to you in your bubble because all of your friends were on Team Fear and Team Lockdown, but maybe you need to develop a wider circle of acquaintance.
Maybe if you admit that you've never lived anywhere other than the suburbs your entire life (and no, your part of NJ really is the suburbs, no matter how you try to spin it), maybe then you can start to try to understand a) those of us who actually have to survive the dangers of urban life and b) your fellow Americans who really do live in small towns (i.e., the ones who grow the food you eat, etc.).
Not your finest work, Addison.
Holding country music or the country stars responsible for our moral agency is troublesome. There is so much confusion and misunderstanding of moral agency in NashVegas it is legendary. Jason Aldean did not write this song. As is customary these stars are handed songs to perform by the establishment. It is doubtful he stopped to think very hard about the lyrics or how they would be interpreted.
NashVegas is so confused they have difficulty with any sense of direction. Now those who did not know even who Aldean is have shot his song into the stratosphere.
They work so hard on manufacturing our division and our consent to be governed by fools. Unfortunately we don't seem to get the joke.
I am no fan of fake modern country music. From that it doesn't follow that the song doesn't capture a real fuck around and find out vibe in small towns outside the coasts. Is the song perfect, hell no, I am a free speech guy and support people's right to burn the flag, any flag whether it's a 'Murican flag or a pride flag. From that it doesn't follow that he's wrong that if you try a car jacking in my neck of the woods you will get shot. Real talk.
I AM A FREE SPEECH GUY TOO.
I just laugh at this eternal craziness. I live in NashVegas for goodness sake.Throwing us all in the lions den for thousands of years.
https://youtu.be/wEBlaMOmKV4
I moved to a small town as a person with liberal arts education from one of the best liberal arts schools in the country to get away from the crime, pollution, high cost, and noise of urban areas. So while the hick stereotype is incorrect, the idea the are no differences between small towns and urban neighborhoods is utterly laughable.
There is plenty of crime in small towns across America lol
Perhaps what you say is true in east coast small cities with populations of say 10 to 20 thousand people. Midwest and western small towns with populations under a thousand have literally zero urban characteristics. Turns out you are the one with a political agenda making sweeping generalizations.
Yeah no, as someone who actually lives next to an actual small town with a population of 300 people Alden is closer to correct then you are. There are no car jackings around here because if you try it you will be shot, now you know.
You've certainly painted a convincing picture of a community that has no respect for the rule of law, due process, and constitutional rights. The only question is why you (or anyone) would actually be proud of such an uncivilized state of affairs?
I'm not a fan of country music, so I will not be listening to this song but from the outset of this discourse I thought that he was trying to get the same attention that Morgan Wallen did for getting caught using racial slurs. It seems like he caught all the right buzzwords to appeal to the country music fanbase not that topping charts is that significant of an achievement anymore.
Morgan Wallen was caught doing it privately right? At least he wasn't doing it for attention.
Yes if I recall he got caught on camera and did some public forgiveness tours
This pandering by aldean seems as rehearsed as it is cynical so that he can get "cancelled"
The fact he can get canceled for legally protected free speech under the 1st Amendment speaks volumes about the cultural sickness in America which yes is mainly coming from leftists in urban areas.
I don’t listen to country music but Alden is correct in his lyrics, fuck around and find out.