Barbara Mandrell's iconic hit, "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," is as relevant as ever today in its bold call-out to fake country music fans. Released in 1981, this anthem celebrates the authenticity and rich heritage of country music while challenging those who merely pretend to understand its roots.
Some context. During the 1980s, a period of rapid growth in the popularity of country music saw the emergence of the dance-focused neocountry genre, partly influenced by the movie Urban Cowboy. Like any other fad, many "posers" IE (those who are not true and authentic fans) emerge and a cultural storm is created. The song is about having an authentic relationship with country music, firmly rooted in its long-standing tradition. In other words, we will play and listen to country music even if it is't popular with the mainstream culture!
The song offers an unwavering connection to country music, a tradition anyone can embrace spiritually regardless of background. Rejecting trends and fads, the song's chorus proudly proclaims:
- "I was country when country wasn't cool
- I was country from my hat down to my boots
- I still act and look the same
- What you see ain't nothing new
- I was country when country wasn't cool"
Hmmm... How about that? And for those who are musically illiterate, hopping on the latest cultural bandwagon, claiming to be country fans, or perhaps even worse, to understand country music without understanding the true meaning of country music. "Try That In A Small Town" anyone? Let's keep in mind that this Aldean cut had been out for months, and the liberals only freaked out about it because of a music video that went viral because it featured footage documenting the well-known threat of violence in cities.
The liberals and those who hate the Aldean song don't even listen to country music with sincere intentions. They just listen to the influencers in their echo chamber, much like how Urban Cowboy created a cultural sensation, a fad laced with fake fans. This 1981 song, written by Kyle Fleming and Dennis Morgan, was largely a cultural reaction to that and reminds us of real country music fans and how the genre is grossly misinterpreted by the coastal cities.
"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" quickly climbed the charts, topping the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on July 4th, 1981, and becoming one of Mandrell's signature recordings. The song's success propelled her "Live" album to go gold, earning her the prestigious "Entertainer of the Year" award from the Country Music Association in 1981.
George Jones, the revered country artist, also made an uncredited guest appearance on the track, adding his legendary touch to the song's chorus. The live version, recorded at Opryland in Nashville, captures the essence of country music's soul, resonating with an audience who wholeheartedly embraced Mandrell's genuine spirit.
Yet, amid the song's triumph, some parodies emerged, like Dave Dudley's "I Was Country Before Barbara Mandrell." Dudley and others, feeling the encroachment of the "urban cowboy" style, voiced their frustration at artists they perceived as cashing in on a trend without a genuine connection to the country roots.
It's not uncommon to see liberals and non-country fans attempt to comment on songs they pretend to understand. "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" and "Try That In A Small Town" both stand as a bold reminder of the authenticity that lies at the heart of true country music. Let's call out those who claim to understand what country music in America represents.
So, let this song be an anthem for those who've lived and breathed country music, embracing its soul and heritage with unwavering passion. Shout out to y'all. Barbara Mandrell's classic hit remains a testament to the unyielding spirit of country fans who were, and still are, country when country wasn't cool.
