Why the UK just can’t get to grips with country

If there’s one thing you can say about our musical landscape, there is certainly no lack of variety – pretty much every genre gets a look-in, with everything from twee pop to hard rock having its fans. There is, though, one notable omission, and that is country music. Considering how successful it is in America (and even over in Ireland), it seems the rest of the UK does not love country music the way it does most other genres. Why, then, is this the case?

It certainly cannot be that country music is in some way worse than other forms of music – many of its songs pack powerful if simple rhythms, and due to the propensity for country songs telling stories, they are often lyrically stronger than a lot of their opposition. Country truly runs the gamut of emotions, from folksy and fun to completely heart-breaking (have a listen to Willie Nelson’s ‘He Was A Friend Of Mine’ or Johnny Cash’s stripped-down version of ‘Hurt,’ the latter of which normally reduces me to tears whenever I listen). Some of the genre’s more recurrent themes – sorrow, redemption, love, and loss – would feel right at home in any area of music.

Country truly runs the gamut of emotions, from folksy and fun to completely heart-breaking

I feel, perhaps, that the reason the UK hasn’t truly embraced country is that its origins are so distinctly American. Although partially inspired by European immigrants to the Southern Appalachian Mountains, country is a genre deeply rooted in the American past and tradition – it is no surprise that a lot of its music and imagery evoke the Wild West and the life of the American South. This is a world that is completely foreign to our own, and thus helps to explain why we have so few country artists in comparison to, say, pop.

It is worth mentioning, too, that certain branches of country music are tied closely to religion and gospel music (Johnny Cash was notably inspired by Christianity, and released 11 gospel albums during his life) – again, considering that country was born in the 1920s in the South, the influence of religion cannot be understated (even today, with the area’s leaning not having massively changed).

This is not to say that the UK is completely immune to the charms of country – a number of musicians are immensely popular and some country hits perennial classics (as well as the aforementioned Nelson and Cash, I could also mention Hank Williams, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, to name but a few). Some modern country stars are also fairly popular on our shores – some of Taylor Swift’s earlier output, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Kacey Musgraves (an incredible voice, who released the excellent Pageant Material last year – well worth a listen) are all flying the flag for country music.

Perhaps the UK hasn’t truly embraced country because its roots are so distinctly American

However, America adores country in a way that we simply do not. A logical reason is that it is abundant there – entire radio stations are dedicated to the genre, and it has been the most popular music for the rush hour commute for many years. By contrast, you’d be pushing it to hear anything country on most of our stations – perhaps people do not enjoy country because they simply do not get to listen to it.

There are numerous reasons that help explain why country is not as popular, but, no matter what the true cause may be, the fact is that people who do not experience it are missing out. Country music is so rich that I feel anyone who tried it would be able to find something to enjoy, and it really is an underappreciated gem over here.