Is Eric Church throwing rocks and then hiding his hand? It’s funny that an industry friend of mine and I had a talk yesterday about country artists or lack thereof addressing, the current social climate that we’re in. He explained how they’re in a no win situation. RACE is still a sensitive issue in this country. No matter what they say or try to say it’s going to boil down to perception and it can do serious harm to their fan base or career depending on how it’s perceived by both sides. And then today Eric Church’s new single “stick that in your country song” hit my inbox and if that wasn’t enough I was awakened to a text asking me my thoughts about it. So I decided to write about it and let them be known.
First and foremost I applaud Eric for at least saying something about the state our country is in and I appreciate his effort! Long gone are the days when artists like Tupac dropped songs like “Changes” full of social commentary that actually meant something. That’s why Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture” was so well received and is having the impact that it’s having. In my opinion artists have the ears of the world and are blessed with the opportunity to do what they do. The Bible says to whom much is given, much is required! It’s their duty to speak on issues that matter and shape society in a positive way because sadly in this generation artists and influencers have more influence than most parents and politicians. If used right they can really make a change! And in the words of Pac, if they can’t make the change they can at least be the spark that starts it!
Earlier this year during the Country Radio Seminar “Chasing Creativity” panel Eric Church touted that he liked to put himself in uncomfortable situations. Yet when the time comes to do that he did just the opposite. He said “Put THAT in your country song.” Telling everyone else to stick it in their country songs. He’s calling people out for something that he himself failed to do. In my opinion he played it safe. I think he did just the opposite and decided to tow the “All lives matter” line and stay comfortable. I would’ve loved to hear him say “Black Lives Matter” but country music isn’t ready for that yet. Let me change that. Some of the men in country music “ain’t” ready for that.
Throughout this whole time I’ve seen a lot of women in country music stepping up and speaking on the racial issues that are dividing our country. Maybe it’s because women in country music have a small glimpse of what it’s like as they face a lot of uphill battles being women in a white male dominated industry. But it’s just a fraction, a minuscule glimpse, because like Mickey Guyton said in her new single you’ll never truly understand what it means to be “Black like me.” Anyway I digress let me get back on the single review.
When I heard “Take me on up to Detroit city, Jails are full but factories are empty” I thought he was suggesting why close them when there’s prison labor to do the work. My homegirl came to his defense and explained that he was just implying that it’s an awful situation, followed up by “Drop me off in Baltimore. Where every other window’s got a plywood board. Where dreams become drugs and guns. The only way out is to shoot or run.” Is this country music versions of Biggie’s “Either you selling crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot.” My thoughts on this will be further explained below .
He then goes on to say “Sing about the man coming back from war. 23 going on 54. He lost a friend, his sight, his hands. Baby girl he’ll never see again”. It’s not just the soldiers we lost down range at war.???? What about the ones who have another war to fight when they come home? Did you know we lose Veterans at the rate of 22 a day to suicide? Anyway as a disabled veteran that verse really hit home. This country needs to do more and CARE more for its veterans. But this one threw me for a loop because there’s never been a shortage of songs about soldiers or patriotism in Country music. Nashville has so much much love for those who’ve served our country. More than any place I’ve ever seen. Yet sometimes I feel they see my blackness before they see what all I’ve done for the country including them!
I’m glad I’m breaking the song down because after the first 20 listens I still didn’t get it. It wasn’t until I began reading the lyrics that I truly began to understand what Eric was saying. Again, I wish he had just come out and said it but I’m thankful he’s starting the conversation regardless how it starts. Let’s just have it and pray it leads to action. And now on to the next verse
“Gimme one about the teacher who’s trying to change a life or two. She’ll be rocking out all night with you. Tomorrow she’ll be back in a red brick school. Where kids are climbing off the walls and it’s scary walking down the hall. She’s underpaid, she’s overworked. Come on man shout one out to her”
This and the aforementioned verse (in MY opinion) is where he speaks on the whole “Defund The Police” phrase. No one wants to totally take the whole police budget but rather reallocate and put some of it back into the community. I mean does a city really need A BILLION DOLLARS for the police department alone? As a prior LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) a lot of the money they are spending on things could be reallocated. Let’s try and fix the problem before it reaches the point where cops are needed. Let’s invest in the teachers more and give them the tools they need to do their job effectively without going into their pay check to pay for things that some of these kids need.
Anyway Eric, when I first heard it I didn’t know how to feel. Now I’ve played it a thousand times. I have a better outlook on the song and am glad this was the vessel that led to my introduction of Eric Church. Looking forward to seeing what’s next from him. To stream the song click here.
