weekly November 6, 2023, Issue 883
Country Song Cheat Codes?
Jake Owen
Cole Swindell
Kane Brown
Morgan Wallen
Months after a slate of “interpolated” country songs made headlines, an aggressive second wave is making the first seem like a mere ripple. The songs incorporate a well-known musical riff or lyric from a previous hit into a new work, typically also extending songwriting credit to the authors of the original source material. Creatively and programmatically, interpolations can be polarizing even as they may be effective “cheat codes” for worming their way into listeners’ ears. While such songs have long existed in country music – think Jake Owen’s 2018 John Mellencamp-infused “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” or Kid Rock’s 2008 Warren Zevon/Lynyrd Skynrdinflected “All Summer Long” – their prevalence grew last year with Cole Swindell’s “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” and Kane Brown’s “Like I Love Country Music.” Both reached No. 1 with interpolations of songs by Jo Dee Messina, and Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson, respectively. Earlier this year, Morgan Wallen’s “Everything I Love” interpolated portions of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider” before Owen added his “On The Boat Again” to the mix, putting a nautical twist on a Willie Nelson classic. In more recent weeks, examples have included Brown’s “I Can Feel It” (interpolating Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight)”; Chris Young’s “Young Love & Saturday Nights” (which borrows a guitar lick from David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel”); Dustin Lynch & Jelly Roll’s “Chevrolet” (which mimics a melody from Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away”); Madeline Merlo’s “Tim & Faith” (which uses two lines and bit of the melody from the titular singers’ “It’s Your Love” duet); Morgan Evans’ “Thank God She’s A Country Girl” (reinterpreting John Denver classic “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”); (continued on page 8)
God-Cheering: Triple Tigers’ Russell Dickerson celebrates No. 1 ”God Gave Me A Girl” in Dallas. Pictured (l-r) are the label’s Julianna Vaughn, KSCS’ Jennifer McKenzie-Williams and Mike Preston, Dickerson, KSCS’ Al Farb and the label’s Raffaella Braun and Kevin Herring.
Kids In The Halls: House & Huff
by Lon Helton In recent days I had the honor of attending the induction ceremonies of both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Both were vivid portraits of the power of radio – and reminded me why I love radio so much. If you’re ever looking to get re-energized, head to any Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and witness first-hand the passion and commitment of those who put the magic in the speakers. New York City was the first stop, where Country Radio Hall of Famer Gerry House was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame Thursday (11/2). Chris “Mad Dog” Russo hosted the event, which also presented radio’s highest honor to John DeBella, Deborah Parenti, Bob Rivers, Pat Gerry House St. John, Shadoe Stevens, Nina Totenberg and
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