Your Favorite Words and Pronunciations?
You know you’re in pretty deep as a music fan when you go beyond picking favorite albums and songs and start picking favorite words and pronunciations. But with all the great ones to choose from, how could you not?
Like Lefty Frizzell’s “al-way-ay-ays late.” Or the way Frizzell disciple Merle Haggard al-way-ay-ays pronounces worry as weary (see “That’s the Way Love Goes” or “It Makes No Difference Now” or “Farmer’s Blues”). Or the way George Jones’ voice rises on the word love in the line “he had underlined in red every single I love you.” My favorite example, though, is the final word and note of Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party.” Maybe not the most subtle thing in the world, but it’s not trying to be. It’s like the release valve for all the sorrow of the lyric. When Watson opens up into that wail, the force of the emotion might bowl you over.
Listen to too much country radio and you might begin to think that really masterful, emotive phrasing is a thing of the past. But that’s just not so. You need look no further than recent efforts by Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood, Hayes Carll, Amber Digby, or any number of others who still believe that every word – nay, every syllable – matters… who see a lyric as something to be explored rather than just something to be delivered… who take their status as vocal artists seriously. Thank God for those kinds of singers.
So, all that having been said: What’s your favorite word/pronunciation/example of impeccable phrasing in a country song? It can be old or new, common or obscure. Hit us with your best shot.
(Okay, I stole that last sentence from a Pat Benatar song. If it’s good enough for Rascal Flatts…)
Can I say all of LeAnn Rimes’ latest album? It took me a while to comprehend it, but when I did, it was great. xD
Just to be annoying, I’ll mention Sugarland’s “All I Want To Do” since I actually like the song. It’s like a brain leech… in the best way possible, of course.
Country California -good writing style! I’m partial to most anything by Gene Watson and I still get awed by the final note of Farewell Party. Sorry to say to poster Chris that most all of Sugarland’s overly wrought out words annoys the hell out of me. Bits and pieces of all that would be much better. It’s not so much a word as the catch in the voice of Patsy Cline on Faded Love that I like. Now there’s a female singer who knew the art of a nuanced phrase. Jennifer Nettles take a lesson.
interesting topic CM,
I’ll have to think more about it, but off the top of my head I really like how Steve Earle says “blue” and how Freddy Fender pronounces everything.
Hmmmm… my favorite is Reba and the way she stretches out a word, turning a one syllable word into four or five. Think “You Lie” i.e. “You Lie-ay-ay-ee-ay-ay-ay”
I tell you what, I’m listening to an uptempo Hank Snow song right now and I love how buoyant he’s able to make his whole performance sound without it coming across as annoying or corny. I doubt it’s a deliberate instance of good phrasing; I think he’s just cool that way. His vowels are so open and free (especially on the word “low”), which I suppose is from his Canadian accent. I’d mention which song but it’s one of the answers on this week’s Country Quizzin’, so I’ll just let y’all find out later.
For a recent example, I really love Lee Ann Womack’s phrasing on “Last Call.” It’s so understated that you have to listen with headphones or really good speakers to really hear all the different little nuances and understand exactly what she’s feeling, and that is such an appropriate treatment for that song.
It would help me out a lot if you would name that Hank Snow tune, Dan… ;-)
Now I want to hear Steve Earle’s pronunciation of “blue.”
I agree with Michael. I always loved the way Reba could take one syllable and make it into 5 or 6. Jennifer Nettles is equally gifted.
Creek as “crik” always annoys me.
“Next To You Next To Me” from Shenandoah and Garth’s “Two Of A Kind” both say “fave-or-ITE” as opposed to “favor-IT”
is that a Southern thing?
@ Peter: Only for a select group of ‘special’ southerners, as far as I know.
Peter, Garth also uses that in “Everytime That It Rains”
On his recording of “If I Could Only Fly” with Lee Ann Womack, I like when the hesitation/cracked voice on the word Turn in the phrase, almost felt you/touching me just now/wish i knew which way/ to turn and go. Love Joe as a vocalist overall.
For melodically(sp?) stretching out words and syllables, no modern country singer can match Ashton Shepherd. I personally really like Ashton’s voice and vocal style but can understand why some folks wouldn’t. For nuanced vocal delivery I’d go with Ashley Monroe as exemplified on a song like “Dear Time”. You can hear the heartbreak in her voice, which turns up often in her songs inspired by her father’s premature death due to cancer at age 41 when Ashley was in her early teens.
A few that came to mind
“big ol’ garizzily bear” – hank jr. Goin’ Huntin’ Tonight
I agree on ashton shepherd.
“I’m the only WOOOON who can set myself free”
Charlie Pride “All I have to offer you is me”
“They’ll be no fancy clother for you to WAY-er”
Corey, I agree with you 100 percent on Joe Nichols. There are few pieces on that album that knock me out in the phrasing. In “Real Things” when he says “dad, I love you too” you can almost hear a tear. Also “Aint Nobody Gonna Take That From Me” when he says ”fix a bowl of rice krisperies”.
Loretta Lynn of course! “In the summertime we didn’t have shoes to weh-er/ But in the wintertime we’d all get a brand new pah-er”. I love just to hear her talk!
Definitely Ashton Shepherd!!! “A picture of you beside my hea-e-e-ead” in “Whiskey Won the Battle” What an amazing voice!
Jennifer Nettles in many songs. I love the way she “bends” her syllables.
Anything by Sara Evans… like in “Fool, I’m a Woman” when she sings the word “behind” =D
“He stopped loving HAR today …”
Waylon Jenning’s “Mental Revenge”
word–”peroxide”
line/verse…
Well I hope that the train, from Caribou maine, runs over your new love affair
you walk the floor, from door to door, and pull out your POH-OX-IDE hair
In John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind” there is a line ” I sat down on a cypress stump”. The way he sing the word “stump” is amazing to me. I think it’s the way his voice drops down in the middle of the word – it’s like “stuhhmp” Also, in his song “Money In The Bank”, when he sings ” your loves better than money in the ba ya yank” – I go crazy every time! I’m a little suprised that no one has mentioned him yet…..but, have really enjoyed reading all the posts. Great discussion!
Just to clarify my earlier comment about the way John Anderson sings “Money In The Bank”……I meant that I go crazy in a good way! ; }
Oh, I love that part in “Money in the Bank.” I’m surprised John Anderson didn’t come up before now too.
Thanks to everyone for making this such a fun thread. I have lots of new words to listen for now.
I Love the way Gary Allan’s voice goes high on Runaway!!!!!!!!!! Love,peace and Gary!! LOL
I was thinking those Garth songs too. I wonder if he says “favorite” that way in real life. I’m with Annie on “Money in the Bank.” I actually love southern accents in general, as a Northerner, which is helpful as a country music fan.