Jason Isbell Releases New Song “Hope The High Road”
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But I Ain’t Fighting with You Down in the Ditch
I’ll Meet You Up Here on the Road
I Know You’re Tired and You Ain’t Sleeping Well
Uninspired and Likely Mad as Hell
But Wherever You Are I Hope The High Road Leads You Home Again
To A World You Want to Live In
The influence of anger on the human soul, and the propensity to judge others and tribalize ourselves, is an incredible force of nature because its ingrained in all of us by birth. It’s a part of the human design—these chemical reactions that hold such sway on our hearts and minds, and brings out the worst in us in the worst of moments until hate becomes habit, and we search for what to be angry over instead of where we hold consensus, or where resolution may lay. You have to learn to lose that part of yourself; it doesn’t just slough off or shrink with age. The default of the human experience is to fear and distrust.
One of the things that has made Jason Isbell such an enlightening songwriter over the years is his distinctly worldly view panned to a Southern perspective. As a son of the deep South himself, he is incapable of trivializing the nuances of the culture war, deliberately speaking to both sides, and the flaws and virtues of each.
There has been some concern about just where the political dividing line on Isbell’s new record The Nashville Sound may fall, and if this will make it too polarized to find wide popularity. But with the album’s first single, the Muscle Shoals native takes the high road. Instead of delving into any real specificity, the song makes a point we should all be able to agree with, which is that the first step to resolving factions is to elevate the level of discourse and respect among the parties, and to hope for the best for people no matter what their leanings. Other songs on Isbell’s new record may eventually rebuff this universal message, but “Hope The High Road” is apolitical if it’s anything.
“Last year was a son of a bitch,” Isbell shouts, and whether you lost your job in the Heartland, are disappointed Trump won, or are still depressed that Merle Haggard is no longer with us, this rings true. We can all come together through shared grief and disappointment to see that those dividing lines between us are not as deeply rooted as those who love to draw them would have us believe.
Isbell also takes his message about hope in the high road to his own personal perspective, and perhaps gives you a glimpse of what you can expect from the new record. “I sang enough about myself,” he says. “So if you’re looking for some bad news. You can find it somewhere else.”
Like Isbell has said ahead of the release on his new album The Nashville Sound on June 16th, this record will be more rock, and more heavy that the previous few efforts, but “Hope The High Road” still has that harmonious, Southern-textured heart to it, and can be easily defined as Southern rock, or if you wish, classified as solidly Americana. Either way, it is a spirited effort, deftly-written and energetically delivered that does exactly what you want from a debut single, which is to get those musical glands salivating for what the full course will serve.
March 23, 2017 @ 10:41 am
It’s excellent, and I wouldn’t expect anything less than that from Jason. Nice music video too.
March 23, 2017 @ 10:47 am
This is kind of disappointing to be honest. Maybe it will grow on me.
March 23, 2017 @ 11:00 am
Yeah, put me down for that, too. I’m trying to like Isbell, I really am, but…
March 23, 2017 @ 11:08 am
I’m a fan but this is pretty meh or bland. I just can’t put my finger on it but it’s not moving me like a typical Isbell tune does.
March 23, 2017 @ 11:16 am
Scott – them are fightin words in these parts, and there must be something wrong with you! Kidding… I have always had the same feelings. It’s like, “am I missing something here?”
March 23, 2017 @ 11:29 am
jtrpdx, LOL. I’ve been wondering if it’s me! Dunno, I’m guessing I SHOULD like his music. Like you, I’ve wondered if I’m missing something. I’m even going to see him next month, hoping the live experience will do it.
March 23, 2017 @ 11:45 am
Seriously, it’s not life or death. He’s new to me since 2014 and has rocked my musical world. Ditto Sturgill. Some people I’ve introduced them to are right there next to me hitting the “Select Best Seats” option like a lab monkey disbursing cocaine to himself, others are, “yeah, he’s OK, I like (insert artist here) better”.
It’s how it goes.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:06 am
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I’ll put down my rifle, and come down off the roof now.
March 23, 2017 @ 11:21 am
I actually didn’t really like either of Isbell’s two previous solo efforts, but I did like him in Drive by Truckers, and I like this. Just my own bias, I’m not a big jazz person, and his previous two albums were sonically two jazzy feeling for me.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:00 pm
I like the sound better than most of the last album.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:06 pm
24 Frames didn’t blow me away on first listen. And Flagship straight up bored me. Now I love it.
March 23, 2017 @ 10:50 am
I really liked this song, on several levels: yes the message – the high road part etc bc I do think we need to elevate the discourse (although I think you’re leaving out a line Trigger :p, I heard enough of the white man’s blues). But I also really liked the sound. Just sonically I have always preferred his work with the Drive by Truckers to his solo efforts. I like the return to a more rock based sound.
(I will also admit to a sense of curiosity/interest to see how/if you’d cover this given that you didn’t cover either the new Sturgill song video and the new Rhannon Giddens album)
March 23, 2017 @ 11:16 am
I would caution reading either demographic or political assertions into Isbell saying “White Man’s Blues.” Though he may have meant something politically, I think this is more a sonic signifyer. “White man’s blues” has been used as a moniker for country music many times in the past, or can be used as a way to denote a style of blues, similar to “blue eyed soul.” I’ve used that term in the past to denote the sort of Buddy Miller style of more Americana blues.
I can make that line mean any of those things in the context of the song. It could mean he’s tired of rehashed country songs, since the working theory is the title of his record The Nashville Sound is meant as sarcasm. I would say this is more likely than criticizing bellyaching Caucasians, especially taking the message of the rest of the song.
March 23, 2017 @ 11:19 am
Fair enough, I withdraw that statement then. Although I suspect (& saw in the original article where I saw the song), that many will take it how I took it, & I also suspect that Isbell is smart enough to know that.
March 23, 2017 @ 12:24 pm
Holy carp! Take notice, internet! A thoughtful, reasoned discussion on a socio/political topic that didn’t descend into hatred and name-calling! There is yet hope for this world!
Okay, maybe a bit sarcastic, but seriously. Credit given where credit is due.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:53 pm
Don’t jinx it!!!
March 23, 2017 @ 12:54 pm
I would disagree with you, Trigger. I think you want to find the “let’s-not-politicize-this” middle ground in all things, but I think the white man’s blues line is a political statement of a specific stripe. And I’m doubting the track “White Man’s World” is going to be a middle-ground sort of tune.
This isn’t unprecedented in his work; there have been lines in his music before that wouldn’t satisfy the conservative country set (“Is your brother on a church kick?/Seems like just a different kind of dope sick.”).
March 23, 2017 @ 1:53 pm
I can’t speak about “White Man’s World” because I haven’t heard it yet, but my assumption is that it WILL be political and polarizing if for no other reason than that is how the song was prefaced in the initial press release about this album. But we still owe it to the song and album to actually hear it before we draw any conclusions.
As for this song, I stand behind my assessment that it’s Isbell trying to find the “High Road” through all the political vitriol and “Hope” for a brighter future. I don’t think this is a slanted take.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:36 pm
I don’t mean to accuse you of a “slanted” take, Trigger. I give you a hard time on some quasi-political topics, but it’s not your “slant” that bothers me. If anything, it’s your desire for there to be a lack of a slant, I guess.
March 23, 2017 @ 7:07 pm
Look, I am exhaustively on record saying that I do not prefer artists getting involved in politics through their music and I think it’s a bad practice. If you can’t say it with subtly, don’t say it at all. The reasons can be seen in this very comments section because it tends to bring the worst out in people, and put up barriers to music enjoyment. I have criticized Sturgill Simpson, Steve Earle, The Dixie Chicks, Toby Keith, Aaron Lewis, and many others for engaging in politics through their music. And if Jason Isbell engages in party line politics with the new record, I’m sure I will criticize him as well for it, whether I agree with the sentiment or not.
But what I won’t do, and can’t do in good concise, is criticize him for something I haven’t even heard yet. Folks drawing conclusions from this song are wrong-minded, in my opinion. Like I’ve said, I expect “White Man’s World” to be political, but until I hear it, it is not my place to criticize it. Perhaps it’s not as political as everyone suspects. Perhaps there is a song on the album that’s even more political than that. We just don’t know. Many folks appear concerned about the politics on this album, and I actually think Isbell did a lot with this song to persuade folks that he can be more high-minded than they’re giving him credit for.
All I’m saying is if you’re a Jason Isbell fan, you owe it to him to give this record a chance. If he lets you down, so be it. But don’t write it off before we’ve even heard the music.
March 23, 2017 @ 7:59 pm
It may not have been clear from my comments, but Jason Isbell is my favorite artist 1B (John Prine is 1A), so he can pretty much do no wrong. And I’m going to like his politics, so it’s not going to be a problem for me. But as much as I love him, I could understand someone not wanting to listen to him if they disagree with his politics. It’s the way I work, too.
March 23, 2017 @ 8:18 pm
Here is where I disagree with you Trigger, music doesn’t need to be political, but it has often been political throughout its history. If Isbell want’s to get political, I don’t think it makes his music less.
Also, as someone who isn’t Christian, and who doesn’t believe in flag waving as patriotic, or native born American as more American, the unfettered right to bear arms etc…..I think a lot more country music is political then you do.
March 23, 2017 @ 8:32 pm
(if you want lyrics to be real, they also have to deal with real issues, and some of those are political)
March 23, 2017 @ 10:21 pm
Did I really just see Isbell put in the same league as John Prine? I need to check the news and see if hell froze over! (Sorry, but couldn’t resist commenting on that one : )
March 24, 2017 @ 10:24 pm
I think “White Man’s Blues” specifically means “White Privilege” in this context and I don’t think there is any other way to read into it. That doesn’t make me like him more or less, but I am not a fan of artist implanting their politics into their medium (unless that is their established medium). However, they have the right to produce anything they want and we have the right not to listen if we choose. No reason for anyone to get offended. Decide on your conviction, don’t bitch when it doesn’t work out your way and move on.
March 24, 2017 @ 11:00 pm
When Tracy Byrd released his latest album “All American Texan” late last year, there was a song on it called “It’s About The Pain.” It’s sort of a pro-country, semi-protest song. The first line of the chorus is, “True country music, it’s the white man’s blues.”
Here’s a link to the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDPzeLr0LiM
This caused a discussion here on Saving Country Music specifically about what “White man’s blues” meant.
Here is the discussion:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/tracy-byrd-returns-after-10-years-with-all-american-texan-review/comment-page-1/#comment-776442
All of this is what I immediately thought of when I heard that line from Isbell. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe he means multiple things, maybe it’s meant to be taken a different way by different people. I’m not really sure. But short of Isbell clarifying the line, I don’t think anyone can say for certitude it has to do with white privilege. The more I’ve thought about it, I think it means he was tired of bellyaching in his own music, since that is how the phrase resolves. I think it’s a characterization of himself.
March 25, 2017 @ 9:16 am
Sorry it just seems like a massive stretch to think that line is merely about sonic choices especially considering the rest of the song. Id say Isbell is concious that he is really doing white people music about white people problems made for other white people and given the election which has been seen as the triumph of the white male Isbell doesnt want to pander to that crowd as much and thinks its not the time to talk about his/white people problems given what is going on in the country.
Of course im just speculating but like I said the line only being about sonic choices is naive especially considering the song and the writer (hes not dumb he knew it was going to ruffle feathers). The comparison to Tracy Byrd is flimsy. Tracy is actually a country singer and his audience is different than Isbell’s. If Tracy said he had enough of the white mans blues I imagine the reaction from his fans would be different than from Isbell’s fans…
Anyways I am at a loss as to why you refuse to see anything political in this line as its clearly there. I know and appreciate you dont like to mix politics and music but perhaps youre going a little too far in trying not to connect the two. Words and lines can have multiple meanings and read different ways while still making sense. Good writers know this and employ this often. The ‘white mans blues’ could signify the sonic change, I agree with that and it would make sense, however at the same time on another level it is a clearly loaded line talking about more than just a sonic change and many of your readers have noticed it. It doesnt have to be one or the other this isnt an academic thesis it is a song which is art and art can intentionally elicit different and seemingly contradictory meanings at the same time. Lyrics/words/prose especially employ multiple layers and levels of meaning all ‘correct’ but only in regards to the level at which one reads it or hears it.
Heck im not even a big Isbell fan but I can see he has some sort of talent and that employing that line with multiple meanings behind it isnt beyond his abilities but likely exactly what he is doing.
If one thinks Isbell is a great writer I dont get why one would be so adverse to thinking the line speaks to both his sonic change at one level as well as commentary on larger political issues on another level at the same time. Its wordsmithing 101. Heck as someone who doesnt like the song I will give him credit for that line since it does elicit multiple meanings, as intended, and the discussion in the comments here proves it. I know you want to hold off until the full album but it seems like youre pulling the wool over your own eyes since you really dont like the music/politic mix youre refusing to see it with this line being an example.
March 25, 2017 @ 10:39 am
I think these are good points Blockman. I think you’re probably right that there are multiple meanings behind a lot of these lines in this song, and perhaps some of them are political. Some of them I think are definitely political, but they’re not meant to be aligned with either side. One thing I don’t understand about what’s going on here is why so many are wanting to read something into this song that makes them angry, especially if they’re Jason Isbell fans. If Isbell is giving you the ability to interpret a lyric that is more likely to fit your sensibilities, then take it. Don’t go rooting through words looking for something to be angry over. Not wanting politics to enter music is a two-way street, and it’s just as imperative on the listener as it is the artist to not overly-politicize.
I completely expect there to be political moments in Jason Isbell’s new record, and those things will be broached when that time comes. But regardless of any specific lines, I think the overarching theme of “Hope The High Road” is to put political differences aside, and dial down the acrimony. Using the song as a vehicle to sow political anger seems against Isbell’s intent. BUt this is the risk you run when you get political at all.
March 24, 2017 @ 5:30 am
There is a political component to this song, the chorus describes the way I’ve felt with immediate family from Morocco, and France, and 90% of my in-laws living in Juarez (30 minutes from our house in El Paso), helpless angry and nervous about the future. Considering the context of the lyrics that follow, I think Isbell is letting us know he wont be telling the story of his addiction in his songs going forward, he has moved on.
“I heard enough of the white man’s blues I’ve sang enough about myself; So if you’re looking for some bad news; You can find it somewhere else.”
Consider the progression from Isbell’s first sober album, southeastern, a dark and personal reflection to cope with his demons though songs that tell Isbell’s story with different characters such as live oak. Something more than free is more light hearted, but Isbell still heavily relies on songwriting to deal with his past, he is repairing the relationships alcohol ruined with “to a band that I loved.” He is in a better place, but still cannot completely escape his past.
Granted I haven’t heard any of the other songs on this album, so this may be way off. However I feel like he is saying his prospective has changed since Something More Than Free. Nashville Sound will not draw form his personal story as heavily as the past albums have. Southeastern and Something More Than Free were filled with his “white man’s blues,”but it is time to move on. Isbell now has a son, and realizes that “he’s sang enough about himself” he . He has been sober for some time, has reconnected with DVT, and is confident in his abilities to stay sober, “So if you’re looking for some bad news; You can find it somewhere else.” He is closing that chapter in his life.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:40 pm
This is definitely how I hear the song. (He has a daughter, though, not a son.)
March 23, 2017 @ 10:50 am
good tune, I’ll give the rest of the album the chance it deserves. But, with that tune white mans world, I’m guessing as a whole this will be too polarizing for me. Jason needs to realize, that we can all agree that it sucks that Merle is gone, not every one is mad about Trump being president though. and some of those people are his fans.
March 23, 2017 @ 11:12 am
As someone who is both a) liberal and b) enjoys country music (more then most Americanna), I think their is value in being able to listen to, enjoy, and appreciate music that comes from a different perspective. And maybe challenges your way of thinking.
March 23, 2017 @ 12:39 pm
it’s his music and album, so he can write and sing about what he wants. I’m not the one to tell him not to. But, I know this much, he has for the most part always made the kind of music that a lot of people across the socio economical and cultural spectrum have always been able to relate to in one way or another. But he is clearly drawing a political line in the sand and almost daring people to either cross it or not. To me it’s a very myopic point a view to think that everyone who buys his music must obviously have the same political point of view as him. things like heartbreak loneliness, love, happiness, fear, are all things most people can relate to. But political points of view can be very complicated and often divisive. When an artist like Isbell makes a song or whole record that conflicts with personal sensibilities especially after making lots of music about things that I have been able to relate to for so many years, it’s just a little disconcerting to me personally.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:22 pm
Then, Than
Their, There, They’re
Do you listen to a lot of music that comes from a different perspective and challenges your way of thinking?
March 23, 2017 @ 1:55 pm
I mean…he says in that comment that he prefers country to most Americana.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:22 pm
Whatever you mean by that…
March 23, 2017 @ 2:51 pm
Yeah, we all know that Hank Jr. and Patterson Hood have pretty indistinguishable perspectives…
March 23, 2017 @ 3:43 pm
You forgot, if they agree with it, it’s not political it’s just being a patriotic American :eyeroll: but yeah exactly (also she)
March 24, 2017 @ 6:56 am
that’s what books are for. Music is what I use to escape political reality, not wallow in it.
March 23, 2017 @ 12:22 pm
It’s not Jason’s job to write songs that aren’t polarizing to every listener. He, rightly, doesn’t give a damn. He’s going to write what he feels. No skin off his back if some people are too easily offended to listen.
https://twitter.com/JasonIsbell/status/844985928066224129
March 23, 2017 @ 1:00 pm
The Dixie Chicks agree
March 23, 2017 @ 3:13 pm
Dixie Chicks have been playing the victims for over 10 years.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:13 am
Agreed. If everyone set out to write music that won’t stir up or offend anyone, we’d all die of boredom. We already have one Keith Urban!
March 23, 2017 @ 11:00 am
Great review. Although, this more rock-ish Isbell does give me some uncomfortable later-day Bon Jovi vibes. I know that is sacrilege, but it was my first thought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3FWgUbVzXI
March 23, 2017 @ 11:17 am
As a huge trump supporter, I really hope this album doesn’t push the negative narrative on president trump. I like isbell too much.
March 23, 2017 @ 10:09 pm
Don’t know why you would care about the politics of your favorite artists. If I cared, I wouldn’t listen to Steve Earle, but then I’d be missing out on a hell of a lot of great music.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:15 am
Right!? I am decidedly left like leaning, but my musical world would be lacking if I wouldn’t listen to, say, Hank jr.
March 24, 2017 @ 9:10 am
I don’t, I’m just saying I hope he doesn’t push it in his music. I’m a huge sturgiol fan, don’t agree wit his politics, but they aren’t his music.
March 24, 2017 @ 2:59 am
Snowflake
March 23, 2017 @ 11:50 am
Hell yes.
March 23, 2017 @ 12:09 pm
I ain’t feeling this..8/10? Cmon lol
Hopefully the rest of album is wayyy better or it will be his 2nd in a row I’m not buying.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:24 pm
I agree! Trigger has a hard on for Jason. This is clearly sub par work. No way to deny it.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:57 pm
Lol, opinions are just that, and can’t be argued as right or wrong. CLEARLY others in this comments section disagree with you, so I’m not sure anything is clear aside from we all have different opinions on this song, which is natural. I can’t guarantee you my opinion is right, but I can guarantee you it is my honest opinion.
March 23, 2017 @ 12:25 pm
Rockin’ tune, nice lyrics. 🙂
March 23, 2017 @ 12:42 pm
like others have mentioned… I liked Isbell in Drive By Truckers… but have not been able to get into his solo efforts. I do like the sound of this tune and will give his new album a chance when it comes out.
March 23, 2017 @ 12:49 pm
Very bland song. The lyrics are pretty stupid, demonstrating that Jason doesn’t have anything interesting to add to the current political climate. I don’t like the rock sound either. It doesn’t suit him. 2/10
March 23, 2017 @ 1:08 pm
Welp … this doesn’t rise very far above the literal. Hope the rest of it does.
Sounds like the words were written to Amanda — as well as the video, which focuses on her when the lyrics refer to “you” and “home.”
The video makes it pretty clear they were all stoked to be working in Dave Cobb’s Emporium of Cool Studio Gear.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:10 pm
Isbell has a few lines that could be political and everyone loses their shit. Sturgill straight up calls out the entire military-industrial complex, Afghan heroine trade, and all that shit (call to arms) and people are like, “well it’s not super duper country, but I still like it.” Weird.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
Another stupid song from another non-country album that I didn’t buy. I’d bought every Sturgill album before that. I’ve bought every Isbell album up ’til now, we’ll see how this one plays out.
March 23, 2017 @ 10:28 pm
If you think Isbell’s previous albums were country, then I think you need to re-assess your definition of country. Call To Arms is 10x more country than anything isbell has ever done…,,specifically its main shuffle guitar riff and bass line. Not to mention Sturgill’s vocal delivery.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:20 pm
I definitely need to spin this a few times. I think the fact that it is different than his previous efforts threw me off a little.
March 23, 2017 @ 1:42 pm
Love love love it & nice first taste. I’m into the the uptempo switchup..
March 23, 2017 @ 1:58 pm
The depth of sound on the production alone makes this sound better than most of Something More than Free (where my two favorite songs were Palmetto Rose and 24 Frames, because the production on the rest sounded washed out and antiseptic).
Sounded a bit like Flying Over Water, which I absolutely loved.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:06 pm
Do I need to preface this with a “I voted third party and I hated everything about this past election” disclaimer? Well that was it.
I hear a firm line being drawn in the sand with this, but if anything, Isbell is pleading more for the subject of the song not to descend into the madness that the political climate has become. Possibly a tacit acknowledgement of how his side has gotten ugly too but they don’t need to be the same way. It’s definitely to the left, though. Talking about riding the ship as it goes down, saying how there can’t be more of those other folks than he and his love, the references to not wanting to be part of the town he once loved. It’s all over the place.
On a sonic level, I like it. On a lyrical level, once again I’m yearning for the artist who can get through with a “I don’t agree with you, but I still love you” message.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:04 pm
“I’m yearning for the artist who can get through with a “I don’t agree with you, but I still love you” message.”
https://youtu.be/bVICuupez3o
^
I recommend this song here for that.
March 23, 2017 @ 4:33 pm
If I read it correctly, I really enjoyed the message of the song, and the sound is alright as well. I could listen to it without thinking about the lyrics and get into it.
The line about “them and us” jumped out at me like a sore thumb, and honestly I got a little angry there for a second. It’s hard to take anyone seriously about them taking the “high road” if that’s how they look at people. I calmed down though (music helps me do that) and listened to the whole song and that line just kind of disappears. It’s one line in the song. After I calmed down I thought that in that line “them” could even be the people yelling and hating on each other regardless of who they voted for.
I couldn’t vote for Trump and I (almost) hate Trump himself, but his voters are my neighbors. Hating on Trump voters sets off the fighting side of me.
March 23, 2017 @ 5:08 pm
“It’s hard to take anyone seriously about them taking the “high road” if that’s how they look at people.”
That’s my issue with the song as well. I’ll admit I’ve been jumpier than usual about these things since the election season started, but it does come off as “us vs. them”. It feels like the song is riding on the automatic assumptions that “those guys” on the other side are a whole lot of bad words that end in “ist”.
I might revisit it once (if) this madness cools down. Hopefully then, I can see it the way you do as well. I certainly want to.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:22 pm
This video should’ve concluded with Jason simply crying into the camera, as it fades from him, to a video of college age crybabies, chanting something generic and baseless like, “Racist, Sexist, Anti-Gay! Right-wing bigots go away!”
March 23, 2017 @ 2:28 pm
Don’t forget xenophobic, Islamophobic, and transphobic. The Russians must have hacked his song writing ability. This is trash.
March 23, 2017 @ 7:12 pm
Haha these artists think they are so informed and enlightened when they’re not.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:22 pm
Great review, great writing, but the song sucks for country, it ain’t.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:30 pm
As a Trump voter I love the new song. The sound is great and I’m sure it will be awesome live. I don’t have a problem with the lyrics at all whether it is about Trump or not. He didn’t really slander anybody, instead the song sounded pretty hopeful to me. Jason Isbell is my favorite artist so I am very aware that his beliefs are different than mine and I respect his opinions. I have a feeling I will disagree with what he says in “White Man’s World” but who cares, I disagree with things he says on Twitter all the time. I disagree with a lot of people who I have a lot of respect for. Everybody has their own opinions and beliefs, and one song that I disagree with isn’t going to ruin the whole album for me. I loved his last 2 albums and I also thought it was time for a more uptempo rock album from him, so I’m stoked to hear the rest of it because the sound of “Hope the High Road” is exactly what I was hoping for.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:06 pm
Amen, brother.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:39 pm
See I respect this, at some point we have to be willing to listen & understand people who see things differently then we do. Why they see it that way & where they’re coming from, without just hating it reflixevely or feeling alienated.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:17 am
Well put, Jack.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:50 pm
I like the song at the moment.
However, I can’t see myself revisiting it too often. Maybe it will grow on me more. I do prefer his more upbeat material like this.
The one particular lyric “white man blues” to me is the most interesting line in the song.
I haven’t been able to interpret it and convince myself what his point is with it or with the whole song.
I guess that leaves a good debate.
I always respected Jason as a musician and artists. Like others, I’ve never gone truly crazy over him though. I do listen to his works.
Everyone has their own personal tastes.
I’m a pretty positive person, even though I’ve gone through some downs in life and will always continue to.
I don’t get the feeling of hope from him all that much. Maybe I am not explaining myself well..
There was a raging debate over song writing chops at one time comparing Sturgill and Jason.
Even when Sturgill gets into some dark areas, I still feel his words and always sense that struggle of looking for those things that make you want to live life. Striving for happiness or enlightenment even if is a false hope for some, but at least there is hope.
Jason comes across to me as more observations or snapshots with his songs even when he self examines himself and IDK just seems more bleak with the points he trys to make.
March 23, 2017 @ 2:53 pm
Jason being political with his music is nothing new. Remember when called the Iraq war “somebody’s Hollywood war”? I don’t remember anyone raising a fuss then. But now, just the mention of a title with the word “white man” and people are freaking out. Get over it. Learn from other perspectives. And if you don’t like it, you don’t have to listen.
March 24, 2017 @ 3:15 am
Don’t forget Palmetto Rose
“bullshit story bout the civil war
You can believe what you want to believe
But there ain’t no making up a basket weave”
March 23, 2017 @ 2:59 pm
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Isbell spoke about this song and it’s meaning:
As he says, “I really wanted it to be something that was reflective of my own character as it is now. Now that I’m a father, now that I’m grown, now that I’m sober, now that I’m clearheaded.” He hopes the message resonates: “I want [listeners] to feel encouraged to be vigilant but to still stay classy, for Christ’s sake. If you’re doing too much yelling and too much screaming and acting out of frustration, you’re not effecting change in any positive way.”
IDK.. He says it, but I kinda don’t feel it. Maybe it is me.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:24 pm
And this is what I took from the song before I read the Entertainment Weekly piece.
There are certain people who want to hate this Isbell song, and want to his new record to be wildly politicized so they can be disappointed by it—and these people are Jason Isbell fans. I just don’t understand this. Jason Isbell just put out a song that has in my opinion (and his) a decidedly apolotical bent about rising above punditry, and how to people react? They freak out because they think he hates white people. You may not like this song, you may not like the idea of this “White Man’s World” song coming, but goodness, give the music a chance, especially if you liked Isbell’s previous stuff. I think way too much is being made of the political angles here by a vocal minority. This song should have quelled those concerns, and somehow it exacerbated them.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:41 pm
People in general have a tendency to hear what they want to hear, rather than what is actually said. I’m probably guilty of myself.
March 23, 2017 @ 4:20 pm
If one line makes a listener uneasy, maybe they should stop listening or listen more. John Prine is IMO one of the best writers, but he has quite a few lines that can even make this heathen semi-hesitate. But, then again, a lot of mainstream people have never heard of John Prine, who happens to be a mentor to Jason Isbell. Just say what you gotta say and don’t let the bastards get you down!
I really love this new song. It is probably my favorite Isbell tune now. It will be hard for anything on the album to move past this IMO. Uplifting and redemptive is the way I would describe this song.
March 24, 2017 @ 10:18 am
Totally understand and agree with what you are saying here. I personally see it as a very direct political message. But, Jason, like all good songwriters delivers it in such a subtle manner that it can be interpreted as a general statement about hope. I don’t think it is anymore my place to force my interpretation on anyone than it is to convince them how they should feel about the President.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:06 pm
That’s because everybody agrees the Iraq War was a disaster except crazy neo-cons. The song is whatever, but understandably people are rolling their eyes at the “white man blues”. White people are sick of that nonsense…especially from a self loathing white person.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:58 pm
…especially from a self loathing white person.
He seems pretty happy for someone who supposedly loathes himself.
March 23, 2017 @ 4:05 pm
I’m glad he’s happy. I’ll trust that you know more about him than me. I’ll just say this. The idea of white guilt or white privilege is held by many white people. It’s incredibly stupid.
March 23, 2017 @ 5:39 pm
Toby Keith has a lot of songs you’d probably enjoy if you’d rather no listen to Jason.
March 23, 2017 @ 6:59 pm
Good suggestion. I will listen to some Toby. MAGA
March 24, 2017 @ 4:38 am
Im confused what point your trying to make, Ill walk you through what I got from this and you can let me know if I’m on the right track or clarify. Ok?
“I’ll just say this.” Next time try a comma I got all excited that you had left it at ” [Trusting] that you know more about [Isbell] than me.” However my excitement was short lived as I realized that there were more words typed after “[you] left it at this.”
Now you loose me with your statement that “the idea of white guilt or white privilege is held by many white people.” Whats your point here? Shut it down guys, YP over here has finally figured out that if you are white there is a significantly increased probability of having “white guilt,” this changes everything.
Unless white privilege isn’t saying that you didn’t work hard to get where you are, just that you had some help along the way form genetics. For example, Lebron James (or Tom Brady if you wanna keep it white) benefit form genetics. However if they hadn’t put in the effort to train at a high level, they would be listening to Toby Kieth and waiting for America to be great again, blaming others for their hardships while refusing to put in the effort to better themselves. White privilege isn’t saying that I did not have to work hard to get where I am today, it is saying that when I get pulled over by the cops, I can turn on the accent, be respectful and get a verbal warning 9/10 times. Hope that helps!
Back to your comment, you conclude with “It’s incredibly stupid,” and I agree with you, everything that you had said prior to the concluding statement is “incredibly stupid.” You do see how your argument is “incredibly stupid” right? You state that white privilege is held by white people, like you just discovered the higgs boson. WHO ELSE WOULD HOLD IT? Giraffes, that’s preposterous, giraffes can’t be expected to hold white guilt just like they don’t try to get you to handle their giraffe specific problems. See how this works? Good!
Finally, can you please explain to me what made America it such a terrible place that people saw the need to make it great “again?” I personally thought America was pretty great before trump, and that he is actually working hard to make America less great. Did he design that slogan for the next candidate to use, because that would make sense. Have fun listening to toby kieth singing the same song that he stole from REK.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:37 pm
“Road Less Traveled” by Lauren Alaina is much better than this song. Lol yes, I’m serious. I’m rooting for Jason but his last album was rather boring and I’m just not feeling this song.
March 23, 2017 @ 3:53 pm
If you follow Jason on twitter or Facebook you know what way he leans, he doesn’t hide it. That being said I’ve completely come to terms with the fact that not all my favorite artists think the same way I do. I love his music and insight and I respect all of it.
March 23, 2017 @ 9:10 pm
Ya, I see his FB posts all the time…no shocker which way he leans. If this album has a political slant to it in the least, I wont be having anything to do with it.
March 23, 2017 @ 5:52 pm
4/10 here. Love him but not feeling this one. Kinda like unknown artist filler material to me.
March 23, 2017 @ 10:33 pm
My initial thoughts too. If Goo Goo Dolls or Bon Jovi put this exact song out (and it could easily have been written and performed by either of them), everyone would be calling it complete crap.
March 23, 2017 @ 7:26 pm
Love it.
Jason Isbell is one our greatest living songwriters.
March 23, 2017 @ 8:47 pm
Eh I don’t find the lyrics to be very good in this one and that’s mostly why I listen to him. A lot of the instrumentation in his songs is the same and makes the lyrics carry most of the weight. I can dig a good political song or album but this one doesn’t venture out far enough to be considered creative or good for me at least.
March 23, 2017 @ 9:38 pm
Just so you Trumpeter Fires know, Jason did a great job here of not stating a political side, while actually describing disappointment in 2016, be it politics or loss of artist. Maybe he doesn’t agree with your ideas, but who does besides Daniels, Hank Jr., Kid Rock, and Crazy Ted? This isn’t a political song. This is about love and meeting in the middle.
March 23, 2017 @ 11:01 pm
Easily the worst single he has ever released. I’m really surprised by the good review. The song is shallow and insipid, although it is desperately trying to be profound. The instrumentation is mundane and unpleasant to the ears. Any washed up artist could have released this and it would be dismissed as drivel. I’ve tried to give Jason a chance in the past, but I just can’t get into his music. Before it was too moody and depressing (which I get.,..that’s life sometimes) but it ends up being pretentious. At least it was country. This song isn’t doing country music any justice. Just because it isn’t overly produced like pop- country doesn’t make it any better. After a couple of listens, there is nothing memorable about it. The lyrics are predictably vague. If he wants to say something political, he should come right out and say it. This is country music after all. Be direct. I don’t care if he’s a liberal lunatic. I just don’t like how he dances around the topic. I would say the first single isn’t an indicator of the album, but I think it is.
March 24, 2017 @ 8:55 am
Two things:
1) Nobody called this song country. We’re all music fans first. If Jason Isbell puffed his chest out and said it was country, or was pushing it to country radio, then it would be fair to criticize it for being misrepresentative. Jason Isbell is an Americana artist, and that is well established at this point in his career. He’s said his new album will be more rock, but frankly those folks acting like this song is some sort of change in sonic direction are exposing just how shallow their knowledge is of Isbell’s catalog.
2) You, and others, believe Jason Isbell is masking political motivations in this song, and that has soured your perspective on it. That is the reason I am so pposed to politics in music, is because I see this so often. But there is nothing politically polarizing in this song. If you think you sense something politically, it’s because someone told you that you should, which is ironically what Seak 5 did above by implying that “White boy blues” was either a political or racial statement.
The current political climate has poisoned the music well. THIS is the reason you saw so many articles from Saving Country Music over the last few months voicing my concern and displeasure with politicizing the music space.
This song may not be to your liking and that is totally understandable. You can’t argue taste. But nothing about it is “insipid.” Only a political perspective to lend to that conclusion.
March 24, 2017 @ 9:25 am
One thing that grew on me more and more (visually, along with the lyric) was the flag; tattered and torn, yes, but still flying. No Butt-hurt here. If this is the appetizer, I’m way more than curious about the entree.
March 27, 2017 @ 6:23 am
Questions of taste are most often motivated by class (either to fit in, or to reach up), and generally align with respective political dispositions. Therefore it can be a worthwile endevour to criticize one’s taste.
The best way to resolve issues like this one where people side with the song because of it’s poltical message (I’m with you Trigger that in ‘Hope for the High Road’ at most it’s implicit), is generally to search for instances of contradiction. That is, when a hyper-conservative likes the song despite the fact that it may have a disagreeable poltiical message, then the person is probably stepping out of the class-taste framework and actually identifiying with the music, or something.
March 24, 2017 @ 4:19 am
Great song. I love it. I definitely feel more of a vibe similar to “Here We Rest” and “”Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit”…a more rock/up-tempo vibe.
Is it June 16th yet?
March 24, 2017 @ 6:54 am
It’s good but not even the best song that popped up on my Spotify Release Radar today – has anyone heard the song “Honky Tonks and Taverns” by Lillie Mae?? Brilliant!
March 24, 2017 @ 8:34 am
Thanks for the suggestion.
March 24, 2017 @ 6:57 am
I am thoroughly NOT disappointed. At all.
March 24, 2017 @ 8:07 am
I’m with you, James. I liked it fine after the first listen. Now, I’m fired up and can’t wait to get my hands on the whole album.
March 24, 2017 @ 9:02 am
Those Muscle Shoals boys could be recording in Studio Z, Outer Mongolia, and it wouldn’t change ’em a bit.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:25 am
Love it. Cannot wait to hear the rest of the record.
March 24, 2017 @ 7:37 am
I’ve listened to the song like five times and don’t see any political polarization going on. It seems pretty consistent with the theme of Something More than Free. It’s music for intelligent working class people that can see that in general, the powers to be (regardless of political affiliation) are fucking them over and not giving enough back to the working class either monetarily or emotionally. The song was meh, to me the first time I listened, by the fifth time, I got chills. Great song and great lyrics that grow on you.
March 24, 2017 @ 10:49 am
Listened to it a few times now and it’s certainly a grower as many great songs/albums are.It will be interesting to hear it in the context of the album which can be as political as he wants as far as I’m concerned polarizing or not.
March 24, 2017 @ 11:12 am
Similar fixed feelings on his one. I can enjoy the occasional political song, and do not care for Trump, but only if it is done well, in a nuanced way. I enjoyed American Band. but this gets me:
“there can’t be more of them than us/ there cant be more”
followed shortly by Amanda Shires in a “NASTY WOMAN” shirt in case no one was looking.
More of them/us seems like exactly the tribalism that Trigger thinks the song is denouncing. And that’s where politics gets irritating for me personally.
personal rant-
A majority of Americans did not vote for Hillary or Trump! “Independent” is the largest group of registered voters! Why do we let them convince us into thinking it is otherwise??
March 24, 2017 @ 11:22 am
Yeah, listen to it again and read it as a song written to reassure the kind of people who cried after the election and the message is completely different. And less than reconciliatory– though thats not the man’s job. I think you may have misread this one trigger.
March 24, 2017 @ 12:10 pm
I don’t think I’ve misread anything, but I will bring up something that gets brought up often here, which is that it’s a sign of good songwriting when a song means something different to different people. In this case perhaps for people with their antenna perked looking for a political song from Isbell, that’s what they found. I found the opposite, wrote a review saying as much, and only then discovered Isbell’s comments on Entertainment Weekly pretty much validating my original interpretation. Are we all getting the wool pulled over our eyes? Perhaps. But I’m a music fan. I’m not going to seek out reasons to hate music (believe it or not). There very well may be a time and place to have a political discussion involving Isbell’s music in the future. I think it’s against the spirit of a song called “Hope The High Road” to have it here. But again, that’s just my take, and my interpretation of the song. I understand there may be others.
March 24, 2017 @ 5:04 pm
You know I totally agree with you on this,after reading over these comments and seeing how people are interpreting the song and listening to it myself, I think a lot of people are making good points about the song and yet we could all be wrong. I know he’s a big Braves fan and they were horrible last year probably the worst of his lifetime, could be about them who knows( I doubt it). I think its a good song not his greatest but his good is better than a lot of the rest. The fact that there is so much discussion about the meaning of this song, is a sign of a great songwriter imo.
March 24, 2017 @ 11:22 am
I like the sound of the song. Always thought Jason was better at southern rock than country. I’ll leave my political comments out for now. All the political whining these days is getting ridiculous.
March 24, 2017 @ 12:48 pm
He is saying “I know you are tired and not sleeping well…probably mad as hell” and also says “I ain’t fighting with you down in the ditch, I’ll meet you up on the high road”.
Seems like a reasonable interpretation is that he is telling the disgruntled (non-Trump supporters) to take the high road and not drag the debate down to a low level. He isn’t necessarily saying the left is on the high road and the right is in the low road. Both sides have a vocal contingent who drag the discourse down. It has always been thus but has been steadily declining over the last 20 years or so.
March 24, 2017 @ 3:13 pm
Yawn.
I expected more. He seems to be going the way of Sturgill Simpson. I’ll pass.
March 24, 2017 @ 6:42 pm
Just gets worse and worse…sometimes artists go independent /get too much freedom and end up releasing turds (Hank III good example of someone who got free from his label and quality dropped drasticaly as a result) and it seems Isbell’s best material is behind him with DBT when he was a nobody and didnt have the industry/NPR crowd blowin smoke up his ass. He definitely isnt BAD but this song is garbage tbh. This is what happens when you believe your own hype and are surrounded by a clueless music industry that doesnt quite get why Isbell is popular but gives him free reins thinkin whatever he touches will turn to gold. This song probably shouldve stayed as a basement demo.
March 25, 2017 @ 8:17 am
Also the production on this track is pretty sterile and dry like cardboard. Very flimsy sounding and doesnt let the music breathe. And the vocal production and especially phrasing are pretty awkward as well. I dont think we need a revival of late 90s/early 00s radio rock but it seems thats what we are getting (Stapleton, Sturgill, Isbell) but being told its country or something else. ‘Uninspired and mad as hell’ sums this track up nicely and perhaps Isbell’s mindset in the studio or writing process.
The lyrics are like twitter rant from some hipster English student. It is clear its addressed to those people who feel defeated by Trump winning. So instead of fuelling negativity by writing and singing about ‘white people problems’ he wants to create positivity (which is fine). He wants those spurned Dems to get out of the shit sligning gutter and up on to the high road. Regardless of the political leanings these lyrics are about as dangerous/powerful or thought provoking as Bon Jovi – Its My Life. Poorly written by all standards but ive never really been wowed by any of his stuff. The tattered flag and the Nasty Girl shirt etc along with the lyrics dont make it too difficult to figure out.
Clearly it isnt for me so il just go back to my Jamey Johnson records patiently waiting for a new one since hes already done what these new cats getting a bit of attention now couldnt dream of doing (making an actual country record). I cant blame him for being fed up with the industry esp when you got Nashvilles New Outlaw Stapleton turning out radio rock turds and Lillith Fair sounding ‘country’ songs while getting his ass kissed all over town when someone like Jamey who was dedicated to actual country music is left in the dust.
RANT OVER
March 24, 2017 @ 11:53 pm
If you guys follow him on social media you would know he’s a total snowflake, so it’s not shocking that he comes out with this song. He responds to accounts on Twitter with barely any followers who are just trying to get him triggered. He constantly falls for it LOL.
March 25, 2017 @ 6:16 am
This happens all too often when artists become socially or politically aware. They force it into their music and it’s just not a natural fit. This song is just that, forced. It’s not bad, but it falls flat compared to the songs on his last two albums. I’m hoping the entire album isn’t like this but I’ve got a bad feeling. I have to disagree with the rating for this song. If it was written by someone else I think it might earn 1 gun up.
March 25, 2017 @ 11:29 am
A common thread I have found among the ‘I’m-not-so-sure-I-like-this-one’ crowd has been poor listening skills. By that I mean they’ve maybe given it a couple or three listens over their phones or PC’s. Give it all the volume it deserves over a decent sound system, Repeat several times. Then tell me how you feel.
March 26, 2017 @ 6:53 am
Way to go Jason! Way to keep on shitting on half of Americans who voted for Trump! You are so brave, no one has criticized him, this is sooooo edgy! Nice “Nasty Woman” shirt Amanda! Nothing says class like screaming about your period stains on your pants. My new favorite power couple.
March 27, 2017 @ 6:05 am
A tiny correction: Approximately 50% of the american population did not vote for mr. Trump. Half of the american population did not vote at all. Out of the remaining 25% that acually voted for mr. Trump, almost 50% claimed that they merely voted against Clinton when they voted for mr. Trump, rather than voting for a man that they really wanted for president. So, that leaves us with approxiamately 12,5% of the population allowed to vote voting for mr. Trump as “their” man for the job. It will come as no surprise when these numbers drop even lower in the months to come when mr Trump´s failure becomes evident. The lyrics of mr. Isbell´s new song are not hateful. He rather expresses a hopeful view that maybe people that voted for mr. Trump will overcome the hate and disappointment that led them to voting that way. Mr. Isbell´s take on the matter is far more tolerant and hopeful than “shitting” on Trump supporters.
March 26, 2017 @ 5:35 pm
Trigger, thanks for bringing this song to my attention. I rather liked it.
I am very much a believer that the best songs are those with as many different meanings are there are listeners. My only problem with the video was having the lyrics on display, because it can get in the way of one’s enjoyment. To explain: I am a total fan of song lyrics – which is a paradox I am unable to reconcile, because I am not particularly fond of pure poetry. But for me, enjoyment of the music comes first, followed by a keenness to come to grips with the lyrical content later on, if I so desire. Bear in mind that I usually can’t make out the lyrics of a song anyway. Heck, some of my favourite metal songs are entirely unintelligible as far as lyrics are concerned! Perhaps because I am a poor singer anyway, I tend to be the last person in the room to know the lyrics of popular songs. My point is, much of what I yearn for in country music (but only rarely get) is lyrics with indistinct meanings so I can paint the rest of the picture myself. And when it comes to much of what hits the country charts these days; well, puerile, simplistic and just plain dumb don’t really begin to describe them! There is one of the primary reasons I enjoy a lot of what I hear via SCM!
And I think the message of Jason’s song is just subtle enough to earn repeat listenings from me.
Thanks
March 26, 2017 @ 10:28 pm
Just what I needed today…Sometimes songs just hit you where you are and it did. Thank you Jason
March 28, 2017 @ 9:55 am
Love it!
I think it’s a very cleverly written song. Upbeat instrumentation & crunchy guitars set the positive tone early. The lyrics are written such that you can interpret them in a couple of different ways (could be overcoming personal demons, lamenting a lost love after a fight, a reflection on politics), but don’t overtly bludgeon you over the head with a singular context.
Personally, I think he’s mostly singing about the political situation, no matter what he says in interviews. And I’m glad he’s doing that. I mean…he’s right, you know. We do need to raise the level of discourse in our country, to try & find common ground. Team work makes the dream work!