Saving Country Music’s 2017 Song of the Year
Isn’t it strange how in the real world, we shy away instinctively from things that cause us pain, but when it comes to music and art, we seek pain out as one of the primary markers of the most potent and exceptional expressions of the artistic realm. Pain is the disincentive that allows us to learn how to avoid detrimental and self-destructive behavior. It’s instinctive to try and elude it. We dull pain with distraction, try to drown it with drink, and attempt to dilute it with drugs. But in music, we want to be keenly reminded of our pain and sadness. We want it to hurt us. Somehow, drawing that pain out through music makes us feel better. It reminds us we’re alive, and not alone in our feelings.
But of course not every song or artist can make you feel that version of pain that is only parallel in potency with the suffering of real life. The effort to evoke pain is often undertaken in music, but beset by cliché and maudlin expressions that have long since been expended by generations upon generations of performers and songwriters who also labored to elicit strong feelings from their audience until little or no vitality is left in certain words or modes of expression. Arguably nobody has ever equaled the pain of heartbreak embodied in a Hank Williams song, or the sense of loss in George Jones’s “He Stopped Love Her Today.” So why even try?
You might see the title of Sunny Sweeney’s “Bottle By My Bed” and believe it to be just another alcohol-drenched tearjerker, when it is anything but. The tears are there, but there’s no alcohol involved (except a couple of beers), nor is there the treading of often traveled roads to one’s emotional core that have long since gone cold. “Bottle By My Bed” takes a different path to tugging at you heartstrings—a previously-undiscovered portal into the vessel of pain just waiting to well up to the surface when conjured by the right combination of song and verse.
Sunny Sweeney and co-writer Lori McKenna crafted an incredible composition that didn’t just convey the perspective of what it feels like to want a child and not have one, but that expertly encapsulates the pain that accompanies it. When Sunny sings, “I don’t even know you yet, but I know I love you” about a non-existent son or daughter, it’s almost too much to bear. But you do, and re-rack the song over and over again to feel that pain once more. Not as a glutton for punishment, but as a seeker of comfort.
As said in the original review, “Bottle By My Bed” is the type of song that Music Row in Nashville gets its hands on and figures out how to mess up. So many song ideas start with an excellent germ of inspiration drawn from actual inspired moments in a songwriter’s life. But through the songwriting committee process, the emotional brunt is “softened,” and that inspiration gets slowly sifted out until the impact of the message is pallid enough for the simplified palette of the musical masses. Fortunately, that was not the fate “Bottle By My Bed” found. Now free of the commercial requirements of Nashville, Sunny Sweeney is back home in Texas, with the latitude to release a song as emotionally powerful as she wants.
At the same time, “Bottle By My Bed” is so exceptional, it begs to considered by a greater audience. It is a generational song. It is an instant standard. It would border on country music sacrilege if a superstar artist didn’t pick this song up and share it with the rest of the world, or if Sunny Sweeney herself did find the wider recognition she deserves through the song. “Bottle By My Bed” doesn’t even have to be exclusively considered a country song, though it makes for an excellent one. The appeal of “Bottle By My Bed” is widespread, veering towards universal. You don’t have to be a woman to understand the pain of the child-less life. You don’t even have to be child-less. In fact, Lori McKenna has five of them.
Hats off. Bravo. Congratulations to Sunny Sweeney, Lori McKenna, and “Bottle By My Bed.” In a very crowded field of 2017 Song of the Year nominees—when major heavyweights like Jason Isbell and John Moreland were in the mix, songs like Lukas Nelson’s “Just Outside of Austin” and John Baumann’s “Old Stone Church” were in strong contention—it was “Bottle By My Bed” that like none other, awoke the pain we all hate to feel in life, but strangely crave in music.
December 21, 2017 @ 8:56 am
I agree 100%! Beautiful song.
December 21, 2017 @ 8:58 am
Excellent choice.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:03 am
To me it was a coin flip between this and Isbell. You can’t go wrong either. I really hope Sunny gets the recognition she deseves.
December 21, 2017 @ 5:15 pm
You can easily go wrong with Isbell.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:03 am
Great choice. Why this song is not a massive hit, i will never know.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:07 am
Perfect!
December 21, 2017 @ 9:10 am
Excellent choice.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:23 am
Agree completely. Great song from an amazing record.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:29 am
I used to think that this song was about an alcoholic until I actually paid attention to it and really listened to it. It’s fantastic and beautiful. Good choice.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:40 am
Interesting topic and one that will resonate with many people. I don’t really get the “I’d give up cigarettes if I had a kid” line. Not a very strong set up for the title and main idea of the song. I just have a hard time getting past the tone and sound of her voice. I will say that she sounds much better on record than live. Very similar to the Midland vocals in that when you hear Sunny live you realize how much they work on her vocals in the studio. I give the song a solid B but I just can’t get past her singing.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:54 am
To me the reference to cigarettes was pretty clear.. A child would be something in her life she would want to quit for.
Tyler Childers – had the same sentiment in feathered Indians concerning the women he met:
“But up till now, there ain’t been nothing
That I couldn’t leave behind”
December 21, 2017 @ 9:58 am
I didn’t say that I didn’t get it or what the writers were trying to do. It just comes off as weak minded to me as far as quitting smoking. I’m speaking as someone who has quit smoking and who is a parent. You have these ideas when you are young, single, and not a parent yet. Usually, people aren’t just able to quite their addictions because a kid is on the way, thought they’d like to. But more importantly, the set up to the hook could be stronger in general songwriting terms. Just my opinion but I wanted to make it clear to you that I understand exactly what they were saying. I just don’t think it’s that good if you are calling this the song of the year.
December 21, 2017 @ 1:57 pm
My comment re: disagreement was as to jessie with the long hair’s observation regarding her voice. I’m not sure that was clear.
December 21, 2017 @ 1:54 pm
I really couldn’t disagree more. She sounds fantastic live. Maybe you caught her on a bad day or in a bad location. I was really blown away. This is completely setting aside her stage presence and humor.
December 21, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
Unfortunately I’m in the Jessie camp. The message is lost on me because I can’t take her voice.
December 22, 2017 @ 8:09 pm
I caught her one afternoon on Mountain Stage…and I honestly couldn’t disagree more. Her voice sounds too polished in the studio, to the point where it covers up her gorgeous natural vocals.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:42 am
Love the choice of this song for SOY. The fact that this song is not a runaway hit is a perfect example of what’s wrong with Country Music today.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:45 am
Great choice. I wouldn’t have listened to this song or replayed it for so many friends if not for your first review.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:55 am
Great choice as Song of the Year, when I read your initial review, I listened to the song and could not believe what I was hearing, a topic that I have never heard sung about, so personal and intimate.
December 21, 2017 @ 9:56 am
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
100% Absopositively Yes.
December 21, 2017 @ 10:01 am
If we were vampires, hands down. This is a good song though.
December 21, 2017 @ 10:17 am
I agree wholeheartedly with this choice. Before I read the article I thought you’d probably pick a song I’d never listened to before and thought to myself that “Bottle By My Bed” would be my pick hands down. Nice to see that we’re on the same page.
December 21, 2017 @ 10:21 am
Great song, great artist & a great choice!
In a better country music world Sunny Sweeney would be an award winning artist with platinum albums.
In a better world…
My Song Of The Year: Gretta Ziller – “Queen Of Boomtown”
Gretta Ziller is an australian alt-country singer/songwriter. Her current/first album is named Queen Of Boomtown. She released her debut EP in 2014.
“Queen Of Boomtown” was on my Song Of The Year list after the first listen.
The album is nominated for a Golden Guitar award (Tamworth Festival Jan. 2018…THE country music festival down under).
Most Played Song 2017 (estimated): Tyran Hamilton – “When I Listen To The Whiskey”
New australian country singer (with a pop music past…). Great choice for a debut single. Unique voice.
Runner Up: Kacey Tyndall – “Everything Is Texas” / Jesse Raub Jr. – “She’ll Put The Hurt On You”
All-time Favourite Song: Deep Creek Road – “If You Only Knew Me When”
Australian country band. The best Restless Heart song never recorded by Restless Heart (Big Dreams In A Small Town era). Great songwriting & production.
Runner Up: Matraca Berg – “Diamonds & Tears” / Kaylens Rain – “Outta Here”
My Picks for 2018: Faren Rachels – “If It Ain’t Fixed” / Will Day – “This Country Life” & Tyran Hamilton – “Universe”
December 21, 2017 @ 3:45 pm
Is it a coincidence that all your picks (in leading categories at least) are Australians or is it your way of introducing those artists to us?
December 25, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
Hey OlaR
Thanks for your recommendations from among Australian country artists.
I will go give ’em a listen.
I’m a fellow Aussie (assuming you are too…?) although unfortunately I find many of Oz’s current crop sound like Music Row wannabes.
Having said that, if any of them have the ability of a Shane Nicholson then I’m all for it.
December 21, 2017 @ 10:40 am
This is a great song but, song of the year? Not for me. Also, what is it with country production, getting worse, even with good artists. The drums are, painful to listen to. Another example of this can be found in the new turnpike record. Listening to it live in OKC it was outstanding. Studio versions, not so much. Production was bad. I feel the same about this song. If it weren’t for the awful drums this would be a lot closer to deserving song of the year, in my opinion of course. (doesn’t help that i’m a drummer).
December 21, 2017 @ 12:03 pm
Good song, but it does sound like the snare wires are loose and the kick drum is made of cardboard.
December 21, 2017 @ 10:55 am
Yee yee! But it should have been Dont Tread on Me, by granger smith
December 21, 2017 @ 10:59 am
Clearly the best song this year. Musically, lyrically and emotionally it´s perfect in my ears.
December 21, 2017 @ 11:03 am
This is why I came to this site. To be turned on to all the artists and albums/songs that you guys deem to be real and the best. I love this song whether it’s anyone’s song of the year or not is an opinion it’s a great song. That’s all I ask for out of an artist.
December 21, 2017 @ 11:09 am
Somehow this song, and the way Sunny sings it, remind me of a sweetened Miranda Lambert. Good song, and great choice.
December 23, 2017 @ 11:37 am
Maybe if Miranda sang it, it wouldn’t have given me a headache. Sunny’s voice is so sharp that I had the same reaction I have noticed when random sales clerks spray me with perfume..
December 21, 2017 @ 11:16 am
Good choice. Much, much better choice than Vampires, which is what I was anticipating.
December 21, 2017 @ 11:18 am
Great choice! This song puts into words that myself and several other women/couples struggle with. It really is my “ugly cry” song. I really thank Sunny for making this- it lets me know that I am not alone.
December 21, 2017 @ 11:44 am
Love this song, but I think Unsaid is the best song off of Trophy. Haunting.
December 21, 2017 @ 11:59 am
Excellent choice for #1. Though for me it’s still a toss-up betweent this and Rodney Crowell’s It Ain’t Over Yet.
December 21, 2017 @ 12:19 pm
Good call — I would put “It Ain’t Over Yet,” as well as “Nashville 1972,” among my year-end favorites! 🙂 But yeah, I would not argue with Sunny’s song being the top choice.
December 21, 2017 @ 12:06 pm
There are a couple of lines in this song that most writers wait a lifetime and never find . The lyric does all the heavy lifting which , of course , is what made country music so great back in the days when it understood that fact .There’s an emotional power in the simplicity of the performance and the arrangement that music row has all but forgotten how to use . There’s a steel guitar because the song NEEDED an instrument to echo the sentiment of the lyric and nothing serves that purpose more effectively than a steel guitar . There’s no ‘ clap machine ‘ over a synth drum loop in THIS sad ballad because THERE SHOULDN’T BE A F****** CLAP MACHINE OVER ANY SAD BALLAD …..duh ! And yet 9 times out of 10 THERE IS !
This is how its done …..This is a clinic in songwriting and yes…kudos to SS for singing it . But if its a GREAT song it will rise above just about ANY singer’s performance ( Cyndi lauper’s TIME AFTER TIME , Neil Young’s OLD MAN , Dylan singing ANYTHING … ).
I think this particular effort has been justifiably cited by Trigger as , at least, one of the best of the past year . Nope …..haven’t heard all of the contenders but as a choice that reminds us of how a great lyric of substance with a respectful and TRADITIONAL treatment can and will resonate with a listener of any age in any era , this one succeeds in spades .
December 21, 2017 @ 12:21 pm
Love Sunny Sweeney and the entirety of this album. It is brilliantly simple. I wish I knew how many times “Pass the Pain” has played through my speakers this year. Love the message of “Bottle by my Bed” but “Pass the Pain” is my pick for SOY.
December 21, 2017 @ 4:26 pm
To be honest, I prefer “Pass The Pain” as well. I don’t have any kids so I guess it’s easier for me to relate to drinking. 🙂
December 21, 2017 @ 2:14 pm
Damn good choice! Sunny Sweeney is amazing and this song nearly broke my heart the first time I heard it. I have a signed guitar from the lady and have met her a few times. Major sweetheart. Good pick, Trig!
December 21, 2017 @ 2:21 pm
Well, who the hell cares about song of the year anyway. What is there, like 1 billion songs released this year? LIke anyone’s opinion is worth a can of beans. Sunny is yet another female voice that needs to be heard, so good on her. But the reality is that Isbell’s Vampire bit was 3 leagues above this. And pretty much anything you want to pick off of Joseph Huber’s album was multiple levels above this. As was most of Natalie Hemby’s album. But, this pick works as good as any for me. Why not.
December 21, 2017 @ 2:35 pm
I’m really glad you didn’t pick Vampires. Sunny is a star on the rise for sure.
December 21, 2017 @ 2:45 pm
Interesting choice. I don’t think its that deep for content or that well written. I actually cringed a little. Maybe I just can’t stand her nasal tones.
But we all have opinions and I’m just pissing in the wind, so well done to the winner.
December 21, 2017 @ 3:03 pm
While I’m all for more women voices and perspectives, this one made me squirm. I feel like it’s just one cliche on top of another. However, even though it’s not my cup of tea, I applaud anyone who has the guts and the gumption to put themselves and their songs out there. So good on ya, Sunny, regardless of my own insignificant opinion.
I know Isbell certainly isn’t lacking in the accolades department (rightfully so), and it’s nice to see others recognized, but “Vampires” is the best song I’ve heard in a long, long time.
December 21, 2017 @ 4:39 pm
I actually felt the same way about Vampires….as far as the cliche’s go. The whole husband / wife tearjerker thing, and the song itself is pretty standard fingerstyle progression that isn’t all that special. I also thought the vocal intonations followed the guitar way too closely throughout the whole song, which gets a little tiring.
Not saying it is a bad song, but I am surprised it is getting as much praise as it has. At the end of the day, I guess that just shows that people can have wildly different opinions about the same good songs!
December 21, 2017 @ 4:01 pm
As much attention as Lori McKenna gets, it isn’t enough. She’s a genius, the most talented songwriter in Nashville right now (and I’m an Isbell superfan saying this).
December 21, 2017 @ 8:33 pm
Agreed 100%. I have no clue why Sunny is not a mainstream country smash. Regardless, this song is a masterpiece.
December 21, 2017 @ 8:51 pm
Seriously, it’s really a contender for Album of the Year. I know there’s plenty of competition for but this album just had such an honesty about it.
December 21, 2017 @ 8:58 pm
Right up there with Brandy Clark and thats the ultimate compliment.
December 21, 2017 @ 8:53 pm
Great Song zero problems with this being # 1!
December 21, 2017 @ 9:28 pm
A little too on the nose for me, but otherwise an excellent and worthy choice. Another Beantown missle Mrs. McKenna has effectively launched at Music City. Burn baby burn!!
December 21, 2017 @ 10:40 pm
Turnpike troubadours or Tyler Childers should have took this one
December 21, 2017 @ 11:40 pm
This isn’t an artist award, this is a song award.
Turnpike Troubadours and Tyler Childers both has some great songs this year. Wouldn’t fault anyone for saying they had their favorite song.
December 22, 2017 @ 9:01 am
I know, I was referring to a tornado warning or whitehouse road , which you had on your honorable mentions list. Lady May would prob have to be the song for me though
December 22, 2017 @ 7:30 pm
Tornado Warning’s just flat badass!! Usually it’s their songwriting setting the mood and telling the story, but that SOB even gets the music in on really painting the picture. Just a fantastic song anyway you wanna slice it.
December 24, 2017 @ 10:51 pm
Agreed!!
December 25, 2017 @ 11:43 pm
“Tan legs checkered from a folding chair…” I just love that line. Felker does a great job of painting scenes in your mind.
December 21, 2017 @ 11:31 pm
Sunny is a great person and very interactive with her fans. Of course though this isn’t about her as a person as far as I can tell, but music wise, congrats to her for this recognition.
December 22, 2017 @ 12:24 am
I have a hard time with it… The reverb-y snare and string section make it too syrupy for me, hitting you over the head with sentiment.
December 22, 2017 @ 1:17 am
Good choice – great song.
December 22, 2017 @ 10:26 am
“A Tornado Warning” should have won over this song.
Oh well.
December 23, 2017 @ 10:54 am
I mean, if you like trendy sounding hipster garbage, then absolutely. The love for that song is baffling.
December 23, 2017 @ 9:07 pm
I too am not a big fan of “Tornado Warning.” There are much better songs on that album.
December 25, 2017 @ 11:45 pm
I’d hardly call it trendy hipster garbage. I prefer Pay No Rent and The Housefire but Tornado Warning is hardly junk. (IMO)
December 22, 2017 @ 1:52 pm
Outstanding. Most of the other picks were too folksy or Americana for me. Nothing wrong with those styles, however they aren’t country. This is a country song, it can’t be denied. Sunny is awesome!
December 22, 2017 @ 5:33 pm
Rodney Crowell- It Ain’t Over Yet
Song Of The Year.
Period.
December 22, 2017 @ 7:44 pm
1st time I’d actually heard this. Not bad by any means, but not even close to song of the year, at least for me. I’d honestly take WWJR’s “ain’t got enough dick to go around” over this.
Isbell’s “vampires”, Zephaniah’s “way down in my soul”, or TT’s “tornado warning” (no order) are all heads and tails above this in my book. But differing opinions are what makes the world interesting. It’s be pretty goddamned boring if everyone agreed on everything every time.
December 22, 2017 @ 10:25 pm
I’ve given it two chances, don’t care for it. The writing doesn’t do it for me.
Just a difference of opinion though.
Count me as another vote for Isbell’s vampires
December 22, 2017 @ 10:44 pm
Fantastic song on my favorite album of 2017.
December 26, 2017 @ 12:43 pm
“I Know Who He Is” by William Michael Morgan wasn’t on your list of your contenders, but I think it should have been. Classic Country with even more feels than your chosen winner imo.
December 29, 2017 @ 1:49 pm
Glad Sunny gets a win from SCM this year. A lot of really strong songs and albums this year, but her story as an artist who had been tossed aside by the mainstream and finally got to make records that represent her makes it a little more special to me.