Song Review – Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here”
As we transition into 2016, you can anticipate the masters of Bro-Country filing into line to prove they have gravitas in the face of dwindling support for their party hardy dreck falling so quickly out of favor from the sheer frequency such narrow themes have cast over the last couple of years. Prove you can be an artist of substance, or you may not be long for this world post-Chris Stapleton’s CMA wins.
As scary of a proposition as this must be for Florida Georgia Line, so much so that Tyler Hubbard is out there sporting a man bun and the duo is trying to make an emotional ballad out of the vacuous single “Confession,” think about if you’re Cole Swindell, whose dwelled solely in the wake of artists like Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan for his entire career. Even Chase Rice is out there saying his early music lacked substance, and to expect something deeper from him henceforth.
But old habits die hard, and it’s easier to do a U-turn in a battleship than to retool Music Row’s songwriting consortium on the fly. So even though we might see the rhetoric heat up about how the music being churned out of the Bro factory is fortified with extra substance these days, it’s best to take a “believe it when we see it” attitude.
Take this new single from Cole Swindell just released called “You Should Be Here.” Don’t get me wrong, it is an improvement from previous output, but when you reach the bottom there’s only one direction to go. Not to belittle the loss Cole Swindell has experienced in his life, but it’s something we all deal with. That’s one of the reasons it makes such compelling subject matter in songs, and “You Should Be Here” strives to stir that sense of bereavement we’re all unfortunately acquainted with.
What issues arrive have to do with everything else in the song. Bro country artists just can’t get away from references to ice cold beer, broing down with the bros, and other crutch phrases and lyrical tropes that take what could be a pretty decent song, and give the listener the sense that the whole emotional aspect is simply pandering of a different style, rendering any impact as fairly shallow and short lived.
Again, I don’t question any specific loss Cole Swindell has suffered, or his co-writer Ashley Gorley who apparently came up with the “You Should Be Here” title and concept. It’s good that at least an effort is being expended to find something better to talk about in songs for Cole Swindell than hooking up. But when it’s peppered with references to smartphone pictures and cracking cold ones, it just feels plastic. These days even Cheerios commercials are trying to get you to cry. And they may even succeed, but they’re still just Cheerios commercials.
“You Should Have Been Here” starts with a strong concept, and that’s the only reason the song rises to become at least somewhat redeemable. But it could have been so much better if Cole Swindell had completely left the Bro era behind and let the song write itself instead of trying to spice it up with buzzwords and cultural reference points from fear of spooking mainstream listeners away by getting too sappy. Show some boldness.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:25 am
Stepping out of the shadow of Luke Bryan into the shadow of Sam Hunt doesn’t seem too bright of a move.
It’s not even a sidestep–this is a step back in my book. I would turn the station immediately if I heard this.
2/10 (And I’m not even a hater!)
*Unpauses Cactus Blossoms mix and goes back to good music*
December 15, 2015 @ 9:32 am
Your review of the song a spinal Trig. I lost my father-in-law to stomach and liver cancer about 2 months ago now (45 days after diagnosis). He and I had a strong father son relationship. So inlight of that I think I know where he is trying to go with this song. Sometimes I look at songs and try to drawl connection with the song and what I’m feeling…..maybe try to make the song become a Soundtrack to my mood. The song seems so forced to me….. Like it wants so badly to be sentimental and make you tear up. When will these country artist today understand that people react to honesty and not substanceless fluff.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:01 am
Nearly all of us have lost someone close to us at some point. My father died when I was five years old. But it takes more than shallow, fleeting references to tap into the emotion of those losses. One of the problems for an artist like Cole Swindell is he’s spent so much time putting out crappy songs, when he tries to get emotional, you just don’t trust him. You feel like it’s marketing, even if it might not be.
The rapper Macklemore released a song a while back called “Kevin.” Obviously I don’t listen to rap, but it crossed my desk because Leon Bridges was involved with it. He took the loss of his friend due to pill addiction, and made it into this incredible expression of emotion and anger, and he bore his soul in a song that said something and aimed to change the way prescription drugs are administered in America. THAT is taking a loss and channeling it into something meaningful.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:37 am
I actually do trust him here. I don’t think all the statements here are fair. And even for a loss like this not everybody has some intellectual deep thought process on a perspective on it especially when it doesnt make sense to you and a lot of people do in fact get a weird sense of comfort from just “drinkin a beer”. I know you weren’t favorable of that concept by Luke either.
December 15, 2015 @ 11:54 am
But why does every damn song have to mention “beer”? It completely ruins it. It takes something trying to be esoteric, and it makes it mundane. I didn’t think Luke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer” was terrible. I actually think the beer reference in that song works better than it works here. There, it was an essential element of the song. Here, it just seems superfluous. Why not make the reminiscent moment around a kid’s birthday party, Christmas dinner, someone’s graduation or the birth of a child? Instead he makes it around selfies and cans of Schlitz. It just cheapens the entire experience. It’s not that this song is bad, it’s that it could have been so much better. It’s a good concept poorly executed. But hey, if it speaks to you, my intention is not to take away from that. We’re all products of our experiences.
December 15, 2015 @ 12:42 pm
I’m not going to argue with you about the song because you wouldn’t give him a good review if he came out with the second coming of He Stopped Loving Her Today. However, you should know there are no references to “selfies” in this song. The reference to a camera would refer to his deceased father being there to take pictures of all the unreal moments that Cole has been able to experience since his passing. The same thing with the “Saying Cheers” reference. Whether you like it or not, and I know you loathe it, Cole has accomplished a number of things worth of a toast since the death. And lastly, I’m pretty sure one of the things most people would like to do with a long lost loved one is sit around and drink a beer and talk about all the things they have missed while being able physically on the Earth. Lastly, I challenge you to watch the video and not be the least bit moved in some way, shape, or form. That is all. Back to you and your minions regularly scheduled programming of continued bitching, complaining, and demeaning behavior. Merry Christmas !
December 15, 2015 @ 2:39 pm
I’ve written plenty of positive reviews for artists who are otherwise “unliked” around these parts, and plenty of negative reviews for artists that are liked. There was nothing about this review that was “demeaning.” And I’m not bitching and complaining. I’m simply pointing out the song would have been much better if he didn’t fall back once again on the crutch of referencing beer.
And please don’t call my readers “minions.” I prefer to think of them as foot soldiers. 🙂
December 15, 2015 @ 4:16 pm
I dunno Trig, the minions are pretty funny.
You should edit that one photo in the about you section so it looks like Gru. I could be Dr. Nefario!
As for you Ballgame:
Cole Swindell never could and never will perform a song like “He Stopped” because that requires talent, skill, and emotion, and he lacks any of these things. He is the most mechanical and bland performer I have ever seen, and he relies on abused lyrical tropes because the true minions of Country Radio know nothing other than beer. In their shallow, one-dimensional lives I’m sure a song like this is very deep and moving. But I’ve been around the horn a few times, and desire something more fulfilling than “beer and memories and football and christmas tree” (which by the way should not be considered a legitimate songwriting attempt because those four things are so commonplace in homes all across America) to placate my insatiable need to hear new music.
February 22, 2016 @ 3:50 am
Holy smokes! I HATE Rap, yet that song gave me Goose bumps.
In my opinion it’s the equivalent of brandy clark’s “Take A Little Pill”.
Same emotional intensity and a very important message, adreeing real life problems, not just Hoe’s and Booze. That’s what music is really about!
December 15, 2015 @ 9:37 am
Oh good, we’ve officially entered the sappy power ballad era of the 80s rock knockoff genre they call country radio.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:38 am
This is in no way a defense of Cole Swindell and some of the horrendous music that he has put out but just some perspective of two of bro country’s biggest stars. I am from the home town of Luke Bryan which is also 30 minutes away from where Cole Swindell is from. As lame and as cheesy as it may sound this song is pretty true to form to what people do during the holiday season in South Ga. People come back home for the holidays and sit around a fire and catch up with old friends while drinking beer. Just want to say that Swindell may have been 100% genuine when writing this song as that is probably what happens every time he heads back to South Ga and he truly misses whoever he has lost. But after saying all of that, this song is still pretty terrible musically.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:53 am
I appreciate the perspective, but I’m not sure going home for the Holidays and hanging out with your friends to drink beer is in any way indicative or indigenous to southern Georgia. That’s pretty much what happens everywhere, especially when high school buddies go off to college, etc., and it usually happens through the college years and a few years after. You walk into any bar in the United states the day before Christmas Eve, and it will be full of these types of groups of young adults.
But this goes back to songwriter Dallas Davidson’s (a Georgia native) points about how they’re just singing about what they know about. The problem is, it’s just not engaging or insightful. I went to the grocery store a couple of days ago and stopped for gas. It’s a pretty common occurrence for me. That doesn’t mean I should write a song about it.
I don’t mean to belittle your point. I just don’t think there’s anything exceptional about this song, despite the marketing push behind it.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:03 am
I see what you’re saying and like I said, I still think its a bad song. Just thought I would try and say that this may be Swindell being 100% genuine for once, even though he still came out with a bad song. By the way I love the site. Been following for a while now and have been introduced to a ton of good music. Keep doing what you’re doing!
December 15, 2015 @ 10:07 am
You might be totally right. I hate to criticize Cole personally, but he’s given us plenty of evidence that he’s probably a pretty shallow guy. It’s a shame this is as “deep” as he can get.
December 15, 2015 @ 12:02 pm
That’s the thing with these bro artists. I think their music is boring because they themselves are boring people. They don’t have any interesting ideas or opinions that they feel the need to express.
They mostly enjoy watching football, chasing girls and drinking beer. So the emotional depth and creativity of their music will reflect that.
February 29, 2016 @ 6:18 am
Calling someone shallow because their music isn’t your cup of tea is just a flipped version of calling someone a great person because their music is deep and appeals to you. You think calling someone like Kanye West a good person because his music is popular makes sense? I get it, you’re saying because Cole sings about similar things nearly all the time that he must be one dimensional. But seriously, you’re making quite the leap calling out someone’s character as a person just because you don’t like their songs.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:55 am
I agree with the review of this specific song. I think the sentiment is pure, but the composition resorts too much to the,lowest common denominator.
*
Since you briefly brought it up, I do like “Confession”, however (this and “Dirt” being the only two tracks I truly like from “Anything Goes”). It’s obviously continental divides away from songwriting quality excellence, but I do think there is some vivid imagery intact and a certain ambiguity in the lyrics that still helps it stand out. It also has a potent melody line coupled with a strong hook in: “That guy in the windshield looking back, looks just like me but there’s a crack in the reflection on…” and I appreciate the open-ended wistful air behind the final line: “Hope he’s moving in the right direction.”
I think the main thing still hurting Florida Georgia Line as a whole is associating with Joey Moi. The chorus is still marred by his clunky, shove everything to the front of the mix “Wall Of Sounnnnndddddd!” production and it is on that front I agree where they try too hard but in the lowest common denominator approach to make the track feel “lighters in the air worthy”. But overall, I do genuinely find plenty to like about “Confession”, where I couldn’t find in “You Should Be Here”.
While giving “Confession” a Light to Decent 6/10, “You Should Be Here” would get a Strong 3 to Light 4.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:09 am
I should probably do a review of “Confession” specifically. I said in my review of “Anything Goes” that it was one of the very slightly better songs on the album. What I was trying to specifically reference here is about the marketing of the song, and how they’re trying to turn it into this super deep and sappy ballad because they’re afraid they have to exude substance these days or get brushed aside by the street sweeper.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:39 am
These artists lowered the bar so much by releasing cheesy party songs, that now anytime a song has scaled back production and something a little bit deeper, it’s considered as a life changing, song of the year type piece. It also sounds like it’s a drum kit being used in the first verse, I guess that’s still going to be a thing even in ballad-type songs.
Surprisingly though, Jason Aldean seems intent on never trying to release a deeper song. It seems like all of these guys (Luke, Rhett, FGL, Sam Hunt and now Cole) have had one single in the last 2-3 years that’s been pushed as a meaningful ballad. But Jason Aldean’s the who might actually have a great song (Two Night Town, Tryin’ To Love Me), won’t send one of them to radio
December 15, 2015 @ 4:50 pm
I agree with you on the marketing aspect.
I thought the video was a missed opportunity and Brian Kelley’s frantic movements and odd smirking kill the contemplative vibe it was going for. I also thought their CMA performance was lackluster (and I not only say that because it followed the Stapleton /Timberlake pairing.
On its own, however, “Confession” gets more right than it gets wrong in my opinion. I even liked the spacey production surrounding the verses and, with more organic instrumentation accompanying it, it would have had even more punch.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:23 am
Is he wearing his initials on his hat?
December 15, 2015 @ 10:40 am
It’s for “Georgia Southern,” his alma mater. Where he met Luke Bryan.
December 15, 2015 @ 11:00 am
Oh, thank you! All this time I thought he was wearing “CS” caps. Well that dials down the douchemeter a little bit anyway.
December 15, 2015 @ 11:09 am
That’s what Brantley Gilbert does with his BG insignia.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:29 pm
Brantley’s hat doesn’t have his initials on it. It has BHM written in old English.
May 16, 2023 @ 11:28 am
LOL! I also thought all this time it was a CS. He’s still a douche though, LOL. I always wanna go Tony Soprano on him in the one famous scene, “Take off the hat. They don’t sell hot dogs here…take it off”. LOL Well, ya learn something new every day.
December 15, 2015 @ 11:10 am
Ah. My first guess was “Grambling State”, and while hilarious, I figured it couldn’t be that…
December 15, 2015 @ 2:04 pm
I read somewhere it was a Grainger Smith hat.
Who knows… it sure as hell ain’t George Strait. Cole can’t do his awkward white guy boogie to “You Look So Good In Love”.
December 16, 2015 @ 7:03 am
LMAO! You noticed it, too? OMG…his dancing is horrid! I know white boys can’t jump, but I’ve seen some that really can dance. However, if you cant, don’t try, while making a video for the entire world to see you making an absolute clumsy, awkward fool of yourself!
December 15, 2015 @ 11:08 am
Why does every song have to mention alcohol?
December 15, 2015 @ 12:02 pm
At this point, mainstream country music is simply a vehicle to sell consumables through country radio. Most every song must mention, beer, trucks, phones, etc., and then it cuts to commercial, and what are they trying to sell you? Beer, trucks, and phones. Who is sponsoring all the tours? Beer, truck, and phone companies. Mainstream country music is the lubricant for the corporate culture machine and nothing more. That’s why even a song like this, which is supposed to be something deep and sentimental, has to talk about selfies and suds.
December 15, 2015 @ 5:59 pm
I agree. Even George Strait can’t get on radio without mentioning it now.
December 15, 2015 @ 11:20 am
This song comes off as both genuine and shallow to me, which I guess sums up Swindell pretty well. The cynical part of me says, oh, they’re trying to do a “country” version of “See You Again,” with obligatory references to beer and something “hip” like… phones. (No truck though, I’m disappointed.)
I don’t think it’s exactly a marketing ploy, but an attempt at populism that says too little by trying to appeal to too many. It will probably resonate with a lot of people, and that’s fine, especially this time of year. But it would have been nice to hear something deeper about his dad than he liked to drink beer and take selfies.
The simple melody works for me, but the modern production ruins it. What else is new.
December 15, 2015 @ 12:04 pm
I don’t consider “You Should Be Here” as a marketing ploy. But I do think a lot of marketing is going into how this song is being pushed. This is the same play Florida Georgia Line did with their debut single from their last album. Hush critics by releasing something deep. Unfortunately, “You Should Be Here” doesn’t even come close to “Dirt.”
December 15, 2015 @ 12:06 pm
I honestly don’t think he’ll ever be capable of much better. The dude is about as one-dimensional as Mr. Game and Watch, and even less visually appealing. He’s the most bland, cream of wheat, filler type of entertainer I have ever seen.
Seriously, what can this guy actually do?
Oh right he knows Luke Bryan.
December 16, 2015 @ 6:33 pm
Luke Bryan’s music sucks, and I am not a fan, but he seems to be a much more exciting entertainer and more charismatic and personable than Cole Swindell. Cole just seems so incredibly boring.
December 15, 2015 @ 12:06 pm
Can I just say I find it hilarious that even in his serious, “grieving the loss of a friend,” single cover, he’s still wearing that stupid Georgia Southern baseball cap!
Comb your hair and put on a nice shirt! Or at least a nice sweater.
December 15, 2015 @ 12:31 pm
He doesn’t have hair Richie. He’s bald.
December 15, 2015 @ 1:38 pm
Or at least have a little class and put on an Alabama cap xD!
December 15, 2015 @ 2:39 pm
I don’t hate the song, but I didn’t get the reference to beer in the chorus either.
Also Trigger, I got a chance to listen to some of Jon Pardi’s new material that might be on his new record. Most of it, while kind of light and fun, was still pretty country. However, there was one song that had that disco-R&B vibe called “Heartache on the Dance Floor.” I hope he doesn’t go in that direction. I would like to hear how the studio version turns out though.
I don’t know, maybe this was the lead single choice he fought his label on a few months back. There’s probably some live YouTube performances somewhere.
December 15, 2015 @ 4:37 pm
I don’t think Cole Swindell could make even the best-written song sound appealing. His voice is flat, without pleasant tone and no range whatsoever. If he should ever write a good song, maybe he can let someone else sing it (so that it actually “sounds good”). Listening to Cole’s voice is like listening to Siri sing out of my smartphone.
December 15, 2015 @ 6:34 pm
Bueller.
Bueller.
Bueller.
December 20, 2015 @ 12:58 pm
I decided to give it a shot…first couple lines and I was done. It sucks.
December 15, 2015 @ 6:27 pm
Yuck. Mr Monotone strikes (out) again.
I’m friends with a guy who wrote with Cole Swindell a couple times. He’s a traditionalist and said “Cole’s a nice kid, but he doesn’t know shit about country music”
This music is just plain terrible.
December 15, 2015 @ 7:17 pm
I’m not surprised. I go to Georgia Southern and because of his success the baseball logo (the one on the hat he wears) we’ve had FOREVER has been renamed the Cole Swindell logo. It makes me want to puke. In the campus bookstore they have a section of hats and shirts with his signature stitched on them.
December 15, 2015 @ 7:23 pm
Great tune. Modern country rocks. Haters gonna hate. This site is entertaining, I’ll give it that! I think Trig has a hard-on for Sam Hunt and it’s pissing him off so much he hates on the new Nashville sound.
It’s ok Trig to have a man crush. Just don’t be so damn insecure about it, mkay?!
December 15, 2015 @ 7:57 pm
Haters gonna hate and people who enjoy shit music are gonna listen to shit music. You go your way and I’ll go mine Mr. Dud.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:06 pm
Ok “Jack”(ass), I will.
The fact it’s shit music is subjective, not objective. Just because it isn’t traditional country doesn’t mean it sucks. I hate Hank Sr, I hate tear in my beer twangy shit. Whether it rocks or sucks is subjective.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:18 pm
Duke Ellington always said that “Music is either good or it isn’t, it’s not someone’s opinion.”
So you disagree with the most prolific of American composers? Who wrote more pieces than anyone else in American History? Something that also isn’t an opinion but validatable fact?
You sir, are either an egotist or completely unaware of how science and facts work.
Shit music is shit music, period. That’s why orchestras still play Beethoven, Mozart, and Mendelssohn, whereas they play very few “modern” composers. Because the classics are universal, and they will always appeal to people.
Feel free to enjoy this song, but don’t expect people like me with music degrees to respect your opinions about it.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:33 pm
But who are you to make that decision…there are plenty of people who like this music and would disagree. Again, it’s subjective as I said.
I think you’re the egotist, Mr. Fuzzynuts. “I have a music degree, so that makes me some kind of well regarded expert”.
Frankly, I’m sick of this site bashing artists others (including myself) like. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s “shit music”.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:45 pm
“Frankly, I”™m sick of this site bashing artists”
Then why are you here?
I know why I’m here. It’s because I’m concerned about the future of music. In Cole Swindle’s minuscule one-dimensional universe every song is about beer, and never gets any deeper than beer.
What about a Hudson Commodore, or President Lincoln, or Albert Einstein dressed as Robin Hood? What about a masked man hiding in the basement of an Opera House?
See, that’s the problem with people like you and yours. Because you like songs about beer, you have to go out and and attack every song about tumbleweeds, or dogs dying.
There’s only one song about tumbleweeds, but Jason Aldean alone accounts for dozens of songs about beer and trucks.
The reason it sucks is because it has no variety. It’s like never ending cream of wheat.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:53 pm
Because I feel I should speak up, and that’s my right. Got a problem with it?…..didn’t think so, but was just checking!
I’ll eventually leave after I’ve said my thoughts but right now I’m pissed. This site serves no purpose other than to bash new country artists and beat the horse again and again serving no purpose. The promotion of “real country” artists is far outweighed by pop country bashing. Either save your country music, or STFU. But you don’t need resort to the way people talk about these artists, sometimes personally – which is totally uncalled for. It’s one thing to hate their music, it’s another to poke fun or personally insult them. THAT’s what I take issue with.
It’s one thing to promote bringing traditional country back into the mainstream. But when you bash people who others are a fan of, you can expect blowback.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:56 pm
“It”™s one thing to hate their music, it”™s another to poke fun or personally insult them.”
How about Aldean, the guy who gee, cheated on his wife? wore blackface on Halloween?
Tyler Farr, the guy who says drunk driving is okay?
Thomas Rhett, who promotes stalking?
And we’re not supposed to insult these people?
They’re in the public eye, they have a responsibility to be role models, and not to promote sexism and illegal or unsafe behavior.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:25 pm
Well then I guess you’re in all your glory. Plenty of gutless dreck to be found on your local station to keep a sap like you entertained. Twangless, soul-less crap that barely breaks the surface tension on musical depth is as plentiful as fleas on a mut.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:35 pm
Gutless dreck IYO. Not all music needs to be serious. There’s other artists for that or other songs by those artists. Sometimes you like a lighthearted song or party tune.
Just like the people who bitch about Adam Sandler or Jim Carrey being dumb immature humor. Again, not everything needs to be serious. I’ll watch their movies anyday over “sophisticated humor”, the same for music. That doesn’t mean anything about me other than I like what I like. Don’t judge, mkay?! Stereotypes are for pussies.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:43 pm
I bet you love the Transformers and Fast & Furious movies, too. Not everything has to be well written, competent, sensible, or well acted. Sometimes explosions are just so much more fun!
December 15, 2015 @ 8:47 pm
OMG you know me so well……noooot!
But let’s think here for a second…what’s so wrong about that if I did? Again, putting people into stereotypes is not only wrong, but you yourself would likely fit into one, so you better watch it. There is nothing wrong with it. There is nothing wrong with being a person who likes simpler things.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:49 pm
“I’ll watch their movies anyday over “sophisticated humor”,”
That’s because it’s easily accessible and requires no deeper thought or introspection, just like this song.
The reason people like serious stuff is because it challenges them to think, it causes them to doubt in their own minds everything they think and understand. It’s easy to turn your brain off and enjoy something designed for the lowest common denominator, it takes a degree of investment in the material to ponder, re-interpret and question. That’s why some people do it, because it goes beyond the auditory perception of being catchy and actually causes them to use their thinkbox for something other than storing the dust that collects between episodes of “Game of Thrones.”
December 15, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
I’m done…but I will say this last thing.
Two things actually. Saving the best part for last.
1. There is no arguing with people who insult others freely because they can’t communicate in any other way when they don’t like their music. That’s why I gave you all a little taste of your own medicine tonight. You call them names, make fun of everything about them. You can’t just leave it at “I don’t like their music”.
2. I DDOS’d this site on the last ACM awards liveblog when ol’ Trig was being rude and insulting artists unnecessarily. His cute little hate-promoting website went down for a minute (he thought it was traffic visiting the site, haha) and his asskissing bunch of pussies called supporters/fans like you couldn’t kiss his ass in the comments.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:11 pm
I insult others freely because they deserve to be insulted.
I think you’ll find we still won on November 4th. Because the shallow and completely inane bros walked away largely spurned by someone with talent and an understanding of Country Music. Ironically, he was one of their own.
December 16, 2015 @ 6:18 am
Haters gonna hate.
The modern country fan’s arguments in a nutshell. And you wonder why you’re not taken seriously.
I DDOS”™d this site
Sure you did. And my name is John Wesley Ryles.
December 16, 2015 @ 5:00 pm
If you are hating on someone for hating, does that make you a hater? Haters gonna hate hating haters. And I’m hating on you for hating on hating. Haters gonna hate hating haters hating on hate.
Or something.
December 15, 2015 @ 8:54 pm
Cole Swindell has no charisma, charm, or character whatsoever. He is the human form of a robot. In fact, sometimes I wonder if HE IS a robot. I hate this guy so much that I actually like his music. The only reason why is because his music is catchy and has simple lyrics. His singing is mediocre, he just does not have the voice to be a singer. The music is a generic 90’s rock guitar sound, and i see that has continued with the next album as well. Well hey, don’t mess with the formula, right? Four #1 singles, so Swindell’s label obviously doesn’t want to risk changing the sound or formula too much. Reminds me of Florida Georgia Line, used the same formula for the 2nd album – same lyrics, same cliches, same music, same sound, just almost everything was the same. Now, FGL’s bro country is getting old so they have to retool for the next album…..I almost guarantee for Swindell’s 3rd album, it will be majorly different. For this album though, I see plenty more immature, laughable lyrics with generic music.
No serious country music fan will ever take Swindell seriously even if he does come out with a solid album eventually, because he rose to fame in the bro-country era doing the same thing as all the bros, because he IS one of the bros. This song is mediocre, not terrible but not good or great. He doesn’t have the voice to sing a song with any depth or seriousness to it. I seriously believe this song may tank around #13 or so.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:01 pm
I tried complaining to Macy’s for having him on the parade a year ago. No dice. Didn’t watch this year. Played with model trains instead.
If I were Renee Fleming, a REAL singer, with tone, range, control, and years of extensive training, who could actually sing on pitch, I would be insulted to share a spotlight with Cole Swindle. Apparently Macy’s either doesn’t understand or flat out doesn’t care. If I were James Taylor, one of the most iconic performers of a generation, maybe two, who’s playing with Yo-Yo Ma and Chris Thile (two people so insanely talented it should be proof of God) I would be insulted for having to share the spotlight with a lowest common denominator media puppet.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:04 pm
Played with model trains?! What are you, 2?! Maybe that’s why you can’t comprehend what I’m telling you.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:06 pm
Insulting me rather than engage in intelligent discussion, who are you, Donald Trump??
December 15, 2015 @ 9:07 pm
I’m doing what you do to these artists. I’m giving you a taste of your own medicine when talking about these artists.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:10 pm
Really? You’re defending the guys who objectify women, and promote drunk driving?
Ever wondered why our kids are going to grow up corrupt, entitled, and unable to hold a job? It’s because the people in the media are just like Trump, all flash and no results. A real role model teaches kids to stay in school and obey the laws. Luke Bryan teaches them that women are eye-candy and Thomas Rhett teaches them that women are not entitled to personal space or respect.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:37 pm
You sound like a classy individual, “Dudley”. If you want to insult someone, don’t do it Donald Trump style as Fuzzy said, instead make a valid point. I see none. All I see is you grasping at straws to make an attempt to fire back at a person that has valid points with a reasonable logic, and none the less, a brain in his head. Calling someone a 2 year old because they have model trains….what a pathetic attempt at an insult…. I hope you realize that men of all ages build model trains and have huge train sets in their homes, it’s a hobby. I’m pretty sure Fuzzy isn’t talking about Thomas the fucking tank engine. GTFO son…
December 15, 2015 @ 9:48 pm
I said I wasn’t coming back but I have to respond to this dumb comment.
Read my other post. I said I was insulting Fuzzy and the rest to give them a taste of their own medicine of insulting people who don’t deserve it.
As far as Chris Stapleton, don’t trust him. You are just infatuated because he’s making songs that sound country. He’ll be writing the next “Crash and Burn” (which I like a lot) before you know it. Can’t wait to see the disappointment on your fat faces when he sells out AGAIN.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:58 pm
Studley,
Please feel free to disagree with me or anyone else and engage in spirited discourse. But don’t be making personal insults to other commenters or your comments will be edited, moderated, or deleted. This is not YouTube.
Thank you.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:52 pm
What’s wrong with Thomas? The original stories were based on actual railroading events. Characters like Stepney and Skarloey are actual locomotives. Stepney is in West Sessex and Skarloey is in Wales.
Donald and Douglas are Caledonian 812s, which are technically normally painted blue.
December 15, 2015 @ 9:54 pm
I have to agree with Dudley, Stapleton DID write those things, and probably will again. In fact he has produced music that both me and Dudley can enjoy, and subsequently we have common ground.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:00 pm
Hey Trig, how about you do the same for those people on here who say shit about these artists and demean them?! And how about you moderate yourself when writing new posts. Then maybe I’ll take your request into consideration. You know, the whole I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine thing.
I hoping you will, so I will accept your request for now.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:16 pm
Nobody called anyone else a “cocksucker” except for you. It is a derogatory term dealing with sexual orientation that is off limits. As I said, feel free to disagree, but know where the line is or your comments will get deleted. This is my last comment on this.
December 16, 2015 @ 10:28 am
Hey pistolero…why don’t you do us all a favor and bend over and kiss my ass.
December 16, 2015 @ 12:49 pm
Cole, we know that’s you. You’re not fooling anybody.
December 16, 2015 @ 4:50 pm
Mike…guess again. A fan yes, but the man himself no.
I posted back during the CMA’s under a different name and people thought I was Scott Borchetta. Not him either though I deeply respect him and his artists.
December 19, 2015 @ 10:02 am
Take care, Sign Guy Dudley!!! Say hi to Joel Gertner for me!!!
December 16, 2015 @ 1:58 pm
I would, but your head’s in the way, fully inserted.
December 15, 2015 @ 10:13 pm
Thank you Dudley for saying what I was afraid too.
I was afraid to speak up and say how offensive these people are. And I thought they deserved a bit of blowback.
Your brother from another mother,
Daryl
December 15, 2015 @ 10:22 pm
Absolutely Daryl…
Sometimes you have to turn the tables right on them to get them to see what they are doing wrong. And sometimes they are still blissfully ignorant (no Trig, I’m not insulting anyone personally, general statement).
December 16, 2015 @ 2:28 am
Oh, snap! We just got served!
Keep going on about how thinking someone’s music isn’t good is the same thing as calling someone a “cocksucker,” and how only NERDS prefer movies like “Groundhog Day” to “Jack and Jill.”
The funniest part of your “brilliant” analogy was that it lies right along with your attempts to shit on Stapleton for his co-write on Crash and Burn (a song which I actually consider a guilty pleasure).
The reason people hate Jack and Jill and Grown-Ups 2 is that they’ve seen Sandler in Punch Drunk Love, Funny People, and even The Wedding Singer (another guilty pleasure of mine).
The reason people hate Dumb and Dumber To and Fun With Dick and Jane is that they’ve seen Carrey in The Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and even Liar Liar.
Hell, I hate Norbit and I Spy because I’ve seen 48 Hours and Trading Spaces.
Cole Swindell doesn’t deserve the vitriol that Sandler and Carrey get, and he hasn’t received it here. He’s the Kevin James of Bro-Country.
Artists like Blake Shelton, who has gone from Austin to The Boys Round Here, or Luke Bryan, who has gone from We Rode in Trucks to Home Alone Tonight? They deserve it.
Even Zac Brown is doing a Chris Rock impression right now, somehow matching the Top Five/Grown-Ups 2 whiplash by putting a decent cover of Dress Blues on the same album as dreck like Beautiful Drug.
December 16, 2015 @ 5:55 am
Don’t tell anyone, but I actually liked the original Dumb and Dumber.
“I thought the Rocky Mountains would be a little rockier’n this…that John Denver’s fulla shit, man.”
😀
December 16, 2015 @ 6:24 am
There’s not a damn thing wrong with the original Dumb and Dumber!
So you’re saying…there’s a chance?!
December 16, 2015 @ 6:43 am
“Husband? Wait a minute”¦ what was all that ”˜one in a million”™ talk?”
December 16, 2015 @ 12:31 pm
I can typically care less what people listen to really. But I have to say, I think that you’re the first male to ever defend these guys on any kind of country webpage. Nothing wrong with that, but maybe should win a prize or something ha. Usually it’s middle aged chicks with a 60% chance of being a little overweight. I hate pop country myself (it’s like Beiber for an older female crowd), but good for you I guess. Different strokes for different folks.
December 16, 2015 @ 4:38 pm
Every time I go to a concert there are LOTS of young people there. Just watch any of the videos on YouTube… In fact, modern country is mostly a young person’s genre.
Yes there are older ladies there, but a lot of older dudes too for that matter. Guys in farmers outfits that look like they should be listening to Waylon but are rockin’ out to some Jason Aldean.
Look at posts on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Snapchat – lots of young people posting from these concerts.
Thank you for not insulting me for my choice of music like others have. You don’t like pop country, perfectly understandable. It’s when you attack people who do is when I retaliate.
December 17, 2015 @ 10:44 am
I’m guessing Dudley’s mom’s basement has dial up and a fridge full of hot pockets.
December 18, 2015 @ 6:08 am
I didn’t think anyone would actually defend Cole Swindell, unless you’re a 12 year old teenage girl.
Studley you’re an absolute clown bud, grow up
December 18, 2015 @ 4:57 pm
Hey Mike, go shove a hot pocket in YOUR mouth. Donny, you’re the clown. You are the guy who drives a van around with “Free Candy” written on the side to get kids attention.
December 18, 2015 @ 8:47 pm
Haha Dudley so true. Donny’s the loser. The name Donny reminds me of in the movie Ted, the guy who dances to 80’s pop and wants to steal a teddy bear because he had a shitty upbringing.
Mike, quit talking about yourself.
December 19, 2015 @ 10:05 am
Hey Daryl. Just remember to leave the plastic cover on your mattress in case you wet the bed again.
December 16, 2015 @ 8:14 am
Listened to a bit of the song.
Meh. He sounds like Keith Urban with a Georgia twang here, and I never thought Keith Urban was anything to write home about. Not really bad, but not really good either.
NEXT.
December 16, 2015 @ 9:20 am
I really wanted to like this song and expected more after all of the posts I saw about the heartbreaking new Cole Swindell song. The Sam Hunt phrasing and production really turned me off right from the beginning. Then they had to throw in the guitar riff that doesn’t seem to fit into the song at all other than being able to check that off the production checklist. In the end it seemed like an attempt to hide the lyrics behind the production because they have little substance.
December 16, 2015 @ 11:38 am
Regardless if the song is good or not, the biggest disservice is the fact that the man can’t sing. At face value, I have to agree – I am not convinced of what he may have wanted to convey other than the fact that we have to deal with the subject during our lifetime… but I can’t tell if that is because of the song, or the singer.
December 16, 2015 @ 1:03 pm
Why do all of these artists have to tell me “it’s one of those moments”? To reassure me this is something memorable? Well it should be if you’ve bothered to write a song about it. I swear these lyrics come from rough drafts of eighth grade personal narratives.
December 16, 2015 @ 3:18 pm
Is it me or is it when every artist tries to make a slow or meaningful song these days, they can’t even make it without including that dumb ol’ hip hop beat?
It’s really starting to get on my nerves.
December 16, 2015 @ 4:53 pm
I hope this song is better than his last 4 singles.
December 16, 2015 @ 7:46 pm
I want to like this song… I just can’t. It’s alright, but it’s the same old crap in the lyrics with some better instrumentation and concepts behind it. For a song about a death, it’s oddly generic and unwilling to be more open. That’s the worst thing about this song; it won’t show us more beyond the same tropes. It’s a great concept with a chance to be excellent if it was a bit more open and less cliche. It’s a step up, but it could’ve been so much more. Also, Swindell really just doesn’t have the emotion in his voice to make it believable (which is odd considering his father’s unfortunate death). Sorry, but it’s nothing more than alright.
5/10
April 28, 2016 @ 10:31 pm
are you going to do a review of the album when it comes out next week personally the last two songs he’s released i really like, remember boys for some reason reminds me of humble and kind with a relationship story to it and broke down reminds me of ain’t worth the whiskey without the whole patriotic thing at the end
April 29, 2016 @ 12:01 am
We’ll see, I’ll have to hear it, or I may just review the singles if I feel so inclined.
May 16, 2023 @ 11:25 am
I’m usually in agreement w/Trigger, probably 98% of the time. And I pretty much despise Cole Swindell not b/c I think he’s a bad guy (maybe he’s a great guy, I wouldn’t know) but b/c most of his songs are God-awful and I don’t think he can sing his way out of a wet paper bag. And the baseball hat. Ugh. He’s the epitome of generic bro-country artist. All said, I do really relate to this song, even though thankfully my parents are both here. Every time I hear it I think of a couple of friends whose pops are gone, and who would behave just like he thinks his dad would – talking pictures, showing off his pride for his son’s accomplishments (as someone wrote here, he’s lamenting the fact that his dad is missing his big success moment) while drinking beer in the backyard, and hanging out with the “crew”. This is exactly what we do, and I can actually picture the whole thing vividly and in reality. Do I think it’s a magnificent song? No, but I dig it. Hell, I played it / sang it for a group of family 8,000 miles away in a different country and several people, including my own old man who took us to see his family, were in tears. So if it moves you, it behooves you to appreciate it, I guess. But I get it if it doesn’t do it for you, and I can understand the whole beer/phone photo thing being annoying. Just sharing my two cents.