Thomas Rhett Wants to be “Country Again.”

To be country again, you had to have been country in the first place, at least at some point. And country is as country does. You want to be country? Then be country. Don’t tell us about being country. Chances are if you’re telling us how country you are, it’s because it’s not self-evident you’re country, or you’re trying to make up for not being country enough.
Thomas Rhett has spent the lion’s share of his career not being country. At times, it’s felt like his music has purposely gone out of the way to be everything but country. Bruno Mars has been his primary musical influence over the last few years, self-admitted by Rhett himself. Now he wants to be “Country Again,” which is the name of his upcoming album due out on April 30th, and also the name of his newest single being sent to country radio.
“Country Again” follows his previous single, “What’s Your Country Song.” See paragraph one. Though “What’s Your Country Song” surely included the titles of a lot of country songs in the lyrics (an old, tired trope), it didn’t sound especially country with it’s electronic drum break and arena rock guitar. “Country Again” actually does sound country, with its phase guitar opening, and prominent fiddle and steel.
But just because something is real country, doesn’t mean it’s real good. Ultimately, “Country Again” is just another list song full of easily-recognizable country signifiers, just like “What’s Your Country Song,” and just like almost every mainstream country song that isn’t trying to tap into the other hyper-trend currently in the mainstream: Boyfriend Country.
But hey, if Thomas Rhett wants to get into the business of making actual country music, the last thing we should do is get in his way. Hell, more power to him. Listening to the two other songs he’s released ahead of his new album—“Want It Again” and “Growing Up”—they also show great promise. Perhaps Thomas Rhett has turned a new leaf. Perhaps he has “grown up,” and wants to get back to his roots—or more accurately, finally tap into them for once.
Thomas Rhett’s career has been propped up more than most anyone else’s by undeserved awards and corporate radio. Sixteen #1 singles and an ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy for this guy? And how many of those #1’s can you name off? Does he really have any hardcore fans? Starting in about 2016, Thomas Rhett became the Big Machine anointed cash cow since he was willing to record and release almost anything, and work choreography into his arena shows. He became product, and that’s what his music has continued to be for the most part, a good song here and there notwithstanding. Thomas Rhett’s wife might be more interesting than him, something else he’s self-admitted, partly because he exudes not signature style or personality.
But since 2016, mainstream country music has continued to improve amid the slow implosion of Bro-Country, and it’s also become decidedly more country sounding, born off the success of guys like Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, and Jon Pardi. This has allowed other artists to get in on the action. In 2021, Carly Pearce and Lainey Wilson have released records in the mainstream that are decidedly more country. Canaan Smith just released a new record that is also surprisingly more country than his previous output.
If Thomas Rhett wants to join in, it could only mean rank improvement for mainstream country with the way radio finds such favor with him. “Country Again” will very likely be a #1 hit, because it’s from Thomas Rhett, and radio will push anything from Rhett to #1. And if it is a #1, it will probably be one of the most country-sounding #1 singles since Jon Pardi’s “Heartache Medication.”
In many respects, this might be what Thomas Rhett must do to insulate himself from becoming synonymous with a trendy style of country, where you sink when the trend expires, sort of like what we’ve seen with Florida Georgia Line and Bro-Country. Or Rhett may get the sense that the next trend in country is country, and is trying to tap into that, or stay ahead of the curve. Or he might just be trying to grow old with his music now that he’s reached his 30’s. This is how guys like Tim McGraw have sustained their careers in the mainstream as long as they have.
Then again, maybe Thomas Rhett just wanted to make a country album, and has finally now earned the latitude to do so. But let’s see how all of this plays out. Let’s wait for the entire record. And let’s see what Thomas Rhett does afterwards. As we’ve seen from Dierks Bentley and others, sometimes a cool, rootsy project is chased with a Black-style monstrosity.
But let’s also not let our cynicism get in the way of a good thing. Both the single “Country Again” and what we’ve heard so far from Thomas Rhett’s new album is promising. Hopefully he fulfills that promise of making a full country record, and then makes another. After all, the full title of the new album is Country Again: Side A. But let’s also hope it’s country from what it does, not just what it says. Because more than anything, being country is something that is self-evident. It’s also about being yourself.
April 14, 2021 @ 11:04 am
This article used the word “country” 58 times (title included).
April 14, 2021 @ 2:27 pm
Aaawww…I really like Black. It’s not “pure” country, but it’sone of my favorite Dierks Bentley albums. I feel the same about Thomas Rhett. When I want Willie, Cash or George Jones, I listen to them. When I want something contemporary, Thomas Rhett is an option. I don’t clutch my pearls over how “country” it is…I just enjoy it.
April 15, 2021 @ 5:55 am
I agree. “Black” wasn’t my favorite Bentley album, and certainly not my favorite, but I think it gets a bum rap. I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as some make it out to be.
April 14, 2021 @ 11:15 am
Yeah, but…
Damn thing still has that pop country drum beat. It doesn’t appear to be electric, but these types of guys just love that 16th note high hat (at least I think that’s what it is).
April 14, 2021 @ 11:35 am
Sounds like a CajĂłn to me. It’s a way you can get cleaner beats like a drum machine to fool untrained ears, but still get away with saying the rhythm is “organic.” Been hearing a lot more of that lately.
April 15, 2021 @ 11:00 am
Fuck I hate cajon so much. It sounds like the fucking plywood it is. Secondary problem: absolutely nobody looks good on stage sitting on a box with their legs spread. I really don’t want to look at somebody’s crotch when I go see music.
April 14, 2021 @ 11:18 am
I’ve never been convinced by anything he’s ever done. Any time his name is mentioned, I avoid him the best that I can and I will be doing it again this time.
April 14, 2021 @ 11:24 am
“Hey, I’ve seen this one before!”
– Marty McFly
– THass94
(Re: Sam Hunt going “country”)
April 14, 2021 @ 11:34 am
Well, Trig, I made it six words into that song.
“I quit huntin’ with my daddy….”
Sorry. That’s just gross. Guy’s a poseur and a d-bag.
April 14, 2021 @ 7:51 pm
Did your father ever hug you?
*(Jokes aside, not sure why that opening lyric is offensive?? Is it because Rhett Akins is a famous songwriter or something?)
April 15, 2021 @ 4:48 am
Dad’s 80, & and we hunted together a lot. I hugged him last week, and he even hugged me back!
“Offensive?” I wouldn’t say I was offended. But pop country songs that talk about how “country” the singer is usually consist of : 1. a roll call of country music legends the singer never listens to and whose boots he isn’t fit to shine; or, 2. a checklist of activities the singer thinks are country: farming, hunting, fishing, honky-tonking, church-going, etc.
It’s just so transparently contrived. Think of Keith Urban’s “John Cougar, John Deer, and John 3:16.” (That Australian really has his finger on the country pulse, huh?)
It’s gross. No thank you.
April 15, 2021 @ 9:17 pm
Oh, I thought you had issues with him referring to his father as “Daddy” or something. I gotcha now.
“Daddy” is sometimes used as a sexual thing among the youth.
Ladies call their boyfriends “Daddy”.
You said it was gross of Rhett to write that in this song. Lmao
April 16, 2021 @ 5:22 am
Nah. The song is gross.
All pop country is gross.
April 16, 2021 @ 4:21 pm
Kevin, i don’t consider this new song of his as Pop Country at all. It’s pretty darn neotraditional as it gets.
The lyrics may be cliche but i gots to give him credit.
April 18, 2021 @ 2:14 am
Hey Arnold,
Are you like 17 years old? Get off this page you turd.
June 15, 2021 @ 4:48 pm
not nice hes a great singer TPWK
April 14, 2021 @ 11:50 am
It isn’t that great but it’s a step in the right direction. The lyrics are pretty list-y but the instrumentation is really solid. Perhaps better things are to come, but I’m not holding out much hope
April 14, 2021 @ 3:14 pm
I’ve haven’t listened to any of his new music here, but artists making “songs about songs” trying to be country is the worst trend ever. Anytime you reference another song in your song, you’ve downgraded the credibility of your song. It’s such a lazy way to write.
April 14, 2021 @ 11:56 am
So, Thomas Rhett might be seeing the winds of change and is adjusting his sails? I think I’ll stick to artists who continued being “Country when country wasn’t cool”.
I’m from and still live in California and it ain’t Tennessee…but outside of the metropolis areas, it is very country. Outside of politics and taxes (which seem to be the focus of most negative comments), I don’t know anywhere else where you can visit the ocean, vast desert, snow covered mountains all in one day while also passing through the Central Valley which produces the most food than anywhere else in the U.S.
April 14, 2021 @ 12:52 pm
Equating California with the antithesis of being “country” really is pretty shortsighted. Buck Owens would agree.
April 14, 2021 @ 1:57 pm
So would Merle. And if he wasn’t country I’ll kiss your ass.
April 14, 2021 @ 3:15 pm
And Jesse Daniel.
April 14, 2021 @ 5:32 pm
”Equating California with the antithesis of being “country” really is pretty shortsighted. ”
BUT , I believe its a good way to make your point as most listeners , regardless of age demographics would understand that ‘contrast ‘( Hollywood/Backwoods ) .
April 15, 2021 @ 12:15 pm
You ever listen to the Cracker album Berkeley to Bakersfield? It’s basically a concept album about how the part of California they’re from is as country as anywhere else.
My favorite professor in college was from Fresno (but not Fresno like a small town near it) and I asked why he specialized in southern literature being from California and he said cause where I’m from in California is basically the south
April 17, 2021 @ 8:31 pm
I think you can make a serious argument that the ten year period of 1965 to 1975 country music that came out of the west coast in all its iterations was as influential as any 10 year stretch for any region in the history of country music.
April 15, 2021 @ 7:27 am
When I watch shows like The Rockford Files, they’re just outside L.A., but so much of it seems rural. That was 40-45 years ago. Are there a still good bit of areas like that, like around Morongo Valley and such?
April 15, 2021 @ 8:44 am
Absolutely. Try Inyo, Kern and 90% of San Bernardino counties. Very rural. Easily “country”
April 15, 2021 @ 12:16 pm
A song to answer that question: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqbfE-RMbI
April 15, 2021 @ 12:24 pm
Nice!
April 14, 2021 @ 12:04 pm
“I can’t wait for the inevitable Thomas Rhett/BTS collab now that Big Machine has sold out to Hybe!”, said no one ever.
April 14, 2021 @ 12:06 pm
If you want to see something funny, go on YouTube and read the YouTube comments on the music video for “Country Again”.
April 14, 2021 @ 12:33 pm
People claiming in YT comments that he is a country legend, the best country music artist out there, etc. Holy shit.
April 14, 2021 @ 6:48 pm
Yeah, this is what one commenter said to me when I said that the song wasn’t that good:
“DONT YOU DARE SAY THAT AGAIN I LOVE ALL OF THOMAS RHETTS MUSIC ALL OF HIS COLLABS THEIR JUST PLAIN OUTRIGHT MASTERPIECES AND DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ABT “Marry Me” THAT IS MY STAN SONG FOR LIFE”
Generally I find it’s a good idea to just ignore anyone who uses the word “Stan” unironically.
April 14, 2021 @ 8:10 pm
Id love to slap those cunts across the face with a vinyl of John Prine.
April 15, 2021 @ 7:56 am
Nah, they’d probably benefit more from a little spanking in 3/4 time.
April 15, 2021 @ 7:30 am
Jason O’Brien – You must be The Scranton Strangler, huh?
April 17, 2021 @ 12:57 pm
Using “The Office” refrences is so lame & outdated.
Please, we only use “M.A.S.H.” & “Frasier ” refrences here…
Now fetch me a glass of brandy, Niles!
April 17, 2021 @ 9:32 pm
I still only use references from Nanny and the Professor. I think I need some new stuff.
April 3, 2022 @ 7:16 pm
Indeed I am. Took me a second to figure out why you would say that haha.
April 14, 2021 @ 12:07 pm
It’s probably a mix of all those things…
He probably has a genuine desire in him to do things that are a little more country-sounding, but he’s ALSO a savvy industry navigator and realizes that the tide is shifting that direction. Like you mentioned, you don’t get all those hits and awards (while also having no great songs) without knowing how to play the game.
April 14, 2021 @ 12:16 pm
This kind of scenario is one that I have thought about for quite awhile: Pop country artists that decide they want to make “real” country [again]. I often use Luke Bryan as an example, he is 44 and I imagine that in 21 years he will still be making music, but I find it difficult to believe that he will still be making pop-country music, wearing skinny jeans, etc. I always imagine him going back to the traditional sound once he reaches that certain age but feel like that is such a b**** move. And that fans should just blow him off regardless of whether his music or good or not. Idk, sorry for the digression.
April 14, 2021 @ 2:05 pm
I’ll be surprised if Luke Bryan is still making music in 5 or 6 years, let alone 21.
Rhett had that song about smoking dope with Jesus or something like that. That was a good one.
April 14, 2021 @ 12:27 pm
I’ll take Midland every day of the week over this fraud.
April 14, 2021 @ 1:19 pm
Not that I want to defend Thomas Rhett, but the irony in this statement….
April 14, 2021 @ 8:24 pm
Lol. I thought the same thing. It has to be a joke…
April 14, 2021 @ 12:38 pm
Title makes it sound like it could be a subliminal call to arms for red capped MAGA folks who miss their pres and want their country back (‘again’). Visions of Brantley Gilbert waving his stupid guns around in the official video. I’ll pass. Best of luck though, Tom!
April 14, 2021 @ 1:30 pm
The only thing country about him is that he looks like a goat.
April 14, 2021 @ 2:00 pm
It’s an improvement, but it’s still bad.
“Show, don’t tell”
April 14, 2021 @ 2:26 pm
I don’t know, I’m more torn over this recent trend of releasing “Side A” now and then “Side B” around late summer only for them to be merged later on (and simply called Country Again”). It’s just like artists releasing deluxe versions of an album you already bought afterwards.
April 14, 2021 @ 2:31 pm
This, along with the others from the album so far, are impressive for Thomas Rhett. I couldn’t stand to listen to most of his stuff, unless it was deep album cuts. I hope this trend continues with more actual country sounding music finding its way to radio. Had the whole Morgan Wallen incident not happened, I’m fairly certain there would’ve been some more quality number 1’s this year. I will say the point you made about FGL fading out, I honestly think they would still be fine if they had stuck with their “Heres to the Good Times” and “Anything Goes” sound. Aside from “Long Live” what they’re putting out now is honestly just weird sounding and their fans obviously don’t care much for it. The “Can’t Say I Ain’t Country” album was a step towards their old sound, but the singles they released were literally the worst songs. I’m pretty sure they are history at this point.
April 14, 2021 @ 2:45 pm
This is the most country thing I’ve heard from Rhett. It sounds decent, and I hope he continues in this direction. It won’t absolve for his “South Side” Sin, but it’s a big step in the right direction.
April 14, 2021 @ 3:10 pm
You can’t sell your soul to Pop country, build your brand off that and expect to have the credibility of real country artists down the road.
April 14, 2021 @ 3:45 pm
Rhett Adkins Made some decent traditional country music in the 90s where did it go so wrong with Jr…. Thomas is nothing like his dad maybe that’s the reason for this new direction
April 14, 2021 @ 5:41 pm
Yeah, Rhett Senior made some great stalker music (that ain’t my truck) and has written many songs this site despises. I can’t like anything from him or his son…
That ain’t my truck is a pretty concerning situation…. I always hated that song somehow gave Thomas Rhett cred when he first came out… cuz his dad wrote that…creepy
April 15, 2021 @ 11:28 am
Wow, okay then
April 14, 2021 @ 3:58 pm
Yeah, no.
April 14, 2021 @ 5:29 pm
this isn’t saying much but this is my favourite Thomas Rhett song . In part because if you took his vocal off the track it still sounds fantastic . and when you put the vocals back on the track you hear a REAL lyric . its well- written/crafted and its actually about something . and although its not a challenge melodically I’ve gotta give it to him . he delivers it the way it should be delivered …the right emotional tone , imo …reflective , pensive, on pitch and on point throughout .
April 14, 2021 @ 6:16 pm
Cranked Eric Church to 10.
Gimme a break.
April 14, 2021 @ 7:21 pm
Not exactly the right name to drop when you’re trying to prove how country you are. Church is one of the better guys in the mainstream, but he’d be the first to tell you he’s not exactly Alan Jackson.
April 14, 2021 @ 7:45 pm
Strangely Eric Church is a massive influence to the new crop of kids, including Luke Combs, Rhett, & Pardi too.
Crazy how he achieved influential legend status within just 10 yrs. Same goes for Miranda
April 15, 2021 @ 7:43 am
You can add Wallen, McBryde, Brothers Osborne, even crap artists like Chase Rice talk about Church’s influence. Along with great music and sell out crowds, Church has this “Screw the suits in the industry, I’m recording my music,” outsider vibe that artists would love to have. How accurate that vibe is can be discussed, but he sells it.
April 18, 2021 @ 10:13 am
Oh to hear some of those long lost Lambert & Church collaborations. Sigh.
April 14, 2021 @ 7:35 pm
I want to be 21 again. About as much chance of that happening as there is this bro going country…
April 14, 2021 @ 7:42 pm
The dude is morphing into Johnny Paycheck before our very eyes.
The new song is great. It will be nice to hear more fiddle on the radio. We’ve been solely dependent on Jon Pardi for this sound over the past 5 years. But what’s totally unfair is that this single will go #1 within 4 months, while Pardi & other neotraditionalists will have to wait 9+ months to reach the top of the charts.
Thomas Rhett is totally hijacking the neotraditionalist movement. It’s pretty funny actually
April 15, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
It’s better for a single to take forever to make it to #1, at least as a writer. Pays more. Think about it.
April 15, 2021 @ 4:43 pm
True but to only get 1 single per year must be dreadful, especially for newer artists wanting to start headlining.
5 hit singles after 5 years… while Luke Combs gets to have 15 hits within 5 yrs…
April 14, 2021 @ 7:56 pm
I know this is crazy… but since we’re all here together, for the Love of Country Music.
How about we write an original song together in this comment thread.
I’ll start it off & everyone else can join in. I bet we can write a song just as good as this new Rhett song !!!
** Song title, “For The Love of Country Music”
Written by Hey Arnold & Friends. Sponsored by Saving Country Music
April 14, 2021 @ 8:14 pm
I’ve heard the Country’s needing savin.
Where have the Trabodors run off too?
Left without its fiddles,
Less answers than there are riddles.
Stealing the steel from production ,
Sure feels like a lowsy reduction.
But just between me & you,
The path has always been paved to seek the independent side of things.
(Chorus) For the Love of Country Music????
We found the Trigger to uphold 3 chords & the truth.
Gather here daily for the articles, the commentary & opinions of others.
We found comradery in the ordinary.
As simple as it is,
For The Love of Country Music ????????
April 14, 2021 @ 8:32 pm
There’s posers & there’s marketers
Up & Down this Music Row
Every station we hear the Bones & Artificial cowboys trying to hend the herds,
While their music sounds like a generic turd,
Authenticity is what needs to be heard…????????
So i tune in
For the Love of Country Music
For the Love of Country Music
Give us our daily updates about the unsung artists we crave.
Let the circle go unbroken just as a Wi-Fi stays connected to the blog that we cherish!!
(For the Love of Country Music)
To Trig we honor thee.
For the Love of Country Music
For The Love of Country Music
????????????????
April 14, 2021 @ 8:30 pm
I like the song. I think this is a good start if he is serious about trying to make real country music.
April 14, 2021 @ 8:40 pm
Thanks, i just wrote it on the spot!
April 17, 2021 @ 4:19 pm
I’m pretty sure the comment wa s about the Thomas Rhett song not yours.
April 14, 2021 @ 9:23 pm
It’s better than most anything else he’s put out, but that is not high praise.
April 15, 2021 @ 12:30 am
it kind of sounds like a rip off of lemonheads “outdoor type”
April 15, 2021 @ 1:27 am
I remember when country used to have distinctive melodies.
April 15, 2021 @ 6:57 am
This song isn’t that though. That was the first single.
April 15, 2021 @ 7:28 am
I was pleasantly surprised the first time I heard this song. I enjoyed the fiddle and hope it continues to become more of a presence in country music. I liked the other two songs Trigger mentioned. I do not care for “What’s Your Country Song” and I am not a Thomas Rhett fan. However, the recent songs I’ve heard show he might have more in him than the bland pop-country he has made over the last several years. Until the new album comes out we won’t know for sure what we are truly getting. Still, if this song does well it would be another small step in getting actual country music played on country radio. I am all for that!!
April 15, 2021 @ 9:32 pm
I am not a fan of thomas rhett but his most recent songs are a trend in the right direction. His music is definitely improving and sounding more country. I really like growing up,looks like his music is growing up too.
April 16, 2021 @ 3:29 pm
“Strong with this one, the cringe is.” – Yoda
April 17, 2021 @ 1:00 pm
Cool profile pic. What the F is it?
Is it a Michael Angelo painting depicting the bald man’s desire for a plentiful yeast harvesting season?
April 17, 2021 @ 1:41 pm
Nah . . .
July 29, 2021 @ 10:25 am
Still patiently waiting for this writer/blogger/columnist/self-annointed messiah/provoca-tator to be the perfect country star and write and perform the perfect country song. Shoot instead of just fingering the trigger and posturing as a ‘can’t miss’ hitman.
Show how it’s done; be a hit and try making one.
February 11, 2022 @ 6:42 am
And him singing about his adopted nigerian kid for no reason just to show how not racist he is is so damn lame.
September 23, 2022 @ 6:03 am
Aside from being the punchable face archetype of Ted Cruz or pharma bro Martin Shkreli, this artist who must not be named makes music for those listeners challenged by Adele.