I like a wide variety of music from many different backgrounds. (In my mid-’50s, I’m finally learning to appreciate some Hip-Hop. Slow going. ) I have on DKos highlighted some country music artists who buck the conservative stereotype (created by Lee Greenwood and Hank Williams, Jr. c. 1980) to have progressive politics.
Don Williams, by contrast, largely kept his politics to himself. His music was not aimed in a political direction. He was the “gentle giant” on country, with a soothing voice. I Believe in You, Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, Tulsa Time, Love Me Tonight, Lay Down Beside Me, It Must Be Love, Listen to the Radio, and many more hits secured his place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
But Williams’ song that hit me and seemed to be (at least in broad strokes) autobiographical and I identified with it myself remains Good Ol’ Boys Like Me. This is the story of a kid raised in the South who leaves, determined NOT to fit into the mold of that society, but finds that no matter where he goes, the South of his raising goes with him. I can sign my name to that.
I can still hear the soft Southern winds in the live oak trees
And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me
Hank and Tennessee
I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be…
(The “Hank” there references the incredible Hank Williams, SENIOR, not his horrible hate filled racist son.)
Rest in Peace, Don.