There is an old saying that whatever happens in your life, there is a country song that goes with it. Filled with string harmonies from banjos, fiddles, and guitars, as well as folk lyrics, country music first appeared in the music scene in the early 1920s with the first commercial country record by Eck Robertson in 1922; however, it has been dated back to recordings of Southern Appalachian fiddle players in the late 1910s. According to statistics gathered from multiple music streaming sites, such as Spotify, country music is today the fifth most popular genre of music worldwide. With a huge popularity comes the long list of hundreds of thousands of songs that capture just about every moment and situation in life. 

The lyrics of country music songs are written either like a ballad or a dance song with simple, clear lyrics that often hold meaning and value to someone in the world. They  express a message about everyday life, the trials and tribulations people experience from love, joy to sorrow and sadness. Some songs describe independence or overcoming adversity and challenges. The songs can also describe a perspective or viewpoint on a topic, event, or issue. Whatever may be told through words or melody, at the crux of the song is a story being told. Country music is a form of storytelling and just like many other stories, they hold lessons for the listener. 

These lessons can be obvious or ambiguous, depending on how the song is interpreted. Yet, there are a few common lessons that are recognizable across country music and the famous tunes of the classic genre, including these lessons. 

• • Family is important, loves you in any way they can, and will always be there for you  
    • Song Examples:

• “Family is Family” by Kacey Musgraves 

• “Family Man” by Craig Campbell

• “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” by The Judds

• “I Drive Your Truck” by Lee Brice 

• “I Called Mama” by Tim McGraw 

• • No matter where you go, your home will be waiting for you in some way when you return 

• Song Examples: 

• “Carolina Can” by Chase Rice 

• “The House that Built Me” by Miranda Lambert 

• “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s” by Tim McGraw 

• • It is important to be a good person 
    • Song Examples: 
      • “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw 

• “It’s a Great Day to be Alive” by Travis Tritt

• “Doing Good” by Montgomery Gentry

• • Life doesn’t always work out as you thought or planned it would

• Song Examples:

• “The Secret” by David Nail 

• “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts

• “Paint Me a Birmingham” by Tracy Lawerence 

• “Choices” by George Jones 

• • People, especially women, are tougher than you think

• Song Examples:

• “Somethin’ Bad” by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood

• “PrizeFighter” by Trisha Yearwood

• “Riser” by Dierks Bentley 

• “This One’s for the Girls” by Martina McBride

• • Believe and chase your dreams 

• Song Examples: 

• “Against the Grain” by Garth Brooks

• “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins

• “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” by the Eli Young Band

• • Remember those who have and are currently protecting our country 

• Song Examples: 

• “Arlington” by Trace Adkins

• “If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw 

• “Letters from Home” by John Michael Montgomery 

• • Have faith

• Song Examples: 

• “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood

• “I Saw God Today” by George Strait 

• “Believe” by Brooks and Dunn

• “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley

• “Back to God” by Reba McEntire

• “My Church” by Maren Morris 

• • And finally, life is too short and should always be lived to its fullest

• Song Examples:

• “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney 

• “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw 

• “It Won’t be Like This for Long” by Darius Rucker

• “Letter to Me” by Brad Paisley
• “You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins 

Throughout the years, country music has grown, ebbed, and flowed. It has had its highs, but has also faced challenges and controversies. But, one thing has stayed the same, it is one of the longest running musical styles in the United States that focuses on the heartbeat of humans and everything we hold dear. We may have our differences, but we all love and overcome obstacles, while learning lessons along the way, just as country music songs tell us.