Brent is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.
In today’s country market, male artists generally don’t like to be seen as weak, vulnerable, or too sensitive- it doesn’t fit their brand (for more on this, CLICK HERE). This in in contrast to country music of the 1990’s when artists like Colin Raye, Doug Stone, Vince Gill, and others were often very vulnerable. So, for today’s market, how do you write a song about a guy that is heartbroken about the loss of his friend?
Written by Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers, “Drink A Beer” is undeniably manly. Sure, the singer is hurting and heartbroken, but he keeps it locked up inside. No tears are shed (at least not that he says), and he doesn’t call his mom to talk about it for hours. No, he goes for a walk alone and ends up drinking a beer in memory of his friend.
Not that real men don’t cry- “I Drive Your Truck” by Lee Brice is a great example of this. But even when that manly singer sheds a tear, it is balanced by knowing his brother would punch him in the arm for it.
God Bless,
Brent
YOU VS…
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Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter
Brent Baxter Music: http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com
Great topic. The one successful exception I can think of is Tom Douglas and Steve Seskin on “Grown Men Don’t Cry”. Brilliant song. However, I recall Keith Urban nearly had his man card revoked for “Tonight I Wanna Cry”.
I NEED SOMEONE TO SING MY SONG OR SONGS AFTER 91 ACCIDENT I NO LONGER sing all cws the song (LEAVE THE BUDLIGHT ON) what a new year jingle with the right singer LET ME KNOW THANKS TERRY BALL on reverbnatiopn(REAL COUNTRY) by me thks.
The real question is when do you want to sit down with me and write the song titled “Hurt Like a Man”? I’ve already got it 25% done in my head…
All you faith and your belief
Sometimes they give you no sense of relief
When the emptiness is total and complete
And you’re forced to wearily concede defeat
To Lose Somebody you held close
Hits so hard and hurts the most
To Lose Somebody you held dear
Makes you taste the sadness in each bitter tear
All the help and sympathy
Sometimes you just don’t want any
When the awful truth finally sinks in
Then the pain is only starting to begin
To Lose Somebody you don’t know why
It’s tough to understand or justify
To Lose Somebody taken away
It’s like the dark of night pervades the light of day
If you write the song right it doesn’t matter if a man cries or not. This song is certainly better than the barrage of dixie cups, sugar shakers, back of a truck, 9.9 you’re fine songs he’s been doing. And yes I know how many c.d’s he sells. He’s capable of singing a lot more great songs than he has been. I want to hear more songs from him like this and “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”. And in parting let me finish with this. Great songs always win out in the long haul. There are more than a couple of male artists who are going to go from selling platinum to playing beer joints for tips sooner than later. Why? Fads don’t last. Great songs do.
