As I've covered ad nauseum here, I'm a Catholic Convert in the mostly Baptist South. That makes me an oddball.


I’m also an unapologetic heavy metal fan in the culturally conservative South, which doesn't make me an oddball particularly… there are quite a few other heavy metal fans 'round these parts.


The thing is, I'm as socially and politically conservative as any good ol' Southern Red Stater. What separates me from most of my cultural contemporaries is, for the most part, the minor issue of musical preference.

I like heavy metal. Most of my peers like current country music. I absolutely loathe country music.

Well, I loathe what passes for country music these days. The crap that they play on country music radio. They can tell me that it's country music all they want, but I know the difference. I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard. I know the difference between real country music and the Shania Twain / Rascal Flats / Toby Keith garbage that is marketed as country music these days.

Here's why I'm on this rant today: Now and then, one of my cultural contemporaries will let me know… either subtly or overtly… that he or she doesn't approve of my taste in music. Nine times out of ten, what happens is this: some rabid fan of modern so-called "country music" will make it clear that, in their opinion, if I were a real conservative, a real Christian, a real whatever, I wouldn't listen to Metallica and AC/DC and Black Sabbath.

My response is always to insist… usually futily… that most heavy metal is harmless and that the really irresponsible and dangerous lyrics are the ones in modern country music. I honestly believe that. When it comes to lyrics, metal is silly, fun, harmless music for the most part. The lyrics of modern country music, on the other hand, are an awful influence on impressionable young people.

That's my thesis… and that's what the following experiment is designed to prove.

So here's the setup… I'm going to post a brief summary of the lyrics to a given song… after the summary, I'll pose the question… have I summed up a metal song or a modern country song? You can click the link to find out the specific song I'm referencing.

So check out these song summaries and judge for yourself… which kind of lyrics are really the worst possible influence on young people?

Example #1: "I had my first sexual experience when I was under-age and drunk. I remember it fondly."
Country or Metal?

Example #2: "I like women who listen to Bon Jovi and get drunk and naked in public."
Country or Metal?

Example #3: "Don’t let peer pressure or material concerns prevent you from confessing belief in God."
Country or Metal?

Example #4: "If a woman is in a relationship with an abusive man, she should murder him and cover up her crime."
Country or Metal?

Example #5: "If a woman is involved in a relationship with an abusive man, she should murder him in the most grizzly way imaginable."
Country or Metal?

Example #6: "Teach your children that prostitution is a viable alternative to poverty."
Country or Metal?

Example #7: "America is a great country and worth fighting for."
Country or Metal?

Example #8: "I've met a woman who would like to build a relationship slowly, but my goal is to screw her and dump her."
Country or Metal?

Example #9: "Mortal leaders are corruptible, but their power is nothing compared to the peace of Heaven."
Country or Metal?

Example #10: "I have come to this establishment to get drunk and arrange a one night stand, and I won't leave until I've been forced to do so."
Country or Metal?

Labels: Johnny Cash, Links, Music