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| Last updated at 3:07 PM on 08/04/08 |
Hurtin' songs, hurtin' music, hurtin' marriages 
BILL WESTCOTT
The Compass
According to statistics, about 47 per cent of marriages fail in the U.S. In Canada the figure is around 22 per cent.
A large number of our American friends south of the border are considered to be the most incompatible, most larcenous, most assaultive, most impatient people in North America. Marriage to many is just something to do - fall in fall out of. They are also fanatics about country music (the hurtin' songs I call them).
We have to wonder if Hollywood and places like Nashville are contributing to the mindset that causes a lot of domestic discontent? Hollywood is obvious. Just look at the movie world as it evolved from as far back as the early 1930's up to the present day.
The myth of falling in love through nudity and sex is the central theme in most of the Hollywood flicks, even the classics. Powerful messages are implanted in the psyche of movie patrons. Many people think movie stars like Brad Pitt are heroes worth emulating. Granted there are numerous love stories that warm the heart, but the majority are peppered with deceit, murder, violence and unfaithfulness. Unfortunately that's the kind of stuff that sells. Just imagine a movie like The Godfather with Marlon Brando (1972) winning three Academy Awards.
Country Music
I remember when country music began to make inroads into Newfoundland. I was working at the time at CJON Radio. During a broadcast day, some of our on-air disc jockeys would spin the odd country song. The ones I remember from back then are songs by the legendary Hank Snow, Tex Ritter, Jimmy Rogers and Vaughn Monroe (remember Mule Train?) These days of course fans worship mega stars like George Strait, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Crystal Gale and Dolly Parton to name a few.
We considered country music square. They were the songs and music of the outport-fellers we thought. We were into Elvis, The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Pat Boone and later the incredible Johns (Lennon and Denver).
Our parents of course were still listening to Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Mario Lanza and David Whitfield (remember Cara Mia?). David was the most sought after singer in Britain in the early 1950s.
A revolution
Country music began back in 1927 and although it only took off about 30 years later - fiddles, banjos, guitars (including steel) mandolins and drums in most cases were choice instruments - foundations for a virtual revolution. The outback country songs and singers, male and female, are now historically and fanatically celebrated in Nashville Tennessee's Grand Ole Opera. Country music is no longer square - it is a billion-dollar and still growing mega industry. In many regions it is the favourite kind of listening for the majority of radio audiences. TV specials featuring big name country stars are phenomenally successful.
Country opened the door for stations like VOCM and Q-Radio to go exclusively country with some of their main stations across the province.
A sub-culture
I wonder if those hurtin' songs, which account for about 90 per cent of the songwriter's successes are contributing to the mindset of the 22-47 per cent of the divorce cases in North America. Remember, before you call or write, I am only saying I wonder.
To demonstrate my point I invite you to sing along with me to some of the hurtin' lyrics that clearly point out the somewhat negative messages implanted into the mind of country music fanatics - a lot of them who are divorced - some many times, a lot of them who are struggling incompatibly with their second even third husband or wife. It's somewhat of a sub-culture in America.
Willie Nelson sings: But, you are always on my mind.
K. T. Olson: I was running from me darling, running from my job, but I turned my car 'round and headed back to you.
Hank Thompson: You gave up the only one who ever loved you and returned to the wild side of life.
Bellamy Bros: If I told you you have a beautiful body would you hold it against me? If I told you you're an angel, would you treat me like a devil tonight?
Billy Jo Spear: Remember the love we made at midnight on the blanket on the ground - lets get the blanket out of that bedroom and lay the blanket on the ground.
Ray Price: I just can't say I love you to a street of city lights.
Kathy Malten: Eighteen wheels and a dozen roses - 10 more miles on a 4-day run, and he'll spend the rest of the night with that woman who wants him.
Leaving on your mind?
Patsy Cline sang: IF you got 'leaving on your mind - IF there's a new love in your heart - tell me now and get it over.
Earl Thomas Conley: You weren't supposed to say you love me; you said you're just gonna spend the night and leave me with stars in my eyes.
Roy Clarke: Somewhere between love and tomorrow, she'll have to know about you.
Rosanne Cash: You can never be you. Since you let me down, it's hard to feel round. He played the part but only hurt me and doesn't have a heart. Don't fight the truth.
Charlie Pride: Bring back that old lovin' feeling 'cause my whole world's upside down.
John Conlee: Lady lay down beside me; I need you to stay; don't turn away again from me now. You gave me love and learned to live without it now.
George Jones: He stopped lovin' her today and placed a wreath upon his door, soon they'll carry him away.
Glenn Campbell: Dreams of an everyday housewife who gave up the good life for me. She fixes up the crumbling' flowers, touches her dress and dreams of what used to be.
Reba McIntire: It's nice to be dancin' to the waltz alone; it helps me forget since you walked out the door.
Merle Haggard: I'm on the run, the highway is my home.
Barbara Mandrels: The angel in your arms this morning' is
gonna be the devil in your arms tonight.
George Strait: All my exes live in Texas
Loretta Lynn: You ain't woman enough to take my man
And finally, The Nitty Dirty Dirt Band: I tried loving her without any strings: modern day romance left me with old fashion pain.
Listen for them all and many more on a Country Station near you. Remember though, wedding rings can turn ever so quickly into coal.
Bill Westcott writes from the heartbeat of country music, south Florida.
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08/04/08
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