# Country songs that are not sad? Not downers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830 "2012-08-18T00:17:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/41 "2012-08-19T23:14:39Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > country isn’t my favorite but I like a lot of the songs mentioned. > > the first thing that came to my mind as “upbeat” is **Fancy** , by Reba. I think it’s very upbeat (adversity overcome!) despite including the words > > - “Your pa’s run’d off and I’m real sick > And the baby’s gonna starve to death” > - 😉 She’s setting up her daughter to be a prostitute because she sees that as the daughter’s best option in life. It’s not exactly upbeat: > [@Bobbie Gentry](#): > > It sounded like somebody else that was talkin’ > Askin “Mama, what do I do?” > She said “Just be nice to the gentlemen Fancy. > And they’ll be nice to you.” > > She said “Here’s your chance Fancy, don’t let me down. > Here’s your one chance Fancy, don’t let me down. > Lord, forgive me for what I do, but if you want out > Well, it’s up to you > Now don’t let me down hon, you’re momma’s gonna move you uptown.” > > … > > It wasn’t very long after a benevolent man > Took me in off the streets > And one week later I was pourin’ his tea > In a five room hotel suite > (Yes she was) > > I charmed a king, a congressman > And an occasional aristocrat > And then I got me a Georgia mansion > And an elegant New York townhouse flat > And I ain’t done bad > (And she ain’t done bad) " ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/42 "2012-08-19T23:59:50Z")
[Let’s Think About Livin’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2hD6GYi8k8). ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/43 "2012-08-20T11:50:59Z")
hey, she may have been born Poor White Trash but **FANCY** is her name! ---
**Author:** ![Bordesley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@Bordesley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bordesley)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/44 "2012-08-20T12:16:06Z")
Woke up this morning Jumped outta bed Tripped on the carpet Bruise on my head Went to the bathroom Slipped on the floor Stubbed my big toe On the ol’ bathroom door Hobbled downstairs Best way I could Light me a fire Get me some wood Swinging my axe A splinter shot out Now I’m in pain Of that there’s no doubt Off to the Docs Please take a seat What is your problem? You’re not looking sweet I got me a splinter In the sole of my feet Let’s have a look boy Say that sure looks rough Taking the medicine Gonna be tough Tell me doc Just tell me straight What is the medicine? Cos medicine I hate Go back home son And get into bed Put on your earphones Over your head Tune to the station With sad country songs You’ll soon feel better As you hum along So I did and it worked It sure cheered heart To know that in Nashville They sing from their heart The pain and the trouble Of Tammy Wynette That sharp burning splinter I sure did forget. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/45 "2012-08-20T16:23:09Z")
If Texas swing is considered country, it’s pretty relentlessly upbeat. [Miles and Miles of Texas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVCyXqyD1xg) Lots of bluegrass type stuff too. How can you get happier than [Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDgYN5qeG4Y) ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/46 "2012-08-22T15:50:52Z")
Like most stereotypes, it’s only partially true. There are many many exceptions: Fastest Girl in Town - Miranda Lambert Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy - Big and Rich It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band Suds in the Bucket - Sara Evans TROUBLE - Travis Tritt Mud on the Tires - Brad Paisley Sideways - Dierks Bentley All my Rowdy Friends are Coming Over Tonight - Hank Williams Jr. On the Bayou - Hank Williams Johnny Cash - Jason Aldean Daddy Sang Bass - Johnny Cash Pretty Little Miss - Patty Loveless Keep on the Sunny Side - The Carter Family Uncle Pen - Bill Monroe, Ricky Scaggs, many others ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/47 "2012-08-22T16:43:02Z")
[“Woman like you”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbAp5nphTz4&feature=related)- Lee Brice. This is popular now, and it’s cute and cheerful and romantic. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/48 "2012-08-22T21:10:55Z")
[Toes, Zac Brown Band](http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DlB8Nkn3Xjes&sa=U&ei=m0o1UNCEE4e36QHMhIHoAg&ved=0CBsQtwIwAA&usg=AFQjCNGkA1x08kyxaOj5V-tPChuK-nsa8Q) Got my toes in the water, my ass in the sand. Not a worry in the world, ice cold beer in my hand. Life is good today. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/49 "2012-08-22T21:15:04Z")
I don’t know if you consider John Prine country, but he has a lot of fun, happy songs like “Granpa was a Carpenter,” and “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawiian.” He also has “Hello in There,” “Angel From Montgomery,” and “Sam Stone,” which are what depression listens to when it’s feeling a little blue. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/50 "2012-08-22T21:28:08Z")
“The Night Miss Nancy-Ann’s Hotel for Single Girls Burned Down” by Tex Williams. “The Ballad of Forty Dollars” by Tom T. Hall ---
**Author:** ![Tad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tad)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/51 "2012-08-22T21:38:54Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I don’t know if you consider John Prine country, but he has a lot of fun, happy songs like “Granpa was a Carpenter,” and “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawiian.” He also has “Hello in There,” “Angel From Montgomery,” and “Sam Stone,” which are what depression listens to when it’s feeling a little blue. And [Fish and Whistle](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuUUspxPCek). ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/52 "2012-08-22T23:53:42Z")
Fifty-one posts and no one has mentioned practically all of Ray Stevens’ catalogue! ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/53 "2012-08-23T02:39:34Z")
How about [Great Day to be Alive](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOg_4VGslCk) by Travis Tritt? I’m not even a big country fan, but that song always puts a spring in my step! ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/54 "2012-08-23T03:06:09Z")
> [@missred](#): > > Fifty-one posts and no one has mentioned practically all of Ray Stevens’ catalogue! I’d rather forget about him. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/55 "2012-08-23T04:39:30Z")
Bobby Bare: Numbers [Bobby Bare ~ Numbers. - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8sf0BfM7M) ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/56 "2012-08-23T19:19:30Z")
Up! by Shania Twain Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina Happy Girl by Martina McBride As If by Sara Evans Most of the country songs I’m familiar with are pretty upbeat, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/57 "2012-08-24T00:40:57Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I’d rather forget about him. But you gotta admit, no downers. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/58 "2012-08-24T00:42:05Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > How about [Great Day to be Alive](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOg_4VGslCk) by Travis Tritt? > > I’m not even a big country fan, but that song always puts a spring in my step! I agree. See post #34. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/59 "2012-08-25T21:40:33Z")
“Dance, Little Jean” - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “One Piece at a Time” - Johnny Cash “Tennessee Flat-Top Box” - Johnny Cash (though actually I prefer his daughter Roseann’s version better) “The One on the Right” - Johnny Cash “Your Love” - Tammy Wynette “Thank the Cowboy” - Chris LeDoux (with a great cover by Wynette, too) “Lord, Mr Ford” - Jerry Reed “Fiddlin’ Man” - Michael Martin Murphey “Della and the Dealer” - Hoyt Axton ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830/60 "2012-08-26T14:12:42Z")
Southern Nights, Glen Campbell > **[Southern Nights Lyrics - Glen Campbell - Cowboy Lyrics](https://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/campbell-glen/southern-nights-649.html)** > > Southern Nights lyrics: Southern Nights Have You Ever Felt A Southern Night Free As A Breeze Not To Mention The Trees Whistling Tunes That You Know And Love So Southern Nights Just As Good Even When Closed Your Eyes I A [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/country-songs-that-are-not-sad-not-downers/631830.md?page=2)