Those who would disparage bluegrass accuse it of being overly maudlin. They say it’s just full of minor variations on a whiny, downcast tone and subject matter.
It’s not hard to see why folks who don’t give bluegrass much of a listen might come to that conclusion. There are a lot of songs about sadness, death and unrequited love – bluegrass musicians even joke about it. It is hard to name very many positive love songs in bluegrass.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t any. They’re just a little more obscure – “That’s How I Can Count on You”, is a lovely sentiment, and “I’ll Never Love Anybody But You” is a pure love song. Even more sly is the chorus-less “I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby”, which teases the listener and actually circles around to requited love!
The morose subject matter that is common in bluegrass springs, I suppose from the hardscrabble life in early 21st century Appalachia. Bill Monroe touched ears, hearts and minds with songs of sorrow and loss. “I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling” is so sad, it’s almost unbearable, but it must offer some release or solace to those who have gone through unimaginable loss.
And loss is a common theme – loss of a loved one, a sweetheart (or a potential sweetheart), or a dog, or a home.
But there are upbeat bluegrass songs, too, even if they sometimes get to that humor through so much trouble. “I Ain’t Bent, But I’m Badly Broke” is a good example of this. No one feels too bad for the young man who runs off to the city to sample the temptations there, only to end up penniless. It’s what you get for leaving the homestead, right? The more recent “17 Cents” by the Stringdusters, offers a light-hearted take on financial straits, as well.
I recently heard a Tim O’Brian song called “Runnin’ Out of Memory”, and I had to laugh out loud. He applied the standard “love trouble” theme into a seemingly effortless update through modern technology. I’m gonna have to get that record!
Jimmy Martin often applied a sardonic sense of humor to his lyrics and delivery – I think it’s simultaneously the reason some folks love his music (like me) and others don’t care for it.
The point is, bluegrass songs are NOT all about death, pain and loss. To find the richness of the variety of subjects and moods, you have a dig a little deeper, but it’s worth it!
