7 Kacey Musgraves Songs For Those That Don’t Like Country Music
When people pick and choose their favorite genres of music, you’ll often hear them say that they’ll be fine with anything but country music. Country music is just so grating for some. It often gets a bad reputation because of its artists or its subject matter, and the music itself just isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But Kacey Musgraves can easily change that stance for anyone. And here are nine songs that will do that for you.
1. ‘High Horse’
From the moment “High Horse” starts, you know it’s not like other country tunes. It has a disco beat infused with a country twang. Much like Musgraves is an unconventional country star, this song is the epitome of why she is so different. The song is an essential dance song and goes off on why someone is not as hot as they think they are.
2. ‘Golden Hour’
A softer track, “Golden Hour” is a great song to jam out to on many occasions. Whether you’re out at the park, eating dinner, or on a bike ride, this song is leisure time bottled up into a song. Again, it mixes some country staples like the guitar and Musgraves’ voice with a not-so-country layout.
3. ‘High Time’
The first two songs were from Musgraves’ most recent album, which sheds a bit of her more traditional country sound. However, digging into earlier albums like Pageant Material from 2015, and that twang, banjo, and more are definitely there. But don’t let that deter you! Country-haters or people who shy away from the genre can still like some tunes. Like “High Time”; this song is just loads of fun with an earnest bridge that highlights Musgraves’ vocals beautifully.
4. ‘Velvet Elvis’
Getting back into her 2018 album, Golden Hour, “Velvet Hour,” is such a jam. It will make you tap your feet, bop side to side (probably), and has some great lyrics. And she just finds the perfect way to blend that country vibe without diving straight into traditional country territory. And “Velvet Elvis” is just a delightful song.
5. ‘Slow Burn’
Something more out there is “Slow Burn,” which looks at the slower way people live life. And that’s how she wants to do things. She told the New York Times that she was on acid while writing it, and it definitely created a hit. All of Golden Hour is definitely more of a mix of folk, country, and something that’s very unique to Musgraves. And that’s definitely why she’s one of the best artists to listen to if you dislike country music.
6. ‘Merry Go ‘Round’
From her debut album, Same Trailer Different Park, Musgraves’ song “Merry Go ‘Round” takes an earnest look at the stereotypes and expectations that people in her hometown have to live up to. And what she grew up around. It’s also where the album name comes from. She touches on the issues that her family’s going through as well, which kind of plays on the typical country format but doesn’t feed into it as much.
7. ‘Follow Your Arrow’
Lastly, “Follow Your Arrow” has to be on this list. It’s another one of Musgraves’ songs that takes on a similar country twang and sound but does not deal with anything a normal country song would cover. It’s pretty “liberal,” like Musgraves herself. It’s all about being who you are, whether that’s gay, straight, pro-weed, or not, single, married, or whatever. She talks about how hypocritical small towns can be when it comes to religion, and she says to just be yourself because that’s what will make you happiest.
Again, it has the banjo, her accent, and is a quintessential country song. But if you don’t like country music, this one will tickle your fancy for sure. However, don’t take this list as the only Kacey Musgraves songs that are great for non-country listeners to listen to. Almost all of her discography is very friendly to those averse to country music, especially once you get to like her. And who knows? Maybe you’ll start to appreciate the genre more once you do.
