Customer Reviews

Only In America

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was surprised to read the review about the teacher using this song as an example of "narrowness of middle American thought". It's ironic to me that such an opinion can be expressed when it itself expresses a very narrow viewpoint and certainly is not immediately concluded from the song. The song primarily references specific images in American cities:

"Sun coming up over New York City
School bus driver in a traffic jam
Starin' at the faces in her rearview mirror
Looking at the promise of the Promised Land
One kid dreams of fame and fortune,
One kid helps pay the rent,
One could end up going to prison,
One just might be president."

This is an extremely balanced depiction asserting no political superiority and in fact a lot of struggle, doubt, and depth. This, in my experience, is frequently represented in Brooks & Dunn's work (including their recent hit "God Must be Busy", which is downright controversial when you take a close look at it) and is one of the dimensions that makes their songwriting and execution terrific. It is further ironic that Barack Obama, famous now for his message of unification, used this song in his campaign some months ago. It was a good choice then and it's a good choice now.

I was not a country fan a year ago (I grew up in suburban southern California). I deliberately began listening to country music because I was disturbed at what I perceived to be a divide in American culture, a dangerous us-and-them mentality that was not only out of line with the reality of how much every human being on this planet has in common, but unenlightened, in the sense of education and openmindedness. It comes from both directions. There is certainly much in country music that is divisive and combative, but this is not one of those songs, making it even more counterproductive to single out this particular work for criticism when it should be representative of what can bring us together. This is not my favorite Brooks & Dunn song (I'm very fond recently of "Cowgirls Don't Cry"), but I'm leaving it a five-star review because I find it to be beautifully written, illustrative of a complete picture of the US. I would encourage the other reviewer to take a closer, more self-honest look at this song and at their own prejudices. We all have things we can work to overcome.

The implication that only in America can someone live well is naive. People live pretty darn well and make pretty impressive personal gains in other nations as well. I use this in my class to demonstrate the narrowness of middle American thought. Catchy tune, though.