• Isbell on Political Songs and Songwriting

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:39 am**

gordonlw wrote:
jimmyjack wrote:
Iowan wrote:[ he could take a page from Todd Snider's playbook regarding politics. No one has any misgivings about where Todd stands, but he's never self righteous or belittling.
I agree with this 100%, and Todd is a perfect example
um.....

Conservative Christian, right wing Republican
Straight, white, American males
Gay bashin', black fearin'
Poor fightin', tree killin'
Regional leaders of sales
Frat housin', keg tappin'
Shirt tuckin', back slappin'
Haters of hippies like me
Tree huggin', peace lovin'
Pot smokin', porn watchin'
Lazy-ass hippies like me

Tree huggin', love makin'
Pro choicin', gay weddin'
Widespread diggin' hippies like me
Skin color-blinded
Conspiracy-minded
Protestors of corporate greed
We who have nothing and most likely will 'til
We all wind up locked up in jails
By conservative Christian, right wing Republican
Straight, white, American males

Diamonds and dogs, boys and girls
Living together in two separate worlds
Following leaders up mountains of shame
Looking for someone to blame

Diamonds and dogs, boys and girls
Living together in two separate worlds
Following leaders up mountains of shame
Looking for someone to blame
I know who I like to blame

Conservative Christian, right wing Republican
Straight, white, American males
Soul savin', flag wavin'
Rush lovin', land pavin'
Personal friends to the Quayles
Quite diligently workin' so hard to keep
The free reins of this democracy
From tree huggin', peace lovin'
Pot smokin', barefootin'
Folk-singin' hippies like me

Tree huggin', peace lovin'
Pot smokin', porn watchin'
Lazy-ass hippies like me

That song is funny, and self deprecating. Todd’s not preaching, he’s just pointing out the differences. I know conservatives who think that song is hilarious.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:57 am**

Good lord, this board turned on Jason HARD.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:57 am**

roland wrote:
bovine knievel wrote:

Looks like he’s sneaking into mamma’s closet for her jeans and boots.
Looks like he's wearing an Outfit.

Not gonna lie, that one made me laugh out loud.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:48 am**

Zip City wrote:Good lord, this board turned on Jason HARD.

You say this as if he hasn't changed his look, sound and overall approach to life. If he is happier and in a better place, that is great for him. But, how can you be the least bit surprised that Drive-By Trucker fans are no longer fans of him or his music? His first few records were uneven, but had some very good songs. But at this stage, I don't even bother to listen to anything he releases anymore. I get that we all change/grow/evolve/mature, etc. However, the Jason Isbell of 2020 bears little to no resemblance to the Jason Isbell of 2003 - 2006.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:20 am**

Zip City wrote:Good lord, this board turned on Jason HARD.

is it so strange? people on here are uniquely aware of all the changes in jasons life/music/style over the years. if he were just some guy putting these songs out, i doubt hed get many mentions here at all post-southeastern

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:25 am**

roland wrote:
bovine knievel wrote:

Looks like he’s sneaking into mamma’s closet for her jeans and boots.
Looks like he's wearing an Outfit.

Well played!

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:49 am**

Still a fan! SMTF & Nashville Sound are amazing albums as I'm sure the next one will be.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:55 am**

cortez the killer wrote:
Zip City wrote:Good lord, this board turned on Jason HARD.
You say this as if he hasn't changed his look, sound and overall approach to life. If he is happier and in a better place, that is great for him. But, how can you be the least bit surprised that Drive-By Trucker fans are no longer fans of him or his music? His first few records were uneven, but had some very good songs. But at this stage, I don't even bother to listen to anything he releases anymore. I get that we all change/grow/evolve/mature, etc. However, the Jason Isbell of 2020 bears little to no resemblance to the Jason Isbell of 2003 - 2006.

I get all that. Just saying that at a certain point (and fairly recently) the narrative has gone from “its too bad that I don’t like his music much anymore” to “fuck that guy and his alligator boots”

Though maybe that’s just JimmyJack

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:05 pm**

Zip City wrote:
cortez the killer wrote:
Zip City wrote:Good lord, this board turned on Jason HARD.
You say this as if he hasn't changed his look, sound and overall approach to life. If he is happier and in a better place, that is great for him. But, how can you be the least bit surprised that Drive-By Trucker fans are no longer fans of him or his music? His first few records were uneven, but had some very good songs. But at this stage, I don't even bother to listen to anything he releases anymore. I get that we all change/grow/evolve/mature, etc. However, the Jason Isbell of 2020 bears little to no resemblance to the Jason Isbell of 2003 - 2006.
I get all that. Just saying that at a certain point (and fairly recently) the narrative has gone from “its too bad that I don’t like his music much anymore” to “fuck that guy and his alligator boots”

Though maybe that’s just JimmyJack

I think you are oversimplifying things with your “fuck that guy and his alligator boots” comment. It's clear Jason has changed more than just his music. That's a conscious decision on his part and folks are more than entitled to their opinions, both positive and negative, to those changes.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:12 pm**

Who’s saying they’re not entitled to their opinions? I think his last few albums have been pretty mediocre as well

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:24 pm**

Zip City wrote:Who’s saying they’re not entitled to their opinions? I think his last few albums have been pretty mediocre as well

Don't put words in my mouth, Zip. I have been a fan of Jason's since I first heard the Truckers. It was his songs that grabbed me the most. I have fallen out of favor with his latest efforts but not to the point of "fuck that guy".

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:32 pm**

bovine knievel wrote:
Zip City wrote:Who’s saying they’re not entitled to their opinions? I think his last few albums have been pretty mediocre as well
Don't put words in my mouth, Zip. I been a fan of Jason's since I first heard the Truckers. It was his songs that grabbed me the most. I have fallen out of favor with his latest efforts but not to the point of "fuck that guy".

I didn’t point you out. I’m talking general sentiment

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 4:08 pm**

Tangentially related but I guess this is the best place for it. The SCM guy must’ve gotten plenty of clicks from the Isbell article, because he wrote a follow up about conservative and independent songwriters (and interestingly enough another article blasting Sturgill Simpson for...not making the same album over and over I guess?). Not posting them because I found them to be 98% drivel, but if you’re interested it’s on the top of the website. Once again, a shame, because he could do some real good just highlighting albums that most folks otherwise wouldn’t hear about.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:10 pm**

I was initially drawn to Jason's songwriting but I always found him to be a bit of a rockstar. With his rings and sunglasses. At an early 400 unit gig in LA I tried to say hi and he was a total jerk to me and my sister. I liked his songs until Blessing and a curse. Hi solo albums always had some good songs. I really liked Southeastern but haven't like much since.

But those boots!!! Reminds me of the pic of Jonicont with his Go-Go boots.

Posted: **Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:14 pm**

Patterson and Jimbo are wearing basically the same "outfit"

Jay's crushed velvet jacket is just as ridiculous as whatever Jason is wearing

But at least DBT was smart enough to crop their boots out of the photo

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2020 3:48 pm**

lajakesdad wrote:I was initially drawn to Jason's songwriting but I always found him to be a bit of a rockstar. With his rings and sunglasses. At an early 400 unit gig in LA I tried to say hi and he was a total jerk to me and my sister. I liked his songs until Blessing and a curse. Hi solo albums always had some good songs. I really liked Southeastern but haven't like much since.

But those boots!!! Reminds me of the pic of Jonicont with his Go-Go boots.

Haha. I've had a little trouble with his rings for a long time.

I have trouble with Steve Earle and his endless bracelets nowadays. My cousin and I used to dress up like Mr. T and put on lots of bracelets. Neither one of us had made it to kindergarten yet. Steve is 65.

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2020 1:42 am**

They may have the same stylist as Rascal Flatts.

Isbell on Political Songs and Songwriting

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