The Feminist Country Song Everyone’s Talking About

Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye may be fresh out of high school, but this country music duo won’t be producing puppy love anthems anytime soon. Instead, they’ve opted to knock the wind out of sexist country songs with their debut single, “Girl in a Country Song.” Though the song’s iTunes release isn’t until July 15th, it’s already getting plenty of attention from the media, hailing the 18-year-old duo’s lyrics as a feminist response to the “bro country” scene.

If you don’t know already, “bro country” is an unofficial genre of music that normally covers the subjects of alcohol consumption, partying, pickup trucks and of course, attractive young ladies . . . who often wear “painted-on” jeans. Although popular on the charts, bro-country has gotten quite a bit of flack within the last year. Carrie Underwood recently took a dig at country music radio, claiming that, “Women really do seem to get the short end.” Other country artists like Kacey Musgraves have expressed a more optimistic outlook on the situation. The Grammy award winner recently shared her thoughts on the matter, claiming that, “women are stepping up to the plate and writing songs that matter, and using their brains instead of just their faces.”

Underwood and Musgraves aren’t wrong. In fact, all this bro-country is what inspired Maddie & Tae to write “Girl in a Country Song.” Tae explained in an interview that, “[she and Maddie] were just talking about all the country songs [they] love on the radio right now. . . And Maddie said, ‘You know, I’d hate to be the girl in those country songs.’”

While the ladies may love some of these country songs, they certainly don’t hide their distaste for the messages they send. In fact, they make very apparent references to chart toppers like, “That’s My Kind of Night” (Luke Bryan), “Cruise” (Florida Georgia Line), “Hey Girl” (Billy Currington), “Boys Round Here” (Blake Shelton) and many, many more. Let’s break out the lyrics of “Girl in a Country Song” for a better understanding. Country lovers, spot the references! Well I wish I had some shoes on my two bare feet And it’s gettin’ kinda cold in these painted-on cut-off jeans I hate the way this bikini top chafes Do I really have to wear it all day? (Yeah baby)

I hear you over there on your tailgate whistlin’ Sayin’ “Hey girl,” but you know I ain’t listenin’ Cause I got a name and to you it ain’t pretty little thing, honey or baby It’s driving me red red red red red red redneck crazy

[Chorus] Being the girl in a country song How in the world did it go so wrong? Like all we’re good for is looking good for you and your friends on the weekend, nothin’ more We used to get a little respect Now we’re lucky if we even get To climb up in the truck, keep our mouth shut, ride along And be the girl in a country song

Well, shakin’ my moneymaker ain’t ever made me a dime And there ain’t no sugar for you in this shaker of mine Tell me one more time you gotta get you some of that Sure I’ll slide on over, but you’re gonna get slapped These days it ain’t easy being that… [Chorus]

Yep, yep, yep

Aw naw, Conway and George Strait Never did it this way Back in the old days Aw naw, We ain’t a cliche That ain’t no way To treat a lady [Chorus]
(Spoken) Yeah baby I ain’t your tan legged Juliet Can I put on some real clothes now?

Sure, the song’s tongue-in-cheek humor adds an element of lightness to it all, but the girls are seriously (and fearlessly) staking a claim in uncharted territory. Even though this song is a first from Maddie & Tae, it’s sure to stir the pot in a very positive way.