Country Music Lyrics

Country music and lyrics began as a fusion of the cultural musical heritage of immigrants across Western Europe and Africa. Originating in Canada and the southern region of the USA, country music and lyrics have roots in folk, blues, bluegrass and gospel music. Also referred to as Country and Western music, this music genre has experienced a turbulent road to mainstream music, sparking fan outrage at its transformation from a pure sound dominated by male artists to the inclusion of more instruments, female singers, and cross-over artists. Country music and lyrics have a reciprocal influence on rock and roll, sparking subgenres that include rockabilly, outlaw country, country pop, Texas country, Nashville country, and country soul.

Country music and lyrics vary from classic country singers, such as Eddy Arnold, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Hank Williams, to the pure sounds of Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Patsy Cline to the more mainstream music of Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, and Taylor Swift.

Fun Fact: Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks are tied as the top selling country artists of all time. The artist who holds the coveted top spot is debatable, depending on recordable sales and one's definition of country music.