"Mr. Policeman" by Brad Paisley from the album 5th Gear. 2007.
Much like an Arctic bear, country music is a polarizing force. Usual relationship levels tend to fall under either restraining order hatred or monogamous genre love. Simply put, most people either really like it or really despise it. I find myself in between, though. People often complain about the twangy style, but I find that most enjoyable about the music. The guitar carries a unique timbre I appreciate, and Brad Paisley tends to run that sound up and down the fretted neck very successfully in his solos. "Mr. Policeman" just chases that example at breakneck pace. Nah, my qualms with country music lay not in the style but the lyrics. Especially in more recent years it seems the artists either must repeat a phrase until they forget what it means or they have a quota to fill regarding the words 'tractor' or 'country' itself, among many others. I mean, Rodney Atkins seems to just shot-put a random 'tractor' into the backroads for no good reason... other than saying 'tractor' (the line goes "if I'm gonna hit a traffic jam, well, there better be a tractor, man"). Ehhh, while I can't cash in my excitement check over the simple lyrics these songs tend to have, it does define the genre. The most complex wordplay you'll find rested among, say, "Shiftwork" lyrics. I suppose that's another pillar to support this week's podium for "Mr. Policeman." A unique topic partnered with the charm of good ole homegrown music.
Well, when I say unique, I should clarify it as unique for country music. Rap music features similar themes of breaking the law and running from the po-po quite frequently. Paisley spins the concept Dukes of Hazzard style. He's no stranger to the love songs and barroom ballads that invade the charts, yet always manages to swing some uncommon comedy in his songs. This feature song follows suit. The story is simple: a man high on ego tries to outrun a police car. Soon he's overwhelmed by choppers and roadblocks and has to flee by foot. Right at the end, Paisley reveals through a snippet of Webb Pierce's "In the Jailhouse Now" his fate. With a tinge of Cartman.
The throwback to Pierce brings up an interesting history. Country has been around for a very long time, at least the '40s and certainly early in some form. Even through the eras, though, it has always held true to its form. Be it 1951 Hank Williams, 1980 Dolly Parton, or 2010 Taylor Swift. Across all the years, the country foundation rides on, while things like pop and even rock have transformed with the times. Just a little remarkable, methinks.
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