Barbara Mandrell is a legendary country music singer, known for her incredible vocal range and dynamic stage presence. Over the course of her career, she released numerous hits, but one of her most popular and iconic songs is undoubtedly “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.”
Released in 1981, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” quickly became a chart-topping hit, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song was written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan and produced by Tom Collins. The catchy lyrics and upbeat melody captured the attention of country music fans and helped solidify Mandrell’s status as a trailblazer in the genre.
The song tells the story of a country girl who grew up listening to traditional country music, long before it was considered cool or mainstream. As the narrator reminisces about her youth, she reflects on the way her favorite artists and songs shaped her life. The chorus is especially memorable, with Mandrell belting out the now-famous line, “I was country when country wasn’t cool.”
The song’s popularity was helped in part by its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo, but it also resonated with audiences because it celebrated a unique aspect of American culture: country music. The 1980s were a time of transition for country music, with many artists and fans trying to reconcile the genre’s traditional roots with the changing trends of pop and rock music. “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” captured the essence of this tension, reminding fans that there was still beauty and value in the traditional country music of their youth.
The success of “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” helped Mandrell cement her place in country music history. The song earned her numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, and a Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Single of the Year. It also inspired other artists to explore the traditional sounds of country music and helped pave the way for future generations of country stars.
In conclusion, Barbara Mandrell’s “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” is one of the most iconic songs in country music history. Its catchy lyrics, upbeat melody, and celebration of traditional country music continue to resonate with fans today. As the song’s popularity shows, Mandrell’s contributions to country music will always be remembered and celebrated.
Artist: Barbara Mandrell
Album: Live
Released: 1981
Nominations: Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Lyrics
I remember wearin’ straight-leg Levis
Flannel shirts even when they weren’t in style
I remember singin’ with Roy Rogers
At the movies when the West was really wild
And I was listenin’ to the Opry
When all of my friends
Were diggin’ Rock ‘n Roll and Rhythm and Blues
I was country when country wasn’t cool
I remember circlin’ the drive-in
Pullin’ up and turnin’ down George Jones
I remember when no one was lookin’
I was puttin’ peanuts in my Coke
I took a lot of kiddin’
‘Cause I never did fit in
Now look at everybody
Tryin’ to be what I was then
I was country when country wasn’t cool, ooh
I was country when country wasn’t cool
I was country from my hat down to my boots
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain’t nothin’ new
I was country when country wasn’t cool
They call us country bumpkins
For stickin’ to our roots
I’m just glad we’re in a country
Where we’re all free to choose
I was country (I was country) when country wasn’t cool
Hey, I was country when country wasn’t cool
Yeah, and I was country from my hat down to, whoa, my boots
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain’t nothin’ new
‘Cause I was country when country wasn’t cool
Yeah, I was country when country wasn’t cool