American
Saturday Night is an album filled with cultural references, and Brad
Paisley’s take on how things should be. Themes presented include women’s
rights, racial issues, and depression. At first glance it may just seem like
any other country album that is not necessarily trying to make you think, or
give you insight on the culture we live in. However, when one takes a closer
look at the lyrics and music videos that go along with the tracks, Paisley’s
true intentions are shown. He is saying a lot not only about how things are
today, but how they need to change in the future. He also looks into the past
to reflect on his experiences that were affected by the prominent culture then.
This album mainly discusses American culture, and many times specifically
southern culture.
The
album is named after the first track, “American Saturday Night.” This track is
a feel-good song that you would hear at a summer barbeque. It is upbeat and
simple, relying heavily on the electric guitar. It discusses how international
cultures have become an integral part of American culture itself. In this
track, a girl is going to a fair in her local town in which she will experience
all sorts of different cultures without going far at all. The chorus which
states, “It's a French kiss, Italian ice, Spanish moss in the moonlight. Just
another American Saturday night,” provides a positive view on the coming
together of cultures. This is a nice thing to hear due to many people,
especially in the south, being against immigrants coming in to America. Paisley
even mentions in this song how a relative of his immigrated to America, and how
much things have changed since then. Now we live in a world full of opportunity
and freedom that anyone can take advantage of.
Next
comes a broken-hearted ballad called “Everybody’s Here.” Paisley is lamenting a
lost girlfriend, which is a theme that goes along with the slow and mournful
sound of the track which only seems to build at the chorus. It has a very
personal feel which is emphasized by his softer vocals and emotional lyrics. In
the track he is trying to get over her by going out with some friends. He feels
like he has to act like nothing is wrong so that he does not ruin the party.
Even though he is hurting inside, he smiles and laughs. In our culture men are
not encouraged to express their feelings. When they get out of a relationship
they are not supposed to cry or want to stay in when their friends are going
out. However, this is completely fine for women, and even encouraged. This song
also alludes to depression, and how it can easily be hidden from society. Even
Paisley’s friends have no idea how he is actually feeling. Depression can be a
deadly disease especially when someone does not have a close friend to discuss
it with. A sociological experiment I recently studied stated that while the
number of “close” friends one person has, has decreased, while diagnoses of
depression have increased in today’s society. Paisley is exemplifying this
issue and how it relates to him in “Everybody’s Here.”
Following
this track is “Welcome to the Future,” sounds pretty cheesy in my opinion. I
believe it is supposed to be a powerful and meaningful track, but it comes off
almost as trying too hard. In the music video children express what they want
to be when they grow up, and there are clips of new technology and various
cultures. It is just all too much paired with the uplifting sound and soaring
vocals, and takes away from the meaning that Paisley is attempting to convey.
Nevertheless, it still is discussing prevalent cultural issues. One more
powerful line on the track is, “I
had a friend in school, running-back on a football team, they burned a cross in
his front yard for asking out the home-coming queen.” He discusses how racial
tensions have changed from punishing a black kid that asked out a white girl to
today in which people have become more accepting. He also mentions how so much
has changed in his life since he was a child, like the technology that is so
common today that could not even be imagined back then.
“She’s
Her Own Woman” and “Pants” are interesting because they both discuss how women
are the more powerful ones in a relationship, and how they can easily stand on
their own. Both of these tracks are presented with a slower vibe, and sound
like Paisley is speaking of someone that he loves. This idea diverges from the
typical southern view that men control the women. “Pants” even makes fun of men
that believe that they are the “head of the household.” Paisley argues that,
“It’s not who wears the pants, it’s who wears the skirt.” I really
like that Paisley has expressed his viewpoint on this idea because women can
still be seen as inferior in today’s culture.
“No,”
the tenth track on the album, kind of reverts back to the typical southern
culture in that religion is a major theme. It is a slow song that shows how
young Paisley was taught a lesson in unanswered prayers. In the end Paisley’s
grandfather died and he feels betrayed by God for having ignored his wishes to
keep his grandfather alive. However, he realizes that all things happen for a
reason, and finally is able to accept it. This theme of religion is very common
in country songs, and on a wider scale in the south in general. I have grown up
in a small southern town and I know how prevalent churches are with one being
on practically every street corner.
Paisley goes beyond what is typically expected out of a country album to create something original and unique. He discusses important topics such as feminism, new technology, and immigration to reify the traditional values of country music. American Saturday Night is a progressive album that calls for acceptance for all people no matter their background, gender, or race. Paisley does not shy away from cultural issues, and instead discusses them while adding his own input. This album provides a great deal of information about the society, specifically in the south, that we live in and how it has changed.
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