While it is almost impossible to like mainstream country music these days, this really isn't anything new. In the 1970s the 'countrypolitan' scene was already watering down the genre with massive overproduction which robbed it of any authenticity. At least the terrible country today (mostly) conforms to some of the signature tropes and styles long associated with country music. During the 70s a massive amount of music was unleashed on country music fans that had absolutely nothing to do with country music, except that this was how the record labels chose to market their "talent".
This 1977 hit by the kid sister of Loretta Lynn is a glaring example of this phenomena. Don't It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue does not sound like a country song at all, not even in the most superficial sense. There is no twangy accent. No country instrumentation or lyrical themes. The only reason this song was played on country radio was because that is how corporate big wigs wanted it marketed.
The late 1970s were when mega-marketing finally took over everything. From Star Wars to Crystal Gayle, all media was conceived of as a brand with the potential for cross marketing and excessive merchandising. Arts and entertainment had become nothing but avenues to sell products that were neither artistic nor entertaining. Everything became a brand used to drive mass consumption. And that trend continues to grow like some marketplace Leviathan that swallows everything of any interest up and spits it back out as profit projections.
If this song is not country, then what is it? I hesitate to even call it pop music. It lacks even the minimal dynamics that usually make pop songs get stuck in the ears of their barnacle listeners. This song is more like lounge music - for people too easily overstimulated by actual lounge music. This is a crooning-alternative for people with allergies to crooning.
I am legit butthurt by the anti-artistry of this song. It has, indeed, made my brown eye blue.
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