"My Old Friend"

My old friend, I recall
The times we had hanging on my wall
I wouldn't trade them for gold
Cause they laugh and they cry me
Somehow sanctify me
They're woven in the stories I have told
And tell again

My old friend, I apologize
For the years that have passed
Since the last time you and I
Dusted off those memories
But the running and the races
The people and the places
There's always somewhere else I had to be
Time gets slim, my old friend

Don't know why, don't know why
Don't know why, don't know why

My old friend, this song's for you
Cause a few simple verses
Was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
Cause the love and the laughter
Will live long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again, my old friend

Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye

My old friend, my old friend
Goodbye, goodbye

This country music song by Tim McGraw is pretty indicative of the type of music that I like to listen to. Yes, it's true I enjoy listening to music about trucks, divorces, dead dogs, and farming. Actually, I think Ray Charles said it best when he said that he liked country music because of the stories. I too enjoy this genre of music for that reason as I feel that artists like Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, the Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts, and Lonestar write some good stories and are able to put them to music. In fact, I am able to relate to many of these songs as they remind me of experiences or emotions that I have had in my own life time. For instance, "My Old Friend" has been one of my favorites for quite a while as it reminds me of the many friends I have from back home or other places that I don't get to see as often as I'd like since we've all moved away. When I hear this song I am reminded of all of the good times that we've had together and it causes me to look forward to the times yet to come when we will be able to "dust off those memories." Another main feature of country music that draws me in is that I am able to sing along with almost all of the songs. Contrastingly, many of the lyrics in the rap and r&b music played on stations like KDWB or B96 are difficult for me to understand and even more difficult for me to relate to. One possible explanation for my ease in connecting with songs like "My Old Friend" and others is that I grew up in a relatively small town where a great deal stories in the songs actually happened in real life. Actually, many of my fondest memories have come from being out in the middle of nowhere either hunting, fishing, camping, working, or just having a good time with friends. Therefore, country lyrics form a very strong connective tissue with the events of my own life, and many of these events have taken place while listening to country. As such, the music has created a rough soundtrack for my own life, and when I hear songs like "My Old Friend" I am immediately transported to old memories and experiences. Thus, I could not picture myself ceasing to listen to this particular brand of music.