I’m Always Higher Than My Hair

You know how to be a “rebel” in today’s Country? Write/sing about the hot topics, such as same sex marriage, legalizing marijuana, and telling mainstream Country off, all with the whine of a steel guitar. I’m only half joking. Kacey Musgraves is a true rebel because she literally doesn’t give two shits what people think. She says what everyone else is thinking, but scared to say. Which pretty much makes her amazing at what she does.

Now, I know that she recently released Golden Hour, which I promise I will discuss in the future. But for now, we are going to talk about one of my all time favorite albums, Pageant Material. This album has a true Texas Classic Country sound. The tracks are led by the steel guitar & banjo. I have put the entire album on the playlist, but it’s 2018 & attention spans are short, so I’ll highlight the gems that stick out to me.
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High Time
This album literally starts out with a pun of it being “high time.” Not only are the lyrics clever, but she literally declares that she doesn’t have time for the drama and prefers the simple life...while smoking a little weed, of course.

Dime Store Cowgirl
Dime store Cowgirl is one of my personal favorites. It’s a cute, understated, and honest to stay true to yourself. And to not let fame/money/status get to your head. Any small town girl chasing her dreams in the big city can relate to these lyrics:

“I’m just a dimestore cowgirl. That’s all I’m ever gonna be. You can take me out of the country, but you can't take the country out of me. I’m still the girl from Golden, had to get away so I could grow. It don’t matter where I’m going, I'll still call my hometown home.”

Pageant Material
The title track of this album does not disappoint. Kacey proudly announces that she doesn’t fit into the typical Southern Belle box while exclaiming “I’m always higher than my hair.” I love that she doesn’t hold back; take it or leave, she is who she is. 

This town
Small towns can contain big drama… everyone knows everyone else’s business & of course they talk about it.  But that’s not what makes this track amazing. The fact that Kacey uses a recording of her Grandma telling a big story about a happening in the town as the intro...that’s what makes it unique. Bless small towns & gossiping Grandmas.

Biscuits
This track got a little radio play, but as per usual, Kacey told it how it was and that tends to make mainstream radio nervous. Biscuits proudly exclaims ‘you do you, I’ll do me.’ The singsong Southern Belle vibe juxtaposes nicely with the blunt nature of the song, showing true artistry in the writing. The use of biscuits & gravy to mean business & great is a witty play on words. I see y’all, Brandy Clark & Shane Mcanally.


Somebody to Love
Somebody to love is the type of track that you are tempted to skip. The album has primarily an upbeat feel. But this track is different. It is slow, simple and more reflective. This is truly a hidden gem on this album. It is a beautifully written conclusion that. We are all human, we are all imperfect, and we are all just looking for love and acceptance.

Good Ol’ Boys Club
Hey radio executives, major labels, & mainstream Country, Kacey is calling you out. She refuses to play the game, she does what she wants. She writes what she wants, she sings what she wants; she defines her own success. It is bold. It is perfect. We needed this one.

Are You Sure
Hidden tracks are the best. Especially when they are classics sung with the original artist. This guest appearance features Willie Nelson and lives up to the suspense of a hidden track. I also want to mention that the music video for this is perfect. It is so special that they made a video for this, as it wasn’t a single, and honestly isn’t even a well known collaboration.  The band is showcased on a stage in a smoky bar nonchalantly playing while sporting nudie suits (y’all have aight onto my obsession by now). Willie & Kacey harmonize beautifully. So simple. So understated.

God bless badass women. God bless Kacey Musgraves. May we all be inspired to be proud of who we are, stand up for how we feel, & chase our dreams.