Songwriting is difficult, to say the least. It’s a culmination of vulnerability, verbal delicacy, truth-telling, and packaging all those things in a well-fashioned manner. It’s like trying to write a novel and you’re only given three minutes to say everything needing to be said. With all that in mind, it’s not for everyone. It’s not even always for the people who make a living singing songs.
Given that this endeavor isn’t for everyone, many wildly successful country musicians primarily don’t write their own music. There is no shame in this, and the musicians don’t seem to believe so either. As stated, it takes a special kind of person to write a moving country song—it also takes a special talent to bring those words to life sonically. That being so, here are three country artists who typically don’t write their own music.
McGraw has told some phenomenal stories in songs such as “Live Like You Were Dying” and “My Best Friend.” However, neither of those songs, and a whole lot more weren’t written by him. According to Taste of Country, “In the last 10 years, Tim McGraw has only recorded two songs he’s written.”
Despite this fact, it doesn’t diminish McGraw’s talent. The man has an electric on-stage persona, a charismatic character, and an authentic country voice. Songwriting just isn’t his thing, and his recording track record proves it. Nonetheless, McGraw isn’t really branded as a songwriter, so at least he isn’t pretending to be something he’s not.
Reba allegedly only wrote four songs herself, none of which are considered to be her biggest hits. “I’m a Survivor,” “Fancy,” and other hits were not written by Reba. Even though this might be distressing to some fans, it shouldn’t be. Reba has never proclaimed to be some lyrical genius. Rather, she’s always portrayed herself merely as a phenomenal performer and character. And both her live shows and television appearances prove that to be true.
Reba is still a generational talent and her reluctance to write her own songs does not subvert that fact. Rather, it’s admirable that she leans on people more talented than her and asks for help. Assuming of course, but asking for help might be a hard feat given the expectations placed upon her by the music world.
“Jason Aldean has recorded just one song he’s written since his debut album. A track called “Keep the Girl” from his 2009 album Wide Open,” per Taste of Country. Aldean hits “Big Green Tractor” and “Dirt Road Anthem” were written by various different songwriters out of Nashville.
Like McGraw and Reba, Aldean has never professed to be a songwriter. Instead, he sticks to his guns and does what he does best—perform live.
Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
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