Rhetoric in Music

So it's no secret to a lot of people, even people that I hardly know, that I'm obsessed with country music. I guess I understand why people don't like it, it has very hick tendencies.

But when you put that aside, it really does tell a story. Some are about breakups, some are about marriage, children, drinking beer. Name anything along those lines and there is probably a song about it.

Something that a lot of these songs do are make an argument. They do not necessarily occur in duet form either. Singers sing about trying to convince their ex boy or girlfriend to take them back, or list the reasons why they're wrong, or try to persuade other's to do what they want.

Yes, the songs that focus on these types of persuasive arguments tend to be sad, but they're amazing. Someone especially known for music people can relate to is none other than Taylor Swift. Although I don't consider her country, for some reason that's the branch of music she falls under.

Her songs list the reasons as to why relationships failed, why they worked, or why they should just try them again. They're powerful songs too. She evokes an emotional response without really doing much of anything other than writing down the words in her head. Yet she's amazing at getting those emotions--and those arguments down.  She calls on pathos to help her audience, and the person she is specifically singing to, understand where she is coming from.

She's not the only one that does this though.  Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood's duet "Remind Me" also appeals highly to emotions.  The words, the voices, the music make the song drip with pathos. Not only does create emotions between those singing, but even to other people listening. The song makes you think of the past, and remember things that you sometimes try to forgot (plus they're both beautiful, why wouldn't you want to listen... like seriously take a look at Carrie Underwood).

If you don't fall for Taylor, Brad or Carrie, there has to be something wrong with you.  Because, believe me, if someone was singing those same songs to me, I'd take them back in a heartbeat.