One main thing to point out within “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton is that he is essentially comparing his female significant other to different types of alcohol. Along with comparing her physical body and personality to drinks, he also uses metaphors to talk about what love has been and is to him. Due to these comparisons, it creates different masculine and feminine stereotypes within the lyrics.
Link to song lyrics: https://genius.com/Chris-stapleton-tennessee-whiskey-lyrics
Masculine Stereotypes
- “Liquor was the only love I’ve known”
- A common stereotype in country music is the way people resort to alcohol for things that might occur in their life. This lyric displays the idea that the only relationship or connection he has is with alcohol.
- “But when you poured out your heart I didn’t waste it, ‘Cause there’s nothing like your love to get me high”
- Females are sometimes seen as “saving” men from a bad place when it comes to the idea of relationships. This lyric shows that the man was in a rough place but when she offered love he in a sense “got better”.
Feminine Stereotypes
- “You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey, You’re as sweet as strawberry wine, You’re as warm as a glass of brandy”
- The main stereotype that is repeated throughout the song is the comparison of a female to liquor. Common stereotypes are reinforced with the male artist calling the female sweet and soft, focusing on those “soft” female emotions.
This song is a great example of country music picking out the main stereotypes between males and females. In the song, the male was in deep, dark emotion and the female provided soft, comforting emotions. Chris Stapleton is also a great example of an artist whose music can oftentimes reinforce common stereotypes.
Shared by: Alli Engels
Image Credit: Google Images