Within the lyrics of the song, Country Again by Thomas Rhett, there are many masculine and feminine stereotypes and counter stereotypes within the song. These stereotypes emphasize the Sex-Role Theory, due to the reinforcement or resistance of these traits found with this song. The reinforcements that society expects of men and women affect the overall understanding of how men and women are “supposed to” act.
Masculine Stereotypes/ Counterstereotypes:
I quit huntin’ with my daddy / Guess I didn’t make the time / And it’s been a year since I’ve seen a deer
- These lyrics emphasize the masculine stereotypes society expects of men. For example, men are supposed to look up to their father and follow in their footsteps. However, these lyrics do insinuate that all country men are expected of this.
My back home buddies, they quit callin’… / But last night we cracked some cold beers
- These lyrics describe how men are supposed to drink beer because they stereotypically like it more than women, and hang out with their “buddies.”
I traded in my Silverado / Didn’t need no four by four / Tucked my boots in the back of the closet / They didn’t feel like me no more / But I dug ’em out and slipped ’em on
- Within this verse, Thomas Rhett describes how he drives a truck and wears boots, which stereotypes that that is the vehicle men are supposed to drive, as well as, wear boots because they are required for hard labor jobs; that men also typically have.
I traded sunsets with my wife / For hours on my phone / And even when I was right beside her / I still wasn’t really home / But last night we built a fire / Watched the moonlight kiss her skin
- This is a counter stereotype because typically it is women who are always on the phone talking. Whereas he is on it more often.
There were no feminine stereotypes or counter stereotypes within these lyrics. Just Thomas Rhett explaining his job and the difficulties it has taken on him and his family.
Shared by: Meg Lamers
Image Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_Again