I drove us all back from the cabin this weekend, which means I got to work my way through the entire Kacey Musgraves Essentials playlist on Apple Music. And now you get this endlessly compelling blog post.
- Dime Store Cowgirl
This is–in my mind–absolute Peak Kacey. It’s got all the country music twang I could ever want, and is a perfect snapshot of an up-and-coming musician making her way around the country (and then the world!). Extra points for both the Willie Nelson and Gram Parsons references.
Favorite lines: Slept in a room with the ghost of Gram Parsons; drank some wine I can’t afford. - Oh, What a World
Did I drunk-cry when she performed this song at that one concert I went to? Yes, I did. However, I could do without the weird production on the recording, and am still waiting for the acoustic version release.
Favorite lines: Did I know you once in another life? Are we here just once or a billion times? - The Architect
The philosophical younger sister of the song above, I just love the idea of God being surprised and delighted (or possibly disappointed) by his creations.
Favorite lines: There’s a canyon that cuts through the desert, did it get there because of a flood? Was it devised, or were you surprised when you saw how grand it was? - Rainbow
Fun fact: I also play this one on piano.
Favorite lines: If you could see what I see, you’d be blinded by the colors. - Pageant Material
More great country twang here, along with the musings of someone who has taken a step back from their natal culture and can identify the ridiculous parts. All cultures have ridiculous parts, and being able to identify
Favorite lines: I’m always higher than my hair, and it ain’t that I don’t care about world peace, but I don’t see how I can fix it in a swimsuit on a stage. - My House
Can harmonica music be defined as adorable? Because the harmonica lines here are adorable. Extra points for the Washington State reference.
Favorite lines: Any KOA is a-okay as long as I’m with you. - Biscuits
Are we seeing a pattern in my appreciation of country twang? This song is ridiculous, but has a great message.
Favorite lines: Pissin’ in my yard ain’t gonna make yours any greener. - Space Cowboy
It is admittedly strange that this one makes my top ten list. I mean the title alone is delightfully weird so that helps. She just has so many great lines in this one and great visuals. I always picture her throwing open the back end of a horse trailer and letting a flannel-clad cowboy drive his Chevy Silverado back out into a dating pool of horses.
Favorite lines: You can have your space, cowboy, I ain’t gonna fence you in. - simple times
I know, this is the only one from her star-crossed album to make it onto my top ten list. I certainly can’t relate to all the bits about hanging out at the mall with her friends, but I can definitely relate to the desire to pause this video game called adulthood for half a day.
Favorite line: Wish that I could put this game on pause, skip this round, take the headset off. - I Remember Everything (Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves)
I can’t personally relate to this topic; however, this song is the closest I’ve gotten to understanding what it must be like to go through a breakup with your first love. They reference their former intimacy, the man’s ongoing drinking problem, the woman’s childhood trauma, and then end by saying they wish they didn’t remember everything but they do. Also there are violins in the background and nothing makes me love a song more than adding some damn strings.
Favorite lines: Blame it on the beach, grown men don’t cry.
I would be very curious to know what everyone else’s favorite Kacey Musgraves songs are!