Story of a man who falls asleep at a bar for 30 years (like Rip Van Winkle) and wakes up hearing some music on the jukebox - it's called "Country" but to him, it doesn't sound anything like real "Country Music"
Story behind the song
New country songs/artists on mainstream radio often sound more like pop music than country. It's about respecting the legends of country music and acknowledging their contribution to the genre.
Lyrics
That Ain't Country
Hart and Soul (c) 1999
V1: He woke up after 30 years
Raised his head up off the bar
He asked the new bartender
"Hey, where'd I park my car?
And what's that crazy music
On the jukebox that I hear?"
He said, "Heck, we call it country
Where you been all these years?"
CH: Well, that ain't country
'Cause I don't hear Merle
Ain't the Grand Ol' Opry
Or Minnie Pearl
Hey, where's Loretty?
Where's the Man in Black?
Well, that ain't country
So, take me back!
V2: Whatcha done with "No-show Jones?
And Perkins' Blue Suede Shoes?
I'd Walk the Line
For Patsy Cline
They all paid their dues
Wanna two-step with Tammy
And catch a Tiger by the Tail
I'm an Okie from Muskogee
And I'm proud as ...well
Chorus: That ain't country...
V3: "Old man while you've been sleepin'
Our legends of today
Like Reba, Garth, and George Strait,
The Lord taught them to play
He gave us country music
And He'll never let it die
Old man, there's always country
A country state of mind!
CHORUS repeat