Album: Latest Greatest Straitest Hits (2000)

License This Song 

• Nobody saw him running from sixteenth avenue
  They never found a fingerprint or the weapon that was used
  But someone killed country music, cut out its heart and soul
  They got away with murder down on music row
  
  The almighty dollar and the lust for worldwide fame
  Slowly killed tradition and for that someone should hang
  (Oh, you tell them Alan)
  They all say not guilty, but the evidence will show
  That murder was committed down on music row
  
  For the steel guitars no longer cry and fiddles barely play
  But drums and rock 'n roll guitars are mixed up in your face
  Old Hank wouldn't have a chance on today's radio
  Since they committed murder down on music row
  
  They thought no one would miss it, once it was dead and gone
  They said no one would buy them old drinking and cheating songs (I'll still buy'em)
  Well there ain't no justice in it and the hard facts are cold
  Murder's been committed down on music row
  
  Oh, the steel guitars no longer cry and you can't hear fiddles play
  With drums and rock 'n roll guitars mixed right up in your face
  Why, the Hag, he wouldn't have a chance on today's radio
  Since they've committed murder down on music row
  Why, they'd even tell the Possum to pack up and go back home
  There's been an awful murder down on music row Writer/s: Larry Cordle, Larry Shell
  Publisher: BMG Rights Management, MDI MUSIC ADMIN & CONSULTATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TuneCore Inc.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

• Beau from Phoenix, AzLucas: Actually, Garth Brooks wouldn't have started recording music if it weren't for George Strait and Keith Whitley. Yes, he does have rock influences as well, but George Strait is Garth's biggest influence.
• Lucas from Spartanburg, ScI think this song is about Garth Brooks. The man that murdered country music.
• Dan from Kingston, CanadaBig & Rich, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and all the country wannabes- country music is in big trouble with all the "mammy and pappy, neon jukeboxes in the back of good ole boy pickup trucks" lyrics - they all talk about Merle, George Jones, Elvis, etc. in their songs but couldn't hold a candle to any of them
• Brian from Birmingham, AlAmen to this song, Nashville's talent poole has dried up.Id' listen to adult contemporary or top 40, If I wanted to hear that kind of so called country they try to cram down our throat and still slap a "country" label on it.
  Brian,Pelham,Al.
• Randall from Chattanooga, TnHaving been a professional musician for over 35 years, I must say that this song is spot on. There are a handful of people who, by whatever means possible, attempt, usually successfully, to control what songs make the charts and what songs don't. In Nashville, it's not about ability but about marketability. They can take horrible singers and make them sound good in a studio and then promote them exclusively. The record companies are losing thei power a little at a time die to online music. It's about time the real talent got a chance to shine.
• Terry L. Kiser, Sr from Tifton, IdThe songwriter had it nailed on the head no doubt. The song points out the downward spiral of today's music. Sex is the big seller now. And I applaud Strait and Jackson for speaking out like they did. Country music has certainly taken a dive with bands like Big and Rich (who haven't done a decent song yet) and wannabe's like Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.

More Songfacts:

GreaseFrankie Valli

The song "Grease," sung by Frankie Valli in the 1978 movie, was written by Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees.

1234Feist

Feist's "1234" is "about lost love, and the hope to recapture what you once had," but it's best known for the Sesame Street version about counting to four.

Brown Eyed GirlVan Morrison

Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" was originally called "Brown Skinned Girl," and was about an interracial relationship.

Everyday I Write The BookElvis Costello

Elvis Costello says "Everyday I Write The Book" is a knockoff of Nick Lowe's "When I Write the Book."

Pump Up The JamTechnotronic

The first Eurodance hit in America was "Pump Up The Jam" by Technotronic in 1989. It led to a wave of Eurodance hits from the likes of Black Box, Snap! and C+C Music Factory in the early '90s.

Ring Of FireJohnny Cash

Johnny Cash's wife, June Carter, wrote "Ring Of Fire" about their relationship.

Editor's Picks

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.