Who is the queen of country music?
It’s a question that has been widely debated for years, but who would you award such a crown?
Would it be Tammy ‘Stand By Your Man’ Wynette? Kitty ‘It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels’ Wells? Patsy ‘Sweet Dreams’ Cline? Reba (not too well known here in the UK, but a superstar in the US) McIntire? Dolly – so well known she doesn’t need a surname - Parton? Loretta (who?) Lynn?
Yes, here in the UK where country music is not as popular as it is in the states, some of the biggest-selling artists are barely known. So, unless you’ve seen Coal Miner's Daughter or you’re a White Stripes fan, you’ve probably never heard of Loretta Lynn. She’s huge in the US though. Born into poverty in Kentucky in 1934, she has in her lifetime penned over 160 songs, had 17 number one albums, 16 number one country hits, and won 4 Grammys as well as plenty of other awards and accolades.
The title song from the film is probably her best known, but the brilliantly bitchy Fist City and the fabulously feminist The Pill and Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind), are also biggies. My personal fave is You’re Lookin’ at Country. Never heard of them? Well, still, don’t be too quick to make your decision on this important queen of country question. Let’s face it, Loretta is the only singer from the above list who’s had an Oscar-winning film made about her life, so if you’ve never seen Coal Miner’s Daughter, you should definitely check it out before jumping to any rash decisions about who deserves the crown.
And, if you want to know who I’d choose, well, regular visitors to Movie Talk will know the answer to that question. In my opinion, there’s one who’s way out in front, who has truly global appeal, but I’m deliberately going to keep quiet. If I let on who it is, it might influence your decision and I want you to make up your own minds.
But, while you’re deliberating, I have a treat for those of you in the workplace. It’ll brighten up your day, make your work colleagues smile and have your boss forgiving you for any boobs you might have made this week. See how well I'm doing at not influencing you with my own opinion. Click here and enjoy.
