Florida Georgia Line and the Burden of Bro Country

[@GradySmith]

I need a new lint roller. And yes, I made a mistake on “Stay” and said Buckcherry instead of Black Stone Cherry!

[@tankmam1]

Stay was a Black Stone Cherry song. You accidentally said Buckcherry.

[@nalpak2584]

@@tankmam1 came here to say the same thing ! 😂

[@jamesoost6948]

@@nalpak2584 yep me too

[@stevenusinger]

i love Black Stone Cherry, Bro. GREAT BAND

[@Sgtsqueaks2024]

Please never disrespect black stone cherry by calling them buckcherry ever again please. BSc is so much better than those other dbags.

[@davidmatheny1993]

With how quickly everything became bro country in the first half of the last decade, Chris Stapleton's Traveller was a serious breath of fresh air. It was nice to see someone from the outlaw/alternative country scene shake things up with some soulful lyrics and more bluesy influences.

[@philipreid2542]

Parachute is one of the greatest songs of all time, any genre

[@charliekogen6602]

Memes aside, I guess you can really say now that Florida Georgia Line will no longer be doing what they've always done :(

[@lovag8111]

I’m Japanese and almost no one around me is listening to country music, but they got me into it when I encountered “cruise” which I can feel American pretty much.

[@KlynerKaiOffical]

That’s so cool! I love to see people from other countries embrace American culture and music. I know a lot of my friends like Japanese shows and music so it’s just an amazing thing that thanks to the Internet, people from continents away can enjoy the same things

[@LBaumgardner19]

Their bro country got me into country music and eventually into more traditional and independent country, so they will always have a soft spot in my heart Now that I’ve finished the video, awesome work! And I agree, they are great live. I’ve seen them twice, and one of them was as an opening act and their performance had the arena going more than the headliner did.

[@1spunkymonkey2]

Same man, FLG got me into country about 4 gears ago. I'm way past my bro country phase and now agree most of their music is far from good but without them singing about girls and trucks I would still baselessly hate the genre and never have gotten to know it

[@dctr5534]

Same man, FGL got me hooked with country. Now my playlist also include some contemporary country 😁

[@Edward.Rippett.]

Same with me

[@Deraldgjr]

Gross.

[@kompy2k]

A lot of us heavy metal fans feel the same way about bands like Linkin Park or Black Veil Brides- yeah, they might not be the absolute best the genre has to offer, but they're a solid, accessible introduction to it for newcomers, and the pop instincts still hold up under all the cheesiness and radio overplay.

[@bmcminn8838]

"May We All" will always be one of my favorite songs ever

[@kelseyveert7822]

Yesss 🙌🏼

[@kyleebristow6223]

Absolutely. Can still tear up when I hear it.

[@TheBritishPatriot]

Whether you loved them or hated them, it’s undeniable that they had quite a big influence on the country scene, and they drew in a lot of new people to the country genre by fusing it with rock, pop and rap. I will definitely miss them, but looking forward to seeing what they do as solo artists. Some of my favourite songs were “Cruise” (especially the remix with Nelly), “This is how we Roll”, “Anything Goes”, “Sun Daze” and “I Love My Country”…. But my number 1 choice would probably be “Country in my Soul”, that song was so underrated!

[@scotabot7826]

Neither of them will do anything solo wise that will amount to much, just wait and see. Money will start slowing up, and years from now they will reunite in a effort to get their bank accounts refilled. Mark my words. The Big return of GFL!!

[@twisted_goat]

Country in my soul! Yes, man great song

[@charlesncharge6298]

Their music is not country! It's some bastardized crap that has served to ruin real country music. If you're a fan of Florida Georgia line or any of these bro country ,pop country tractor rap, hick hop garbage bands you are not a country music fan. You're a fan of that particular noise pollution.

[@davyboy9397]

@Scotabot 100%

[@trumanbadra8003]

oh god.

[@KingGing21]

Living in a non traditional country market, (UK) I found it amazing how at a party I could stick on a FGL song and everyone would be singing along. They definitely helped grow country on an international stage and that's amazing. Really doubt we would be seeing large scale European tours without FGL putting the groundwork in place for other country artists. Mad respect for what these guys did and having listed to "sunshine state of mind" on repeat ever since it was released I'm real excited to see how their solo careers progress.

[@deemkn]

FGL will always hold a special place in my heart, their songs were huge during my teenage years and will always have those summer songs on lock. P.S. Grady, shave your beard into a mustache.

[@madeintheusa2687]

I can totally see Grady rocking a mustache

[@BenKellyMusic92]

Please Grady, don't do that 🤦‍♂️

[@Prestowittabolt]

I literally said the same thing

[@flo_growngnome3431]

I'm going to miss Florida Georgia Line, but I look forward to their individual careers as well!

[@ianbiddulph3396]

I have no shame in saying FGL was one of the bands that got me into country. I started listening to country in the start of the 2010s and it was the bro country that converted me. In the U.K. there isn’t a lot of country to listen to without really looking for it so I was able to find a few stations on line to listen to and as you say that was the music of that time. Discovering your channel on here honestly started me listening to no commercial music and lead me to find a lot more of the traditional sounding stuff. A trip to Nashville for my honeymoon and 2017s CMA really got me hooked on listening to older stuff after touring the hall of fame. Over the years I’ve been listening to a lot of your and the whiskey Riff boys recommendations which has rounded out my collection and playlists a lot more but I’ll admit with no shame I still go back to bro country quite a bit. Glad I got to see FGL over here in 2015.

[@MrDannyboi1977]

Sorry to tell you,they are NOT country! Neither of these simps would make a pimple on a real country artists a$$!

[@BobbyB910]

I would be ashamed to say that…….seriously

[@ianbiddulph3396]

@@BobbyB910 well I’m not.

[@dougiec2]

I was a big fan of FGL and even bro country when it first came out. It worked well for the Country themed nights we ran at the night club I managed. But like many others have said. Once everyone started making the exact same music, and that's all that was on the radio, it quickly got old.

[@Crusader1984]

Bro country is g*** ay!!

[@andrewkauffman5453]

Go cry

[@Abax77]

Honestly FGL got me into country music. Once I heard them, I slowly checked out other artists! I still like FGL, but now I love acts like George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Dwight Yoakam, Zac Brown Babd, Joe Diffie, Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw. Say what you want about FGL, but they introduced me and many others to the best music genre. COUNTRY MUSIC

[@thisistheaccountname]

What about femals artists? Jo Dee Messina. Sara Evans. Reba Macintire. Faith Hill. Shania Twain. Cassadee Pope. Trish Yearwood. The Judds. Wynonna Judd. Leann Rimes. Martina McBride. Eh, and the likes of Carrie Underwood to a lesser extent.

[@ellamurray3099]

Describing Thomas Rhett as being in “faithful father mode” is so funny and true

[@jalenjackson8572]

Went to their concert because of the openers (Morgan Wallen and Dan & Shay), not knowing much of their music. Walked away seeing one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen. Their ability to tap into the fun and bring everyone’s joy into the songs they were singing with FGL was incredible. Very glad I got to see them before they parted ways.

[@Countryboy78]

I don't know i went through my bro country phase like 10 years ago so it's kinda bittersweet

[@come4tmebro]

The bro country phase really leads to some people finding the light to better country music.

[@nicholasi3535]

I still love listening to the first 2 albums. Some people dislike it because it’s less serious but it was fresh and nobody else was doing it like them. Gotta give them all the credit in the world for being trailblazers. Also I feel you hate on Meant to Be a lot but it’s a damn good song. Country…probs not but an absolute jam. That’s what they should be remembered for. They made absolute smashes that reached a level of popularity that nobody thought was possible for a country artist. God bless them

[@GradySmith]

I hate on the chart run of Meant to Be

[@brandonvalentine2555]

Gotta give em credit for ruining country

[@scotabot7826]

They are not, nor never were "country artists"!!

[@JrD1998]

Meant to be it got one Billion views not one million but 1B viewers it was a good dam smash it.

[@jakejaket]

They lifted my mood when everything else was rather depressing. Hooks and jams catch your ear. Mad respect for the musicians on stage with them. Peace.

[@MattL1991]

As a Brit, we never used to get much Country Music over here at all. But on a holiday to Florida back in 2013, I heard Cruise on the radio all the time... and my love for Country was born. I became a big fan of FGL, and went into an obsession of just about any country music. I even saw live and met, FGL back in 2015. My love of FGLs music drained over time. But I've since been to countless country gigs. I may now be a big fan, likes of Zach Bryan, Jason Isbell and Childers, but it was FGL and Cruise, got to thank for that, as it was them which first got me into Country!

[@J_M3444]

Wow you have fantastic taste in music!! Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers are something special

[@beaglegt500]

I remember FGL performing at FSU's homecoming in 2013. Such a great concert. Saw Cole Swindell there for the first time. As a college freshman surrounded by beautiful drunk sorority girls, it was an awesome time

[@LowgaenSchmidt]

In 2013, they came to my college campus in small town Nebraska. Peru State booked them when nobody knew who they were, and then the announcement came just after Cruise came out and everyone I knew was listening to it. The week they came, they had just won Best New Artist at the CMA's. I went by the building early that afternoon and I managed to see both of them, and they signed a guitar for me. Ended up waiting out by the door four hours and managed to land in the front row for the show and I had such a blast. And that first album I truly did enjoy from start to finish, now their later albums didn't do too much for me and I soon lost interest in the bro country sound, but they will still hold a special place for me as they take me back to one of the most memorable moments in college.

[@mollycblaeser]

I don't love a ton of their songs -- but damn, "Cruise" is a dance party, every single time.

[@FluffyPantsReviews]

I used to say the Florida Georgia Line was my favorite band. Of course that was when I was younger but it does make me sad to see it is over. It is like a metaphor for my country taste evolution. They will always have absolute bangers in my playlist like Cruise, Stay, Here to the Good Times, May We All and so many more

[@jessicaschoonmaker2073]

Their one of my faves stil

[@collinelliott4024]

Stay is a really great song. I'm surprised it never got more attention.

[@somedude1901]

I guarantee you there will be a 90’s like nostalgia for them in 20 years! They changed the game

[@averywebb6960]

"Cruise" came out when I had just started college. I remember how new and outside the box it sounded. Although I usually credit Jason Aldean's "My Kinda Party" and "Dirt Road Anthem" as the first real bro country songs, FGL dumped a freaking oil tanker on that flame. They dominated the radio my entire college career and every other Nashville artist followed suit. I didn't like it at the time but now I remember driving tractors and working cows while they were on the radio and a few of their songs bring back some nostalgia. Were they successful and influential? Big time. Was their impact a good thing for country music? I'll leave that up to history to determine.

[@derekdevore3002]

I remember back in 2016 I believe and was at a low point in my life, their single confession was on the radio a lot and I’d be driving to my overnight job and the chorus just always hit different for me during those times. Can’t say they were one of my favorite acts in country music, but I also can’t say they were close to being my least favorite either.

[@armyfallatthediscotwentyon5019]

They got me into country. They hold a spot in my heart.

[@mitchellsalingue6262]

These guys are the reason I listen to country music and got me out of some bad times , saved my life in a way

[@ThePunkRockMBA]

Loved this one! I learn so much from videos like this.

[@maybellinelover]

Lol. I'm so glad you mentioned the Nickelback connection. I've been calling them the Nickelback of country music for years.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

I thought they were great. Some bands don’t really fit into a mold. There’s only so many genres to choose from. They ran their course, but I loved them for what they were. Happy for their success as much as I’m happy bro country is over.

[@djtriscuits]

FGL was party music. The purists will never get behind that sound but for the average listener, it was fun and relatable. They certainly had some bad songs (just like every artist), but their hits are hard to top. RIP.

[@antiembishop07]

Can be mad at them for bro country but their songs went hard and still gets a party going. It is what it is. Thank you FGL.

[@colesprouseful]

I have always loved FGL since cruise came out, that was the song that me and my best friend made our song for our senior year of high school in 2013. So every time I hear that song now it takes me back to riding around with her being 17 and dumb and just having fun.

[@greysontruszkowski7581]

I loved Florida Georgia Line and I still do. I don’t care what other people said about them, I will never say otherwise.

[@norsky7199]

I’m glad someone else likes “Lit This Year” as well, it really is a bop 😂

[@ZK_Wright]

As a huge FGL fan, while it is the end of them, I still listen to them and always will. I love there music. So honestly i agree with you Grady here.

[@amandahart6198]

I love FGL and im excited to see where their individual careers will take them. I hope BK gets the recognition he deserves because his solo music is FIRE!!!

[@omnitrix1992]

This video made me cry.

[@benblair582]

I have been on an FGL kick since they officially signed off. Really cannot believe with their love for the fans and being happy with whatever label was placed on them as long as the fans showed up and had a great time that they had their last show in Minnesota. Would have been such a cool way to end FGL and enter their solo careers with a mini tour of them playing solo opening sets and then belting out a final set as FGL. Still, they will be my favorite duo ever and the reason I love country. So many underappreciated songs. If they ever reunite to play a show again, you better believe I am getting a ticket no matter where it is.

[@ChanningFryeOfficial]

My intro to country was seeing them perform on Monday Night Raw in 2013. Phenomenal experience 😂

[@SeanH513]

Also, I really love the connection you made with their transition to the loving their wife era that a lot of other artists also followed. It’s like the bro country stars were finally growing up lol.

[@fishproductions22]

florida georgia line was what got me into country music as a whole, so honestly although their newer stuff isn't very good compared to their first 2 albums, those first 2 albums will always be special to me

[@baileyvh2814]

I’m in my senior year of highschool rn and so growing up in elementary school most of the songs I had heard on the radio were fgl songs. Even though I was probably 7 years old or so when most of these songs were popular, I can almost pinpoint a time in my life when I listened to one of their hits. Something about it just makes me reminisce about those days. Yeah, they’re great party anthems, most of the songs, but they’re also kind of classics for my generation. It’s also what led me to listening to less “bro” country like McCollum and Childers. The way you described they’re career was super on point!

[@vennermusic]

Brand new Chevy with a lift kit!

[@MissPopuri]

I grew up in the 90’s, and I had a CD called Mellow Sixties with Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, Never My Love, and Carrie Ann. It got me interested in The Hollies, and my favorite was always Bus Stop. FGL has a unique connection to me because my brother was in a band during their early days that opened for them at a local bar. He was the drummer. I generally don’t keep myself to a specific genre because there is so much music in the world that could be explored by diving deep into other cultures and ways of life. Rap, R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, Country, Classical, Rock, Heavy Metal, and other popular Indie tracks bring us closer together as a society.

[@GrantAHolcomb]

I was always critical of FGL simply because of their whole shtick in the bro-country era. But I heard "Round Here" recently and a couple other songs from their early days and I couldn't believe it when I said to myself, "Well, that's not as cringe as I remembered." I guess time softens hearts, and I was actually nostalgic for country music in 2010.

[@ajb129]

Few people mention that a mainstay of bro country is changing your voice into the most cartoonish accent possible. See: Luke Bryan, FGL, the guy that married Gwen Stefani

[@austinmodeen7108]

I love their windows down driving songs but for me Simple will always put me in a better mood and be stuck in my head for the rest of the day after hearing it

[@dereakcolumbus3603]

Im at work and cant type much on this upload . But LOVE IT!!! it 's perfectly accurate assessment of their AWESOME career. Even the fave song selections of Grady , Im on board with . Thank you for this post.

[@damosimo11]

Great video again Grady! I’m just imagining how great the reunion tour will be in 5-10 years time full of people like myself who have FGL to thank for an introduction to country music obsession. May We All in my opinion is still their best song and one of my favourite songs ever. Furthermore BK is already producing some excellent solo work and seems reinvigorated!

[@tobyflenderson6972]

Stay was actually a Black Stone Cherry cover. Great video as always though.

[@ennylekalb]

On a serious note… thank you to fgl for helping me discover other genres. Bc without bro country I’d not have thrown country radio aside and gotten super into gaslight anthem or lucero or so many other artists. Now I’m back into country music, where it all started for me.

[@user-me8hc3bs7i]

FGL got me into hip hop and rap because of how awful everything on country radio was. The few people that weren’t just playing country radio non-stop were huge hip hop heads and they introduced me to my favorite genre. Thanks for sucking so hard FGL.

[@captaingymshorts]

Just wanting to point out real quick- "Stay" is a cover from Black Stone Cherry, not Buck Cherry. Easy mistake to make :)

[@benkendrick2645]

They had/have 10-15 summer bangers that will live forever, the rest I couldn’t get behind. But like it or not they left some sort of impact

[@lucash5446]

One of the biggest duos in country music history. I love them!

[@ToddCotta]

Oh yes! Confession is by far my favorite also. Great choice!

[@kathleensharaf3160]

I absolutely loved this band. I have seen them in concert many times and was even in the pit and touched Tyler Hubbard’s hand. I understand their style of music wasn’t for everyone but they definitely helped mainstream country music with their collaborations and albums. I feel like now that they are no longer together and making music, people might really see how much impact they had on the industry.

[@alexwright5215]

I can’t say I really listen to FGL that much anymore but I’m 19 and back when I first started to drive they were always the reason I rolled my windows down and they made my life feel like a party. And they are one of the reasons I got into country music and started listening to Morgan Wallen and appreciating his music and ofc Wallen and you got me into Jason Isbell and Zach Bryan and koe wetzel. I don’t even listen to Nashville that much anymore but FGL will always have a special place in my heart.

[@izzysaunt3]

Im going to miss them. Love their music

[@thenickmcclaintheory]

I graduated in 2012 when I heard cruise blew up. There was no doubt after I heard them and also had there cds. I would really want to eventually see them live. I did. It felt like as their music matured. I did too to a degree. It's so sad that they won't be putting music out as a duo anymore. Put I do have hope after an album or 2. We can see them feature each other on their albums. It would be fun to get that every so often. Thank You Grady for an amazing video

[@PiMagia]

they were the ones that got me into country music! The first albums were thebest! Recently i discovered that there is a song called "what are you drinking about" in the album "here's to the good times" target exclusive edition, its really great!

[@Adonis_Quinn]

Florida Georgia Line was responsible for getting me back into country after I stopped in 2002. They were the gateway that that paved me for falling in love with country music again. And not what’s just on the radio. I’m sure there are many people like me who are now country fans because of them.

[@Overcastclips]

Don't care what anyone says. They got me into Country. They honestly set up modern country and success for guys like Wallen and others. Who knows where it would be without them.

[@arnettrabaker4872]

As someone who is not a modern country fan, I still found this video informative and engaging; well-done!

[@aidencrawford3487]

As a high-schooler whose grown up on a farm, I'd hate to thing how many hours of FGL I've listened to in the combine and the truck over my years

[@clipsedrag13]

Music is music. If it makes you feel good it doesn't matter what other people think of it

[@keyodi]

Steve Earle noted that the genre was, in some ways, a watered-down form of hip hop, stating that "The guys just wanna sing about getting fucked up. They’re just doing hip-hop for people who are afraid of black people. I like the new Kendrick Lamar record, so I’ll just listen to that.”

[@JoaoDieter]

FGL was part of my teenage years, I’ll miss them

[@chrisglazener3613]

I like FGL and am bummed that I never got to see them in concert. I had tickets to a show but it was cancelled during the pandemic. Personally I like bro country and hope their break up isn't permanent.

[@tyronesmith3812]

Man I can tell you right now. I have lived in Nashville since 2018, am the most country cowboy man you will ever meet and I have never heard of FGL

[@laurenkateri6678]

gosh im gonna miss fgl bro country raised me : (

[@jr.leininger4109]

I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of FGL but I saw them when they opened for Jason Aldean at PNC Amphitheater in Charlotte and they were an amazing act. Their 15 minute encore of "Dirt" left the crowd mesmerized and nearly everybody left believing nothing could get better. Jason finished the show with half the audience. One thing about those guys is they gave it all out there, at least in my experience

[@sammie12349]

I love them. I always have. My parents and I never missed a tour of theirs. I’ve realized I love bro country 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@rattpatrol5188]

Brooks & Dunn is a real country duo

[@anthonydevito4450]

While FGL never made the most traditional country music, they had the best party jams, and their more serious songs (Dirt, May We All, Confession) hit different. I’m gonna miss them a little bit

[@Samjay724]

Iv loved fgl for the past decade deffently my favorite group, ones who got me into country again, remember seeing them in 2013 on 4th of july small stage free concert best concert ever lets get the party started seen them like 4 times since

[@somiskid]

Fgl has some real solid legitimate country songs.

[@julielarsen6501]

Just saw Tyler Hubbard at a show with Kieth Urban. He did sing a couple of FGL songs. It was really fun!

[@CanadianCarguy247]

Never really loved FGL, liked some of their songs (sippin' on fire, stay are really great in my opinion) but I did see their second to last show as FGL and I honestly have to say, they're both great live performers. They worked the crowd amazingly and had everyone singing along and everyone had a great time. End of what might not have been a legendary era but I respect them. Grew up through middle school and on listening to their tunes on the radio, weird for them to be gone but time marches on.

[@quentinwade5531]

FGL is my favorite band/artist. Thank you for making this video. It was very well put together

[@gladbags23]

FGL will be forever missed. I can recall great memories listening to some of their bangers of their first album. “Colorado “ was the first song I played in my new Chevy Colorado. Thank you FGL! Here’s to the Good Times!!!

[@DamonBrazzellUkesploitation]

I was introduced to FGL a year before their first album came out because their manager's music business teacher was also my music business teacher. For my money, "It'z Just What We Do" is my favorite song from them because I had never heard anything like it. The mix of rock, country, and hip hop blew me away. Plus, let's be honest, the main riff and guitar solo on that song totally rock. I honestly don't have a problem with them. I have a problem with the industry they decided to take their sound and totally blanket country radio with it. It's like when the film Scream came out and almost all major horror movies became these hip, self aware films loaded with ironic humor and good looking teen/young adult actors from teen drama television shows. And in the same way this filmmaking infected sequels to films that came before Scream (Halloween H20 and Bride of Chucky) the bro country aesthetic infected established artists (Brad Paisley's Moonshine in the Trunk). So while I don't mind them at all, I am not a huge fan of what they unleashed on the music world. But that's the fault of the industry.

[@shelbytanner6394]

Their music wasn’t classic, but it still was apart of my younger years and it was a vibe!! Long love FGL!! ❤

[@jeffschwietert9647]

They were not for me, but there is no denying there success and influence. Great video once again Grady!

[@aust_inc]

To me, FGL was hit or miss, but their hits didn't miss. "Cruise," HOLY," "May We All," "Dirt," "Confession," "Talk You Out of It," "Colorado." All bangers. While I did not initially like them, I grew to respect their brand of country music (and yes, I do consider them country). They certainly had a lasting influence on the genre and I feel we'll continue to hear their influence in the years to come.

[@nascarreacts5438]

cruise and chicken fried are the first country songs I can remember listening to

[@JustMatt_2023]

Florida Georgia Line created a sound that, love or hate it, brought thousands of new fans to the country genre. More fans=more money which equals more talent seeking opportunities in the country arena. That’s a good thing. I, myself, was brought into country by Garth Brooks as he exploded onto the scene in the 90s. He was lauded as pop country at the time. I’m sure the same could be said about Hank Jr. in the 80s, Kenny Rogers in the 70s, etc. Bucking against the system isn’t always bad. I’m happy to see the boys head off in their own direction and thankful we have their music to cherish for years to come. I’m certain that my grandkids will be adding this music to their wedding playlist as “boomer country” lol.

[@ashleywolford948]

Okay but their collab with Nelly on Lil Bit is a real banger!

[@connorgould3153]

Anything Goes was on my High School football team's pregame warmups playlist so I always get nostalgic hearing it. I still listen to a bunch of their songs, too bad they're done.

[@lynn_guini]

Wow, still cant believe "Cruise" finally got its deserved recognition after 173 years. 13:56

[@alexisbaker1328]

I used to listen to Confessions every day riding the backroads home from college. It has a special place in my heart.

[@haroldkloran4323]

Yay!! Our ears are finally saved from this noise!!!

[@CoreCountry]

They spearheaded the devolution of the best country music! Good Riddance to them!

[@LittleBearBrandon]

One song I enjoy is Dig your roots. It's really good.

[@greggjohnson9149]

FGL did for country music what Tiger Woods did for golf. Both had been around forever but needed a shot in the arm to break the rut that both country music and golf were having respectfully. I hope country music doesn't throw the baby out with the bath water over the whole Bro Country thing. There is no denying that country music and anything attached to it currently has grown exponentially during the Bro Country era. Tyler and Brian are great singers and I wish them continued successes and blessings in their new chapters. I still gotta say FGL was the clear dynasty over the past decade.

[@emilyswoboda7665]

I know a lot of people were saying FGL was what got them into the country music scene but for me this was just the music of my childhood. My image of country music is filled with having a good time, pure joy and lots of dancing, mixed with of course a lot of heartfelt love for the small town life and the magic in each of those worn-out backroads, small towns and local farms all across America. So while I heard a lot of negative connotations about FGL and country music in general growing up (specifically bro country) it was always the soundtrack to my "happy place." 2010s country is something special, I'll take bro country over boyfriend country any day.

[@itsmb8]

FGL was THE group that got me into country. The songs were iconic and always had a good vibe to it.

[@MavroProductions]

Tyler Hubbard's self titled album has some amazing tunes.

[@MACMAMI]

Although their output was too hit-or-miss for me to where I can't say I was ever a fan of Florida Georgia Line................they also kind of have a soft spot in my heart that hearkens back to a simple, more carefree and energetic time. And even though some of the songs from "Here's To The Good Times" and "Anything Goes" were definitely big, loud and dumb.................they were authentically so and made them somewhat endearing in a strange sense. Even on many of their party romp anthems (with a couple of exceptions), they rarely came across as objectionable or misogynistic to me in that they seemed to spend more time lyrically describing their surroundings then about the women themselves. They just consistently knew how to deliver blithe, sunny, carefree and slightly reflective and sentimental but decisively energetic carpe diem/carpe noctum party anthems from "Tip It Back" to "Round Here" to "Get Your Shine On" and so on. Where I started heavily losing interest in them was with their third album "Dig Your Roots". I think they really got defensive to the bro-country backlash, and they tried way too hard to elude the faster-tempo party themes and image..............and they just got bland, innocuous and forgettable for the most part save a random faster-tempo album track or two like "Speed Of Love" or "New Truck" breaking the mid-tempo monotony. And the vast majority of their fans never asked for thiem to go the way of Rascal Flatts or Lonestar. And it's not that some of their attempts at more serious subject matter didn't work either. I thought songs like "While He's Still Around" and "Grow Old" were written well and indeed had heart. It's just that with the exception of the former song, they were neutered by bland adult contemporary production. "Confession" proved they knew how to write a more reflective song that makes you think and still give it a pulse, a sense of driving urgency, but overall they just overcompensated so needlessly. I won't be the least bit surprised if Florida Georgia Line's legacy turns out to be considerably more favorable than Nickelback's despite Joey Moi being the production mastermind behind both. I'm never going to dare say or suggest they should be heralded as the best of what the genre has to offer or anything close to that.............but at the same time that was never the point, and you can also do a hell of a lot worse than Florida Georgia Line. Above all else to me, they just kind of set the mood and tone for a feel-good late summer afternoon/early evening onward. Nothing more, nothing less...............and that's decent if you ask me.