The Worst Country Music of 2023

[@GradySmith]

I apologize in advance for my Zacholyte song. (And anything else.)

[@JohnC686]

It was the best part of the video and 100% dead on.

[@kitkat4sho]

I somehow missed his comment saying he was going to reenact it, and I didn’t realize it was even him until the end of it 😂😂😂

[@adamr6445]

don't apologize for the anything else - you make good videos, i learn a lot from your videos - just keep doing your thing try to block out the negative

[@danicee]

Had no idea that this was even a trend so thank you for the example... tbh it kind of sounded like alternative/emo music, which I like, but has to be done right

[@Countryboy78]

I wish somebody could explain to me the appeal to Zach Bryan.

[@whyy__it]

The Zacholyte impression has me crying 😭 it’s so accurate

[@breannamaclean.029]

Literally could not stop laughing 😂😂😂

[@heidix1286]

That made my night 😂

[@mookieblaylock9414]

Looking at the sky drinking to the floor is the lyrics ever 😂😂

[@rjsfarm2534]

Did Grady just coin Zacholyte? Now we are going to have never ending discussion on what is and isn’t a Zacholyte.

[@ComedyBros5]

Sam Barber, Eddie Flint, Tucker Knisell, and Aidan Canfield are all prime examples of this.

[@altog2282]

You should make a full Zacholyte song singing about how you're misunderstood/heartbroken so you cope by drinking and listening to Zach Bryan verses

[@longarmsgiraffe0955]

What are you trying to do, get Grady a record deal?!

[@killakurt6211]

Not sure if you discussed it elsewhere prior to this video (First time I have heard you mention it), but so sorry to hear about the robberies. I can't imagine going through that and the impact that had on you. As cliche as it sounds I appreciate all you do for us and the content you put out, even when going through stuff like that in your personal life. Hope you're doing okay after all that and processing the emotions and prioritizing your well being. Cheers to you and your success in 2024

[@GradySmith]

Weirdly it all happened in the Spring, so I was glad to move to the ‘burbs! And things have been awesome here. But yeah I def was fundamentally changed by the main robbery.

[@pippin3168]

I was really surprised to learn this happened in Nashville. I had no idea they had a lot crime like that sounds like LA

[@Hopeofmen]

@pippin3168 well that's because LA and NYC have essentially moved to Nashville.

[@BrittanyDawson]

Same… I never knew about all this stuff and I hate that because I love Nashville and hate that you had such a horrible first part of your new life in Nashville, Grady!!

[@CryptoPowell]

Glad he's okay but he obviously doesn't care enough to even see the reason it happens.

[@Fitaroy]

You are so dead on about the Zacholyte era we’re in now. I think Zach has buckets of talent but I also think that he could release half as many songs and finish “cooking” the rest as you’ve put it! Great vid

[@jordanjohnston7739]

I'm so ready for "Zacholyte" by Grady Smith to be on the best list for 2024.

[@Allansmix]

I don't understand how some of these songs are considered Country?

[@AlanNadeauIII]

Because country changes

[@TheKtwStudios]

But then they shouldn't say Beyoncé's "Daddy Lessons" and Texas Hold Em arent country enough. Especially if, by musical composition, they are much more "country" than some of what's considered country today​@@AlanNadeauIII

[@AlanNadeauIII]

@@TheKtwStudios Those literally just came into existence

[@philipreid2542]

It's almost like folk. Very broad nowadays

[@16colena]

Biggest cash grab could describe Walker Hayes's entire career

[@davidleary4524]

Dude's got 7 kids to feed 😄😄

[@rjsfarm2534]

Bingo!!

[@SimplyyLizzie]

💯

[@BrittanyDawson]

Absolutely.

[@zachcarson6377]

I saw him live back in 2016 (??) before he had any songs on the radio. I really liked how raw his lyrics were and his melodic style. But now, his songs have turned into these boppy, pop, snap tracks that drive me nuts.

[@SO-ym3zs]

As a casual country fan who prefers the old school or underground stuff, a lot of the things you're playing here have shockingly little to do with country music as I understand it. Just over-produced pop/dance music with a little twang and a lot of Autotune. Terrible. No wonder you don't like it.

[@Stale_Donutz]

The Zacholyte era is going to be countrys version of the "indie lisp"

[@jonathonlueck2846]

I'm kind of at a loss as to how Grady got "no vigilanteism" and then "support vigilanteism" out of the two verses of try that in a small town as that is not what the song is about it all.

[@Blind_Sexy_and_Taken]

I thought the same thing. The first verse is about the crime that is going on in cities, and the second verse is about him having a gun and the government warning to talk about taking them away and him defending himself. Where is the vigilante justice in any of that?

[@jasonpepper8756]

He said car jacking and robbing is vigilantism. He said the wrong word or doesn't know what he is talking about.

[@tammieddy1172]

Thank you! I thought that too.

[@hebleedsloveful]

Jason Aldean is a hack, cheater, and a racist. And also hasn’t made decent music in years.

[@azcoyote007]

Same. He clearly doesn’t know what the word means. V1 isn’t about vigilantism at all. Carjacking people isn’t seeking justice outside the law.

[@CarterMoore1020]

Discouraging Zacholyte music is such a noble public service.

[@nylonpython]

Giddy Up sounds like it was written for Jojo Siwa.

[@brockpifer9929]

5:03 - 5:14 omg! I’m so sorry that happened to you, that’s scary! I feel so bad about all those incidents that happened to you ever since you moved to Nashville

[@emgmin]

This was truly wild to hear about omg😮😢

[@markanthonywilliams350]

It took me like 4 solid seconds to realize Grady's "re-enactment" was himself lol

[@ComedyBros5]

He completely immersed himself into the role

[@the_traveling_broker]

Fun story about “try that in a small town” is that early last year someone tried to rob a gas station in my small town and I think 3 different customers pulled out guns and held the would be thief at gunpoint until the police arrived 🤣

[@Blind_Sexy_and_Taken]

There you go. Jason Aldean‘s song come to life. Don’t really know where Grady is getting his vigilante justice view of that song from.

[@anonymousperson3023]

​@@Blind_Sexy_and_TakenIs what happened to the commentator not vigilante justice?

[@Blind_Sexy_and_Taken]

@@anonymousperson3023 if you are talking about the original comment in this thread, then you might be able to make the case for that. But it sounds like someone trying to break the law and harm someone and other people sticking up and defending them. vigilant Justice is more about someone going out and shooting a criminal themselves for someone else. But again I could see that point. But that does not mean that the song is about visual, anti Justice because it’s not. it is not being a vigilante when you’re defending yourself or helping out someone that is in the process of being harmed. I mean, do you just sit back and do nothing when somebody else is being hurt? I’m not saying do something stupid like get yourself killed or anything but if you’re able to help in whatever way you can, then I think that is very commendable.

[@MrAngryorangutan]

Damn imagine being a fourth guy in there who forgot his gun and you feel so left out and embarrassed smh

[@XandyMusic]

I’m commenting thanks before even watching. Thanks Grady. This is my Super Bowl

[@chriskerr5318]

I never comment on anything, but I just wanted to say I really appreciate these videos you put out. Even in videos like this that are “critical”, you use such a calm and even tone to express your opinion. I’m new to the country music space, and you’ve been the perfect guide. Keep it up man, you’re doing great

[@taylorkerr2158]

I am so sorry to hear about the robberies. I hope they caught the guys. And I hope you are getting whatever support you need. You went through something terribly traumatic. We've been through the bro country era, we have boyfriend country. Do you think with Parker McCollum and Morgan Wallen, we're in the "sad boy country" era? " I would also put Bailey Zimmerman in that category.

[@mattmormann1927]

I’m giving in the boat again a a slight pass because it at least feels like a sequel to on the road again, like how the Cole Swindell song did to Heads Carolina. That Drift Away one though… you’re right. Weird Al vibes for sure if this becomes a trend

[@That0neDud]

Drift away straight feels like putting generic lyrics over a preexisting song. (Straight up these kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYC1coGsiZ2fb6M lyrics over it)

[@jonurban6594]

You should consider adding a new category: My suggestion is the "So bad its good category" Awarded to the song that on the surface is awful but secretly is loveable.

[@AndrewHarmless-wv5or]

Like sexy redd skee yee lol. She alone is so hard to listen to and lyrics are absolute trash even in that song but something about "SkeeYee!" Is so easy to yell around the yard at work to see if anyone will SkeeYee you back hahaha.

[@rydersmith7652]

@@AndrewHarmless-wv5orskeeeeeeyeeeeeee

[@colegrigsby9401]

Criminal activity and vigilantism aren’t the same. Criminal action is committing a crime. vigilantism is extra judicial justice and civilians enforcing the law.

[@mikerivera373]

Vigilantism is a crime. There’s a reason we have a justice system; to set a consistent standard and not require/allow people to take justice into their own hands. Using violence is only legally (and morally) justified when it’s in self defense or the direct defense of someone else and there was no way to de-escalate the situation without huge risk to your wellbeing.

[@adamcontreras1486]

He straight up went from country to Midwest Emo at 10:02. The acoustic was likely standard tuning, but play the same in open E and that track could totally have a guy opening for Modern Baseball.

[@matchress3832]

LMAO This is so accurate

[@ThisIsCRB]

Called this last year. The Dawn of Emo Country

[@mc39S686]

With the frankenstein-ish songs, I feel like Nashville saw what pop was doing with taking an old song and changing it up (think Bebe Rexha and Ava Max) and wanted to give it a try. I want this trend dead already.

[@ElCabron2115]

My God brother, you were going through it last year! Glad you are alright

[@fedatwater2314]

I look at all of Grady’s posts and often “roll my eyes” at his opinions. But this was a really good segment. Actually an important take on the state of country’ish music. Well done.

[@dablueishpurpleshockwave1840]

Thank you Grady I’ve been a fan of yours for a very long time you’re videos always make my day better

[@TheBeggies95]

Try that in a small town is amazing. You’re outta pocket on this one my friend

[@Fuzziefeelings]

Shania is just riding on the coattails of past success... horrendous.

[@torresmat10]

Am I the only one that heard a bit of Billie Joe Armstrong in Grady's impersonation of an impersonation of Zach Bryan? 😂

[@df6695]

You mentioned "Drift Away", I don't know if you know this or not, but Narvel Felts actually did a country version of that song once a long time ago. If you haven't heard it, I recommend giving it a listen because it's good!

[@garrettscroggs]

The "Frankenstein melody" trend that you highlighted I think is a natural extension of lazy nostalgia bait sampling and interpolating that's been happening in mainstream pop, hip hop, and David Guetta brand EDM. It's a trend in all of those genres I desperately hope goes away soon.

[@matchress3832]

This. I'm a big hip hop fan and the only time that sampling or 'frankensteining' works is with artists who actually appreciate and respect who they are sampling.

[@garrettscroggs]

@@matchress3832 Exactly. Sampling can be extremely artistic to a point where it’s essentially a form of arranging within the beat or composition. But obviously that’s not what’s happening in the mainstream. Granted, this is also not the first time this trend of lazy sampling or interpolating was so prevalent. It was bad enough when I was growing up in the 2000s that I initially had some negative misconceptions about sampling in general. A cycle in music history I guess.

[@brokenlavalight]

its also an issue in german rap. Gangster rap and stuff like that burst into the mainstream back in 2017 and it really dominated the german music scene for a couple of years. The artists were these big scary, often actually kind of dangerous guys who could pull that kind of music of. But in the last one or two years a new wave of young rappers slowly rose to the top. They are often heavily influenced by rock, emo and alternative music and come from totally different scenes than the guys back in 2017. They are skaters, emos, junkies etc rather than gangsters. And now those older guys are desperately trying to stay relevant. And they do so by literally sampling everything from the 2000s. Like seriously, because they are still artists with massive fan bases (were talking stadium and arena tours), the german charts now sound like american charts 15-25 years ago

[@emilyjoerger8964]

YES with the song remixes! I hate them so much because they’re stealing other artists work! How is this even legal haha! It kills me every time!

[@MavroProductions]

I actually like 'Try That In A Small Town'.

[@kellimartin3230]

I love try that in a small town

[@MACMAMI]

Also: I completely agree with your criticism of everyone latching on the Zach Bryan facsimile bandwagon. To me, the trend is saturated with a lot of what Todd In The Shadows called the "white guy with acoustic guitar" sort of mentality: which is covering for one's utter lack of depth by cultivating an image of "being real" by playing with an raw instrument with minimal production value and embracing imperfection via vocal performance and composition: when in fact it has very little to do with "realness" and is actually indicative of laziness. Even thematically my antennae pick up on those common "white guy with acoustic guitar" tropes in the lyrics of many of these Zach Bryan impostors, and I'm not a fan. I'm all for understated, minimalist, back-to-basics songs that are centered around three chords and the truth, but I don't like it at all when some up-and-coming performers treat "realness" like some hall pass or get-out-of-jail-free-card or other excuse to being lazy and unambitious as composers.

[@judgesaturn507]

I'm sure we're going to see Noah Kahan ripoffs pretty soon as well.

[@josephtafur]

I'm guessing I'm The only one who enjoyed Shania's New Album, is it her best, absolutely not, but I enjoyed it, it's better then that Brad Paisley song and Jason Aldine Try That in a small town

[@jenniecartier3917]

I love the new album by Shania

[@imru3533]

Thanks for your honesty and saying it like it is... Over produced and now everyone singing in a field, woods, pond and secluded rooms are all way over the top these days. Originality in music is becoming harder and harder to find.

[@cestrell]

First, these are still good and you're still worth watching on here. Second... Buckle Bunny... I don't mind the song as much as I mind it somehow falling into the genre of Country, somehow... I was already tired of Country Rap but that was just straight up Rap (in chaps...)

[@jenniecartier3917]

Leave the Queen alone! My favorite album is Queen Of me

[@tombo5462]

10:20 Grady's 2nd single is a bop.

[@EliahNebb]

the reenactment is priceless

[@quinnnewman9538]

Wholly crap that walker hayes christmas song is trash

[@josephtafur]

Once Again Walker Hayes Is The "High Guardian Spice" of Country Music Even one that shows writers did a good Graphic Novel called "Mall Goth" that better than Fancy Like Christmas

[@alanmench7832]

I agree the Zacholyte thing may become cringe, but I'd rather see 1,000,000 of those over one more Pop-Country Snap Track

[@girlyousopretty7739]

My boyfriend and I are big Jason Aldean fans and were following the controversy the whole time it happened. Jason wasn't talking about Vigilantes. He didn't know the history on the courthouse. He was talking about how people in small towns always come together when shit happens. He says in the song "Around here, we take care of our own, you cross that line, I recommend you don't.", being from a small town, everyone comes together, no matter what happens. Yes, everyone has their own opinions. The small town I live in now, had American flags all around the place in support of Jason.

[@mikerivera373]

I suspect that your opinion is pretty set in stone, so I’m just gonna ask you this. Can you at least see how other people (black people especially) would find it racist? How someone would listen to a song explicitly about threatening mob violence in a small town against some “big city criminal” with *that* music video and think it seems eerily reminiscent of America’s history with lynching and sundown towns, which yes, were typically small towns? The victims of lynchings were often accused of crimes (sometimes real but often imagined) as justification for the violence. Sundown towns aren’t even extinct yet. And the fact that there have been multiple lynchings at the courthouse the video was filmed at wasn’t hidden info; there are plaques there discussing the history of racial violence. Even if you don’t hear it that way and don’t believe that was Jason Aldean’s intent, do you think a reaction like that is at least valid?

[@Blind_Sexy_and_Taken]

@@mikerivera373 I would say no it is not. He talks about people stealing someone’s car, or holding up a store at gunpoint and hurting old women in the big cities. If you listen to those lyrics where the race of a person is never mentioned at all, and you automatically go to Black people, then that says more about your mindset than Jason Aldean‘s. also all he really talks about is how in a small town people look out for each other and if someone wants to come in and try to break into someone’s home will steal someone’s car or anything then their neighbors are going to be there for them and help them. There is nothing racist about that and there is nothing about lynching that is mentioned about that. Also, on record the biggest lynching that has ever taken place the Italians were the victims of that. It is not bad to talk about actual things that happen and show actual things that have happened in the video. Again, if someone listens to a song about how there is violence in the cities, and in small towns, people look out for each other and they take that song, and decide that it is racist and all that about lynching then that would be somebody that is purposely being disingenuous and trying to find a way to attack Jason and his song.

[@treyrogers6002]

No more racist than you inferring that black people are the "big city criminals". I also suspect your opinion is set in stone too.@@mikerivera373

[@AlphaAchilles]

@@mikerivera373 it’s not racist if your not the one out breaking shit and mugging people and beating old people half to death. It’s not racist to call people out on their bullshit. We live in an upside down world where that is considered racist.

[@donteverfckwithmyvibe]

I like Jason Aldean, but that song just wasn't that good. All his songs are starting to sound the same lately. If anything that whole controversy helped a mediocre song

[@nicksteffysoccer]

I already said my piece on Same Here when you originally covered it, and I haven’t changed my opinion on it. It’s amazing to me how many people completely missed the actual point of the song because they refuse to look past the political aspect of it. It’s really not as deep as you think it is.

[@PeterCamberwick]

Naa, it's cringe.

[@connorross123]

DROP THE FULL VERSION OF "ZACHOLYTE" ASAP

[@norsky7199]

Def gonna need a review including Morgan Wallen redoing his old song, interesting story

[@apallok54]

If your from new york city or Nashville you'll never understand try that in a small town.

[@joehaas6129]

You let Kelsea Ballerini off the hook. I like Kelsea a lot … but Rolling Up The Welcome Mat was a navel-gazing bore that also had zero hooks.

[@paisleepunk]

what fucking hook

[@dpf1119]

Let’s try to get that zacholyte song to trend

[@officialWWM]

Yep, that Shania album is a disaster and that Paisley song is the biggest cringefest ever 😂

[@jamiecollins32]

"Whoa, funky immediately"

[@garrettscroggs]

I love and hate that you're completely right about "Fancy Like" being received as a good song if Robert Earl Keen sang it. The lyrics are real REK esque the more I think about it.

[@joepermenter7228]

You're fucking joking right?

[@ComedyBros5]

If anyone but Walker sang it to an acoustic cover, it’d be a half decent song. Walker’s voice isn’t good at all. Hearing him live is terrible

[@Jeepgirlcj7]

LOL...I thought Fancy Like Christmas..was fun but I also hear what you are saying. On a separate note..yikes so sorry you got robbed that sucks but glad you are OK!

[@beplanking]

On the Frankenstein melody point, I think that may have descended (at least in modern times) from the whole Ariana Grande 7 rings thing

[@c.w.johnsonjr6374]

The Frankenstein award could also be the Cannibal Award as it cannibalizes lyrics from other songs

[@anabananna80]

I hate that to watch this video I had to listen to part of Fancy Like Christmas, which I had successfully avoided up to this point

[@dylantieszen8042]

Try that in a small town on repeat!

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Yeah swing and miss from Grady on that one.

[@judgesaturn507]

What even is that Brad Paisley song? Did he learn ANYTHING from Accidental Racist?

[@josephtafur]

No, he did not

[@MikeyTheCartoon]

Thanks Grady, as of Fancy Like wasn’t bad enough, now I know there’s a Christmas version.

[@Bigrich6400]

Please do a dedicated video over the Zacholytes, I need it

[@oliverlande5423]

Not me wearing the exact same shirt you were wearing in the Zacholyte section as I'm watching this pahaha

[@pnwvibes_]

Though i agree with the message of try that in a small town it's just not a good song. WOW Shania Twain has aged horribly. Brad Paisley putting Zelenskyy on a song was so CRINGE.

[@jennifersather4385]

Not only did you look like Dierks in your Zacholyte song, you sounded like him too (your voice not the lyrics)! 😂❤

[@kraziivan_]

He's talking about car jackings not vigilantes

[@ClintBondKS]

Nothing will be worse than the copycats of Zach. It is already pretty boring with a guy with huge talent, the chasers will be awful

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

I don't think all of us could pool enough money together to get Robert Earl Keen to sing fancy like in any form

[@desertboi2972]

Pls do an old country 50s 60s breakdown vid 🙏🙏

[@terricunningham6810]

yes I agree

[@MC-xq6yd]

I’m so sorry to hear about what happened to you and I am glad you weren’t hurt

[@Twangtown7]

I'm 100% convinced that was Dierks in the buffalo plaid shirt.

[@jonahbolton6516]

Thank God he mentioned the Zacholytes

[@hereforthefreedonuts]

personally the entire Jason Aldean 2023 album was... just plain boring, or laughably bad. i mean, "Let Your Boys Be Country"? how can you say you're country and then go on to disrespect Willie and Waylon? Aldean is hard to listen to past Night Train

[@Tulunzee]

One of my favorite videos you do for the year Grady! Thank you for continuing it. How about some of that Parmalee trash like "girl in mine" they put out this year lol

[@DTVM2003]

He actually put that on his 2022 worst list

[@MidnightMirror92]

That Zacholyte pose 😂

[@licoreen]

That was AMAZING, Grady. Please give up your day job and sing loudly outside of college dorms.

[@paulhopkins1905]

There are a million people trying to copy Tyler Childers as well. Oliver Anthony writes terrible songs, and just screams over poor guitar playing and he blew up huge

[@vikingsoup7531]

Love your videos! You got me into country music, appreciate this channel so much 🫶

[@beplanking]

You mentioned how "try that in a small town," made the singer seem eager or excited for violence, while also decrying the violence that went on in cities. I really took the same message away from CoJo's "Jesus Loves You," and it seemed like everyone loved that song but the vibe was off for me. Obviously you have a right to protect your self, home, and family, but the singer in that song sounded like he was almost disappointed he didn't get to shoot a guy, despite talking about Jesus the whole time. Might be overanalyzing, but it seemed odd to me

[@paulgomez8679]

Grady really casually teased the 4th track of the highly anticipated Subarban Patriot album.

[@musicmoviesandmorewithbrian]

Grady....All I can say is THANK YOU! You nailed it with your Shania Twain critique!

[@jayscarreviews9614]

There was very few country songs last year that I liked, 2023, just like 2016 was a bad year for country music imo

[@loritilley9773]

I wish you would have put the "Thats my OPINION!!" meme at the beginning of this video 😆

[@maxpalmer3212]

The only person that I’ve heard do drift away justice is Uncle Kracker

[@bassbone98]

The frakenmelody I can't really be that mad honestly. Older country did that a lot with songs that were being played the sametime. The only thing I hate about it is that the songs aren't original enough to use the same melodies of classics.

[@EricainSthlm]

Oh God, who knew so much bad music could fit in just 12.23 minutes. 🙉 I feel tortured. 🥴 You and your voice in between the songs is like getting a Band-Aid and a lollipop 🍭 in between slaps. 😅❤

[@agonzalez7095]

the point on Zach Bryan ripoffs, particularly in light of your Country in its nirvana moment video basically feels like first wave post grunge which was labels scrambling to promote anything that sounded remotely like grunge from like 93 - 97

[@MavroProductions]

All the best and I hope you recovered from your robberies, sending you well wishes from Australia.

[@ZK_Wright]

What are your thoughts on the MW 10th anniversary situation? I mean i love some of the songs on it but I don’t it want to buy it to support the record label.

[@brady594]

Does anyone else kinda miss the little clicking sound that comes in between segments

[@saudade_saudade977]

i can't with the zach bryan impression haha and the way even the LOCATION fits haha

[@benswifi]

4:44 I’ve lived in a small town my whole life and he’s not saying they’ll go hunt down the people doing that stuff or anything he’s saying if they try that in a small town they’ll get stopped because it’s unacceptable and the town is their home and they will protect their home

[@jennasyoutube]

Robbed at gunpoint?? Holy moly.

[@ethanstobierski9903]

I’m curious at who the artists in the zacholytes he’s referring to. Sam barber? Dylan Gossett? Eddie flint?

[@colinmahon19]

I really like all of those guys tbh

[@matchress3832]

Same. I love Dylan Gossett, but man can Sam Barber ever sing. That kid has an extremely bright future ahead of him @@colinmahon19

[@HudsonKy]

I haven’t heard the other two. I like Sam barber though. He does have a similar sound to Zach Bryan

[@memeyers1962]

I’ve always love Shania, but she struck me as more pop than country, very disappointing.

[@del2975]

So your a worker Who would of thought

[@kolbypalmer4263]

Hey Grady I’d love to hear you talk about Zach Top!

[@JacobMillerDrums]

that zacholyte thing is exactly why I dont like Dylan Gosset, he's just zach bryan without facial hair and it drives me nuts