Garth Brooks Returns to Country Music With A Middling New Song

I'd heard that Garth Brooks had a new song out earlier in the week, and like any sane human being, became overwhelmed by anticipation. Whenever I heard it was about to be played on my radio this morning, I nearly lost my mind. Who wasn't eagerly awaiting the first new tune from the legendary singer who took the artform of country music to the next level in the 90's? Friends In Low Places, Unanswered Prayers, Two Pina Coladas....the list of great songs he brought to life goes on and on. His newest piece of music, People Loving People, is a strong departure from those past songs, in that it's just not that good.


Considering the death threats sent to a woman who pointed out blatant sexism in video games, and all the mayhem in Ferguson, Missouri stemming from racist driven examples of police brutality, now would be the perfect time to unleash a Garth Brooks sung tune centering around unity. However, the song is so simple in its lyrics, it all falls way, way short of its lofty goals. There's just no scope or emotion packed within the tune, it just settles for forgettable phrases to carry the song. With these kind of underwhelming lyrics, using this thing as a tool to help bring people together would likely be as effective as stopping a nuclear bomb with a Nerf blaster bullet.

Of course, Brooks gives the song some life in his vocals, but even those a little underwhelming. There's no emotion at all in him belting out this song, as he delivers certain portions of it in a sleepy manner. However, Brooks does manage to get parts of the song stuck in your head after all, and kudos to him for coming back to the artform of Country Music (in a time when its riddled in cliches and sexism) and trying to get the noble message of putting aside our differences and coming together into the country music atmosphere.

However, this one just doesn't have the uniqueness or energy of past Brooks songs. It's not a total dud by any means, but it's a certainly underwhelming entry in his discography that can't escape it's banal lyrics that seem more suited for a lackluster hippie anthem. I'm so glad Garth Brooks has return to country music with new songs, but I do hope his future work is much more memorable than People Loving People.