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Week 23:
Kacey Musgraves
Artist Introduction
Kacey Musgraves is first and foremost in my opinion a fantastic lyricist. Back in 2013 her debut album “Same Trailer Different Park” was mind blowing to me. Never before had I heard country music with lyrics that were so witty, humorous, satirical, and at times critical of the country lifestyle sung about by so many of her peers. Through my research these last few weeks I have learned that one of her biggest influences was country artist John Prine. Considered one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, his stylings can be seen throughout all of Kacey’s music. Lyrically hilarious, clever, with effortless conversation wordplay, Kacey Musgraves has carved a path of her own in modern country. Her debut album along with her warmer third album “Golden Hour” are heavily featured on this selection and are considered “no-skip” albums for me. Before we get into it, I do want to point out one thing. Musically, there isn’t much going on here, we’ll be focusing on lyrics this week. I even think all three of the “Most Popular” songs are sonically more unique than the rest of my selection. I instead opted to lean into the lyrical content for my unique section. I hope you enjoy!
P.S. “Butterflies” is mine and Katerina’s wedding song!
Vin Cascella
Most Popular
Slow Burn
The more we do this club the more I realize I have no idea what an artist’s most popular song is. Don’t get me wrong, this opening track of “Golden Hour” is good and sets the atmospheric and upbeat tone of most of the album but I don’t think it’s a great representation of her greater work. With a theme of taking things slow and easy I like that it takes almost half the song before any additional instruments besides the background guitar and vocals. It’s island music with a little more substance to start off the selection.
Rainbow
From the opening track of “Golden Hour” right into the closing track. By the time this song was released she was already a big name in country music but this ballad helped cement her in the mainstream pop landscape. This track started out as a personal note of reassurance and has become an anthem of acceptance amongst the queer community. Kacey has always had lyrics of acceptance but this ballad cemented her stance. It’s a relatively simple ballad, but there also is no fat to trim from this song. All the words hit their literal and symbolic meanings and the “It’ll all be alright” to close out the track is a great way to wrap up the song/album. This track along with a few others helped earn “Golden Hour” the Grammys for Best Country Album and Album of the Year 2019.
I Remember Everything (Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves)
This is just a damn good song. Technically it’s listed as Kacey’s most popular song by over a BILLION listens but she is just a feature on the track. There’s a few songs that Kacey is featured on that are listed as her “most popular”, but I felt she played a prominent enough role in this song and it has so many views that it needed to be included. Zach Bryan, also considered one of the stronger songwriters in country music, combines with Kacey to put out a conversationalist track of past lovers with opposing memories. Zach reminisces on a past summer romance while Kacey recalls the more negative parts of being with an alcoholic ex. Great lyrics, great harmony on the back half, and you even get some strings to wrap it up. One of the best country songs to come out of this decade so far. It won the Grammy for Best Country Duo Performance 2024.
Personal Favorites
Butterflies
How could I not list my wedding song as my personal favorite!? It’s a nice pop country track that describes the feelings you have when you’re first meeting somebody and you fall in love. Also off of “Golden Hour” this track is a serious departure from her previously cynical lyrics. This song won a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance in 2019. I just learned something! Katerina and I specifically requested that our wedding band play the screamo anthem “Ohio is for Lovers” by Hawthorne Heights at our after party. And would you guess who covers Butterflies! Hawthorne Heights! That’s wild.
Merry Go'Round
This was my first introduction to Kacey Musgraves and boy did it leave a lasting impression. Going back to Joe’s comments during Red Clay Strays week, the mid 2010s were a weird time for the country music scene. Early in the decade the pop country scene was blowing up with hits left and right and in my opinion it was a strong time for the genre. As the decade moved forward the genre went in a direction that I didn’t prefer, leaning hard into generic pop with a slight country twang. And then right in the middle of all of this you have Kacey Musgraves releasing her debut album “Same Trailer Different Park”. The song is a witty, cynical, and almost comical takedown of dead-end small town life. Merry Go’Round won the Grammy for Best Country Song and Best Country Album 2014. Little side note, “Mama’s Broken Heart” by Miranda Lambert was also nominated for best country song and lost to Merry Go’Round. Who is credited with writing “Mama’ Broken Heart”?, Kacey Musgraves. Big year for her. For the record I don’t consider “The Academy” as gospel for what is or what is not good music, if anything I think they are wrong more often than they are right. But that being said I didn’t expect almost my entire selection to have the accolades it does. Also, is this the third or fourth song that features a nursery rhyme as part of the song? Hilarious closing lyrics.
Follow Your Arrow
Hilarious opening lyrics! Another hit off her debut album with more cynical and witty wordplay. This one garnished some criticism with some traditionalist country music folk upon its release because of its promotion of pot and same sex relations. But also… duh… the point makes itself. You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t so you might as well do what you want.
Unique Songs
Oh, What A World
As is a recurring theme of all of my selections, I had a really tough time selecting my unique songs. If you want to check out a similar upbeat track I think this song is pretty interchangeable with “Love is a Wild Thing”. This one just features voice modulation (does that count as unique?). What can I say? I like this song. It’s pretty. I don’t listen to much pretty music. Comparing someone to the marvels of the universe, isn’t that nice!? And it kind of segways into the next track.
The Architect
Off her latest album (a new album has been announced with a single released), this track is another existential one. I think of it as a follow on to “Oh, What A World”. The previous track Kacey marvels at the beauty of the world and the ones she loves. In this one she is asking who designed all of it. Is it divine intervention or just pure coincidence? Who knows? And why not, it took home the Grammy for Best Country Song 2025.
Biscuits
Following the last two existential tracks I thought I’d end my selection with the depression fueled “Miserable”... Oh wait, am I forgetting something!? Oh my God, I forgot about the “Biscuits”! I approached this unique section a few different ways but with all the depressing music we’ve had over the weeks in the Cascella Music Club I figured we’d end it on something light-hearted for once! (Though, if you want to go back to our regularly scheduled depression music then I highly suggest checking out “Miserable”.) Now onto the final track of my selection. How could I leave off Biscuits!? It’s such a fun and witty song, probably the most John Prine sounding track in the entire selection. Similar to “Follow Your Arrow” and “Step Off” from her previous album, I think it’s a message we can all get behind. Putting someone else down ain’t going to make your life any less shitty. Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy.
Conclusions
I would say that Kacey Musgrave’s music is a guilty pleasure for me but I don’t think that is an accurate description. I feel no guilt enjoying her pop folk sound. She’s one of the only artists of this genre that I still regularly listen to and outside of Luke Bryan (he was meh), the only headlining “country” artist I’ve ever seen live. Father John Misty opened for her and was also incredible. Is it the most exciting music, nah, but the way she is able to paint a picture with words and a little bit of atmospheric music is unmatched by most of her peers. As always I’m biased in my own selection with my grading but I think my final score is more than fair. I typically use “7.5” as my barometer for music that I would go out of my way to listen to, and Kacey Musgraves definitely falls into that range.
7.8
Cascella Family Reviews
Joe Cascella
I know Kacey fairly well. She blew up a long time ago because of her very clever lyrics which at the time was a very different approach to country music. She kinda rags on the industry, but that was what the country genre needed at the time. This kinda bad ass chick who was just saying it how it is and let it fly. Vocally, she’s solid, but I’m looking forward to going a bit deeper than the 5 songs I know.
Slow Burn – I mean that first lyric is super creative right off the rip. I haven’t been early since 88’, which was the year she was born, obviously pre-maturely (born 6 weeks early at less than 5 pounds). Kacey is able to show off her soft and gentle vocals, and she has a very pleasant sound. Lyrically, this almost reminds me of Ironic by Alannis. It’s like a modern country take on that song. Yeah, this is a nice song.
Rainbow – Yeah, this is a pretty beautiful song. I actually wish there was another depressing verse after the first chorus, giving a little more context to the person she’s singing about.
I Remember Everything – I’m a pretty big fan of Zach Bryan (excited to see him in October at Gillette stadium) so this was a cool track to see on this list. He has so many bangers, but this is absolutely one of the top songs. So many great lyrics, in another simplistic yet beautiful song.
Butterflies – Ahhhhh, take me back to my brother’s wedding day. That intro rhythm will always have a special place in all of our hearts now. It’s an elegant, easy on the ears great tune. I love the four syllables that are just so clean and consistent throughout the song. I actually wish 4/5 songs so far we’re just a little bit longer. It’s such smooth sailing, that I want just a little more of it. Beautiful song, beautiful lyrics, well sung.
Merry Go Round – Same trailer Different Park is the Kacey album that I am most familiar with. This is where she made a name for herself and separated herself from an industry that at the time was mostly boring pop music (I think country today has never been in a better spot. I would argue it’s as good, if not better than the OG’s of the industry, with all due respect of course). And guess what!! We have another take on a nursery rhyme at the very end of the song! A fantastic recurring theme of the Cascella Music Club. As far as this song, it’s sarcastic, it’s witty, it kinda rips on her small hometown of Sulphur Springs, Texas (population of 15k). People who are there just pretend everything is normal but it’s broken as fuck, as these depressed people just get on with their same old terrible lives. It’s a cool tune speaking to her reality, and this album allowed her to escape that.
Follow Your Arrow – The cleverness continues with a strong starting lyric, playing on the predictable word of whore and turning it into horrible person. Another song with very clear intentions that everyone will always have an opinion, so who cares, just be yourself. Nice meaning and crafty writing, catchy tune.
Oh, What a World – This is definitely a bit unique in both the introduction and outro to the song, but the bulk of it is the same old Kacey. She gets a little introspective here about the world, and she’s appreciative of what she now has which is cool. Musically, it’s a little boring and more of the same, which is the biggest con for her by a mile.
The Architect – I mean yeah, I’ll never listen to that song again for the rest of my life and that’s okay. There’s just nothing to it at all. Uniquely boring.
Biscuits – Kacey has a very pessimistic view on people as a whole, which is evident in a lot of her music. With that, I do agree with the overall theming of the song. Just do you, stay in your own lane, don’t get involved in other people’s bull shit and just exist. Sure, I like that. Not that there was much to it, but this had some of the most instrumentation throughout the catalog. Another clever and decent tune.
Overall Review – Kacey Musgraves is lyrically very intelligent. During a time when everyone in country music was singing about trucks, girls, and beer, Kacey was writing about the realities of her surrounding life. Musically, everything is pretty simple, and she rarely pushes herself vocally to deliver anything overly impressive. That said, her songs are catchy and fun going, despite often dealing with sad or heavy themes, they remain upbeat and enjoyable. Not many country artists play with word choices or show the same level of cleverness in their writing, which makes her stand out. The first half of the listen was very enjoyable, but it started to feel a bit stale as the repetitious production set in. She knows her lane and “follows her arrow,” so for that, Kacey gets a 6.9.
Dad Cascella
Kacey Musgraves. I know the name, I know two songs. That’s about all I know. I only read Vincent's intro. I’m worried. Here we go:
SLOW BURN- Nice soft guitar with soft pretty singing to open. And I liked the buildup. Simple lyrics about taking life at her own slow pace. Nice song to begin.
RAINBOW- Nice piano opening and throughout and good rhyming lyrics delivered very well. Again, soft, pretty singing, and she puts a little more country twang in her vocals (a-gin). And again, simple lyrics about things will get better if you find yourself struggling. I see that this is a LGBTQ anthem, good for her. Now maybe it’s just me, but while I find the lyrics nice and pretty, I’m not blown away by any new cleverness.
I REMEMBER EVERYTHING- I don’t know Vincent, does this count as a Kacey Musgraves song? K.M. doesn’t sing til the 1:50 mark, and she only sings until the 3:10 mark. Not that I’m counting, but that’s a minute twenty (including some harmonizing) on a Zach Bryan song. I liked the song, but nothing too special.
So far 3 ballads in a row. It’s good music, but I’m not adding anything to my playlist. I need something a bit different, a little break-out maybe.
BUTTERFLIES- Obviously know this one as Katerina and Vincent’s wedding song. While the music is more popish than previous selections, I’m really liking the lyrics. While simple, they are clever, witty, and pretty (I know, I’m using the word pretty often, but it fits these selections). “Now I remember what it feels to fly, you give me butterflies”. And the chorus, beautiful.
MERRY GO ROUND- I know this one too. Now this is writing!! So many clever and smart lyrics, with perfect delivery. Too many great lines to quote. And while I’m not usually into banjo, it works here. A song about traditional small town southern country-side living and its same old, same old rut. And while I’m thinking this is actually a sad song, those last two lines cemented that thinking. A clever statement song. My favorite so far.
FOLLOW YOUR ARROW- Wow, is K.M. winning me over? Again, so many great lyrics and delivered expertly. While the music is nothing new, she turns a simple song into a very good one. “When the straight and narrow get a little too straight, roll a joint, or don’t. Follow your arrow wherever it points”. I’m starting to think this girl is a rebel, and I like it. After this song, I got to wondering how K.M. is thought of by the country music fold. More on that later.
OH, WHAT A WORLD- Oh no Kacey, what is that beginning? Ok, thank goodness, it gets better. While I’m not crazy about the beginning or the heavy, synthesized echo’ed singing (she’s too good of a vocalist for that crap), this is a very pretty ballad with excellent lyrics, summed up with “these things are real”. While it wasn’t easy to find, live versions do this song justice.
THE ARCHITECT- Wow again, how clever are these lyrics? Right from the first verse, and throughout, this is a beautiful song, with very deep lyrics. And her singing almost sounds like she does this live in the studio with very little soundboard getting in the way. “Can I speak to the architect”. Perfect. There are many great live versions of this song, especially Jimmy Fallon show, 2024, where she’s just sitting on a stool, harmonizing with her band. It’s not different for her, but who cares? My second favorite.
BISCUITS- Now this is a fun one. Again, clever lyrics, a song about not worrying about others, just take care of your own business. More country than the others I’ve heard here. Nice basic song. “Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy”, one good line of many.
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating, I love that this music club sometimes surprises me. I really enjoyed this listen from an artist I pretty much knew nothing about. I read that one of K.M.’s influences is Alison Krauss (the same woman who’s been touring with Robert Plant for the last 20 years). The influence is definitely there, as I find K.M. to be both country and bluegrass. Her lyrics are not only smart, clever, and witty, but many are also non-traditional for a country artist. While somewhat politically progressive, she appears to be unscathed for the most part by conservative country music fans. And after reading how she is embraced and highly thought of by other country artists, she appears to continue to be a star in this music world. So on to the rating. While not typically my kind of music on a long listen, I found myself really liking many of these selections. She’s a great lyricist. And a very nice vocalist. And a bit of a badass (if I can say that). I’ll go with a 7.4
Uncle Vin Cascella
OPENING STATEMENT: Another artist featured in the Club that I have very little knowledge of, other than knowing her name as a Country music singer/songwriter. Before this listen, she had the unfortunate happenstance to have the largest exhibition in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville when Maureen and I visited that shrine in late 2021. “Unfortunate” because Hank, Johnny, Waylon, Loretta, Dolly, Tammy, Brooks and Dunn, Willy, and others had small, modest representations. Pretty much the whole last wall of the building was Kacey. What we didn’t know at the time was that “All Of The Colors”, a KM retrospective that included handwritten lyric sheets, many stage outfits and photos, was a temporary exhibit to highlight that Country music was thriving and, yes, evolving. It was towards the end of COVID when we were there so it’s possible that other peeps were reading this critical info panel and we walked past it. Or, we were in the building from 11am to about 12:30, in Nashville people (!), and we were “parched”- our code word for “let’s get a drink”! We paused at a few of her items and headed to Legends! My initial reaction was that her Label probably paid for the space. But, truthfully, it stuck in our craw. I officially apologize to Ms Musgraves. Now that I’ve given the 9-pack a listen, she clearly deserved to be in the building, and is certainly on a trajectory to be officially enshrined.
SLOW BURN: Very pretty guitar chord structures. I love the pace. Her production folks add lot of ear candy to build the song beautifully, then drop it all out for the last verse. Very, very nice! And her lyrics and vocal performance are really good. Really, really good!
RAINBOW: Nice piano chords- again with lovely twists on structures. A very pretty tune telling someone, basically, to lighten up, smell the roses, you got it pretty good. What I like is that she’s straight up with the message- very direct. Very cool. Another very nice production and song.
I REMEMBER EVERYTHING: Nice, a song by Zack Bryan mixed into a Kacey presentation. I guess that will put to bed the “little Mikey” and “use a video” verbal sparring of the past! Lol. I actually know and like this track. Down and out sounding Zack does a great job here. Miss Kacey puts a slight affect on her voice to join the mood and the result is a fine product. Too many interesting lyrics to note here- a song of love, love lost and regrets I think but I’m not really sure- which is a good thing. Really good song.
BUTTERFLIES: Hey- A Pop sounding intro. Good reason- it’s a Pop song. Some really nice ear candy going on musically but this one is all about the lyrics and Kacey’s wonderful performance! I didn’t remember this as Vin and Katerina’s wedding song- I was probably too busy wiping my tears- but I can certainly see why it was chosen! Musgraves has a wonderful talent for phrasing. A simple love song in her mind and hands becomes a really wonderful celebration. Great song!
MERRY GO ROUND: The intro and first verse are very Dixie Chicks-ish, which is a good thing. I know and always liked this song- just didn’t know it was Musgraves. She and her team have produced an absolutely gorgeous, mesmerizing song both musically and vocally with very cool and truly Country music lyrics. Having read a little about her- how she self produced 4 independent albums before finally getting a Label to back her- then having this song be her first effort, is nothing short of beyond awesome. I mean it- an absolutely perfect song! BTW- the understated but solid music is a great accompaniment to her tremendous vocal performance. Bravissimo!
FOLLOW YOUR ARROW: Nice pace and sound to start. OH MY- WOW! Brilliant feckin song people! I’m catching a whiff of Simon and Garfunkle- which is a good thing. Another hit off of her 2013 album, this one qualifies as something I can’t believe isn’t a hugely successful and worldwide anthem. I’m officially a Kacey fan! The universal idea of “be who you are” in a Musgraves song is a celebration of individuality- so cool!
OH, WHAT A WORLD: I got a little worried with the electronica intro! Turns out, no need to worry- although I knew it was gonna come back at some point. Actually it was a pretty judicious and correct usage. Her team is awesome! Kind of a similar melody line to (I think) Rainbow, and also another basic song structure but that’s ok- her lyrics and vocals make those minor glitches a passing note! Nice song!
THE ARCHITECT: Off of her most recent album (from 2024), this is an absolutely brilliant idea for a song- to compare/consider “the being” to/as an architect. I mention 2024 because this brilliant song is over 20 years after she started in the “biz”. Shows me that she’s not only super talented but has a desire to produce great songs. And she succeeded here. Wonderful, sparse production leaves her mostly alone with her lyrics and vocals.
BISCUITS: Another fabulous tune. Fun lyrics telling y’all to live and let live- to “mind your own biscuits” and live your own life. Cool, Kacey- I’m down wit dat!
FINAL SCORE: Gotta tell ya- this chick- may I call her a “chick” (?) is an awesome artist. How she flew under my radar is a total mystery- I’ve listened to a couple of Country radio stations for over 20 years, M plays many Country Pandora stations in the car on (our many) road trips, and I listen to a couple of country music stations on Amazon music. I’m thrilled to have finally been introduced to her. 8.5 is my number.
*** I don’t have time to write about my life-long campaign to chip away at our culture’s insistance on putting labels on everybody and everything, but Kacey Musgraves is another prime example in favor of my argument. She’s a musical artist with many varieties of style, a smorgesboard of genres. To label her as a Country artist is quite simplistic, and a bit lazy. Not blamin’ or hatin’, just sayin!
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