A country “bro” has finally responded to Maddie and Tae’s new “bro country” jab “Girl in a Country Song.”
Chase Rice, who co-wrote the subgenre’s quintessential hit “Cruise” and is currently charting with his own “Ready Set Roll,” publicly praised the song in a Twitter update Thursday.
“I love this new @MaddieandTae song,” Tweeted Rice. “Somethin sexy bout a little shit talkin. Keep it up girls. #GirlInACountrySong.”
While the door was surely open for a more contentious reply to Rice’s Tweet, the newly-signed Dot Records duo opted for graciousness.
“@ChaseRiceMusic haha! all in good fun,” Tweeted 18-year-old singer-songwriters Maddie Marlow and Tae Daye, whom are branded professionally as Maddie and Tae.
The song might have been conceived in “good fun,” but Maddie and Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” (which also credits Aaron Scherz as a co-writer) is making serious waves within the country music genre. Not even yet available for purchase, the track, which criticizes how the aforementioned “bro country” subgenre portrays women, has already garnered considerable media attention.
Radio stations, meanwhile, are jumping at the chance to play the song ahead of its July 21 impact date.
Blunt in its assault of objectification within contemporary country lyrics, “Girl in a Country Song” directly references–and mocks–lines from “bro country” hits like Thomas Rhett’s “Get Me Some of That,” Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here,” Chris Young’s “Aw Naw,” Jason Aldean’s “My Kinda Party,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Get Your Shine On” and Billy Currington’s “Hey Girl.”
“They are phenomenally talented young ladies who have captured a sound that is unique in today’s Country music landscape and I believe that they will send a message to the world that can’t be denied,” says Dot Records general manager Chris Stacey of the duo’s talent and lyrical voice.
Already in some rotations, “Girl in a Country Song” officially goes for country radio adds on July 21. Other songs impacting that week include Canaan Smith’s “Love You Like That,” Dean Alexander’s “Live a Little,” Lucy Hale’s “Lie a Little Better” and Sara Evans’ “Can’t Stop Loving You (with Isaac Slade).”