I know that by saying something as controversial as “__________ sounds like Loretta Lynn” I’m opening myself up for criticism and trouble… after-all, Loretta Lynn is one of the greatest country music singers of all time. I want you to know before you read this that I am absolutely in Awe of Loretta, and I always will be. There’s something to be said for Loretta’s fiery personality—where Dolly is begging Jolene not to steal her man, Loretta balks at the adulterer that she’s Not Woman Enough and invites her to Fist City. Loretta was fearless, even when facing harsh realities of ailing relationships.
I know a lot of country music fans don’t like rap music, and Jessie Murph does have several songs in this mash-up genre (but this is something I happen to love), but Jessie is rather accommodating when it comes to this, as her song produced by Diplo includes two versions—one pure country, and the other Country-Hip-Hop.
The country version is stripped down and raw, with pure seething emotion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTwY4gFw91A
Used to pray for rain just to stay inside
You wouldn’t believe it
Every move I made, I was terrified
Thought that every road I took had a bitter end
I just couldn’t see it
I convinced myself tryna trust again
Jessie Murph’s a talented lyricist, and her voice has a degree of emotion that is sorely missing, in my opinion, on the modern music scene. It doesn’t hurt that Jessie has that raspy drawl that is reminiscent of Loretta, Dolly, Patsy Cline and Reba.
This is all subjective, of course, but the first time I heard Jessie Murph I had chills down my spine. It’s not just the raspy voice (I actually am not a fan of it in most recent music, RaeLynn for example is something akin to nails on a chalkboard). Yet, when Jessie opens up her mouth to sing—I am transfixed and sent somewhere else. I can image Jessie on a stage somewhere in a smoky old bar, her voice radiating throughout the rafters. Lyrically, musically, and spiritually… Jessie Murph is an amazing artist, and I’m ready for more of her.
I’ve included the song in my listening on the same playlist I keep all female singers who have an air to them of murderous rage packaged with a neat little bow, titled “No Body, No Crime” for the Taylor Swift song. The entire point of the playlist is playful femininity.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/29kEdiq9wqN0FtStomcZJs?si=9afb7126a2f34fa7