Steve Anthony’s “Think About The Whiskey”: A Texas Country Meditation on Escape and Memory
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Artist: Steve Anthony Single: “Think About The Whiskey” Genre: Texas Country / Traditional Country
Steve Anthony, a veteran of the Texas Country scene, delivers a quintessential example of the genre’s character-driven songwriting with his single, “Think About The Whiskey.” More than a simple drinking song, the track functions as a poignant, atmospheric meditation on the twin themes of escape and the relentless nature of memory.
Musical and Structural Analysis: Honoring Tradition
Musically, “Think About The Whiskey” plants its roots firmly in the rich soil of classic country music. It eschews the slick, pop-centric production often found in mainstream Nashville, opting instead for a rawer, more organic sound that is characteristic of the Texas music ethos. The arrangement is clean and supportive, built around a traditional country framework:
- Instrumentation: Expect the familiar, comforting sounds of a pedal steel guitar, which provides weeping, melancholic counter-melodies that are essential to the song’s emotional landscape. The acoustic and electric guitars lay down a steady, mid-tempo groove, and the rhythm section is understated, driving the song forward without overpowering the narrative.
- Melody and Harmony: The melody is highly accessible, built on familiar, pleasing chord progressions that allow the listener to settle quickly into the track. A comment on a lyric video for the song noted its “Nice song structure,” which in the context of country music, often implies a successful balance between commercial appeal and traditional form, even suggesting the song adheres less to “all the commercial rules” of Nashville. This structural freedom is a hallmark of Texas Country, allowing for longer instrumental breaks or slightly less conventional phrasing to serve the story.
- Vocal Performance: Anthony’s vocal delivery is warm and lived-in. He possesses the kind of voice that sounds like he’s sharing a story over a countertop—sincere, slightly gravelly, and entirely believable. His performance conveys a weariness and a deep sense of contemplation, which grounds the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Conclusion
“Think About The Whiskey” is a strong piece of Texas Country storytelling. Steve Anthony has crafted a song that is musically authentic and emotionally resonant, particularly for listeners who appreciate the genre’s focus on grounded, true-to-life narratives. It’s a track for driving late at night, for sitting on a back porch, or for anyone wrestling with a memory they can’t quite shake. The song is a quiet triumph, demonstrating that in the world of country music, sometimes the most profound statements are made with an acoustic guitar, a weeping steel, and a simple, relatable thought.