Wynonna, Kentucky Queen → Song Review

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Country music veteran Wynonna returns in top-notch form on her powerful, vintage-sounding single, “Kentucky Queen.”

“Well, I left my feet in the dirt too long / Wasn’t gonna wash off for days.” Oh, really? Please, continue. “Leave me right where I was planted / Don’t miss the forest for the trees.” Ooh-wee! Do you need some real country music in your life? Look no further than “Kentucky Queen”, the marvelous single from country music royalty, Wynonna (Wynonna Judd). “Kentucky Queen” is the lead single from The Hard Truth, her first album in a decade. The high-flying song was written by Judd, Sara Siskind, Justin Weaver, and producer CACTUS MOSER.

“Kentucky Queen” is ON from the get-go.  The vintage, countrified sound suits Wynonna perfectly.  The guitar riffs are superb.  The strumming (acoustic guitar, banjo, etc.) packs a mean punch.  And what about that old-school, upright bass (Dow Tomlin) holding down the low end? Fantastic.  Of course, the star of the show is Wynonna, who delivers commanding, expressive, and ultra-powerful vocals.  62 years young and she’s not shy in the least.  “Kentucky Queen” is incredibly melodious. The songwriting is infectious and memorable to the nth degree: “Well, I took advice from my Aunt Ramona / Watch where the devil hides / Count your blessings against your sin / And pray the blessings win.” Judd gets great support from background vocalists (The Isaacs) in both lyrical and nonlyrical capacities. The section to beat is the chorus, which is the sugar, honey, iced tea:

“‘Cause the dirt made me

The dirt made me

Like a Mama with no shame made me

The dirt made me

It gave me a name

Kentucky Queen.” 

By the way, dirt, wind, and road are interchangeable in the chorus. All told, “Kentucky Queen” slaps.  This is what country music should sound like, PERIOD. Get it, Wynonna!

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