Beachside Country

Video retrieved from kennychesney.com

Say what you will about today's country music. I've been highly critical about much of the pop country crap playing on the radio these days. There are exceptions of course, and if you follow paths and streams other than everyday radio to get your country music, you're going to hear some great stuff.  But I've got to admit, I have always loved the mix of Caribbean beach music and country coming from Kenny Chesney. When I think of a relaxing vacation by the beach, I can't imagine it without Kenny playing at the bar or by the pool. There's something about coastal country music that makes me smile.  Maybe it's because he so often captures the feelings of the working person's need to get away and take a vacation:

Tired of my beeper, tired of my phone

Tired of this tired ol' tie I got on

Sick of this traffic jam that I'm in

We all get sick of it all now and then

When I've had it up to here
I go down there

"Down there" is never named in the song, except to say to guitars and tiki bars which is the title of this song. He sings also of mangoes and Marley, so we can assume he means Jamaica, if not somewhere in the Caribbean, and I can tell you first hand, as Jamaica was quite possibly the best vacation I ever had, that the description fits. Kenny is known for spending a lot of time on the water and down in the Caribbean. He has at times owned a home in St. John (not sure if he still does). And he has a boat on which he spends time island hopping. We know Kenny... 

No shoes, no shirt, no problem. 
Blues? What blues? Hey, I forgot em'

It doesn't matter whether he means blue jeans, blue suit, blue collar, or blue feelings. Anyway you slice it, you'd like to forget them all while on vacation. This is the ultimate, I can't wait to get out of my 9 to 5 (or whatever shift you work) grind and hit the beach in Mexico. He knows we've been dreaming of getting away. 

The sun and the sand, 
and a drink in my hand with no bottom.
No shoes, not shirt, no problem.

What working person doesn't sigh at the thought of sitting on a beach chair somewhere, with their feet in the sand and an umbrella drink in their hand? I barely ever drink at home, but send me on vacation to Jamaica, and keep the cocktails coming!

Sun-tanned toes ticklin' the sand
Cold drink chilling' in my right hand

All day long just taking it easy
Laying in the hammock where it's nice and breezy

Doesn't that just sound heavenly? I would give anything to be on vacation by the beach right now! Spring breakers are all on their way here and I will be inside working all day. How is that fair?  

Everybody's got a place they go
When the old battery gets running low
I'm a sucker for the sand and sea, yea
If I had my way I would always be

Way up high in a coconut tree
Layin' low, just my baby and me
Sunny sky as far as I can see
High up in a coconut tree

It's pretty funny how many people come here when their batteries are running low. Nothing like the Florida sunshine for a vitamin D charge! Opening up the sunroof on my way home, and a little Kenny on my iPod just might be the closest I can get.  I'm not quite sure what my coconut tree is, but I' going to need to figure it out, because I need a little more beach lounging in my life. 

Here's a short video of Kenny Chesney talking about the song Coconut Tree, which he recorded with Willie Nelson.