The 10 Best Kacey Musgraves Songs NOT on Golden Hour
Before people were dancing along to “High Horse” in a roller disco (or pretending to) or sing-crying “Space Cowboy” as they went through a breakup, Kacey Musgraves was crafting smartly written country tunes. As a newformed fan, I delved into her past three studio albums in order to find the best Kacey songs that ––- hardcore fans aside ––- you might not have heard yet.
Written by Claire Hardwick
Photo courtesy of Kacey Musgraves via Twitter
It’s a familiar scene I’ve played out a million times: I’m walking to class while listening to Golden Hour. The soft strums of “Slow Burn” begin, launching me into the golden pop country landscape that Kacey Musgraves carefully crafted. Golden Hour single-handedly defined my transition from 2018 to 2019 and scored many road trip sing-alongs accompanied by Texas sunsets.But something in my mind stirs –– the notes are so familiar, the lyrics so secondhand that they flow out like a memorized monologue. I can feel that familiar nag in the back of my mind of listening to an album so much to the point that it becomes annoying. But fortunately, there’s more to Kacey than Golden Hour. To get my extra fix of cowgirl tunes, I did a deep dive into Kacey’s first three albums. Here are my must-listen-to highlights for everyone looking for their next big yeehaw tune.
1. “Pageant Material” - Pageant Material
The titular track off her sophomore album, this tongue-in-cheek song slyly talks about Kacey’s Texan background as a would-be pageant girl and why her psychedelic habits don’t quite fit the prim and proper mold.
2. “High Time” - Pageant Material
This track is a big band blowout that opens up Pageant Material and makes you want to kick back, relax, and indulge in the finer things in life. In particular, this song showcases Kacey’s versatility in the types of music she is able to sing and perform, ranging from country to pop to lounge music.
3. “Merry Go Round” - Same Trailer, Different Park
One of her best known songs outside of Golden Hour, “Merry Go Round” devastatingly describes the cyclical nature of growing up and staying in a small town. While Musgraves got out of her hometown, Golden, Texas (population: 200), she doesn’t shame those who stay but rather highlights the feeling of being trapped by the people you’ve known and loved your whole life. This one is a must listen for sure.
4. “Christmas Makes Me Cry” - A Very Kacey Christmas
Let me be the 1000th person to say that Kacey Musgraves was made to sing sad Christmas music! One of my favorite genres, the original songs on her A Very Kacey Christmas album are the highlights. This song is in the same vein of the likes of “Blue Christmas” by Elvis and “River” by Joni Mitchell and is especially great to play when the cold weather comes back around.
5. “Late to the Party” - Pageant Material
This track feels the most Golden Hour-esque. In it, Kacey explains her apathy towards making appearances at two-faced social functions where the point is just to show off who you leave the party with. Instead, she revels in going “late to the party” with her lover in this twinkly romantic tune.
6. “Dime Store Cowgirl”- Pageant Material
A song reflecting on her travels as a musician on tour, Kacey sings “I’m just a dime store cowgirl / that’s all I’m ever gonna be / you can take me out of the country / but you can’t take the country out of me.” This song is interesting given how pop-leaning Golden Hour is, but it’s a clear statement of purpose. No matter how much she toys with her style, she’ll always remain true to her roots.
7. “Biscuits” - Pageant Material
A precursor to Kacey’s country pop style in Golden Hour, this song infuses typical archetypes of country with her own unique pop themes while still remaining a classic country track about minding your own business. This one features a rousing chorus of her backing band that makes you want to stand around a campfire while cooking s’mores and have a sing-a-long with all your friends.
8. “It Is What It Is” - Same Trailer, Different Park
The beautiful closer from her Same Trailer, Different Park album, this soft ballad accentuated with banjo twangs is what Kacey calls one of her “purest country” songs. In it, she questions if a casual relationship could be anything more than just sleeping together while questioning the other party’s emotional involvement.
9. “Die Fun” - Pageant Material
This track is a rousing nostalgic song that begs people to live life to the fullest because “we can’t do it over / so let’s love hard / live fast / and die fun.” While most pop anthems would emphasize these themes with a thumping beat, Kacey does so with finger-picked guitar chords, a deep bass line, and her angelic voice floating on top.
10. “Follow Your Arrow” - Same Trailer Different Park
This track is the epitome of Kacey’s laid back ethos that helped open up a genre that has long been guilty of excluding anyone who doesn’t fit the mold of what “country” looks like. What could be considered her first real break out hit, “Follow Your Arrow” was banned from many country radio stations due to its LGBT friendly chorus, a group that Kacey welcomes into the country realm with open arms. While some country radio stations still refuse to play her music deeming it too out there, Kacey doesn’t need their support. With two Grammys under her belt and a sold out world tour, Kacey’s rousing chorus in “Follow Your Arrow” urges the listener to follow their own path — unsurprisingly, just the thing that has led to her own breakout success.