At the same time last year, Norway had no country songs on Spotify’s top 200 list. This year we can find several songs, and the genre is among the biggest. Some of the most popular songs include Shaboozey – A Bar Song, Dasha – Austin and Beyoncé – Texas hold’em. And statistics from the streaming service show that we Norwegians listen to almost 50 percent more country music this year than last year. Bigger market – There are some market forces behind it. Good music often appeals to the masses. That’s what country artist Nora Legrand (29) from Isfjorden says, who herself listens to both pop music and country music. Nora Legrand is looking forward to releasing her first country album this fall. Photo: Private – I was 13 when I discovered Taylor Swift, then developed an interest in Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton and Brandi Carlile. The young country artist from Romsdal has always felt at home in the USA. It was on exchange in Tennessee that Legrand studied bluegrass and country music at East Tennessee State University. With inspiration from American country, she has now released her own music and will play concerts around the country. – For me, the genre has always been honest and real. The fact that there is a country wave in the country is very exciting. What is your relationship with country? Likes both the music and the fashion Listens to it occasionally Never likes the genre Only listens at festivals Show result Beyoncé and Post Malone Adiele Helen Krüger Arukwe, editor-in-chief of P3, says that there are several reasons why country now dominates the charts. – It is possible to speculate whether it has something to do with the Beyoncé album. She is one of the world’s greatest artists. Adiele Helen Krüger Arukwe believes country will always be in and out of the charts in Norway. Photo: Chai Saeidi Arukwe believes that pop artists such as Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X, Post Malone and precisely Beyoncé have played a part in Norwegians developing a taste for the genre. – Beyoncé probably opened the door for many people who are not that familiar with country music. But I think the genre is so established that it will always be part of popular music. Mixing genres Commercial country music in the US is approaching classical pop music. Arukwe believes that this can also explain why more people listen to the genre. – It is not experienced as being as traditional. We have examples of songs that we call bro-country and pop-country, which contain several elements of hip-hop and popular music. Haven’t you heard of bro-country? Well, there you have it: Don’t you know traditional country? You’ve probably heard this one: Is pop country new to you? No, you’ve probably heard that before: Lil Nas X (25) and Billy Ray Cyrus (62), took over the charts in 2019 with the song Old Town Road. Photo: Richard Shotwell / AP War and unrest in the world Tonje Hovde is the day-to-day manager of the Tylden record company. She believes that several years of pandemic and unrest in the world have drawn people to country music. – Country lyrics are more marked by everyday life, and will give people the close and secure. Tonje Hovde believes the genre has influenced both music and fashion style in Norway. Photo: Ella A Three years ago, the company signed Carina Dahl. The daily leader himself believes that the global trend has affected the popularity of Norwegian artists. – We see it quite clearly that there is an increase in country festivals in the country. In the last two years, things have exploded for Carina Dahl. It was Taylor Swift who got Carina Dahl country saved! Hovde thinks it’s nice to see that interest in country is also spreading beyond the districts. She believes that digital platforms and the mixing of genres should be given credit for this growth. – It has been a success to cross country artists in the pop and rock world. Now people can also share and discover new music more easily. Tonje Hovde says that the company is now looking for more country artists. – It will be exciting to see how long the goods last. Published 19.07.2024, at 18.54
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Norwegians listen to more country music this year than last year
