Music Friday: Easton Corbin Pops the Question in 'A Little More Country Than Tha

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Easton Corbin delivers a singing marriage proposal — while revealing what’s under this old hat — in his 2009 chart topper “A Little More Country Than That.”

In the song about trust and small town sensibilities, Corbin states his case for why he would make a great husband. He paints a picture of the rural life he loves, his appreciation for the simpler things and the importance of being a true gentleman.

He would never play games behind her back because he’s “a little more country than that.” In the last verse, Corbin makes it a point to emphasize that saying "those the three words" (I Love You) is something he takes very seriously. Then he finally pops the question.

He sings, “Yeah, I’m sure that you’ve heard those three words from others / But they fell flat / But this ring ain’t something that I mean to give you / And then take back / I’m a little more country than that.”

Although “A Little More Country Than That” was penned by Wynn Varble, Rory Lee and Donald Poythress, the 41-year-old Corbin said the song mirrors his own life experiences.

“Even though I didn’t write it, this song identifies who I am,” he said. “It shows character and that’s important where I’m from. You learn to say, ‘Yes, ma’am’ and ‘No, sir,’ and to open doors for the ladies.”

“A Little More Country Than That” was the lead single from Corbin’s self-titled debut album. The song went to #1 on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs list while the album topped out at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The single was certified Platinum, which means it sold more than 1 million copies.

Interestingly, the writing team originally intended the song for Blaine Larsen, but his record label passed on it.

A native of Trenton, FL, Corbin lived on his grandparents’ farm following his parents’ divorce. At the age of 14, he started taking guitar lessons from long-time session musician Pee Wee Melton. Soon after, he joined a band and performed at music festivals.

Corbin got his first big break in 2005 when he visited 1st Street Music in Lake City, FL, to enter a contest for the Annual Suwannee River Jam. The manager of the store was impressed by Corbin’s in-store demo and connected him with songwriter Reese Wilson in Nashville.

Corbin moved to Nashville in 2006, and four years later "A Little More Country Than That" would help launch his career, with the singer earning three American Country Awards for “New/Breakthrough Artist of the Year,” “Music Video by New/Breakthrough Artist” and “Single by New/Breakthrough Artist.” “A Little More Country Than That” was also nominated in four other categories.

Corbin is currently on a summer tour with performances booked in Ohio, Nebraska, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Idaho and Washington.

Please check out the video of Corbin performing “A Little More Country Than That.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“A Little More Country Than That”
Written by Wynn Varble, Rory Lee Feek and Donald Poythress. Performed by Easton Corbin.

Imagine a dirt road full of pot holes
With a creek bank and some cane poles
Catching channel cat
I’m a little more country than that

Picture a small town with an old hound
Laying out front of the court house
While the old men chew the fat
I’m a little more country than that

I just want to make sure you know just who you’re getting under, this old hat
Cause girl I’m not the kind of two time or play games behind your back
I’m a little more country than that

Think of a Hank song from days gone
With a steel ride that’s so strong
It sends chills up your back
I’m a little more country than that

If you want a brick home in a school zone
With the doors locked and alarms on
Girl, you’re way off track
I’m a little more country than that

I just want to make sure you know just who you’re getting under this old hat
Cause girl I’m not the kind of two time or play games behind your back
I’m a little more country than that

Yeah, I’m sure that you’ve heard those three words from others
But they fell flat
But this ring ain’t something that I mean to give you
And then take back
I’m a little more country than that
I’m a little more country than that
I’m a little more country than that

Credit: Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.