Key Highlights
- Maren Morris selects nine pivotal songs that have shaped her career.
- The songs include works by Sheryl Crow, LeAnn Rimes, Patty Griffin, The Cardigans, and Radiohead.
- Each song holds personal significance to Maren and reflects important moments in her life and music journey.
- Morris discusses the impact of these artists on her lyrical and musical style.
Maren Morris Reflects on Nine Pivotal Songs That Shaped Her Career
In an exclusive interview with Max Mazonowicz, country music superstar Maren Morris reveals the nine songs that have had a significant impact on her life and musical journey. Ahead of her upcoming tour in Europe, Morris shares the stories behind these songs, each chosen for their unique influence and emotional resonance.
The Power of “My Favorite Mistake” by Sheryl Crow
Morris begins with Sheryl Crow’s “My Favorite Mistake,” a song that she describes as both a personal favorite and a profound encapsulation of the depth of Crow’s songwriting expertise. Morris explains, “I’m a big fan of hers, she played a festival in the UK last year, which was the first time I’ve seen her. And this is a great song.“
For Morris, “My Favorite Mistake” embodies the essence of Crow’s work.
She notes, “This is one of my favorite songs of hers. I actually did an interview with her for a magazine, and she was saying that ‘My Favorite Mistake’ is the one song of hers that she won’t turn down when it comes on the radio.“
LeAnn Rimes: A Childhood Inspiration
The second pivotal song Morris discusses is LeAnn Rimes’s “Blue,” a track that introduced her to country music at an early age. Morris shares, “This was the song that I heard really made me fall in love with country music. I would’ve been maybe seven or eight years old when I found out that she was from a nearby town in Texas, and this was a really big single for her, and I think she was only 13 or 14.“
For Morris, Rimes’s influence extended beyond just the music.
She adds, “I wanted to figure out how to do that yodel, because I think I always knew I could sing, but a yodel is a different technique. And then I wanted to potentially do this thing that she’s doing, because she’s a few years older than me, is on the radio, living her dreams, and she’s from North Texas.“
The Cardigans: A Sonic Departure
Morris moves on to discuss The Cardigans’s “Communication,” a song that holds deep personal significance. She explains, “I remember in early high school, I discovered Long Gone Before Daylight, which I think was their third or fourth record, and it was quite a sonic departure for them.“
Morris elaborates on the emotional impact of “Communication,” stating, “Every time I hear this song it just shreds my soul apart. If I’m ever going through a rough time, or a breakup or a divorce, I’m listening to that song and sobbing, and somehow it puts me back together again by the end of the record.“
Patty Griffin: A Songwriter’s Influence
The next song Morris highlights is Patty Griffin’s “Christina.” She recalls, “I think I was 13 or 14. I was a huge fan of The Chicks, and they had recorded a bunch of Patty songs, but the big one was from their second record Fly, Griffin’s song ‘Let Him Fly.’“
Morris adds, “And Flaming Red, which ‘Christina’ is from, is like her rock album, and she made it with Jay Joyce… it was so sonically ahead of its time. I love how beautiful the lyrics are.“
Janis Joplin: A Country Soul Sound
Morris then talks about Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz,” a song that has held a special place in her heart. She shares, “This is a song I haven’t heard for years and it’s fascinating. My mom was a massive Janis Joplin fan, so I was introduced to her through songs like ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ and ‘Summertime.’“
Morris reflects on the song’s significance, stating, “I used to cover it in my shows as a teenager.
I always thought Janis sounded so country in that song. She was a Texan, of course, but the gravel in her voice really stood out to me.“
A British Band: Radiohead’s “Airbag”
The final song Morris discusses is Radiohead’s “Airbag,” a track that she first heard while high on marijuana. She remembers, “I was 16 or 17. I was listening to the opening track ‘Airbag’ while we were going over this bridge over the lake – this black water, the lights of the power lines all lit up.“
Morris adds, “And my friend is driving me, I’ve got the windows down, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my God!!’, you know, a very cliché stoner brain opening moment. And then once the drums kick in, I was sitting back in my seat, like ‘What is this???’“
Conclusion
Morris’s Musical Journey
Morris’s selection of these nine songs not only highlights her personal and professional growth but also underscores the diverse influences that have shaped her unique sound. Through her choices, she demonstrates a deep appreciation for both traditional country music and more experimental genres.
“These songs reflect the ebb and flow of my own music, and it’s easy to hear some of the influences in my own work, such as Radiohead,” Morris concludes. “It’s one of those things where you can listen to any of my work and see this list because there’s a lot of experimentation and soul and lyrical country storytelling in my examples.“
Morris’s journey from Texas to Nashville, influenced by these pivotal artists, serves as a testament to the power of music and its ability to shape our lives. As she embarks on her tour, Morris invites fans to join her on this musical odyssey, which has been shaped by some of the most influential voices in American music.
