Miranda Lambert's new song "This ain't your momma's broken heart" is a breakup song about a woman who, "numbed the pain at the expense of my liver". Kacey Musgrave's song "Merry-Go-Round" is about poor relationships among families as well as crumbling romantic partnerships. Both songs are rebellions against social institutions, which demand women to join into matrimonial unions then die happy. Miranda and Kacey are expressing feminist opposition to marriage.
The first time I heard both songs I immediately turned up the volume and gave their lyrics my full attention. Basically, what you're getting from these songs is women behaving any way they like because no one is a perfect mate; so don't try to be perfect, be passionate! In Kacey's case, she didn't follow social structure; she looked for love outside of her backyard AND she is not married. The lyrics, "Daddy's hooked on Mary 2 doors down" are her complaint against marriage. Kacey is pleading for passion and love, instead of marrying a person because, "first try's good enough". Miranda isn't going to get married because she can't get out of her cycle of date, mate, break, then drink.
Love and marriage aren't matters of convenience or upholding social institutions. They're about passion! Be franticly mad after your breakup! Be in love with your mate!
Finally! Pop songs that are about deep, irrational theories on love. No more subtleties or weeping loses; instead, these songs have visceral reactions! Miranda is passionately drinking and screaming while Kacey is mobilizing her search for happiness.
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