Blanco Brown’s ‘The Git Up’ Should Be Enjoyed, Not Debated [Listen]

Blanco Brown's "The Git Up" is the catchiest country debut since — well, it's only been a few months since one was catchier, but this earworm leads with joy, not defiance, and that may make all the difference.

It's absolutely fair to compare "The Git Up" to "Old Town Road." Per Billboard, Brown's new viral dance craze was rushed to streaming platforms after Lil Nas X started to break this spring, and the two artists have more in common than skin color. Hip-hop sensibilities, ties to Atlanta, ties to Billy Ray Cyrus (Brown and Cyrus are labelmates) and a sound that lives on the far edges of what even the most progressive fans are willing to consider "country music" are among the characteristics that unite them.

Differences are found in industry reception. Currently "The Git Up" sits at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart (up 25 spots after one week) while "Old Town Road" was banished early, a decision that grows more baffling with each passing day. A fair argument (if you enjoy these types of things) could be made for Lil Nas X's song as being the "more country" of the two — especially with Cyrus on board — but it doesn't really matter. "The Git Up" is the better lyric.

No, Brown's not rivaling "Gentle on My Mind" with his dance tutorial, but his rhymes and rhythms are graceful and elegant and his delivery is warm and inviting. In falling for his song, you fall for him. Repetition with each chorus and through the final verses turns up the volume on his unexpectedly delightful, sure-fire honkytonk hit. Seriously, if you can't enjoy this song you probably don't get invited to very many parties. There's no doubt the song will endure as well as "Cha Cha Slide," even if it never breaks the radio airplay barrier.

That's a major "if." Thus far radio has resisted "Old Town Road," but it remains the No. 1 song in America. "The Git Up" is just beginning its journey, but the views on YouTube are astonishing given the low profile by comparison. The argument about what is and what isn't country seems to be happening in two very different venues (on the radio and on streaming platforms), something that may fracture and grow the format simultaneously. What a weird, entertaining world we're living in right now.

Did You Know?: In May Brown released a self-titled EP. Lately, he's been writing with fellow Broken Bow Records artists including Parmalee and Lainey Wilson.

Like Blanco Brown? Try Jimmie Allen's New Song: 

Blanco Brown, "The Git Up" Lyrics:

Right now, I just need you to get real loose / Get comfortable / Grab your loved ones or grab your love partner / And if you're by yourself no worries / Just follow after me.

Chorus:
Gonna do the two-step then cowboy boogie / Grab your sweetheart and spin out with 'em / Do the hoedown and get into it / Take it to the left now and dip with it / Gonna throw down take a sip with it / Now lean back, put your hips in it.

To the left to the left now / To the right to the right / Now take your left hand and put it on your side / Gone roll your shoulders / Do the slip and slide / This next part's my favorite part 'cause its time to shine.

Gonna do the two-step then cowboy boogie / Grab your sweetheart and spin out with 'em / Do the hoedown and get into it / Take it to the left now and dip with it / Gonna throw down take a sip with it / Now lean back, put your hips in it.

Slide to the left, slide to the right / Now cool down, have a good time / Slide to the left, slide to the right / Do the butterfly and have a good time / Round, round, round and round you go / It's time to show out right now and take to the floor

To the left / Take it down now, take it take it down now / Take it down now, take it take it down now / To the right / Bring it up now, bring it bring it up now / Bring it up now, bring it bring it up now / To the front / Take it down and crisscross / Bring it up now crisscross / To the back / Do whatever you like right here, just have fun.

That was not sooo bad that wa- that was not so bad was it / That was not sooo bad that wa- that was not so bad was it / That was not sooo bad that wa- that was not so bad was it / That was not sooo bad that wa- that was not so bad was it.