The possibility of a "polarizing" reaction developing did occur to me before in relation to those opening lines - which was why I asked Oneal to enlarge a bit on the reaction he/she had discussed with friends in Nashville. Oneal felt that, although the implication had been noticed by some others in the industry, there didn't seem to be a likelihood of that being an issue with the general listening public,or radio.
I would guess that, if there is an issue, though, it might be taken up by some of the people who attacked Carrie's view on marriage equality. Although some of those were objecting on grounds of a different interpretation of Scripture, there were also signs that others were linked to websites with a political agenda. There are two aspects to this connection - one is that social conservatism on questions of sexual morality is used as a keystone issue for rallying support in "culture war" politics; the other is that some on the political Right would like to cast Mainstream Country Music as a "politically correct" channel for their views, reflecting traditional values and counter-balancing what is seen as suspect in other parts of the entertainment spectrum. Even though people here don't see any part of the song as polarizing, I don't discount the possibility that some interested parties might try to make it so.
For my part, I support songs which reflect life and emotions in all their variety. I see nothing wrong with the principle of an artist exploring themes that might be seen as polarizing by some. If that does happen though, I'd rather it be with a stronger song and a deeper meaning. I can't help thinking that, catchy and evocative though it may be, DYTAM is a rather lightweight vessel to steer onto the rocks of controversy
Excellent analysis, I just can't believe that DYTAM will be nearly as polarizing as LN BHC, GG. I don't remember Strawberry Wine or Garth's "That Summer" which is about an older woman seducing a teenager. If you don't remember the lyrics here is the first part of the song:
I went to work for her that summer
A teenage kid so far from home
She was a lonely widow woman
Hell bent to make it on her own
We were a thousand miles from nowhere
Wheat fields as far as I could see
Both needing something from each other
Not knowing yet what that might be
'Til she came to me one evening
Hot cup of coffee and a smile
In a dress that I was certain
She hadn't worn in quite a while
There was a difference in her laughter
There was a softness in her eyes
And on the air there was a hunger
Even a boy could recognize
She had a need to feel the thunder
To chase the lightning from the sky
To watch a storm with all its wonder
Raging in her lover's eyes
She had to ride the heat of passion
Like a comet burning bright
Rushing headlong in the wind
Out where only dreams have been
Burning both ends of the night
That summer wind was all around me
Nothing between us but the night
When I told her that I'd never
She softly whispered "That's alright"
And then I watched her hands of leather
Turn to velvet in a touch
There's never been another summer
When I have ever learned so much
Compared to that song DYTAM is about as controveral as Ring-Around-the Rosy