By Sarah Campau
I went through my “everything but country” phase as a teen, but I no longer try to deny my country boi roots. That said, I wouldn’t know a single song on contemporary country stations; except Love Ain’t. I don’t remember how I found the Eli Young Band single, but it quickly became a song I play on repeat when I want to sing at the top of my lungs. I never bothered to listen to the entire Eli Young Band catalogue because Love Ain’t is perfect and the only modern country I need in my life.There is a two knock drop that has me beating on the steering wheel with such force that it can shake away a bad day. Using the magic of a southern twang the song effortlessly rhymes ain’t with can’t!
On a whim, I bought a ticket for the Eli Yong Band on November 17 at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, AR. Instantly, I began daydreaming about dancing and singing Love Ain’t at the top of my lungs with a band and a room full of strangers. In my mind’s eye this was a romantic solution to a recent heartbreak, healing my wounds with the power of a crowd faster than private sing-alongs.
With a review due to KXUA, I kept my notes app open to record my thoughts. The next day my observations read more like fieldnotes than a music critique. A predictable, yet unexpected consequence of my training as a behavior analyst. Instead of trying to fight my instincts, I will instead share my notes app thoughts with limited musical context.
[Alt title: Love Ain’t: Notes of a Behaviorist Reviewing the End of the Eli Young Band Show]
*****
As a chronically late person with attention issues, I got to the venue later than I wanted and the Eli Young Band was already on stage. I don’t feel too worried, the song is a masterpiece so I’m confident it will be part of the encore.
The audience is an unusual mix of Instagram cowgirls, teens dreaming of country weddings to high school soulmates ™, middle-aged couples who don’t take off their coats, grandparents wearing their best sparkles, and me. Cowgirl picture studio. Had fun photobombing but the joy quickly reached saturation and became irritation. Saw the most amazing Karen-esque structured bob haircut with chunky highlights.
Tom Petty cover? That’s not even his music, there’s no way I missed Love Ain’t.
A song about crazy? Unless it’s by Britney Spears, I’m not interested. The cowgirls in the crowd love this song, but men who call women crazy are an enormous red flag. Do not swoon for anyone who claims their ex was crazy, most people don’t reach the edge without being driven there.
The lights are dimming. Is there an encore? “Keep Dreaming” sounds like the advice at the end of a set.
Wait… I hear a tambourine, we’re back in business.
“This is the song that changed everything…” This is going to be Love Ain’t
…. nope. It an acoustic guitar
Another song that isn’t Love Ain’t. Getting nervous.
Did he say “Lisa Frank stickers” or did my brain instinctively add the neon animals?
He threw his pick, it’s over.
*****
I missed my perfect Love Ain’t healing moment. The one that would surely heal all wounds. Maybe they never played the song. Or maybe the lesson should be about timeliness.
My night ended with cookie crumb lipstick and another perfect car performance of Love Ain’t by the Eli Young Band ft. DJ Sarah Courtney. Maybe that’s been the magic of the song all along. That, and the ability to rhyme ain’t with can’t.
I give the Eli Young Band show two late night sweet treats out of a half-dozen.