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Review: Hannah Dasher - Wanted
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October 31st 2024
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My only experience of country music was being a passive listener in my dad’s car on those terminal weekend journeys children are subjected to when parents split. An endless stream of tape cassette driven: John Denver, Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle et al. Just the opening couple of bars or the first verse of a song, and the draining silence of a father and son sat with nothing to say comes flooding back. On reflection, a part of my early to mid-80s childhood was in essence, the very nuance of what I thought country music was.
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Reviewed by Stu
My only experience of country music was being a passive listener in my dad’s car on those terminal weekend journeys children are subjected to when parents split. An endless stream of tape cassette driven: John Denver, Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle et al. Just the opening couple of bars or the first verse of a song, and the draining silence of a father and son sat with nothing to say comes flooding back. On reflection, a part of my early to mid-80s childhood was in essence, the very nuance of what I thought country music was.
And… but for a brief intrusion by Charlie Daniels Band and his scintillating ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia,’ my opinions and feelings of the country genre were set. It was: the sound of a cassette being opened and force fed into the car stereo, depressing weekends and ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ (Oh the irony). Until now, when a friend asked if I was interested in writing a review of my choice, on a country track. In the words of contemporary cultural icon, Ted Lasso, I decided to “Be curious, not judgemental” and agreed, but what to choose? Or, who to choose? Because if you are not interested by the person, how can you be interested in their art?
Hannah Dasher was one suggestion made to me. ‘Wanted’ was the track. The first image to greet my sceptical yet receptive eyes was one of Miss Dasher in an apparent police mugshot from the Nashville Police Department. All hair, glamour and jewellery, this was in fact the promo picture for the afore mentioned ‘Wanted.’ There she was, my selected artiste and track. Further research led me to discover that this country singer was not only a talented singer / songwriter, but also a social media icon in that other multiverse that I have no real knowledge about (TikTok) and this country gal, was right there blazing a trail.
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So, to the task in hand, could this country star change the perception and mind of a man 3000+ miles away with an unhealthy childhood association to country music? Bet your life she could! ‘Wanted,’ upon my very first listening, conversely hooked the young boy in me. Analogies to outlaws, the brazen use of the word bullshit in the opening verse and having a six-string guitar in your holster, was like no country music song I remember from those ‘dog days’ in my dad’s car.
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Whilst it would be very presumptive and almost arrogant to inform the reader of what an artist is thinking. Or, trying to interpret their lyrics as if you can give better context than the songs creator, I do know what the song means to me: ‘Wanted’ is 02:48 of a talented musician telling the world that she will distribute and perform her art, her way, her style, on her terms: “I don’t wanna be an outlaw / a long-gone country music lost cause / When the truth needs sayin,’ and the rules need breakin’, and the radio keeps playin’ all the bullshit / I don’t wanna be an outlaw, but if the boot fits.”
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Performing at The Barrelhouse at C2C in March this year. Photo credit: Jess T.
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Indeed, my brief introduction and flirtation with Hannah Dasher and her talent leads me to think that within this song, lies a person who knows what she wants, knows what she is good at: “Just gimme the spotlight on a busy night, and they’ll all see why I’m wanted.” And isn’t afraid to be considered an outcast (outlaw) to maintain her artistic integrity. I’ve gotta say, I have an awful lot of time for artists from any medium who are prepared to stick to their principles, especially when it is done to the tune of a steel six-string.
At 02:48, the song actually left me feeling slightly short-changed, but in a positive way. I wanted more and maybe one more verse and chorus of Dasher’s bold persona and crunching guitar, would have left me fully satisfied by this song. However, the loss of an extra verse and chorus is more than compensated for by the fact that not only has Hannah Dasher managed to overturn years of disaffection with country music, but she has also succeeded in the ultimate accolade (where this writer is concerned) by making it on to my Spotify running playlist – not an easy feat for any artist! Please rest assured, Miss Dasher, you will not be ‘forgotten’ and will always be ‘Wanted’ by one country convert.
Wanted is available everywhere now via Sony Music Publishing / Two Black Dogs.
Written by: Hannah Dasher & Jake Mitchell
Produced by: Hannah Dasher
Hit the buttons below to link to Hannah's socials.
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