* Language and wording appeal to typical working-class folk. Simple, relatable, literal wording creates connections with the audience. Eg. “I woke up in the morning / put my blue jeans on / The dent in your pillow / is startin’ to look so cold” * Themes deal with everyday life and experiences: love, loss, break-ups, trucks, the weather, moving away, horses, the land. Eg. “Her hooves were pounding hard / running just like you did / across the field and outta sight / just chasing one last breeze” * Songs often draw off the songwriter’s past and life. Eg. “The year of 1982 is sittin’ on my mind / How we caught each other and held on tight / Promised never to let go” * Use playful adjectives. Eg. “Mired down in sticky-slick mud / My boots are caught quick-sand strong / Gotta leave them boots to welcome spring alone / I’m off to walk on, stockinged wet” * Soft or quiet verses are often paired with loud, explosive choruses.