Diction Descriptions

Gretchen Wilson is an astounding singer, known for her ‘tough girl’ act, and strong opinionated lyrics. Due to Wilson’s rough childhood, many are surprised she made it as far as she has. She grew up with a mom that was always working, and no father figure in her life. Wilson started tending bars at the age of 14, in hopes to help her mom pay rent on their trailer, and was promoted to manager a year later. In attempts to make it on her own, Gretchen moved to Nashville and sang in bars. She was discovered by Big and Rich, and has been a hit ever since. Gretchen developed her ‘tough girl’ act from her rough past and was able to apply her talented voice and life experiences in her compositions. Gretchen Wilson is a brilliant artist who is able to corroborate different diction, or choice of words, into her music. The songs ‘Redneck Women’ and ‘Come to Bed’ both illustrate Wilson’s ability to portray diverse dictions throughout her songs.


Gretchen’s song, ‘Redneck Women’, clearly demonstrates strong country diction, due to her country slang used. For instance, “No I can’t swig that sweet champagne, I’d rather drink beer all night, in a tavern or in a honky tonk, or in a 4wheel drive tailgate”, (4-6). The fact that she’d choose beer over champagne, for one illustrates that she’s not the elegant type, and that she can be like one of the guys. The use of the words ‘tavern’ and ‘honky tonk’ are words used by many southerners, just like another words for a bar, adding to the country feel of the song. The following, illustrates how Gretchen is satisfied and proud of who she is and what she believes in, “Some people look down on me, but I don’t give a rip, I’ll stand barefooted in my own front yard with a baby on my hip” (8-10). The use of the word ‘rip’ is also another term used by southerners as a way of saying ‘I could care less’, and the fact that she’s standing barefoot in the public eye is something that would be considered ‘hillbilly-ish’. Next Gretchen continues with, “Cause I’m a redneck woman, and I ain’t no high class broad, I’m just a product of my raisin’, and I say “hey y’all” and “Yee Haw,’” (11-15). The use of the words ‘ain’t’, ‘raisin’, ‘hey y’all’, and ‘Yee Haw’, demonstrates a lack of education, and typical country slang used in everyday southerners lives. Also, the instrumental music in the song 'Redneck Women' portrays a country tone to it.

In the song, ‘Come to Bed’, the use of diction changes drastically. Gretchen now uses words that flow more, as appose to ‘honky tonk’ and ‘yee haw’. For instance, “Sometimes we fight, 'bout who's wrong and right, and stay up all night, and sometimes we drink, and say hurtful things, that we don't mean” (1-6). This song illustrates how a country song can still be country, yet without the twang, slang, and lingo added. The mood and harmony portrayed, also adds to the diction in this song, because it does not have the typical country instruments in the background, therefore illustrating how the diction is different. In conclusion, diction is used by many artists and provides a unique style than their listeners may be use to , as a result making them better, well rounded artist, just like Gretchen Wilson.