Comments on: Single Review: Ronnie Dunn, “Cost of Livin’”

By: Richard in New Hampshire

Richard in New Hampshire — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:14:42 +0000

Incredibly powerful lyrics. I’ve listened two dozen times, and am still in awe of the combination of self-pride and desperation in the testimony, seeking to provide human dignity of service in an increasingly mechanical demand for robots. Americans want to earn American wages, but pay Chinese wages. Americans are their own worst enemies. They refuse to pay other Americans to work.

By: Adam James

Adam James — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:00:51 +0000

The fact that a song like this even needs to be written tells me there’s a lot wrong with our fair country these days.

But that said, this IS a fantastic song and Ronnie sings the hell out of it! I didn’t really feel “Bleed Red” much, but I like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBWjzBSt8eE&feature=related :An excellent live version of “Cost Of Living”

By: Andrew Leprich

Andrew Leprich — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:57:41 +0000

I’m blown away by this one. Definitely a five-star effort, and frontrunner for song of the year thus far.

By: RowdyRed

RowdyRed — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:16:10 +0000

The arrangement, the vocal delivery, all very spare and understated, absolutely demanded my attention as the song began. The lyrics — I just about stopped breathing so I could listen to those words.

Where “Bleed Red” sounds anthemic, this song embodies quiet desperation. I’ve missed Ronnie Dunn’s soaring vocals, but man, the simplicity here, including his masterful performance, makes it all the more powerful. I can hear a life story not only in the words, but in that voice.

I’m blown away. Five stars to a great artist.

By: Paul Dennis

Paul Dennis — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:08:29 +0000

This is a pretty decent song – I don’t think this is a A but it’s a solid B or B+. This probably the best song from an otherwise unexceptional album (I gave the album a C+ on another website)

No doubt it will be a hit, maybe even reach the top

By: Dan Milliken

Dan Milliken — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:22:37 +0000

#31 on Mediabase and Billboard right now and climbing.

I’m loving this new, substantial Ronnie Dunn. He’s not wasting any time, huh?

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 05:56:14 +0000

Wow. And he co-wrote this?

I’ll admit, I was a little wary of Ronnie’s solo career prospects after “Bleed Red”. It was just a little too kumbaya, cliche, tugging-too-heard-on-the-heartstrings… didn’t do much for me at all.

But this is a modern-day classic. It’s a very novel idea for a song – story told through a job interview – the lyric is full of wonderful, original lines, the performance and production are perfect.

It’s also a beautiful example of how to portray emotional tone throughout a song; it begins with him recollecting his admirable services and qualities, but there’s a subtle shift from pride to desperation as it goes on, culminating in the “wolves at the door” line in the third chorus.

The narrator seems confident and sure of himself, but lost in terms of his place in a changing world and where his future in it lies. I think that’s a very timely sentiment to express – it’s what a lot of people are thinking but not saying right now.

It’s a lengthy, quiet song that isn’t all sunshine and bubble gum, so it may not appeal to the soccer-mom, morning-drive crowd. But man, this better catch on with radio.

By: Ben Foster

Ben Foster — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 02:42:32 +0000

I think this one really blows “Bleed Red” out of the water. Such an impressive performance.

By: Matt B

Matt B — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:55:15 +0000

There’s no way most in congress even care about ‘the working poor.’ They just don’t. :/

That being said, this is one of the best songs too bad it was released too late to get a CMA Award nomination until 2012…

By: plain_jo

plain_jo — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:36:50 +0000

Masterpiece