Actually it is

If you compare contemporary country songs to 40s or 50s country songs, you will realize a huge difference in the sound between them.

Because Pop have Madonna and Michael Jackson.

Did I answered your question right?

But Shania did get a lot of criticism for it too.

I'm pretty sure Red was critically acclaimed too?

taylor ha singles from LS and after have never sounded country to me at all

Pretty much this, it's so funny when Luke Bryan fans shade Taylor for not being true country and i'm like WTF. Classic country fans hate Luke Bryan and guys like FGL and some of them actually respect Taylor alot, Because they saw her opening for a Country legend like George Strait and that guy is old school country as his fans.

Gurl tell me you're joking!

The country version of the album is the actual album. It was remixed for mainstream pop in 1998 and was billed as the International Version.

To answer the thread's question: There really is no definition as to why it isn't as mainstream as pop. Sure you have a few crossover hits (i.e., Shania, Carrie, Taylor), but to be quite honest, if the pop fans were to look at the non-crossovers (the country), they won't give a damn about it. My opinion is, it's because it has nothing much to do with the trends in pop music.

Also, I'm sure people gave Shania flack but it wasn't mainstream because there was no such thing as Twitter and Facebook in that time. If there was, we'd be seeing it all the time on our timelines, hence why I see people giving Taylor flack for 'going' pop.

Because country stars aren't daring. They are the epitome of basic and playing it safe.
The fact that they think not pushing the limits makes them more authentic is irritating.
So hipsters, much annoying.

I hope this isn't towards me, and Luke Bryan should hardly be talking considering his LP (aside from his bonus tracks) are not written by him.

Where do u meet these stans because I need to find more of them on atrl

Now, yes. But back in the day Shania was actually the one who dared to crossover. She had the **** to do so and most people actually gave her applause for it. She paved the way for country-pop stars, such as Carrie & Taylor.

Oh no, i don't know who you are, pretty much his twitter fans, nothing against you

i hope so too

Yeah, when someone brings up the twitter fans, that is when it becomes the conversations of "oh the twitter fans " nn

I'm Zune btw
I do like Taylor Swift and I don't think I'm a very delusional Luke Bryan stan

Have you noticed the backlash Taylor receives from country fans after releasing Speak Now and Red?
They don't have the guts to try new sounds and push their boundaries to the limit, always releasing the same sound year after year.
Funny how singers like Taylor and Carrie are bashed for their pop country sound when those bro country singers always sing about the same damn thing; trucks.

^trucks girls and beer for male country artists, and don't forget about the catfish dinner

I'd rather hear a good pop-country song a la Taylor Swift than a terrible country song a la Luke Bryan.

Nailed the bitch down to a tee.