“What are you doing? I love that song,” I say to my daughter as she reaches over to change the radio station in my van. “That’s Darius Rucker. He was born to sing country music.”

Best known for his lead vocals in the rock group Hootie and the Blowfish, Mr. Rucker’s first country solo album debuted at number one on the country charts. Obviously I’m not the only one who thinks he’s meant to sing country.

“I just think this song promotes mediocrity,” Betsy says. “It bugs me.”

Be that as it may, she knows every word of Mr. Rucker’s “Alright.” When I insist on listening to it, she sings along. We consider the message as we harmonize. “I don’t need no five star reservations
I got spaghetti and a cheap bottle of wine
I don’t need no concert in the city
I got a stereo and the ‘Best of Patsy Cline’”

Double negatives aside, old Darius croons about living large in small ways.

“How is that promoting mediocrity? He’s just celebrating simplicity and being happy with what you’ve got.”

Betsy presses her point. “Country music specifically, and our culture generally, seem to promote the idea of mediocrity as the new standard for personal happiness. I’ve been reading articles about it. It’s all thanks to the bad economy.”

According to my rising college freshman, the overriding media message is: Get used to the idea that you’re not likely to improve your circumstances. Less is more. Be content.

So what’s wrong with that? I’ve often told my children “comparison is the killer of contentment” – meaning, it’s easy to become unhappy with your lot in life if you constantly compare yourself to others who have more. Let’s all count our blessings and live gratefully.

Betsy is all for gratitude, but she thinks there’s a deeper problem that’s actually eroding ambition among young Americans like her. In her mind, it’s a problem that’s best illustrated in country lyrics. “Just listen to all the songs about how great it is to be dirt poor, drive a rusty car, and live in a shack with the one you love. Why is that more noble than being financially secure, driving a nice car and living in a new house with the one you love?” Continued...