Dierks Bentley Weighs In On The 'Girl Crush' Country Radio Controversy

Singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley performs in concert during his “Riser Tour 2014” at the Royal Farms Arena on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Baltimore. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP) (Photo: )
Singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley performs in concert during his “Riser Tour 2014” at the Royal Farms Arena on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Baltimore. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP) (Photo: )

Radio Stations are reportedly pulling Little Big Town's new hit "Girl Crush" due to complaints that the song's lyrics promote a "gay agenda," even though the song is not about lesbian romance. Written by Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose, "Girl Crush" actually tells the story of a woman who is jealous of her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend.

"I will speak out against my own industry right now and say this is a bunch of crap," country radio host Bobby Bones said about the controversy during a recent interview with Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman. "It shouldn't even matter if it's a lesbian song!"

"There's so many problems with that whole issue," Fairchild added. "The fact that country music is built on heartache songs and jealousy songs, this is like a modern day version of 'Jolene,' and people just need to listen to it."

But Fairchild and Bones aren't the only prominent members of the country music community to take issue with the apparent boycott. Speaking to The Huffington Post in an interview on Friday, singer Dierks Bentley echoed their sentiments.

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"When I heard that song, I never even thought about it being about a girl crush or a lesbian [romance]. And when I thought about it that way, I liked it even more," Bentley said. "It’s just so silly, but, it’s always been that way. Look at Miranda Lambert’s career: She’s always cutting songs that are a little edgier, like 'Gunpowder & Lead,' about shooting down this guy who’s getting out of jail for beating you up, you know? You keep pushing down that wall and eventually the fans will demand it and push for those changes."

"I have so much respect for Little Big Town and [producer] Jay Joyce ... to take chances like that and keep the genre going and moving, it requires bold artists. The song being pulled is probably one of the best things that could happen to them," he added. "Like when Garth Brooks' "The Thunder Rolls" got banned from CMT for being too edgy. It just makes fans want to hear it more and go out there and find it."

To that end, Bentley cited Chase Rice's "Ride" as a perfect example of the power of pushing the envelope.

"I don’t know if that can get played on country radio, it’s over the top as far as the sex factor, but it’s selling 20,000 singles a week on iTunes," Bentley said. "A little controversy is always good for music, so I think it worked out for the best. There’s always going to be great country artists and great country songs and I think “Girl Crush” is a really well-written, great idea for a song."

"Girl Crush" is currently No. 17 on the Billboard country music chart and is the No. 1 downloaded country song on iTunes.

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer/songwriter Carrie Underwood (L) and musician Miranda Lambert attend the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer/songwriter Carrie Underwood (L) and musician Miranda Lambert attend the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer/songwriter Taylor Swift attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer/songwriter Taylor Swift attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Carrie Underwood attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Carrie Underwood attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer/songwriter Jewel attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer/songwriter Jewel attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Kellie Pickler attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Kellie Pickler attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Kellie Pickler attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Kellie Pickler attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Sarah Davidson attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Sarah Davidson attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Cassadee Pope attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Cassadee Pope attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Carrie Underwood

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Darius Rucker attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Darius Rucker attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Martina McBride attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Martina McBride attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Stevie Nicks attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Stevie Nicks attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Shakira attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Shakira attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Keith Urban attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Keith Urban attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer/songwriter Carrie Underwood attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer/songwriter Carrie Underwood attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Actress Olivia Munn attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Actress Olivia Munn attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Carrie Underwood attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Carrie Underwood attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Actor/rapper LL Cool J attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Actor/rapper LL Cool J attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Arrivals

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06:  Singer Faith Hill attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Faith Hill attends the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

Kacey Musgraves

Miranda Lambert

Kimberly Perry

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw

Olivia Munn

Jewel Kilcher

Sheryl Crow

Jamie Lynn Spears

Kellie Pickler

Angie Harmon

Shakira

Kimberly Perry

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.