Country music has been a popular genre and has made it to the music charts over the years. Its unique tunes are definitely something that a lot of people listen to. Here, we have listed 12 country songs known for their lyrics, or for topping the charts.
12. I Walk the Line
I Walk the Line, written and performed by Johnny Cash in 1956, was his first number one hit in the Billboard. This has been one of Cash’s most famous songs, which talks about his values and being faithful to his wife while he is on the road. The song is performed until now in competitions or is made into song covers.
11. Blue Ain’t Your Color
This song was performed by country singer Keith Urban and was released in August 2016. Blue Ain’t Your Color has topped the country songs chart in the US for weeks, and has also been nominated in the Grammys for Best Country song, and Best Country Solo Performance for Keith Urban.
10. Love Story
Love Story was written and sung by the famous country artist Taylor Swift. Inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet, Swift switched up the story by giving it a happy ending. The song became one of the best-selling country singles of all time, but was also criticized because of the song’s writing – which was said to be about Taylor Swift’s love interest.
9. I Hope You Dance
This song was recorded by country artist Lee Ann Womack together with Sons of the Desert. This crossover country pop song was written by Tia Sillers and Mark Sanders, while Sillers was going through a divorce that inspired the lyrics. The song is about trying out something new, and has hooked lots of listeners, making it reach the country charts.
8. Before He Cheats
Before He Cheats is a song from Carrie Underwood’s 2005 album Some Hearts. The song was written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins. The writers were trying to keep the song light, but were wowed by the way Carrie delivered the song. It topped the Billboard charts for weeks, and is one of Carrie’s most famous singles.
7. Bless the Broken Road
Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna, and Marcus Hummon wrote the song in 1994, and it was first performed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Other artists have also performed the song, but the most famous version was that of Rascal Flatts.
His version was number one in the country songs chart for weeks, and the song earned a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. Bless the Broken Road was also sung in Hannah Montana the Movie, performed by Rascal Flatts.
6. Humble and Kind
Humble and Kind is a single by country singer Tim McGraw from his 2015 album, Damn Country Music. The song was written by Lori McKenna, with the lyrics made for her five children.
The video is as touching as its lyrics, and has inspired a #HumbleandKind movement that promotes humility and goodwill. The song won a Grammy award for Best Country Song, and was awarded Video of the Year at the 2016 CMT Awards, among others.
5. You’re Still the One
You’re Still the One by Canadian country singer Shania Twain was released in 1998 and has become the artist’s most successful single. The song was made more pop than country to hopefully make it a crossover hit.
The song became part of the top 10 in the music charts and stayed at #2 on the Billboard for weeks. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Country and Twain won for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
4. Mean
This song was also written and performed by Taylor Swift for her 2010 album Speak Now. Like most of Swift’s songs, Mean was criticized for its lyrics and style. Mean was supposed to explain her mindset and how she dealt with the whole critic situation. Nevertheless, the song still topped the charts and won Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance in the Grammy Awards.
3. Jolene
Written and performed by country singer Dolly Parton, Jolene was released in 1973 and topped the country charts consecutively. The song’s title was inspired by a 10-year-old pretty fan named Jolene asking for an autograph. The song is still famous until now, with the acapella group Pentatonix doing a cover of it and earning Dolly a Grammy Award.
2. Friends in Low Places
Friends in Low Places is performed by country pop artist Garth Brooks. It was released in 1990 and won the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards for Single of the Year also in 1990. During the last episode of The Tonight Show to be hosted by Jay Leno, Garth Brook performed this song.
1. When You Say Nothing at All
This famous country song was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and has been performed by several artists like Keith Whitely, Alisson Kraus, and Ronan Keating. The song topped the Billboard and other charts, and helped these singer’s music careers. It is still being sang in karaokes, competitions, and song covers.
The list highlights how country music has made an impact in the industry, and will always leave a mark in the lives of its listeners. Good music will live on for a long time, no matter what year it is.
