I’ve considered myself a country music fan for about 20 years now, but since my parents are fans too, I’ve been around it all my life. The following is a list of my 25 favorite country songs ever – some classics, some current, and all great.
Some Memories Just Won’t Die – Marty Robins. A great singer – and race car driver as well – this song just speaks to me. I can’t place anything specific on it, but his voice just wrapped itself around these lyrics.
Forever And Ever, Amen – Randy Travis. The perfect song of unconditional love.
He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones. To many people, this is the most perfect country song ever written. It is the most heartbreaking story of unconditional love set to music.
Much Too Young To Feel This Damned Old – Garth Brooks. Our introduction to the phenomenon that Brooks became – and “a worn out tape of Chris LeDeux” helps out another career as well.
Flowers On The Wall – The Statler Brothers. My mother’s favorite country act, and a song I grew up loving – at that young age, probably something about the “Captain Kangaroo” line.
King Of The Road – Roger Miller. Another great, unique country voice, wrapped around a great story song.
If You’re Gonna Play In Texas – Alabama. “…You’ve gotta have a fiddle in the band.” Alabama will go down in history as possibly the greatest group in country music.
Drive (for Daddy Gene) – Alan Jackson. AJ’s had some terrific songs throughout his career, but the cross-generational story in this song makes it my favorite.
Alcohol – Brad Paisley. Paisley is a songwriter in the vein of Roger Miller – tell a good story, and give it a twist. Also, he’s a heck of a picker.
Whoever’s In New England – Reba McEntire. A country song about the North? Kinda crazy, but a classic Reba tune.
Cinderella – Vince Gill. Not one of Gill’s biggest hits, but the song that made he a fan – beautiful mandolin work as well.
All My Exes Live In Texas – George Strait. Classic country, classic Strait, and points for using the term “transcendental meditation” in a country song.
Johnny And June – Heidi Newfield. The former Trick Pony vocalist struck a cord with her debut single, an ode to the Cashes.
Gunpowder And Lead – Miranda Lambert. A strong vocalization about a woman who’s had enough.
Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash. Any Johnny Cash song could be inserted in this list, but this is my pick. Another great story song.
Highwayman – The Highwaymen. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. That’s why.
Rose Garden – Lynn Anderson. A great voice, a classic song.
Take This Job And Shove It – Johnny Paycheck. Haven’t we all wanted to say that?
Harper Valley, P.T.A. – Jeannie C. Riley. Any song that can inspire a television series has got to be good.
D-I-V-O-R-C-E – Tammy Wynette. Just because it’s Tammy.
All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight – Hank Williams Jr. Classic Bocephus.
There’s A Tear In My Beer – Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr. Oh, the wonders of technology.
Will The Circle Be Unbroken (1989 version) – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and friends. The Dirt Band revisited their 1971 record with a new generation of stars, and more blurring the lines of musical genres.
Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn. The ultimate autobiography set to music.
The Devil Went Down To Georgia – Charlie Daniels Band. Amazing fiddle, awesome story, great crossover appeal.
