Released in 1961, “Big Bad John” is considered one of the most successful singles country music legend Jimmy Dean has ever released in his whole career. It has reached the No. 1 spot not just on the “Billboard Hot 100” but also on other international charts like, “The New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)” and “Canada … Read more
Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ collaboration of “I Remember Everything” continues to soar high as it still ranks No. 1 on the list of top 40 country songs for February 2024. After all, it will be difficult to find a vocal performance as enchanting as these two artists. More Top 40 Country: January 2024 | December … Read more
Dubbed by the Country Music Hall of Fame as the “single most influential singer-songwriter” in the genre’s history (with the exception of Hank Williams), Merle Haggard is known for his versatility. He has a wide range of repertory, making it easy for him to sing just about anything and own any song he covers. And … Read more
The legendary country singer Willie Nelson is no stranger to songs about regret. In fact, one of his biggest career hits was about one – his 1972 track “Always on My Mind.” Then, he did a cover of Waylon Jennings’ “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” in 1980, which made it number one. And then … Read more
Country singer Trisha Yearwood, one of the genre’s biggest female artists, has a reputation for her sublime delivery of emotive songs. She knew how to take her listeners into the song and experience it. A testament to this is her 1993 lead single, “The Song Remembers When,” off her third studio album of the same … Read more
In 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh Turner lit everyone’s gloomy homes with his angelic voice when he released his cover of the Randy Travis classic, “Forever and Ever, Amen.” In a YouTube series called “Keepin’ It Country,” Turner honors Randy Travis for being one of his country music inspirations. In this … Read more
With the number of new country music artists popping out each year, only a few can stand out and make it to the top. Red Shahan, for instance, is among the 1% who will take over the industry soon, so to know more about him, here are some facts you should note. Red Shahan Is … Read more
In 2015, country singer Dwight Yoakam released his hit song “Second Hand Heart” as part of his album of the same title. A few weeks after its release, “Second Hand Heart” immediately climbed up the charts. This was apparent, considering Yoakam is one of the rising country artists of the 21st century. Throughout his career, … Read more
Forget the autotune for a second and think about that razing twang of a steel guitar underneath a starlit sky. That’s the magic of old country songs – the kind Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline poured their hearts into. Certainly, the pop anthems have a place, too, but these classics offer something different: a connection … Read more
With a reputation as one of country music’s most diverse artists, Conway Twitty wasn’t afraid to take on any style – including sensual ones. One particular track in that category that really stuck with fans was “I’d Love to Lay You Down.” Meaning Behind the Song Conway Twitty kicked off the ‘80s with a Johnny … Read more
In February 1957, the freshly signed Decca artist Bobby Helms took over the country genre with his chart-topping debut single “Fraulein.” The track, which was written by Lawton Williams, dominated for four weeks and went on to stay for the full 52-week stretch, which was one whole year. Thus, it is the sixth-longest song to … Read more
Loving again after your heart has been shattered into pieces is not easy, and Kenny Rogers and Anne Murray understood that. In fact, they sang a song about it titled “If I Ever Fall in Love Again.” Written by Steve Dordd and Gloria Sklerov, this country-pop duet was released by both Rogers and Murray in … Read more
We all have moments where we let ourselves dive into the world of our imagination, and the country song “All I Have To Do Is Dream” by The Everly Brothers is the perfect song for those who love walking into dreamland. Written by Boudleaux Bryant, a member of the husband-and-wife songwriting duo Felice and Boudleaux … Read more
Country and gospel often go together, with lyrics that often touch the soul or just want to rekindle that spark inside of us. A perfect example of these songs is “Let Me Live in the Light of His Love,” written by Ben Peters and originally recorded by American country music artist Charley Pride. Charley Pride … Read more
In 2020, the rising country pop star Andrea Vasquez released a relatable song titled “Runnin’ Wild” that everyone could jam to! As part of her Love Don’t Live Here – EP, “Runnin’ Wild” captured listeners’ attention, causing Vasquez to receive the fame she deserves. RELATED: 30 Country Breakup Songs to Soothe Your Soul Aside from … Read more
In 2006, CMT invited then-24-year-old LeAnn Rimes to sing Reba McEntire’s 1992 classic hit “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” for a tribute special. And the Texas native didn’t disappoint, moving everyone to tears with her knock-out-of-the-park rendition, including the original singer who was sitting in the front row. Rimes may be young – one … Read more
Termed as the “Springsteen of Country,” Bobby Bare released a melodic country song titled “Daddy What If” as part of his 1973 album, “Lullabys, Legends, and Lies.” Due to its relatively mellow tune, listening to every note feels so relaxing. Paired with Bare’s firm yet soft voice, “Daddy What If” instantly becomes a top hit … Read more
In 1949, the father of Bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, released his solo version of the 1930s gospel hit song “The Old Cross Road.” The song was initially released in 1937 by the Monroe Brothers. But after their disbandment in 1938, Bill Monroe continued his legacy of making good old country bluegrass music. Because of its … Read more
Written by Margaret Archer and Chet Atkins, the song was part of Stevens’ album Crakin’ Up! Throughout his career, Ray Stevens has made a name for himself as the Comedy King of Music City, so most of his works have a touch of comical tune and meaning. Some of his parody hits are “Gitarzan” and … Read more
In 2018, the American YouTube sensation Claire Crosby and her dad, Dave Crosby, released their cover of the hit Bebe Rexha country song “Meant to Be.” The original version of the song was released in 2017 by Bebe Rexha, featuring Florida Georgia Line, as part of Rexha’s third album, “All Your Fault.” Due to its … Read more
Noah Kahan holds the leading position of the top Americana/Folk Albums for February 2024. When Kahan released Stick Season on October 14, 2022 – which features collaborations with Hozier and Kacey Musgraves, among others – it swiftly resonated with fans that it ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums as well as Billboard’s Top … Read more
Country Queen Reba McEntire had everyone crying in just three minutes and fourteen seconds with the fourth and final single, “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” off her 1992 album For My Broken Heart. It was a realization of all the missed opportunities and unspoken words and a reminder to take a step back and … Read more
Country singer Tracy Byrd is one of the few who made it into the country music scene off their debut album – particularly two songs. First was his third single, “Holdin’ Heaven,” also one of his career’s biggest songs, which made him a household name, and second was his remake of Johnny Paycheck’s hit “Someone … Read more
Country singer Tracy Byrd never intended to become a singer. That’s one of the many facts people knew about him. He never joined a band or choir in his entire stay in the Texas public school system, and he chose to study Business when he got into university — but one moment changed the trajectory … Read more
In September 1993, a burgeoning country artist from MCA, Tracy Byrd, broke through the genre with his third single off his self-titled debut album, “Holdin’ Heaven.” And it was quite an entrance, too, interrupting Garth Brooks’ reign on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a week. Tracy Byrd didn’t intend to be a country … Read more
Before “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” by Taylor Swift, there was Don McLean’s “American Pie,” which ran for eight minutes and 42 seconds. McLean held the record for being the longest song to reach number one for almost 50 years until Swift dethroned him in 2021. The folk-rock anthem, written by McLean himself and … Read more
In 1986, American country pop singer Michael Johnson released another timeless hit, “Give Me Wings,” as part of his album, Wings. Right after it was released, “Give Me Wings” immediately climbed up the charts, landing at no. 1 on the “US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)” and no. 3 on the “Canadian RPM Country Tracks.” The … Read more
Willie Nelson’s Bluegrass reigns the number one spot of the Top Bluegrass Albums for January 2024 – where Nelson proves he is, without a doubt, the most prolific musical artist in American music history. In this phenomenal album, Nelson carefully selected from his extensive collection handpicked a team of talented musicians and recruited his longtime … Read more
Country singer LeAnn Rimes has rendered several songs by country music pioneers and has always done right by them. One of those songs was Waylon Jennings’ 1972 hit “A Good Hearted Woman,” which he co-wrote with his friend and fellow legend Willie Nelson. The Child Superstar LeAnn Rimes was just 11 when she had her … Read more
The final track of Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album Reputation, “New Year’s Day,” was starkly different from the rest. Unlike the synth-heavy electronic production concept of the whole album, this was a stripped-down piano ballad with raw piano riffs and occasional guitar and synth notes. But it was a fitting ending to the high-octane melodrama … Read more