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20 Of The Greatest Love Songs In Country Music History
In a genre that's all about "three chords and the truth," it's really no surprise that love songs are a major player in country music. From the genre's origins, love songs have played a prominent role both on the charts and in the hearts of country music fans everywhere.
Flip through the gallery below for a look at 20 of the all-time greatest country music love songs, including classics from Johnny Cash and Charley Pride alongside newer favorites like Chris Stapleton's take on "Tennessee Whiskey."
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"Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'," Charley PrideMichael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Released by Charley Pride in 1971, this cheery bit of relationship advice was a crossover success on the country and pop charts. Since its release, "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'" remains one of the genre's best love songs and has been covered by everyone from George Jones to Alan Jackson.
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"Hello Darlin," Conway TwittyMichael Levin/Corbis via Getty Images
Conway Twitty certainly knows his way around a love song, and 1970's "Hello Darlin'" is among his finest. A favorite of his live audiences everywhere, Twitty's rendition of this legendary love song was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, six years after his death.
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"When You Say Nothing At All," Keith WhitleyMichael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Whether you prefer the Keith Whitley original or the chart-topping Alison Krauss cover, "When You Say Nothing At All" is the definition of a classic country love song. First released in 1988, the song hit #1 just months before Whitley died of alcohol poisoning in 1999.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The chemistry that the actual love between Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, who have been married since 1996, gives an unparalleled authenticity to "It's Your Love," released by the duo in 1997.
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"I Cross My Heart," George StraitRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Recorded for "Pure Country," the classic film that stars George Strait as an up-and-coming troubadour, "I Cross My Heart" remains one of his most iconic tracks since its release in 1992.
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"Ring of Fire," Johnny CashGijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
Written by June Carter just around the time she was falling in love with the Man in Black, Johnny Cash's version of "Ring of Fire" was a #1 hit upon its release in 1963. The two were married shortly after and remained deeply in love until Carter's death in 2003.
David Redfern/Redferns
Arguably the most legendary love song in country music history, Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" was written amid the angst of her professional split with performing partner Porter Wagoner. And then of course came Whitney Houston's legendary cover of the song in 1992, which remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
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Co-written by Shania Twain and released in 1998, "You're Still The One" was an immediate #1 hit. The song continues to be a popular fixture at weddings and anniversary parties thanks to its lyrics about the kind of romance that can stand the test of time.
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"Forever and Ever Amen," Randy TravisPaul Natkin/Getty Images
As its name might imply, this 1987 classic from Randy Travis is a promise to love someone until the end of time. It immediately resonated with audiences, earning a Grammy Award and the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year after its release.
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"Love Can Build A Bridge," The JuddsPaul Natkin/Getty Images
Co-written by Naomi Judd as she struggled with a life-threatening illness, "Love Can Build A Bridge" is an important reminder of the power of unity. "When we stand together, it's our finest hour," the mother-daughter duo sings. "We can do anything, keep believin' in the power." Wise words, indeed.
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"Butterflies," Kacey MusgravesRich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella
This sweet little tune from Musgraves's wildly popular 2018 album "Golden Hour" is all about those little flutters that pop up in your stomach when you're falling in love. In 2019, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance.
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"Always On My Mind," Willie NelsonRick Kern/WireImage
This classic country ballad has been recorded by many famous artists — including B.J. Thomas and Brenda Lee — but Willie Nelson's deeply earnest recording of "Always On My Mind" became the standard in 1982. It was a crossover hit for Nelson, earning him three Grammy Awards and platinum certification from the Recording Industry Academy of America.
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"She's In Love With The Boy," Trisha YearwoodJason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Trisha Yearwood exploded onto the country music scene in 1992 with "She's In Love With The Boy," one of the genre's finest story songs. A fun look at a small-town teenage romance, it's perfect for belting on a road trip with the person you love.
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"Bless The Broken Road," Rascal FlattsEthan Miller/Getty Images
This seriously sweet tune scored Rascal Flatts a #1 hit in 2005, but that wasn't the first recording of "Bless The Broken Road." Nope, that came in 1994, when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released a version that's just as fun and catchy as its chart-topping successor.
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"He Stopped Loving Her Today," George JonesDavid Redfern/Redferns
Some say that "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is the greatest country song of all time, but pretty much everyone would agree that it is one of the genre's finest love songs. It isn't exactly uplifting but is a testament to lifelong love, even if unrequited.
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"When I Said I Do," Clint Black and Lisa Hartman BlackRick Diamond/Getty Images
Eight years after marrying actress Lisa Hartman, country crooner Clint Black teamed up with his wife to record "When I Said I Do," a beloved ballad that was a #1 hit when it was released in 1999.
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"Tennessee Whiskey," Chris StapletonC Flanigan/Getty Images
The original versions of this song, recorded by David Allan Coe and George Jones, are certainly legendary. But in 2015, Chris Stapleton's killer vocals and bluesy arrangement revived "Tennessee Whiskey" for a whole new generation of country fans.
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"Amazed," LonestarC Brandon/Redferns
After its release in 1999, "Amazed" was an immediate addition to the playlist of basically every wedding DJ in America. The song shot to the top of the Billboard country charts, spending eight weeks at #1, and earning Lonestar a crossover success on the Billboard Hot 100.
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An important reminder for all of us to show the ones we care about how much we love them right now, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" is considered by Garth Brooks — and many others — to be his signature track.
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"Breathe," Faith HillAaron Rapoport/Corbis via Getty Images
A major hit on the Billboard pop and country charts, "Breathe" made Faith Hill a bonafide pop-country icon in 1999. The title track of her fourth album was the top song of the year 2000.
26 Perfect Country Karaoke Songs, Ranked
Shigeichi Negishi, the creator of the original karaoke machine called "The Sparko Box," died in January. In his honor, we take a look at the 26 best country karaoke songs of all time.
And, we ranked them!
Karaoke has become a worldwide phenomenon since its invention in 1967. It started out in homes and quickly moved to bars and drinking establishments all across the world.
In America, karaoke has long been night out entertainment for people who want to add a little flavor to a drab night of drinking at a local watering hole. Country music has been an integral part of the success of karaoke in the States — who wouldn't want to sing along to Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup"?
There are several country songs that have transcended the genre and have become full-on pop-culture events — "Friends in Low Places," everyone? These songs will continue to be the driving force at fun-filled karaoke nights.
In celebration of the life and legacy of Mr. Negishi, check out the best picks of country karaoke songs.
26 Perfect Country Karaoke Songs, RankedKaraoke was invented by Shigeichi Negishi in 1967. "The Sparko Box" was invented for the purpose of playing songs in the background with a hot microphone to be able to add in your own vocals. Today, the art of karaoke is still a worldwide phenomenon — but it's particularly popular in the country world.
Gallery Credit: Evan Paul
The 40 Most-Played Country Songs of the Last 50 YearsCountry music has come a long way in the last 50 years. Its popularity has continued to trend upward in the mainstream, and it doesn't look like it will be stopping anytime soon — it's more listened-to than ever! Check out a list of the Top 40 most-played country songs of the last 50 years, and see if your favorite artist has a hit here.
Gallery Credit: Evan Paul
The 30 Most Controversial Songs in Country, RankedCountry singers have a long history of stirring it up. Here are 30 of the most controversial country songs, ranked from least to most controversial.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
The Best Shania Twain Songs Of All Time
Shania Twain has been writing and performing chart-topping songs for more than 25 years and we're not gonna lie, that does impress us much. A whole lot, in fact.
Not only is Twain the top-selling female country artist of all time, but since releasing her Grammy-winning album "The Woman in Me" back in 1995, the singer has blazed a trail for women in music, making way for artists like Taylor Swift and creating a new genre of pop country music in her wake.
Not afraid to bare her soul (or some skin like in a recent photoshoot celebrating self-love), the 57-year-old singer continues to make headlines, whether it's by performing a duet with Harry Styles or fearlessly going all in with her Grammy outfit.
To celebrate her many accomplishments, we've put together a list of the best Shania Twain songs of all time.
We've included obvious cuts like "Still the One" and "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" from Twain's groundbreaking album "Come On Over."
There are also a few additions from Twain's newest offering,"Queen of Me," which she is sure to perform during her worldwide tour that kicks off in April.
To come up with this list, we turned to the charts — Billboard's Hot 100 and Country Singles charts along with Spotify's streaming records. Read on for the essential Shania Twain playlist.
'What Made You Say That' (1993)Was it the moonlight, was it the starlight? We may never know, but one thing's for sure: Twain's single "What Made You Say That" was the first of many hits for the singer and her midriff-baring video proved to be incendiary. "I was braless and, you know, baring my midriff," Twain recalls in a Reuters video. "It was just about feeling liberated and not being under anyone's thumb."
'Any Man of Mine' (1995)Winner of best country song at the 38th Grammy Awards, this song off "The Woman in Me" has the singer laying down the law for her man instead of it being the other way around. Directed by John Derek ("10 Commandments"), the video shows Twain rustling up cattle and taking charge.
'Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under' (1995)Co-written with producer (and future ex-husband) Robert "Mutt" Lange, Twain doesn't mince words in "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under." Cheating and sleeping around don't fly with the singer who warns "Next time you're lonely / Don't call on me / Try the operator / Maybe she'll be free."
'(If You're Not in it For Love) I'm Outta Here!' (1995)Yet another hit off of "The Woman in Me," this tune is another successful collaboration with then-husband Lange. In "(If You're Not in it For Love) I'm Outta Here!" Twain makes it clear that guys with "lyin' eyes" shouldn't bother wasting her time.
'God Bless the Child' (1996)Not to be confused with Billie Holiday's hit by the same name, "God Bless the Child" is a sweet, soulful song co-written by Twain. A departure from some of her sassier singles off "The Woman in Me" album, the ballad is a nod to Twain's difficult childhood and a portion of the sales went to help fight childhood hunger.
'Love Gets Me Every Time' (1997)With a decidedly new rock edge to her music, Twain's "Come On Over" album went on to become the world's biggest-selling studio album by a solo female artist, moving more than 40 million copies. The first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 was "Love Gets Me Every Time," an upbeat earworm that has the gol' darn singer falling in love.
'Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)' (1997)It's OK to get jealous once in a while because, hey, it happens to everyone. But if you carried away, say reading emails over Shania's shoulder or getting suspicious when she paints her nails, you're crossing the line. At least that's the message in "Don't Be Stupid (You Know I love You)," the second song from "Come On Over" to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
'You're Still the One' (1998)In a sit-down interview with TODAY.Com, Twain said this 1998 hit is the "most important song" she's ever written due to its wide-reaching appeal and special significance to so many couples. "You're Still the One" spent 42 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, has nearly 400 million streams on Spotify and won two Grammys (best country song and best female country vocal performance).
'From This Moment On' (1998)Twain's "From This Moment On" is another of the singer's biggest hits co-written with her then-husband. A beloved wedding song, it begins with tender marriage vows before making promises of eternal love and happiness.
'Honey, I'm Home' (1998)Honey, I'm home! Twain gives the outdated husband-comes-home-from-work-and-wife-waits-on-him stereotype a new spin by telling her man to rub her feet, give her something good to eat and, while he's at it, fix up her favorite treat because, dang, it's been a long day. This fiddle-driven tune went to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart.
'That Don't Impress Me Much' (1999)Brad Pitt? Ryan Reynolds? Who cares? This tune will live on forever. Period. (But it really peaked in 1999 when it spent 28 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100.)
'Man! I Feel Like a Woman!' (1999)Let's go girls! In yet another trailblazing video, Twain puts a playful spin on Robert Palmer's 1986 "Addicted to Love" by swapping out expressionless female models for hunky male musicians.
"You've Got a Way" (1999)This sweet, melodic ballad may not have reached the heights that "You're Still the One" and "From This Moment" did, but it's still a fan favorite." Still, it received plenty of high acclaim: The song was featured on the soundtrack for the classic rom-com "Notting Hill" and nominated for song of the year at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.
'Come On Over' (1999)The title track off the record-breaking "Come On Over" is a bouncy, light song all about feeling good. "Be a winner / Be a star / Be happy to be who you are," sings Twain before inviting listeners to c'mon over, put their feet up and take a load off their mind.
'I'm Gonna Getcha Good!' (2002)After touring for "Come On Over," Twain returned the studio with Lange to record her fourth studio album and released "Up" in the fall of 2002. The album's lead single "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!" is one of many songs with an exclamation point in the title — a signature trademark of the singer's.
'Up!' (2003)Oh, oh, oh, things can only go up from here and sky-high is exactly where this album went, selling millions of records and earning the singer her third Diamond-rated album by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album's title song is a feel-good ode to keeping a positive attitude even when everything seems to be going wrong.
'Forever and for Always' (2003)Nominated for two Grammys in 2004, "Forever and for Always" didn't take home a trophy, but it did catch the attention of a certain purple-loving legend. Calling Prince "a very dear" friend, Twain said that the "When Doves Cry" singer was a fan and recorded a cover of song, inspiring Twain to include it in her 2019 Las Vegas residency.
'She's Not Just a Pretty Face' (2003)She's a geologist, a soldier, an astronaut, a mother of three and a whole lot more in this toe-tapping tune all about girl power. "She's Not Just a Pretty Face" pays tribute to "every woman in the world," reminding females everywhere that they can be anything they want.
'It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing' (2004)"It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing" is a sad love letter to a former flame where Twain asks if life's treated them well since their breakup.As for Twain? It only hurts when she's breathing. If that's not bad enough, her heart breaks when it's beating and dreams die when she's dreaming.
'Today Is Your Day' (2011)After a long break, the singer returned to the spotlight in 2011, appearing in the documentary "Why Not?" and releasing the single "Today is Your Day," a fitting song about never giving up.
'Giddy Up!' (2023)Twain returns to her spirited roots with the high-energy "Giddy Up!" — exclamation point and all. The single off of Twain's 2023 album "Queen of Me" has the singer getting "drunk in the city" with "smiles for miles." What could be better than that?
This article was originally published on TODAY.Com
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