Two of the genre’s finest unite for a heartfelt warning that cowboys “never stay home and they’re always alone, even with someone they love.” George Strait and Alan Jackson - “Murder on Music Row” Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson - “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” Roger Miller - “King of the Road”Ī soft tap on the bass, a snap of the finger and Miller's off to croon listeners with his 1964 vagabond tale. Jerry Reed - “Eastbound and Down”Ĭountry music's best addition to soundtrack canon? Maybe - it's the most lively, at least. Two-and-a-half minutes of truth that launched a career for this Tennessee legend. Kitty Wells - “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” The fastest-rising single of Lambert’s career remains a haunting exploration of her music's ability to resonate for repeated listens. Miranda Lambert - “The House That Built Me” Jeannie C. Riley - “Harper Valley PTA”Ī fictional Tennessee scandal that took Riley to the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Sure, Darius Rucker made it a hit, but little comes close to experiencing Old Crow howling this singalong for thousands of invested onlookers. Steve Earle - “Guitar Town”Ī foot-stomping country-rock tribute to wanderlust down a lost highway. Rosanne Cash - “Seven Year Ache”Ĭovered in drum loops and 1980s synthesized production, it's Rosanne Cash's sorrow that stands the test of time. It spent 40 weeks on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and 60 years at the top of mind for 1950s country classics. Carter Family - “Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By)”Ī torch-bearing call for country music that’s still celebrated on stages today. Recorded more than 90 years ago, 'T for Texas' is considered by many to be the premier song from a blue yodelin' father to the genre.

Don Williams - “Good Ole Boys Like Me”ĭuring the song's 1980 release and beyond, Williams explains why 'we're all gonna be what we're gonna be.' Jimmie Rodgers - “Blue Yodel (T for Texas)” Kris Kristofferson - “Sunday Morning Coming Down”Ĭash made it famous, but no song may better exemplify the power and impact of Kristofferson's pen.

Loretta Lynn - “Coal Miner's Daughter'Ī song, a film and a way of life for a generation raised on Lynn's working-class honesty. This self-penned tune became Twitty’s signature song, about a guy who can’t get over the woman he wronged and lost. With the title track of their debut album, mother and daughter Naomi and Wynonna Judd made their case for being the biggest country duo of the ‘80s. One of the biggest pop-country crossovers in history, the beloved duet has lived on through remixes and constant karaoke rotation. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton - “Islands in the Stream” Deanna Carter - 'Strawberry Wine'Ī commercial and critical success still filling Lower Broadway taverns with a chorus that offers 'My first taste of love, oh bittersweet.' The years go slowly by, but Jones still preys upon our minds. George Jones - “He Stopped Loving Her Today” With a rough but welcoming warmth, Stapleton croons a rendition of this country classic that’s worth toasting for years to come. Eric Church - “Springsteen”Ĭhurch expertly captures a fleeting feeling chased by all musicians - like the chorus says, “Sometimes a melody sounds like a memory.” Chris Stapleton - 'Tennessee Whiskey' On his 1989 chart-topper, Black tried - and failed - to drink a woman off of his mind. It's since been covered by everyone from Patti Page to Cyndi Lauper and Phish. In 1935, this jaunty tune became the first country song by a female artist to sell more than 1 million copies. Patsy Montana - 'I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart' The country music Class of 1989 returns to the all-time list, this time asking a question in the shadow of a generation-defining event. Alan Jackson - “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”

Roll with it country song