The greatest country songs ever
What would you consider the top country songs of all time? What songs would you absolutely have to have on that tape, or CD, that you took with you to the proverbial desert island? Would they be classics? The best of the current crop? Songs that bring back memories of good times? Quirky novelty songs? Songs with a message?
Here's a starter list -- the songs that I'd have to include on my desert island collection, what you might call my personal Top 40. There's some of each category in this list, and it's purely subjective -- songs and performances that struck a chord with me. Some choices are obvious, some are off-the-wall.
THE TOP TEN
1. Crazy, Patsy Cline (right). Simply the best ever, any genre. End of argument.
2. Friends in Low Places, Garth Brooks. You'll notice I'm partial to songs that are just plain fun.
3. She's Single Again, Reba McEntire. A sassy, saucy example of early Reba.
4. Love At The Five And Dime, Kathy Mattea. Just a great song. And the other version, by Nanci Griffith -- who wrote the song -- almost made this list, too.
5. Someday Soon, Judy Collins. OK, so she's not a country artist. But this song had Canadian country legend Ian Tyson's imprint all over it. Besides, it features some pretty fabulous steel licks, always a plus in this corner.
6. Real Live Woman, Trisha Yearwood. An anthem for anyone who understands there's more to a relationship than glamour or looks.
7. All My Exes Live In Texas, George Strait. One test of a song -- is it one you start singing along to in the car? This one definitely qualifies.
8. The Letter Than Johnny Walker Read, Asleep At The Wheel. A quirky, fun song from their early days, featuring a fabulous vocal by Chris O'Connell. (This AATW fan misses her.)
9. For The Good Times, Ray Price. Classy song, classy performance, classy guy.
10. Luckenbach, Texas, Waylon Jennings with Willie Nelson. "Ain't nobody feelin' no pain �" another sing-along anthem.
THE NEXT THIRTY
11. Two More Bottles Of Wine, Emmylou Harris.
12. I Believe In You, Don Williams.
13. Together Again, Buck Owens.
14. I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool, Barbara Mandrell with George Jones.
15. Go Away (� No, Wait A Minute), Lorrie Morgan.
16. Faded Love, Bob Wills
17. Family Tradition, Hank Williams Jr.
18. You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma, David Frizzell and Shelly West
19. Gone Country, Alan Jackson
20. Lone Star State of Mind, Nanci Griffith.
21. Couldn't Do Nothin' Right, Rosanne Cash
22. Girls Night Out, The Judds
23. Miles And Miles of Texas, Asleep At The Wheel
24. Maybe It Was Memphis, Pam Tillis
25. Let 'Er Rip, Dixie Chicks
26. King Of The Road, Roger Miller
27. She's In Love With The Boy, Trisha Yearwood
28. Hey Bobby, K.T. Oslin
29. One Piece At A Time, Johnny Cash
30. Love Me Like You Used To, Tanya Tucker
31. Back To The Barrooms Again, Merle Haggard
32. Whoever's In New England, Reba McEntire
33. Heads Carolina, Tails California, JoDee Messina
34. To Be Loved By You, Wynonna
35. I'm That Kind Of Girl, Patty Loveless
36. If You Ain't Lovin', You Ain't Livin', Asleep At The Wheel
37. Walkin� The Floor Over You, Ernest Tubb
38. Sweet Dreams, Patsy Cline
39. Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses, Kathy Mattea
40. Could I Have This Dance, Anne Murray.
Agree? Disagree? Have any songs to add to the list? Post them to our Guestbook, or send me an e-mail. We'll add the responses to our consensus list (click here), and at some point maybe we'll reach agreement on the greatest country songs ever.
Or maybe not. The debate is the most fun.
Patsy Cline: She's No. 1
Photo: Razor and Tie website
Garth Brooks
Ray Price
Photo: Sandra Orwig
Emmylou Harris
Photo: CJ Ahman
Lorrie Morgan
Photo: Lorrie Morgan Fan Club
Pam Tillis
Merle Haggard
Trisha Yearwood
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