Bregxit said:

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Claude! said:

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Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Bobcat06 said:

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Post your top 10 country songs. One rule: only one song per artist. This isn't your 10 favorite George Strait songs.

1. You Never Even Call Me by My Name by David Allen Coe
2. Hurt by Johnny Cash
3. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings
4. Cowboy Rides Away by George Strait
5. Mama Tried by Merle Haggard
6. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams
7. Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr
8. Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn
9. Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
10. Friends in Low Place by Garth Brooks


Honorable mentions:
He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones
Wild Side of Life/It wasn't God who made Honky Tonk Angels by Hank Thompson & Kitty Wells
Crazy by Patsy Cline
You can have the Crown by Sturgill Simpson
Where were You by Alan Jackson
The Gambler by Kenny Rogers
Pancho & Lefty by Townes Van Zandt
Drinking Problem by Midland
Heartache Medication by Jon Pardi

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Hurt is not a country song.

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If Thunderstruck can be performed as bluegrass, Hurt can be performed as country.

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Except it isn't performed as country.

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Country is what you make it
Country is all in your mind

Quote:

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Ah, but one night in some empty room
Where no curtains ever hung
Like a miracle some golden words
Rolled off of someone's tongue

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Quote:

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Country is what you make it
Country is all in your mind

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Claude,

I've got to hand it to you. You're a clever guy! Throwing in lyrics from a Lacy J. Dalton song and from the Storyteller himself. Well done.

Marty Robbins - Ribbon of Darkness

Waylon Jennings - You Asked Me To (Side note: My all time favorite opening of any song anywhere. "Long ago and far away... in my old common labor shoes". Goddam beautiful poetry by Billy Joe Shaver)

Hank Jr - Family Tradition

REK - Gringo Honeymoon

Charlie Robison - Indianola

Willie - Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

Merle Haggard - California Cottonfields

Steve Earle - Copperhead Road

Cory Morrow - Straight to Hell

George Strait - Amarillo by Morning

Belton Ag said:

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Merle Haggard - California Cottonfields

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Now that's one helluva song and performance!

Had it been a single, I'm sure it would have been at the top of the charts, and Merle didn't even write it.

Hey...so.. um said:

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I'm with you until 7-10. Zac brown band and brooks and dunn shouldn't be in the top 10 in my opinion.

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It would be very easy to make a top 10 list with no songs recorded after the 1970s. But I believe that quality country music is being produced today.

The last decade was heavily criticized for being dominated by both "bro country" and "boyfriend country". (and rightfully so). However, just because the genre has a lot of low talent hacks following corporate orders, doesn't mean that quality country music isn't being produced.

Zac Brown Band, Luke Combs, Midland, Sturgill Simpson (kind of), Chris Stapleton and Jon Pardi are still making really good country music. Jon Pardi's album "Heartache Medication" is one of the best albums I've ever heard (of any genre). The only reason I didn't include it is recency bias.

Side note: If you haven't seen this video, you should

Chicken Fried is inoffensive, so in that regard it distinguishes itself from most current country. It has no business in a conversation about greatest country songs.

Big Iron - Marty Robbins
Better Man - Clint Black
Someday - Alan Jackson
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground - Willie
Every Mile of the Ride - Lindi Ortega
S Lazy H - Corb Lund
L.A. Freeway - Guy Clark
Life on the Road - Jerry Jeff Walker
Ace in the Hole - George Strait
Slow Burn - Kacey Musgraves

Honorable Mention: Faster Horses - Tom T Hall

Bregxit said:

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Claude! said:

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Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Bobcat06 said:

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Post your top 10 country songs. One rule: only one song per artist. This isn't your 10 favorite George Strait songs.

1. You Never Even Call Me by My Name by David Allen Coe
2. Hurt by Johnny Cash
3. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings
4. Cowboy Rides Away by George Strait
5. Mama Tried by Merle Haggard
6. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams
7. Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr
8. Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn
9. Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
10. Friends in Low Place by Garth Brooks


Honorable mentions:
He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones
Wild Side of Life/It wasn't God who made Honky Tonk Angels by Hank Thompson & Kitty Wells
Crazy by Patsy Cline
You can have the Crown by Sturgill Simpson
Where were You by Alan Jackson
The Gambler by Kenny Rogers
Pancho & Lefty by Townes Van Zandt
Drinking Problem by Midland
Heartache Medication by Jon Pardi

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Hurt is not a country song.

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If Thunderstruck can be performed as bluegrass, Hurt can be performed as country.

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Except it isn't performed as country.

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The Dance Garth Brooks
I can still make Cheyenne George Strait
That's my Job Conway Twitty
Two Sparrows in a Hurricane Tanya Tucker
Always on My Mind Willie Nelson
Annie's Song John Denver
Neon Moon Brooks and Dunn
Pancho and Lefty Merle Haggard
Cowboy Take Me Away Dixie Chicks
Independence Day Martina McBride

Just scrolling through Spotify and these jumped out to me -

An Empty Glass - Gary Stewart
Hand on the Wheel - Willie
Good Ole Boys Like Me - Don Williams
Turtles All the Way Down - Sturgill
Tonight We Ride - Tom Russell (somewhat obscure compared to the others, give it a listen)
Rollin with the Flow - Charlie Rich
Down on the Rio Grande - Johnny Rodriguez
Weatherman - Hank Williams, Jr.
You Ain't just whistlin Dixie - Bellamy Brothers
Ballad of a southern man - Whiskey Myers (close call as could be considered southern rock)
Gallo Del Ciello - Joe Ely
That's My Job - Conway
Jessie with the long hair - REK
In Color - Jamey Johnson
Colder Weather - Zac Brown
Time Marches On - Tracey Lawrence
A thousand miles from nowhere - Dwight
Are you sure hank done it this way - Waylon
Scarecrow in the garden - Chris Stapleton
A Song for You - Leon Russell
Cowboy Rides Away - George Strait

JCA1 said:

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Tonight We Ride - Tom Russell (somewhat obscure compared to the others, give it a listen)

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Maybe not the greatest, but 10 of my favorites

Northeast Texas Women Willis Alan Ramsey
Girl from the North Country Dylan, Cash
That's How I Got to Memphis Tom T Hall
Dallas The Flatlanders
Walking After Midnight Patsy Cline
Amarillo Highway Terry Allen
Tear Stained Eye Son Volt
This Old Porch Lyle
Gringo Honeymoon REK
Funny How Time Slips Away Willie

[On this board you can add substance to the conversation or not post. -Staff]

1. Amarillo by Morning by George Strait
2. Feelin' Good Again by Robert Earl Keen
3. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings
4. Callin Baton Rouge by Garth Brooks
5. You Never Even Called Me by My Name by David Allen Coe
6. Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn
7. The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash
8. I Don't Need Your Rockin Chair by George Jones
9. Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
10. Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother by Jerry Jeff Walker

AggieChemist said:

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This is of course impossible, but I'll throw out a few.

Ten Year of This -- Gary Stewart
The Ride -- David Allen Coe
Amarillo By Morning -- George Strait
Sing Me Back Home -- Merle Haggard
Midnight Choir -- Gatlin Brothers
Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes -- George Jones
Heaven Can't Be Found -- Hank Williams Jr.
I'm Over You -- Keith Whitley
I Sang Dixie -- Dwight Yoakum

And just to prove I'm not a Dinosaur (great song by Hank, Jr, btw)

Bottles and Bibles -- Tyler Childers

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Ten Year of This -- Gary Stewart

Great song! An Empty Glass is still my favorite, but good call.

1. An Empty Glass - Gary Stewart
2. I Ain't Her Cowboy Anymore - George Strait
3. Burn One Down - Clint Black
4. You Don't Know a Thing About Me - Gary Allan
5. I'll Try - Alan Jackson
6. The Moon Over Georgia - Shenandoah
7. In a Different Light - Doug Stone
8. I Should Have Been True - The Mavericks
9. The Note - Daryle Singletary
10. Until You - Billy Currington

Hon Mention: Aint That Lonely Yet - D Yoakam, Too Cold at Home - Mark Chestnutt, Drinkin' Problem - Midland, Fire Away - Chris Stapleton, Who Needs Pictures - Brad Paisley, You Won't Ever Be Lonely - Andy Griggs

1. Faded Love, Bob Wills
2. The Other Woman, Ray Price
3. Crazy, Patsy Cline
4. Hello Walls, Faron Young
5. Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboy, Lefty Frizzell
6. He Stopped Loving Her Today, George Jones
7. Silver Wings, Merle Haggard
8. I Can Still Make Cheyenne, George Strait
9. Texas Dance Hall Girl, Johnny Bush
10. Out of Hand, Gary Stewart

I might change my mind on some. Willie & Waylon should be in there somewhere, but they weren't by the time I typed it out. Also, yeah I know I'm old and there's only one song on the list from the last 25 years. There've been other good lists & I might look into some of those artists that I'm not so familiar with.

In no particular order:
Drinkin' Thing - Gary Stewart
Marge is At the Lincoln Park Inn -Bobby Bare
That's the Way Love Goes - Merle
You Asked Me To - Waylon
Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning - Willie
I'm No Stranger to the Rain - Keith Whitley
Help Me Make it Through the Night- Sammi Smith
Fool Hearted Memory- George Strait
Good Year For the Roses - George Jones
Just Get Up and Close the Door- Johnny Rodriguez

No particular order:

If I Could Only Fly: Merle Haggard
2 Doors Down: Dwight Yoakam
Feeling Good Again: REK
Empty Glass: Gary Stewart
Fool Hearted Memory: George
Look at You Girl: Chris Ledoux
I Believe in You: Don Williams
Faster Horses: Tom T Hall
Hello Mary Lou: Statler Brothers
El Cerrito Place: Charlie Robinson

..." I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes there in the ashtray
Lyin' cold the way you left 'em, but at least your lips caressed them while
You packed
Or the lip-print on a half-filled cup of coffee that you poured and didn't drink
But at least you thought you wanted it, that's so much more than I can say
For me"...

My friend, they don't write 'em like that anymore....

And Gary Stewart was way way under appreciated imho...

I'm gonna Claude it and spitball my top ten.
May or may not be happy with it.

In no particular order:

1) Some Fools Never Learn - Steve Wariner
2) The Blues Man - Alan Jackson/Hank Jr (Both nail it)
3) Smoky Mountain Rain - Ronnie Millsap
4) Rose Colored Glasses - John Conlee
5) The Grand Tour - George Jones
6) I Still Can't Believe You're Gone - Willie Nelson
7) Much Too Young - Garth Brooks
8) Good Lord Lorrie - Turnpike Troubadours
9) Everything is You - Eli Young Band
10) Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn

No particular order:
Feeling Good Again - REK
He stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones
I'm so Lonesome I could Cry - Hank Williams
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain - Willie Nelson
Amarillo By Morning - George Straight
The Dance - Garth Brooks
Live Forever - Billy Joe Shaver
Songs About Texas - Pat Green
Third Coast- Larry Joe Taylor
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

Love Tonight we Ride. Not sure about the video you posted though?.?.

JABQ04 said:

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Love Tonight we Ride. Not sure about the video you posted though?.?.

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So it wasn't just me. . .

JCA1 said:

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JABQ04 said:

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Love Tonight we Ride. Not sure about the video you posted though?.?.

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So it wasn't just me. . .

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When I looked for into YouTube that song was the 2nd choice.

I'm going to cheat and make two lists because I feel like it. First list is top ten in no particular order.
1. George Jones - He Stopped Loving Her Today
2. Bob Wills - Faded Love
3. Don Williams - Amanda
4. Marty Robbins - Big Iron
5. Garth Brooks - The Dance
6. Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue
7. Willie Nelson - Hello Walls
8. Hank Williams - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
9. Kris Kristofferson - Why Me
10. Patsy Cline - Crazy

This list is Texas/Red Dirt/folk artists/less popular artists that did some damn good songs:
1. Turnpike Troubadours - The Funeral
2. The Steeldrivers - Good Corn Liquor (yes I realize this is essentially Chris Stapleton, but I don't care)
3. Tyler Childers - Whitehouse Road
4. Reckless Kelly - Crazy Eddie's Last Hurrah
5. Robert Earl Keen - Feelin' Good Again
6. Hayes Carll - Long Way Home
7. Ryan Bingham - Bread & Water
8. Slaid Cleaves - Breakfast in Hell
9. Jason Isbell - Alabama Pines
10. Chris Knight - Hard Edges

Not one mention of Joe Diffie

Bobcat06 said:

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Hey...so.. um said:

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I'm with you until 7-10. Zac brown band and brooks and dunn shouldn't be in the top 10 in my opinion.

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It would be very easy to make a top 10 list with no songs recorded after the 1970s. But I believe that quality country music is being produced today.

The last decade was heavily criticized for being dominated by both "bro country" and "boyfriend country". (and rightfully so). However, just because the genre has a lot of low talent hacks following corporate orders, doesn't mean that quality country music isn't being produced.

Zac Brown Band, Luke Combs, Midland, Sturgill Simpson (kind of), Chris Stapleton and Jon Pardi are still making really good country music. Jon Pardi's album "Heartache Medication" is one of the best albums I've ever heard (of any genre). The only reason I didn't include it is recency bias.

Side note: If you haven't seen this video, you should

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Bo did it better, this is the epitome of today's "country".

I also love "Cactus and a Rose". Stewart was such a great honky tonk crooner.