Best Country Songs

Choosing the best country songs is like picking the best children from a large family. There are so many wonderful songs, and so many stylistic variations. Therefore, this list is a sampling of the best, from a number of varying perspectives.

1. Tammy Wynette “Stand By Your Man.” Never mind the Blues Brother version of this song. Go straight to the original, instead. Tammy Wynette was married to the hard-drinking George Jones for many years, so nobody knows more about standing by your man.
2. Ray Charles “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Brother  Ray Charles mixes soul in with his country. In fact, he invented soul music, so everything he does has a little soul. A man that can't stop loving his woman, is a desperate man, indeed.
3. Merle Haggard “Mama Tried.” No, Merle Haggard didn't spend 20 years in prison doing life without parole. However, he did do time in the slammer. His mama probably did try to raise him right. Nevertheless, many great country singers are also rebels.
4. Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys  “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” This song was also memorably covered by Elvis. Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass, still put his signature on it.
5. Patsy Cline “Sweet Dreams.” When Patsy Cline sang about sweet dreams, she did so dreamily. This was probably countrypolitan before countrypolitan was even cool. She was just such a pure singer, and this is one of her best songs.
6. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys “Faded Love.” Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys made the best country swing music, and this reflective song showed the world just how great the man truly was. The love may have faded, but the fine musical power lives on.
7. Johnny Cash “Ring of Fire.” June Carter Cash actually wrote this hot song. It became one of Cash's best country songs. Just listen to the horn section that propels it.
8. Hank Williams Sr. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Many of the best country songs are also sad songs. And few are sadder that this one. You may not be lonesome like old Hank, buy you may well cry when you hear it.
9. Loretta Lynn "Coal Miner's Daughter." The best country songs are true to life. This song tells the true story of how Loretta Lynn was, in fact, a coal miner's daughter. They sure don't make 'em like Loretta anymore.
10. George Jones “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” George Jones recorded, perhaps, the saddest country song of all time with "He Stopped Loving Her Today." This is one of the best country songs because it expresses true love. He said he'd lover her till he died. This song tells about his death, which is when he stopped loving his woman.