People love to hate country music. While I understand that music taste is subjective and not all music is for everyone, I am a firm believer that country songs are the best out there. From classics like Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”, to newer hits like ERNEST and Morgan Wallen’s “Flower Shops”, there’s a little something for everyone.
The following songs range from slow and sappy to upbeat and feel-good. They are guaranteed to give you a well-rounded glimpse into the world of country music. So, if you’re one of those country music haters, allow me to change your mind— or at least try.
- “Chicken Fried” by zac brown band
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We’re starting strong with an absolute classic. “Chicken Fried” is the perfect summertime, driving-with-the- windows-down, singing-with-your-best-friends type of song. Zac Brown Band admires the little things in life, like perfect-fitting jeans, a cold drink on a Friday night, and, of course, fried chicken.
- “Drinkin’ Problem” by Midland
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One of my personal favorites, this is a fun, catchy song about a guy drinking his problems away after a breakup. The chorus (“People say I got a drinkin’ problem, but I got no problem drinkin’ at all) is one that is sure to get stuck in your head in the best way possible. This song is a guaranteed mood booster.
- “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker
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This is another classic that you just can’t do without. In this fast-paced song, Darius Rucker sings about a journey from the East Coast to the South (you’ll probably appreciate it even more if you’re from North Carolina, which is his destination in the song). Once you’ve heard it, this catchy song is almost impossible to forget.
Amelia Kramer / Her Campus - “7 Summers” by Morgan Wallen
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This song is a must-listen. It’s the type of song that, no matter how many times it shuffles on Spotify, you can never bring yourself to skip it. Morgan Wallen reminisces on an old relationship and takes all of his listeners along with him. “7 Summers” is the perfect song if you’re longing for a sense of nostalgia.
- “Cover Me Up” by Morgan Wallen
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It felt wrong to write this list without “Cover Me Up.” Honestly, if I could put all of Morgan Wallen’s songs on here I would, especially from his album Dangerous: The Double Album. This song is on the slower side, but it is definitely a staple in all of my friends’ playlists (and hopefully, after this, it will be in yours, too).
- “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs
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You can also never go wrong with any music by Luke Combs. “Beautiful Crazy” is a love song dedicated to Combs’ wife (they are an adorable couple, making the song 10x better). This is a great one for anyone in a relationship.
- “Mercy” by Brett Young
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Brett Young’s “Mercy” is a good song to belt in the car. Young sings about begging his girlfriend to have mercy on him during and after their breakup. You’ll find a lot of breakup blues in country music and this song is no exception.
- “Lovin’ On You” by Luke Combs
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Here’s another one of Luke Combs’ songs. This one is more upbeat than the last, but is still proof of Combs’ cute relationship with his wife. “Lovin’ On You” is almost impossible to not sing along to and is another perfect song to get you in a good mood.
- “‘Til You Can’t” by Cody Johnson
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This song is one of my favorites. The lyrics encourage listeners to take chances and chase their dreams, cautioning against waiting for the “right time” to come. As Cody Johnson says, “don’t wait on tomorrow cause tomorrow may not come”. The music is good, but the lyrics are what really steal the show here.
- “Flower Shops” by ERNEST feat. Morgan Wallen
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Finally, we’re ending on a more recently released song. The lyrics of “Flower Shops” tell the story of a man who has disappointed his girlfriend one too many times. No matter how many flowers he buys her, nothing can make up for what he’s done. One of the catchiest lines here, in my opinion, comes straight from the chorus: “It’s a tough day for love, but a good day for flower shops.”
So feel free to hate my perfectly curated country playlist, but don’t be surprised if you accidentally fall in love with any of these ten songs.
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