The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 5: 60-51. As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer. I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 5: 60-51.
60. Forever and Ever, Amen- Randy Travis
Randy Travis took on the Urban Cowboy craze head on in the late 1980's by releasing some of the best neo-traditional music you could ever ask for. Along with Ricky Skaggs and George Strait, Randy helped usher in a new appreciation for country music traditions "Forever and Ever, Amen" was Randy's biggest hit. It was written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet, and won an ACM for Song of The Year in 1987.
59. I Hope You Dance- Lee Ann Womack
One of the best country artists out there, Lee Ann Womack, released "I Hope you Dance" in 2000. It was written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers. It features uplifting lyrics about living life to the fullest and never looking back. The Sons of The Desert were featured on background vocals. The song was one of the biggest hits in country music history, It won Song of The Year at the CMA and ACM awards and won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2001. It hit number one on both the pop and country charts.
58. Hello Walls- Faron Young
This classic country heartbreak song hit number one of the country charts in 1961 for Faron Young, and hit number 12 on the pop charts as well. The song was one of Faron Young's biggest hits and one of the most well-known country songs from the golden era of the 50's and 60's. But, most importantly, this song introduced the world to a young up and coming songwriter by the name of Willie Nelson.
57. The House That Built Me- Miranda Lambert
Written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, "The House That Built Me" was a big hit for Miranda Lambert in 2010. It was originally pitched to her husband Blake Shelton, but when she heard it she knew she had to have it for herself. It is a soft and tender ballad about visiting you childhood home, and Miranda performs it with honesty and vulnerability that really drives it home. It won the CMA Song of The Year and the ACM Song of The Year and Single of The Year in 2010.
56. The Grand Tour- George Jones
Norro Wilson, Carmol Taylor, and George Richey wrote this timeless classic about a divorced man and in was recorded by George Jones 1974. George Jones had a way of squeezing every ounce of emotion from a lyric, and this song is a perfect example of that. It gets darker and sadder as the song progresses, and George makes you feel his pain the entire time. It hit number one on the country charts in 1974.
55. Fancy- Reba McEntire
Bobbie Gentry wrote this song and released it as a single in 1969, but Reba McEntire made it all her own in 1991. The song covers poverty, family, and prostitution. If that ain't country, I don't know what is. The controversial subject matter only let the song hit number eight on the country charts, but the effect of the song was felt for years.
54. Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)- Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
This classic hit was written by Chips Mormon and Bobby Emmons and recorded by Waylon and Willie for Waylon's 1977 album Ol' Waylon. The song celebrates the laid back style of life as opposed to chasing dollars. The song was the biggest commercial success of Waylon's career, spending 6 weeks at the top of the country charts and earning him a Grammy with Willie Nelson.
53. Foggy Mountain Breakdown- Flatt & Scruggs
This 1949 song from Flatt & Scruggs was written by Earl Scruggs and appeared as background music for pursuit scenes in the movie Bonnie and Clyde. The song is an instrumental and is driven by the 5 string banjo. Earl Scruggs is one of, if not the greatest, banjo pickers of all time, and he really gave it his all in this song. Banjo maestros have trouble replicating Scrugg's handiwork. This song was one of the most successful bluegrass songs of all time and influenced countless banjo pickers.
52. Today I Started Loving You Again- Merle Haggard
Although the Hag never had a charting hit with this song, it is still considered on of his best. Merle Haggard is a masterful songwriter, and this tune he penned was a hit for Sammi Smith, Kenny Rogers, and Emmylou Harris. The Haggard version is the best though, in my humble opinion. While it wasn't a big hit, it is one of the best country songs ever written. The story is what country music is all about, and that alone earns its place on this list.
51. Tennessee Waltz- Patti Page
Written by PeeWee King and Redd Stewart, "Tennessee Waltz" became one of the biggest hits of all time when Patti Page released her version in 1950. Patti's soaring vocals and the classical arrangement made this a huge crossover hit. The song hit number 2 on the country charts, and number one on the pop charts. It is also one of the official state songs of Tennessee.
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