“I Swear”
John Michael Montgomery
Kickin’ It Up
Warner/Reprise Cntry Adv (1994)
“Any Man of Mine”
Shania Twain
The Woman in Me
Mercury Nashville (1995)
“Blue Clear Sky”
George Strait
Blue Clear Sky
MCA Nashville (1996)
“It’s Your Love”
Tim McGraw, feat. Faith Hill
Everywhere
Curb Records (1997)
“Wide Open Spaces”
Dixie Chicks
Wide Open Spaces
SBME Special Mkts. (1998)
The song hit #1 on Billboard charts, the album was Album of the Year, and the band was named some version of best new group at the CMAs and the AMAs, among others. And that was only the beginning. Natalie Maines’ lead powerhouse voice is proof of what talent ought to be and I’ll never forget when I saw Martie Maguire on the fiddle and Emily Robison on the banjo live on their Fly tour—these women can jam, for real. Forget everything else you know about the Dixie Chicks—when it comes to musical prowess, they still reign supreme. —Gabriella
“Amazed”
Lonestar
Lonely Grill
SBME Special Mkts. (1999)
“I Hope You Dance”
Lee Ann Womack
I Hope You Dance
MCA Nashville (2000)
I dare you to listen to this song and not be inspired. “I Hope You Dance” is a litany—a beautiful, melodious litany at that—of good advice. Womack advises listeners to not take a single breath for granted, never settle for the path of least resistance, and give faith a fighting chance. The song is touching, powerfully sung, and has a great message. There’s a reason it shot to the top of the charts. —Lauren
“My List”
Toby Keith
Pull My Chain
Dreamworks Nashville (2001)
“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”
Alan Jackson
Drive
Arista (2002)
“Redneck Woman”
Gretchen Wilson
Here for the Party
Sony (2004)
“El Cerrito Place”
Charlie Robison
Good Times
Dualtone Music (2004)
“4th of July”
Shooter Jennings, feat. George Jones
Put the O Back in Country
Show Dog Universal Music (2005)
“What I Really Mean”
Robert Earl Keen
What I Really Mean
Koch Records (2005)
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down”
Johnny Cash
American V: A Hundred Highways
Lost Highway Records (2006)
Though the lyrics aren’t original—the song is a traditional folk song—the Man in Black’s version certainly is. In this rendition, Cash is at his dark and subversive best. He takes a hopeful, upbeat gospel song and flips it on its head, turning the tune into something raw and brooding, infused with Old Testament grimness. When you consider that the song was recorded near the end of Cash’s life, it takes on an even deeper, more powerful meaning—it’s a song of redemption and reflection. —Lauren
“Chicken Fried”
Zac Brown Band
The Foundation
Atlantic (2008)
“In Color”
Jamey Johnson
That Lonesome Song
Mercury Nashville Records (2008)
“In Color” won Song of the Year at the AMAs in 2009 and was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Country Song category. The real test, though, is how a song makes the listener feel. The imagery is strong, the production is thankfully minimal, Johnson’s voice couldn’t be more appropriate, and he nails the delivery. The chorus stays in your head long after you’ve heard it and if you listen to the lyrics and aren’t moved, you’ve got a heart of stone. —Bob
“Horse Doctor Come Quick”
Corb Lund
Losin’ Lately Gambler
New West Records (2009)
“You and Tequila”
Kenny Chesney, feat. Grace Potter
Hemingway’s Whiskey
Sony Nashville/BNA (2010)
There’s nothing better than when mainstream jumps the tracks. Prior to this album, Chesney was selling over a million tickets to his shows each summer. This hauntingly beautiful composition is a result of stepping back from the limelight and looking deep into the soul of music… where he found Grace Potter. Completely unfamiliar with each other’s works until this song, the duo crosses musical boundaries and delivers fresh-yet-timeless tunes to our thankful ears. —Gabriella
“The Weary Kind”
Ryan Bingham
Crazy Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
New West Records (2010)
Ryan Bingham became an in-the-know sensation after his appearance in and collaboration on the soundtrack for the movie, Crazy Heart. His song, “The Weary Kind,” garnered an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Critic’s choice award. Bingham’s raspy voice, tragic background and West Texas roots give him Outlaw Country credibility, but this song showed the world his writing and performing chops. —Bob
“A Heart Like Mine”
Dwight Yoakam
3 Pears
Warner Bros./Via Records (2012)