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Best Country Songs of the Year

Best Country Songs of the Year

From the crossing over of numerous country artists onto the pop charts to the release of Ken Burns’ long-awaited “Country Music” film, it felt like the genre was having a moment in 2019. No longer relegated to its specific subculture, country music is now a large part of mainstream music.

This rise in popularity is due in part to the exceptional amount of great country music being released. Hundreds of popular songs have been released in 2019, spanning from pop country to more traditional sounds.

24/7 Tempo has identified the best country songs of the year based on Billboard Hot Country Songs chart performance. These are the best of the year based on radio airplay, sales data, and streaming.

Country music purists may still gripe about the amount of pop country coming out of Nashville. Musicians such as Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, and Kane Brown continue to blur the lines of pop and country — acquiring millions of fans in the process. Some such performers rank among the most beloved country musicians there are. Here are America’s most popular country music stars.

Collaborations with non-country artists are also popular, as illustrated by the success of songs by pop singer Bebe Rexha and electronic music DJ Marshmello that climbed the country music charts. Yet even these strange partnerships fail to match the most bizarre musical collaborations ever.

This brand of pop country far from dominates the industry, however. Artists such as Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs that appeal to fans of more time-honored forms of country have had great success recently. Musicians that have dabbled with contemporary country scored major hits in 2019 with more traditional sounding songs, such as Blake Shelton with his No. 1 single “God’s Country.”

 

24/7 Tempo identified the best country songs of the year based on the top ranking tracks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Year-End Chart. This chart ranks the year’s most popular songs based on radio airplay and sales data as measured by Nielsen Music, as well as online streaming activity. Total Spotify plays refers to the total number of times each song has been streamed on music service Spotify as of Dec. 8, 2019.

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

40. Millionaire
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 4
> Total Spotify plays: 55.4 million

Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Chris Stapleton has maintained his reputation as one of country music’s most popular musicians with the song “Millionaire” off his album “From A Room: Volume 2.” The single has earned Stapleton a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance. Surprisingly, the song is one of two on the album not written by the singer. It was instead penned by songwriter Kevin Welch.

Source: John Shearer/Country Rising / Getty Images

39. What If I Never Get Over You
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 5
> Total Spotify plays: 29.9 million

The five-time Grammy Award winners from Nashville have had 14 top 10 hits on the Hot Country Songs list, with their latest, “What If I Never Get Over You,” peaking at No. 5 in November.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

38. Even Though I’m Leaving
> Artist: Luke Combs
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 41.5 million

Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, singer Luke Combs has been a favorite on country radio since releasing his debut album in 2017. His 2019 follow-up, “What You See Is What You Get,” has been similarly successful. The second single from the album, “Even Though I’m Leaving,” peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and No. 11 on the Hot 100 — which includes songs of all genres — making it the artist’s best performing song on that chart.

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

37. Some Of It
> Artist: Eric Church
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 7
> Total Spotify plays: 26.9 million

The North Carolina native has had 16 top 10 hits in the Hot Country Songs chart. The nine-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter recently reached the country top 10 with “Some Of It,” an introspective song about learning life’s lessons. The song topped out at No. 7 in July.

Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images

36. Make It Sweet
> Artist: Old Dominion
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 8
> Total Spotify plays: 43.7 million

Old Dominion released their self-titled third studio album in 2019. The lead single, “Make It Sweet,” became the group’s seventh top 10 hit on the Hot Rock Songs chart, peaking at No. 8 in May. The catchy tune exists as a welcome reminder to make the most of life, even when it gets you down.

Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

35. Living
> Artist: Dierks Bentley
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 6
> Total Spotify plays: 42.7 million

Dierks Bentley has yet to win a Grammy despite 14 nominations, but he’s built a large following, with 11 No. 1 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart and 24 top 10 singles. “Living” is about taking the time to enjoy the simple things of life. It reached No. 6 on the Hot Country Songs list in September.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

34. Good Vibes
> Artist: Chris Janson
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 6
> Total Spotify plays: 22.8 million

Missouri-born singer-songwriter Chris Janson scored his third top 10 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart this past fall with “Good Vibes.” The song, about making an effort to have a positive attitude, was Janson’s most successful track in 2019.

Source: Erika Goldring / Getty Images

33. Girl Like You
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 5
> Total Spotify plays: 49.2 million

Georgia-born Jason Aldean has enjoyed considerable success on the country charts with nine chart-toppers on the Billboard Hot Country Songs list and 31 top 10 hits overall. Aldean tapped into his R&B influences on “Girl Like You,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

32. Night Shift
> Artist: Jon Pardi
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 8
> Total Spotify plays: 93.4 million

Jon Pardi had a busy 2019, collaborating with Brooks & Dunn on their album “Reboot” and releasing his own record, “Heartache Medication.” On top of all that, the singer was still enjoying the success of his 2016 album “California Sunrise.” “Night Shift,” the album’s fifth single, peaked on the Hot Country Songs chart in May 2019.

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

31. Every Little Thing
> Artist: Russell Dickerson
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 5
> Total Spotify plays: 53.0 million

Russell Dickerson is a singer-songwriter from Union City, Tennessee, who’s placed three singles in the Billboard Hot Country Songs top 10 since 2018. “Every Little Thing” is a celebration of how the love of your life completes you. The single peaked at No. 5 on the country song chart in November.

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

30. The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home
> Artist: Justin Moore
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 7
> Total Spotify plays: 24.5 million

Arkansas native Justin Moore scored his eighth top 10 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart with “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home.” The single — a tribute to those in the American military — was inspired by Moore’s grandfathers’ service.

Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

29. Love You Too Late
> Artist: Cole Swindell
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 7
> Total Spotify plays: 23.9 million

Cole Swindell, who’s penned hits for country artists such as Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Florida Georgia Line, has carved out a successful singing career on his own, with two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and eight top 10s. “Love You Too Late,” an uptempo song about heartbreak, peaked at No. 7 in November for the Georgia native.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

28. This Is It
> Artist: Scotty McCreery
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 3
> Total Spotify plays: 58.9 million

“American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery released his single “This Is It” in early 2018, though it peaked on the Hot Country Songs Chart in March 2019. By reaching the No. 3 position, it became McCreery’s best-performing song on that chart to date. The song recounts the singer’s proposal to his now-wife, and its music video features footage from the wedding.

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

27. On My Way To You
> Artist: Cody Johnson
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 13
> Total Spotify plays: 33.6 million

Former bull rider Cody Johnson was nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year in 2019. “On My Way To You,” a song about redemption, is the highest-charting song to date for the Texan, rising to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in June.

Source: Jason Davis / Getty Images

26. One Man Band
> Artist: Old Dominion
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 65.2 million

Following the success of the single “Make It Sweet,” Old Dominion released “One Man Band” from the same album. The latter song is the band’s best performing track to date on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, reaching No. 2 in November 2019. It spent a total of 36 weeks on the chart.

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

25. The Bones
> Artist: Maren Morris
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 4
> Total Spotify plays: 123.8 million

Grammy Award-winning Texas native Maren Morris has had six top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Her current single is a soulful song about not rushing love titled “The Bones,” which has climbed to No. 4 on the country chart.

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

24. Here Tonight
> Artist: Brett Young
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 53.3 million

California pop country singer-songwriter Brett Young scored a No. 2 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart with “Here Tonight,” which was co-written with Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum among others. The song was in heavy rotation on radio and reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

23. Rearview Town
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 4
> Total Spotify plays: 49.6 million

“Rearview Town” is the title song and fourth single from Jason Aldean’s album, which topped the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums charts. The rock-sounding ballad peaked at No. 4 in August.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

22. She Got The Best Of Me
> Artist: Luke Combs
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 122.0 million

“She Got the Best of Me” — the fourth single off Grammy-nominated singer Luke Combs’ debut album “This One’s for You” — reached No. 2 on the Hot Country Songs chart in October 2018, but remained on the chart into 2019. The song’s lyrics describe a girl taking everything from the singer, leaving only his music. Combs penned the single while still in college.

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

21. One Thing Right
> Artist: Marshmello & Kane Brown
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 191.4 million

“One Thing Right,” a song about regret over some of life’s choices and gratitude for finding a special person, is the lone chart-topping collaboration from Marshmello, an electronic music producer born Chris Comstock, and country singer Kane Brown. The song peaked in October.

Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

20. Eyes On You
> Artist: Chase Rice
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 3
> Total Spotify plays: 140.9 million

Singer Chase Rice — who competed on the TV show “Survivor: Nicaragua” prior to embarking on his music career — scored his biggest country hit to date with “Eyes on You.” The song peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Country chart in April 2019, spending a total of 41 weeks on the chart. Rice reportedly knew the song, with lyrics that describe travelling with a significant other, would be a big hit prior to its release.

Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

19. Prayed For You
> Artist: Matt Stell
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 38.9 million

Arkansas singer-songwriter Matt Stell had a breakthrough hit with “Prayed For You.” The song is about holding on to the good things in life. It rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart in October.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

18. What Happens In A Small Town
> Artist: Brantley Gilbert + Lindsay Ell
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 7
> Total Spotify plays: 25.0 million

“What Happens in a Small Town” is a duet by singers Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell that appears on Gilbert’s 2019 album “Fire & Brimstone.” The singer told country music website The Boot that the song was a late addition to the album after his label requested a stronger lead single. Gilbert and his songwriting team wanted to write “an uptempo, feel-good radio song” — a goal they undoubtedly accomplished.

Source: Bryan Steffy / Getty Images

17. Miss Me More
> Artist: Kelsea Ballerini
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 7
> Total Spotify plays: 54.6 million

The 26-year-old Tennessee native has had six top 10 hits, including chart-topper “Peter Pan” three years ago. “Miss Me More” is Kelsea Ballerini’s latest hit, a song about moving on from a broken relationship. The song, which draws on pop and rap influences, peaked at No. 7 in June and spent 33 weeks on the chart.

Source: Rachel Murray / Getty Images

16. GIRL
> Artist: Maren Morris
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 8
> Total Spotify plays: 54.5 million

Crossover pop country singer Maren Morris’s “GIRL” implores those of the female sex to embrace their true selves. Peaking at No. 8 on the Hot Country Songs chart in August 2019, the song is one of six top 10 hits for 29-year-old performer.

Source: John Lamparski / Getty Images

15. All To Myself
> Artist: Dan + Shay
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 3
> Total Spotify plays: 109.3 million

“All To Myself,” the latest hit offering from the Grammy Award-winning duo of Pennsylvania native Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney from Arkansas, has a tropical flavor, and their fans apparently approve. The song went to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in August. It was their eighth top 10 hit.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

14. I Don’t Know About You
> Artist: Chris Lane
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 82.3 million

Contemporary country artist Chris Lane, who mixes aspects of R&B in with his country, had his biggest Hot Country Songs hit to date with “I Don’t Know About You.” The single, in which Lane seeks out information from a new love interest, spent a total of 52 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 2.

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

13. Good As You
> Artist: Kane Brown
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 3
> Total Spotify plays: 69.7 million

The 26-year-old native of Tennessee’s album “Experiment” went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spawned several singles, including “Good As You.” That single, celebrating the women in Brown’s life, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Brown also appears on the list in a collaboration with Marshmello, “One Thing Right,” in the 21st spot.

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

12. Talk You Out Of It
> Artist: Florida Georgia Line
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 11
> Total Spotify plays: 100.7 million

Bro-country duo Florida Georgia Line released their fourth album, “Can’t Say I Ain’t Country” in February 2019. Among the album’s numerous singles is the R&B-tinged “Talk You Out of It,” which peaked at No. 11 on the country songs chart. The song’s popularity was buoyed by a music video starring band members Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard along with their wives.

Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty Images

11. Look What God Gave Her
> Artist: Thomas Rhett
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 3
> Total Spotify plays: 70.9 million

This year, Thomas Rhett received his third Grammy nomination for Best Country Album for “Center Point Road,” which spawned the single “Look What God Gave Her,” a song that celebrates women. The single is the 14th top 10 for the Georgia native, reaching No. 3 in June.

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

10. Meant To Be
> Artist: Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 808.9 million

While “Meant to Be” leans heavily towards the pop side of pop country, its popularity can’t be denied. The collaborative effort of singer Bebe Rexha and country duo Florida Georgia Line spent 50 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart — the most of any song in the chart’s history. It first peaked in December 2017 and remained on the chart well into April 2019.

Source: Marianna Massey / Getty Images

9. Knockin’ Boots
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 60.3 million

Luke Bryan, Georgia native and son of a peanut farmer, has been a prolific hitmaker, with 11 chart-toppers and 28 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Four of his albums have gone to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The video for “Knockin’ Boots” shows canoodling couples and steamy dancing. The song peaked at No. 2 in September.

Source: Terry Wyatt / Getty Images

8. Rumor
> Artist: Lee Brice
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 104.3 million

Hailing from Sumter, South Carolina, singer-songwriter Lee Brice fell just short of the top of the country songs chart this year with “Rumor,” which peaked at No. 2. The ballad about a small town love rumor spreading has has more than 100 million streams on Spotify.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

7. Tequila
> Artist: Dan + Shay
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 265.9 million

“Tequila” is the biggest country hit for the Grammy Award-winning duo Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, spending four weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and 66 weeks on the chart. The single was the pair’s third country No. 1. The song’s video features a love story between a female skier and a hiker who is deaf and was hailed for its message of inclusion.

Source: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

6. The Git Up
> Artist: Blanco Brown
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 137.8 million

Purveyor of “Trailer Trap,” country rapper Blanco Brown scored a chart-topping hit with “The Git Up.” The dance number’s popularity was encouraged by its usage on digital platforms TikTok and YouTube, where fans take the #GitUpChallenge.

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

5. Beer Never Broke My Heart
> Artist: Luke Combs
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 2
> Total Spotify plays: 79.5 million

With a title like “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” there is no doubt that this is a country song. The latest offering from North Carolina-born Luke Combs rose to No. 2 in August on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and it was his sixth top 10 hit.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

4. Beautiful Crazy
> Artist: Luke Combs
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 203.1 million

Luke Combs scored his second No. 1 single on the Hot Country chart this year with “Beautiful Crazy,” which spent a total of 11 weeks in the top position. The single also helped Combs become the first artist to have their first five singles top the Country Airplay chart since the chart’s 1990 inception.

Source: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

3. God’s Country
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 75.3 million

Hit machine Blake Shelton has churned out 14 chart-toppers on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, and “God’s Country” is the latest song to summit the country list, spending seven weeks atop the chart. The song contains the line “The devil went down to Georgia but he didn’t stick around,” which is a nod to the Charlie Daniels’ song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

2. Speechless
> Artist: Dan + Shay
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 192.3 million

Country duo Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney topped the country chart with “Speechless,” which was intended to capture the musicians’ feelings on their wedding days when they first laid eyes on their respective brides. The song stayed on the chart for an exceptional 56 weeks, nine of which were spent at No. 1.

Source: Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images

1. Whiskey Glasses
> Artist: Morgan Wallen
> Billboard Hot Country Songs peak position: 1
> Total Spotify plays: 133.4 million

“Whiskey Glasses” is the first Billboard Hot Country Songs chart-topper for the 26-year-old Tennessee native and former contestant on “The Voice.” Morgan Wallen said the lyrics to the song were inspired by a former girlfriend. The single spent two weeks at No. 1 and was on the country chart for 52 weeks.

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