Best Country Songs of All Time

1. 1
   JC
   ▶

   Folsom Prison Blues

   Johnny Cash · from At Folsom Prison (1968)

   Recorded live to a roar of inmates.

   Listen → Watch →
2. 2
   WN
   ▶

   Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

   Willie Nelson · from Red Headed Stranger (1975)

   Spare, haunting outlaw country.

   Listen → Watch →
3. 3
   DP
   ▶

   Jolene

   Dolly Parton · from Jolene (1974)

   A breathless plea built on one of country's best riffs.

   Listen → Watch →
4. 4
   MH
   ▶

   Mama Tried

   Merle Haggard · from Mama Tried (1968)

   Bakersfield country at its most direct.

   Listen → Watch →
5. 5
   LL
   ▶

   Coal Miner's Daughter

   Loretta Lynn · from Coal Miner's Daughter (1971)

   A plain-spoken autobiography in song.

   Listen → Watch →
6. 6
   GC
   ▶

   Wichita Lineman

   Glen Campbell · from Wichita Lineman (1968)

   A perfect Jimmy Webb melody, beautifully sung.

   Listen → Watch →
7. 7
   KR
   ▶

   The Gambler

   Kenny Rogers · from The Gambler (1978)

   Narrative country-pop everyone can sing.

   Listen → Watch →
8. 8
   MR
   ▶

   El Paso

   Marty Robbins · from Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs (1959)

   A cinematic Western ballad.

   Listen → Watch →
9. 9
   TW
   ▶

   Stand by Your Man

   Tammy Wynette · from Stand by Your Man (1969)

   A towering, much-debated country standard.

   Listen → Watch →
10. 10
    CH
    ▶

    Goodbye Earl

    The Chicks · from Fly (1999)

    A dark comedy delivered with a grin.

    Listen → Watch →
11. 11
    KM
    ▶

    Rainbow

    Kacey Musgraves · from Golden Hour (2018)

    A tender piano hymn of reassurance.

    Listen → Watch →
12. 12
    GJ
    ▶

    He Stopped Loving Her Today

    George Jones · from I Am What I Am (1980)

    Often called the greatest country song ever.

    Listen → Watch →

Tap the artwork or "Listen" to find the track on Amazon Music; "Watch" opens a YouTube search; the song title opens its album page. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases and sign-ups.