Country Fans: Your 13 Must Have Songs

All around the United States, people have been embracing country music, which is now peaking in popularity. A survey conducted by Edison Media Research on 11,000 people concludes that 84% of those people are listening to more country radio now than a year ago. Old timers like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams find themselves with current stars like Kenny Chesney and Trace Adkins on millions of iPod playlists. These 13 songs are a necessity in every country fan's music library.

1. Hank Williams Jr. - A Country Boy Can Survive
This single was released in 1981 and reached #2 on the Billboard of Hot Country Singles. UFC Fighter Matt Hughes often used this song for his entrances into the Octagon. A personal favorite and great country classic.

2. John Michael Montgomery - Letters from Home
Letters from Home is about a soldier who reads and reflects on his letters from his family to his fellow troops. His father, who is portrayed as a stiff who shows no affection tells his son he is proud of him. This sends the soldier into tears of joy as he continues to serve his country.

3. Kenny Chesney - Never Wanted Nothing More
This song cruised along at #1 of the Hot Country billboards for several weeks. A man reminisces on key moments in his life, and at each point of his life he claims that he "Never Wanted Nothing More" being happy with his life as is.

4. Tim McGraw - Like Like You Were Dying
Spent seven straight weeks at the top of the Hot Country Songs billboard. This song speaks of a man who has been diagnosed with a malignant disease and decides to go all out for the rest of his life. The chorus describes the remainder of his life "I went sky diving, I went Rocky Mountain climbing, I went two point seven seconds, on a bull named Fumachu. And I looked deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I've been denying."

5. Johnny Cash - Brown Eyed Handsome Man
A remake of Chuck Berry's original song, showing how a Brown Eyed Handsome Man is the ideal appearance for a man and how much power that appearance can have.

6. Toby Keith - Stays in Mexico
A song that sparked a little senseless controversy; Toby Keith sings about how anything can happen in Mexico, and whatever you do there is separate from the rest of your life.

7. Dierks Bentley - Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)
Peaked at #1 on the Hot Country billboard, this song is about living life relaxed and easy. A simple, but terrific and pleasant song.

8. Jason Aldean - Amarillo Sky
About a farmer living through the troubles of today's economy. The price of diesel fuel, the price of grain, and the damage of hail storms don't stop the farmer from doing his work.

9. Jake Owen - 8 Second Ride
A country boy meets up with a girl and describes how his experiences with her are crazier than any 8 Second Ride (referring to a bull ride.) Unlike many country artists today, Owen is also a great guitarist.

10. Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
Spending 7 weeks at #1 on Country Hits billboard, this is regarded as Cash's top song. Ring of Fire symbolizes falling in love with a woman.

11. Alan Jackson - Remember When
An old man reminisces on his child hood. The song is simple, but as relaxing and pleasant as any song I have heard.

12. Brad Paisley - Mud on the Tires
A man has just bought a new truck, off to his favorite hangout with friends. Very simple, but still a great song.

13. Alan Jackson - Small Town Southern Man
Alan Jackson sings of the ideal southern man. The small town southern man is a religious, hard working, respectable man and upon his death is confident that God will lead him to heaven.

Each of these songs are available on iTunes and in my opinion, all worth buying. These 13 songs would make for a fine playlist, especially for new country fans unfamiliar with some of these singers.