My Top Ten Country Songs of the Decade

As I mentioned it was a pretty good decade for country music. There were some very good new artists that came out and some artists that got to superstar status in the decade. On the downside there were some really good groups that called it quits. I believe the best two examples of the Statler Brothers and Alabama. Members do still play, but they do not tour or put albums like they used to do.

There were various themes from the usual beer drinking and girl chasing and rodeo songs. With the attacks of September 11^th 2001 there were also some very patriotic tunes that were written for the great United States of America. Here is my list of the top ten country songs from the decade and a little bit about them.

1.) I hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack. This is a slow song that is a pretty good hit. It is basically the kind of song that you would have parents singing about their children. Basically it is about wanting your kids to always be happy and take time to be kids.

2.) Where were you when ( when the world stopped turning) by Alan Jackson. This was written about the terrorist attacks of September 11^th. It is about how different people were doing different things at the time of the attacks. This is my second favorite song about the cowardly attacks. It is a very slow moving song. I actually think I cried the first time that I heard this song. I recall that I was riding into work with my late father when the attacks occurred and did not realize what was happening until the second plane hit.

3.) Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American) by Toby Keith. This is my favorite song about 9/11. The song is about how ticked off Americans were after the attacks and we went after the ones behind the terrorist attacks like Bin Laden. He says "we lit up your world like the fourth of July" since the Taliban would not give up Bin Laden.

4.) It's Five O'Clock somewhere by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett. This is one of my favorites. We used to always listen to this at work and still do every now and then. This is how you want to get away from work and relax. The boss pushes you over the limit and then you need to go get a good stiff drink.

5.) Sweet southern Comfort by Buddy Jewell. This will not make many people's list of the top songs of the decade, but I love it. It is about all things great down south. I always get a bit homesick whenever I hear it. Then I look at my wife and realize that I am the place that I need to be. It mentions most of the traditionally southern states with little things about then like Roll Tide for Alabama and the Yellow rose of San Antone for Texas. It is a slow but moderate upbeat song.

6.) I Love this Bar by Toby Keith. This is one that anyone who has a favorite stomping ground. It talks about various people in the bar from winners and losers, bikers, yuppies, rebels and so forth. This reminds me of two very southern bars me and some friends used to frequent in my college days. As I understand from some friends of mine the bar plays this every night before last call.

7.) 19 somethin' is by Mark Willis. This is probably one of my top songs that I like from him. The song discusses the various fads from the 1970's, and 1980's. Various fads and popular people are mentioned in the song like Roger Staubach, Rubix Cube, Trans am, Parachute pants and things of that nature.

8.) Have you forgotten? By Darryl Worley is my third favorite song in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11^th. I actually like this because it reminds people of how much that you can't just forget what happened. It is also a song that provokes thoughts of patriotism and a "just war". This song makes the adage very true that you may not support the war, but you should support the men and women fighting it.

9.) Who Says You Can't go Home by Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. This is a really good song that combines a bit of rock and a bit of country. It is a real crossover hit for Bon Jovi and does sound much more country than rock. It reminds you of staying true to yourself and that you can go home.

10.) My Next 30 Years by Tim McGraw. This is a great song about things you want to do after you hit thirty years old. My favorite line is that "drink a little lemonade and not so many beers. Maybe I'll remember my next 30 years". I quit drinking at 30 so this is really true for me. I indulged a bit when I was a much younger man.

These are some very good songs that I think really capture the decade. If you are a country music fan you should check these out.

Sources

Listening to the radio, CDs and watching TV.