Top 10 Country Singles of 2009

The top 10 country songs of 2009 can be based on opinion or sales or popularity. For me I look for songs that make an impact or 'define' the year somehow. The best songs of 2009 don't always seem to get recognized with awards. When I look at the top 10 songs of 2009 these are the ones that come up for the best list for me.

"People Are Crazy" - Billy Currington sings of meeting an old man in a bar, chatting for a couple hours and later finding he inherited a fortune from a "millionairie" - with a light but serious look at relationships. It has an infectious and familiar line of "God is great, beer is good and people are crazy" that has appealed to many from their own lives. Good stuff!

"One Thing" - Jeff Bates deserved much more airplay for this song of devotion to one person that could be a wedding song. For whatever reason those at radio didn't pick it up, it's not an accurate reflection. A ballad that is worthy of being here in the top 10, with some airplay backing at GAC for the video.

"I Just Call You Mine" - Martina offers another song that looks at what others see in their partner. Recognizing everyone calls you amazing - "I just call you mine" is about appreciating what we have in a relationship with another person.

"Getting You Home" - Chris Young put the image of black dresses falling to the floor in the minds and on the lips of many with this song.

One in Every Crowd - Montgomery Gentry brought the party out in this song that fits them on stage and off. While many can relate to it, their fans particularly seem to identify with more than just the party on message.

"What Would You Say?" - Trailer Choir also deserved a great deal more credit for this song. A tribute to the lives lost in a mining disaster it brings forth the question if you knew you had minutes to live and were to leave a note for your loved ones, what would you say? This was a much better song than much of what was played at radio this year and warrants inclusion in the year's top songs.

"It's America" - Rodney Atkins brings a toe tapping song of American images forward in a hit song that made an impact on the charts and for people many personally. As many 'experts' and politicians seek to apologize for Americans this holds to the images of flags, American music, welcome home parades and fallen heroes' graves. Deserving of being here.

"Always the Love Songs" - Eli Young Band has a solid song here that warrants a listen. Like Trailer Choir's entry this one may not have gotten the popularity boost that seems to follow blond women singers in country today, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't deserve play. This is a solid singer from a young band with talent.

"Consider Me Gone" - Reba again gives a musical anthem to women who are tired of being taken for granted. "If I'm not the one thing you can't stand to lose..." is a "wake up or I'm gone" message to men who aren't appreciating their partner. Perhaps equally it can go the other way too.

"Back to Tennessee" - Billy Ray Cyrus is much more than "Hannah Montana's dad" and this song warrants including in the top of 2009. Getting away from a situation (or state, or relationship) and finding it's what we missed all along comes through here. Sometimes we find home isn't where we thought it was.

"Shuttin Detroit Down" - John Rich put words and music to the environment that allows bailouts and corporate bonuses in the millions while the every day person struggles with job layoffs and trying to pay bills. Both from a standpoint of recognizing the every day people on here and putting thoughts to music this warrants a spot on the top 10 list.

"Small Town USA" - Justin Moore captures the backbone of country music. It gets out of the cities and in the small towns of America where those real people are.

Country music embraces life. These ten form a picture that does that very well. It's real life, it's not always pretty but is real.