Adam got me SiriusXM for Christmas and I’ve been loving the Prime Country station that plays 80s and 90s country. That was mostly what I listened to during my middle school years. Until a band called Hanson came along in 1997, that is…
My 90s country nostalgia made me think compiling a list of my all time favorite 90s country songs would be fun, so here goes! I’m limiting it to a Top 20 and I’d love to know some of your favorites too, so share those in the comments if you feel like it.
20. Dust on the Bottle by David Lee Murphy
I didn’t really know this was about drinking at the time but I liked the way the song sounded, haha. Where is he now? According to wikipedia, David Lee Murphy is writing songs for other artists like Jason Aldean, Thompson Square and released an album recently with Kenny Chesney.
19. One Way Ticket – LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes was one of my very first non-bluegrass concerts that my parents took me to. I was SO excited – she was one of my very favorites at the time. Even though “Blue” was the song that catapulted her to stardom, this one was always my favorite.
18. Rebecca Lynn – Bryan White
Bryan White was also at that concert with LeAnn Rimes and I had the biggest crush on him. Later, I got to meet him when he performed one of the high schools in Evansville.
17. You Win My Love – Shania Twain
Before there was Taylor Swift, there was Shania Twain. Country’s first pop crossover queen. When you listen back though, Shania’s songs sound a whole lot more country than today’s country does.
15. That’s How Your Love Makes Me Feel – Diamond Rio
Who doesn’t want to crank this tune up when it comes on the radio??
14. Something Like That – Tim McGraw
Did Tim McGraw have a bad song in the 90s?
13. Fancy – Reba McIntire
I obviously had no idea what this song was talking about until I got older but I loved how fierce Reba sounded in this career defining hit.
12. Strawberry Wine by Deanna Carter
This whole album was off the hook. Strawberry Wine told a captivating story of a summer love that burned hot then flamed out by the time fall rolled around.
11. – She’s in Love with the Boy – Trisha Yearwood
Songs that tell stories are the best and what teenage girl doesn’t relate to a song about her dad not liking her high school boyfriend?
10. I Wanna Fall in Love – Lila McCann
After LeAnn Rimes, Lila McCann was my favorite teen country singer. Lila apparently released a new album last year, so I’ll have to go check it out.
9. Should Have Been a Cowboy – Toby Keith
Even Toby Keith with his permed mullet and an incredibly cheesy video couldn’t ruin this fantastic song.
8. Unanswered Prayers – Garth Brooks
Every once in a while a song comes along and hits you right in the heart. This is one of those songs. Who hasn’t prayed for something in life and didn’t get the answer you wanted at the time, only to have something better happen later on?
7. Where the Black Top Ends – Keith Urban
Mr. Urban’s first country single was a fun, guitar heavy uptempo ditty about heading to the boonies on the weekend to relax in God’s country.
6. How Forever Feels – Kenny Chesney
90s Kenny Chesney was the best. It all went downhill in the 2000s when Kenny decided he needed to be the next Jimmy Buffett.
5. When You Say Nothing at All – Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss has one of the best voices of all time – she’s phenomenal live and one of the few artists that sounds better in person than on her records. This was her country breakthrough – before that she traveled the bluegrass circuits. I got to meet her around the time this song was blowing up and she seemed overwhelmed by her fame.
4. Cowboy Take Me Away – Dixie Chicks
These three ladies were magic together. Every album is amazing and until a few years ago, I never thought I’d ever see them live but got to check that off my bucket list when they did a reunion tour. I hope they make another album someday.
3. It’s Your Love – Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
Is there a better husband/wife duo than this? Faith and Tim are country royalty and adorable together. This is one of my favorite songs of all time.
2. Wild Angels – Martina McBride
Everyone was all about Independence Day, but I always liked Wild Angels better. In my opinion, Martina McBride was the best vocalist of the 90s country queens.
1. Heads Carolina, Tails California – Jo Dee Messina
This song is kind of an anthem for me. It’s the perfect road trip song and I’ve always fantasized about flipping a coin or throwing a dart at a map and going where it landed. The video is so incredibly 90s but the song really holds up all the years later. Another one of my all time favorites!
Honorable mentions – these are great songs but didn’t quite make the top 20: No News by Lonestar, Daddy’s Money – Richochet, That Ain’t My Truck – Rhett Atkins, Wild One – Faith Hill, Maybe it was Memphis – Pam Tillis, What the Cowgirls Do – Vince Gill, Sold – John Michael Montgomery and Gone Country – Alan Jackson.