Country Grab Bag III – Part 3

Country music hit its peak during the ‘70s when there was still lots of crossover on American radio (and Burt Reynolds was still box office gold). By the ‘80s, country’s quality- like so many other musical genres in that superficial decade- suffered and declined but eventually rebounded in the ‘90s with a return to crossover appeal thanks to Johny Cash, Dixie Chicks, and a slew of new country artists.

Even the cheesiest country songs can stand the test of time and remain part of the country canon because something about them has the ring of truth and people remember where they were when they first heard them. For me, country music- like classic rock- is pretty much dead now but thankfully the country well is deep and always there for those who care to drop their buckets down and have a listen. Here are some more of my favorite country songs. Enjoy!

01. George Jones – “A Picture of Me (Without You)” (1972)
02. John Denver – “This Old Guitar” (1974)
03. Kenny Chesney – “There Goes My Life” (2003)
04. Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio – “If I Didn’t Know Better” (2012)
05. Dixie Chicks – “Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)” (2002)
06. Charlie Rich – “Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs” (1969)
07. Jerry Reed – “East Bound and Down” (1977)
08. Deana Carter – “Strawberry Wine” (1996)
09. Restless Heart – “The Bluest Eyes in Texas” (1988)
10. Glen Campbell – “Galveston” (1969)
11. Dixie Chicks – “Top of the World” (2002)
12. George Jones – “White Lightning” (1959)
13. Dixie Chicks – “Landslide” (2002)
14. The Statler Brothers – “Farther Along (Live)” (Unknown)
15. The Highwaymen – “Highwayman” (1985)
16. Marty Robbins – “El Paso” (1959)
17. Randy Travis – “Three Wooden Crosses” (2002)
18. The Everly Brothers – “Mama Tried” (1968)
19. Old 97’s – “Timebomb” (1997)
20. Johnny Cash  and June Carter Cash – “It Takes One to Know Me” (1977)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Forever Country