Many devout country music fans would not say the ’80s were the heyday for the genre. Rather, the most likely would say the ’70s or the ’90s. However, the ’80s weren’t bad, and even if the music isn’t poetically lyrical or outlaw sounding, it was impossible to not tap your foot to some of its beats.
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The reason for ’80s country music’s contagiously catchy tunes is partially because this was the start of pop country. Although, a far more watered-down version of what we know it to be today. Nonetheless, the ’80s produced some of the most successful and notable country songs of all time. And here are just three that come to mind.
“All My Ex’s Live in Texas” by George Strait
Released in 1987 as a single off of Strait’s Ocean Front Property, to this day the tune is one of the most well-known country songs of all time. You could be in a bar, at a football game, or anywhere for that matter and there is a high likelihood you’re going to hear this song come over the loudspeakers at some point.
Upon its release, the song effortlessly reached the No. 1 spot on the country charts and was nominated for a Grammy. Regardless of its accolades, the song is a fan favorite throughout the world and cements itself in people’s head’s whether they like it or not.
“Dixieland Delight” by Alabama
Alabama is one of the highest-selling country artists of all time, and it’s partially thanks to this song. Released in 1983, Alabama’s celebratory song of the South still plays everywhere in and around the South, and as a result, it has become the anthem for the region in some way. Matter of fact, it is the anthem for the Alabam Crimson Tide football team.
In addition to its cultural relevance, the song has wracked up quite a bit of hardware as well. Not only did it reach the No. 1 spot on the country charts, making it the group’s ninth No. 1. It also received the AMA Award for Best Country Music Video in 1984.
“Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis
Also released in 1987, Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen” is certainly his most famous song of all time. Between its romantically sentimental lyrics and inescapable melody, Travis has planted this song as a staple pop country song for years to come.
Like the rest of the tunes on this list, Travis’ song also reached No. 1 on the country charts. Though, unlike the rest of these songs, Travis’ song won the most awards as he scored a Grammy, CMA, and an ACM award. Furthermore, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 48 of all time on its “200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time” ranking.
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