Country music has been popular in the United States for decades. In recent years, though, the genre has seen an uptick in popularity with artists like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Lainey Wilson making major waves outside the format. At the same time, major pop artists like Beyonce and Post Malone have helped usher in a new wave of fans. However, country music fans will tell you that the best country music came from the 1970s.
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The 1970s saw some of country music’s biggest stars rise to fame. Household names like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson found major success during the decade. At the same time, it was the era of Outlaw Country, which would later influence the ’90s country sound. So, whether you’re new to the genre or just want to dig into some classic tunes, these four songs are a great place to start.
[RELATED: Forgotten 1970s Country Music Stars That Deserve to Be Rediscovered]
1. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn wasn’t just one of the biggest country stars of the 1970s. She was also one of the most influential artists in the genre’s history. Hitmakers like Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Carly Pearce, and even Dolly Parton looked to Lynn for inspiration. She was a trailblazer who more than earned her legendary status within the genre.
Lynn wrote “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and released it as a single in 1970. After it went to the top of the Billboard country singles chart, it became the title track of her 1971 album. It went on to be one of her signature songs. More importantly, the track saw Lynn telling the world about her upbringing in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, during the Great Depression. It’s a story of hard work, hard times, and the love that went into raising the singer/songwriter and her siblings.
2. “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton released her first single in 1959 and had some success in the following decade. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that she became a breakout country star. Songs like “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Here You Come Again” remain popular today. However, few tracks showcase Parton’s prowess as a storyteller or her willingness to be vulnerable with her audience like the 1971 hit “Coat of Many Colors.”
Much like Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” this track sees Parton sharing a true story about her childhood in poverty. However, “Coat of Many Colors” is more than an autobiographical song. It’s also a lesson in being thankful for what you have and proof that money can’t buy happiness or love.
3. “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” by Charley Pride
Charley Pride was one of the biggest country stars of the 1970s. He notched 20 No. 1 singles on the Billboard country singles chart during the decade. Many of those chart-topping hits, including “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’,” are as timeless as Pride’s voice.
Written by Ben Peters, the song was the first single from Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs. It went to the top of the country chart, landed in the top ten of the Adult Contemporary chart, and was his first and only top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 21. Today, it’s his most popular song on Spotify with more than 78 million streams, proving that a good love song never goes out of style.
4. “Good Hearted Woman” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
When many modern fans of country music think of the 1970s, they think of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Hailed as the original Outlaw Country artists, Jennings and Nelson were incredible songwriters, musicians, and singers, They were also close friends. As a result, they recorded a treasure trove of timeless tunes together. This No. 1 single from 1976 is a perfect example of their artistic chemistry.
Jennings got the idea for the song after reading an ad that said, “Tina Turner, singing songs about a good-hearted woman loving a good-timing man.” He took the idea to Nelson, who was in the middle of a game of poker at the time. So, he took a seat at the table and the pair worked out the lyrics while the game went on.
Connie Nelson and Jennings’ wife, fellow country artist Jessi Colter, served as further inspiration for the song. Willie later noted, “I think Connie and Jessi both were the object of that song. Naturally, we started thinking about the ones who were having to put up with us at that particular time.”
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