4 Hit Country Songs From the 1990s You Forgot Were Awesome

The 1990s brought us some of the most memorable hit country songs from some of the genre’s biggest names. “Chattahoochee,” “Fancy,” “Pick Up Man,” “Carryin’ Your Love with Me,” and many more are staples of throwback playlists. However, there is an ocean of hit songs from the decade that most have forgotten about over the years.

Videos by American Songwriter

If you’re looking for a nostalgia fix and are tired of the same handful of hit country songs from the 1990s, you’re in luck. Today, we’re turning back time and showcasing some certified bangers from the age of the Super Nintendo and Starter jackets that you might have forgotten about.

1. “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” by Aaron Tippin (1990)

Aaron Tippin had several hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the 1990s. “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,” “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You,” “For You I Will,” and many more populated the survey and the airwaves. However, his debut single, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” is a criminally underrated banger.

This song leans into the traditions of country music in more than just its instrumentation. It’s a working-class anthem about standing firm for what you believe in and doing what you believe is right. It speaks to the strength of character found in the American worker without the need of politically-charged lyrics or jingoism. At the same time, it’s a great showcase for Tippin’s twangy baritone.

2. “Bubba Shot the Jukebox” by Mark Chesnutt (1992)

Mark Chesnutt released a laundry list of songs that became hits on the Hot Country Charts in the 1990s. He released 28 singles between 1990 and 1999 and missed the top 20 five times and the top 40 once. Songs like “Old Flames Have New Names,” “Almost Goodbye,” “Goin’ Through the Big D,” and many others were all over the radio and in the upper region of the charts throughout the decade. Unfortunately, this Dennis Linde-penned tune about a guy who just can’t handle sad songs gets overlooked far too often.

Chesnutt released “Bubba Shot the Jukebox” as the third single from his sophomore album Longnecks & Short Stories in 1992, and it peaked at No. 4 on the country chart. It’s an upbeat song about sad songs that tells a story that’s still as entertaining today as it was 33 years ago.

3. “I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)” by Alabama (1992)

Few country artists or bands had more hit songs during the 1990s than Alabama. They’re still one of the most successful acts the genre has ever seen and are beloved by countless fans around the world. Songs like “Reckless,” “God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You,” “Down Home,” “Born Country,” and several others dominated the charts and airwaves. However, few of their songs are as relatable as “I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)” from their album American Pride.

Alabama found the perfect blend of country and rock on this track. More than that, the lyrics about constantly rushing around “until life’s no fun” are more fitting today than they were when this track hit the airwaves in the 1990s. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it seems increasingly harder to stop and smell the coffee. This song is a certified country banger that serves as a reminder to slow down.

4. “Bigger than the Beatles” by Joe Diffie (1995)

The late, great Joe Diffie was one of the biggest stars of the 1990s and released a wealth of hit country songs before his untimely death in 2020. He reached the top of the country chart five times and landed several more songs in the upper reaches of the survey throughout the decade. “Home,” “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Pickup Man,” and “John Deere Green” are still popular among country fans. However, “Bigger than the Beatles” gets overlooked more than it should.

“Bigger than the Beatles,” penned by Jeb Anderson and Steve Dukes, tells a great love story. It’s about a young couple who see one another through the lens of love while they chase their dreams together. The track also has a few great classic rock references, a nod to one of the story’s protagonists. In short, it embodies the vibe of ’90s country like few other songs can.

Featured Image by AFF-USA/Shutterstock