5 Country Songs Turning 25 in 2025

Songs have a way of transporting us to a particular space and time. Because of that, we can forget just how long it has been since they were released. Below, find 5 songs that are turning 25 this year. Are these songs still apart of your playlist?

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5 Country Songs Turning 25 in 2025

1.  “I Hope You Dance” (Lee Ann Womack)

Lee Ann Womack’s declaration of love, “I Hope You Dance” was released in 2000. This song is gushing with sentimentality. Womack expresses love without saying those three little words. Her hopes for her loved one speak volumes. The message is just as poignant as it was 25 years ago.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

2. “Goodbye Earl” (The Chicks)

The Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl” has transcended their fandom. Even those that don’t tout themselves as country fans know this song by heart. For over two decades, this song has enticed listeners with its tongue-in-cheek story of murder and revenge.

Right away Mary Anne flew in from Atlanta
On a red eye midnight flight
She held Wanda’s hand and they worked out a plan
And it didn’t take ’em long to decide
That Earl had to die

3. “Let’s Make Love” (Faith Hill and Tim McGraw)

You can’t go wrong with a Faith Hill and Tim McGraw duet. This husband-wife duo has been the fascination of country fans since the mid-’90s. Only a few years after their marriage, the pair put out this ballad. Revisit this track, below.

Let’s make love
All night long
Until all our strength is gone
Hold on tight
Just let go

[RELATED: Tim McGraw Is a “Proud Girl Dad” as His Daughter Makes Her Off-Broadway Debut]

4. “Born To Fly” (Sara Evans)

“Born To Fly” is one of Sara Evans’ calling cards. 25 years later, it remains one of the most memorable songs of its era. We all have dreams that float around in our heads. Regardless of what those are for each of us, it can be hard to wait for them to come true.

But how do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground when you know
That you were born
You were born to fly?

5. “Murder On Music Row” (George Strait and Alan Jackson)

Lastly, we have George Strait and Alan Jackson’s biting insult to the state of country music: “Murder On Music Row.” The pair chided their sector of the music industry for moving away from the classic sounds the genre was founded on. Two decades later, many listeners probably still agree with that message.

For the steel guitars no longer cry and fiddles barely play,
But drums and rock ‘n roll guitars are mixed up in your face
Old Hank wouldn’t have a chance on today’s radio
Since they committed murder down on music row

Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA