Over the last few years, ’90s country has become popular among genre fans of all ages. Songs like “Carryin’ Your Love with Me,” “Fancy,” “Chattahoochee,” and plenty more are still in heavy rotation for those who lived through the decade and younger fans alike. Whether it is the traditional-leaning sound of the era or nostalgia, those hits from three decades ago are all the rage today. However, there are plenty of hit country songs from the ’90s that have seemingly fallen through the cracks over the years.
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With that in mind, we’re looking back at some hit country songs from the ’90s that aren’t as popular as they should be today. All of the songs on this list went to No. 1 for at least a week, and more are from artists who are still considered legends today.
[RELATED: 4 Forgotten Hit Country Songs from the 1970s You Need to Hear]
1. “Who’s Lonely Now” by Highway 101 (1990)
“Who’s Lonely Now” and Highway 101 may have faded into the sands of time, but both the song and band have connections to country royalty. Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn co-wrote the song with Don Cook. Additionally, Scott “Cactus” Moser played drums in the band. He’s currently married to Wynonna Judd.
More than that, the song was the first No. 1 country hit of the ’90s. So, it was a transitional period for the genre. Country music was coming out of the heavily pop-influence style of the ’80s and the mainstream sound was evolving to create the era that would remain popular for decades. “Who’s Lonely Now” is a great example of how a handful of acts in the ’80s help change things for the better.
2. “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)” by Joe Diffie (1991)
Written by Kim Williams and Ken Spooner, Joe Diffie released “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)” as the third single from his debut album A Thousand Winding Roads in 1991. It went to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and produced an endlessly watchable music video.
Many of this country legend’s hit songs from the ’90s are still popular today. “Pick Up Man,” “John Deere Green,” and a few others still get regular play. However, “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)” doesn’t get enough love. Heavily inspired by Western Swing, it doesn’t quite fit the sonic mold of the era, but that doesn’t take away from the song’s quality.
3. “I Just Wanted You to Know” by Mark Chesnutt (1993)
Written by Tim Mensy and Gary Harrison, Mark Chesnutt released “I Just Wanted You to Know” as the third single from his album Almost Goodbye in 1993. This great example of early ’90s country was a No. 1 hit for Chesnutt and deserves to be in any fan’s playlist.
This Chesnutt hit has everything you could want from a ’90s country song. Twangy electric guitar, pedal steel, and fiddle lay the sonic backdrop for his timeless vocal delivery. The song’s subject matter is a great example of the era as well. It sees Chesnutt singing from the perspective of a guy who can’t get his ex off his mind so he calls her to let her know he’s not over her.
4. “Guys Do It All the Time” by Mindy McCready (1996)
Written by Bobby Whiteside and Kim Tribble, Mindy McCready released “Guys Do It All the Time” as the second single from her debut album Ten Thousand Angels in 1996. It went to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a week and landed at No. 72 on the publication’s Hot 100, giving McCready her only entry on the all-genre chart.
’90s country was a great time for female country artists. Songs like “Guys Do It All the Time” is one of many empowering singles from the ultra-talented ladies of the era. The track sees McCready singing about doing all the things that guys do while expecting their significant others to understand. On the surface, it’s a sassy tongue-in-cheek track. A deeper look reveals a demand for equality in relationships. It’s worth rediscovering.
5. “Single White Female” by Chely Wright (1999)
Written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Shaye Smith, Chely Wright released “Single White Female” as the lead single and title track from her 1999 album. The song dethroned Lonestar’s “Amazed,” ending the song’s eight-week run at No. 1. Unfortunately, this hit song has been largely forgotten by fans of ’90s country.
This song perfectly embodies the sound of late ’90s country. Mandolin, organs, and understated guitars lay the background for Writght’s charismatic vocal delivery. To make things better, Trisha Yearwood provides backing vocals on the track. This track, like the rest of Wright’s catalog, deserves to be revisited by fans of the era.
Featured Image by Sherry Rayn Barnett /Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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