41. “If I Could”
Written by Tim Carroll.
Recorded by John Prine. Released 1997.
This should be a catchy, country classic. It’s a good humored look at one of life’s nearly universal bummers: “If I could, then I would/make money doing something that I love/I’d thank my lucky stars above.” A monster hit waiting to happen.
42. “New San Antonio Rose”
Written and recorded by Bob Wills. Released 1940.
A dancehall staple for generations, this multi-generational classic has drawn decades to the dance floors.
43. “Just Someone I Used To Know”
Written by Cowboy Jack Clement.
Recorded by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. Released 1970.
Clement has written numerous gems, including this one, in which the narrator clearly knows more than he is telling. “When they ask who’s in the picture with me/ I say ‘Just someone I used to know.’”
44. “He Rode All The Way To Texas”
Written by John Starling.
Recorded by The Trio (Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton). Released 1998.
Starling’s tribute to a loner is poignant and impactful. The narrator hears a carefree singer and admits, “The freedom that he sings about, I guess I’ll never know/ I just can’t shake the guilt or kill the pain.”
“He Rode All The Way To Texas” appears on the album Trio II.
45. “Walking The Floor Over You”
Written and recorded by Ernest Tubb. Released 1941.
This song launched the honky-tonk movement. It also remains a real-life portrait of sorrowful regret.
46. “The Ballad of Ira Hayes”
Written by Peter LaFarge.
Recorded by Johnny Cash. Released 1964.
Sometimes, people characterize country music as an inherently conservative vehicle. This song about a Pima Indian who was among those who held the flag at Iwo Jima was recorded by Johnny Cash and made it into the Top 5 of the country charts. LaFarge’s song illuminated the plight of native people.
47. “Beneath Still Waters”
Written by Dallas Frazier.
Recorded by Emmylou Harrris. Released 1979.
Frazier is an absolute master, and this is one of his finest creations. “The surface won’t tell you what the deep water knows,” Harris sings, before admitting that she knows “your love is gone.”
48. “Bells of Odilia”
Written and recorded by Chris Richards.
Released 2004.
This is a moving, precisely written companion piece of sorts to Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” “Lord, show your mercy on my poison past,” Richards sings. “I have all these rough edges/So I don’t slip your grasp.”
49. “Barroom Girls”
Written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.
Recorded by Gillian Welch. Released 1996.
Once, I asked Guy Clark for an example of a great modern song, and he pointed to this one. “The night came undone like a party dress,” it begins. Enough said, except you have to hear the rest.
50. “King of Broken Hearts”
Written by Jim Lauderdale.
Recorded by George Strait. Released 1992.
This was Lauderdale’s lyrical appreciation of George Jones and Gram Parsons, but it works even for those who haven’t heard those troubadours. “The king of broken hearts doesn’t ask much from his friends, and he has quite a few of them/ They know he will understand, that’s just the way it goes.”
“King of Broken Hearts” appeared on the soundtrack to the film Pure Country.
Most Viewed
-
SAS Hotel – Brussel – Belgium – 14/11/1997 Studio portrait of Meredith Brooks posing with Fender Stratocaster guitar Photo gie Knaeps -
The Beatles at the press launch for their new album 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', held at Brian Epstein's house at 24 Chapel Street, London, 19th May 1967. Left to right: George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 – 1980) and Paul McCartney. (Photo by John Downing/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
American musician Stevie Nicks of the group Fleetwood Mac perform onstage at the Los Angeles Forum, Inglewood, California, December 6, 1979. In the foreground is American musician Lindsey Buckingham. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images) -
Television still shows the popular music and television group the Monkees as they perform onstage in an episode of their self-titled tv show, late 1960s. From left, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz (on drums), and Michael Nesmith. (Photo by NBC Television/Courtesy of Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – APRIL 1975: Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd onstage at the Sports Arena in April 1975 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Hollies 1969 (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** -
(MANDATORY CREDIT Gutchie Kojima/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Nirvana, group portrait, backstage at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan, 19th December 1992. (From left) Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl. (Photo by Gutchie Kojima/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
