There are countless great country singles. Many of them have even made waves beyond the country charts. But then there are also whole albums that stand out from the crowd. This is usually because they represent a complete vision you just can’t get with one or two tracks.
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Whether you love dissecting them as a cohesive piece of art or just diving into them for the music, these top country albums just have to be in your collection.
1. Red Headed Stranger—Willie Nelson (1975)
Red Headed Stranger has become one of Nelson’s most “Willie” albums. But believe it or not, his record label didn’t take it seriously at first. Producers were perplexed by its simplicity and discretion. Luckily, they finally green-lighted it, and it of course became a massive hit. Standout tracks include “Time of the Preacher” and one of the very best of Nelson’s very best, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” The American treasure’s rich, expressive voice banished any need for glitz and glamor, which ironically made it stand out amongst the flashy country scene of the mid-1970s.
2. Coat of Many Colors—Dolly Parton (1971)
Dolly Parton was already country-famous by the early Seventies thanks to becoming a fixture on The Porter Wagoner Show. With Coat of Many Colors, she took a decisive step into a solo career—which meant making her own music. The result was an experimental but brilliant album that blended country, bluegrass, pop, and even funk. The title track set the stage for Parton’s highly autobiographical musical expression, which she’s continued throughout her career. Coat of Many Colors was the start of Parton’s greatness, in country and beyond; in 2020, Rolling Stone placed it on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
3. Coal Miner’s Daughter—Loretta Lynn (1971)
Loretta Lynn was the ultimate trailblazer in 20th century country music. At a time when male voices dominated, her music offered a frank perspective behind her experience as a woman in rural Appalachia. And Coal Miner’s Daughter was where it all began. Though Lynn had bigger successes both before and after that album, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” the title track, would endure as her signature song. The album was a rallying cry for the working man and, especially, the working woman.
4. Come on Over—Shania Twain (1997)
In the 1990s, country pop was on the rise, and Shania Twain was its queen. She effortlessly gave country music mainstream appeal, as shown by the popularity of her 1997 album, Come on Over. It became one of the best-selling albums by a female solo artist in history, and in any genre. Despite its pop appeal, Come on Over is undeniably country. Its tracks are driven by fiddle, mandolin, and banjo, and feature Twain’s telltale twangy vocals. Included are some of the singer’s most famous tracks, including “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “From This Moment On,” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
[RELATED: Every Song from Shania Twain’s ‘Come on Over’ Ranked]
5. At Folsom Prison—Johnny Cash (1968)
In 1955, Johnny Cash released the song “Folsom Prison Blues,” leading to a rash of inmates around the country writing to him to ask him to do a show for them. 13 years later, in the midst of a career slump, Cash decided to perform at the prison his song name-checked. His production team wasn’t sold on the idea, but the Man in Black persisted, and At Folsom Prison ended up becoming a huge hit. Today, it remains one of his most famous albums, and one of the greatest albums—and greatest all-around moments—in country music.
6. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road—Lucinda Williams (1998)
1998: Lucinda Williams is in her third year of working on her latest album. What could possibly be taking her so long? Well, perfectionism. Williams worked like crazy before finally releasing Car Wheels on a Gravel Road in 1998. Impatient fans quickly realized the album was worth the wait. Car Wheels is a gosh-darn work of art, whisking listeners away into the sensory experience of rural life. Williams’ hard work made the Grammy Award she nabbed for the record the following year extra-well-earned.
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns
