Remember that feeling you got when you heard your favorite country song for the first time? It’s an exhilarating and quite relatable experience for many. These six songs are just a few that we think country fans would give anything to hear for the first time again. Let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we?
1. “I Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash
“I Walk The Line” is one of the most iconic songs in country music history. Johnny Cash managed to blend inherent talent with a unique, dark, outlaw-leaning musical and physical aesthetic in a way that had not been done before 1956. This is the song that turned casual listeners into lifelong fans.
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2. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton delivered hit after hit during her heyday, but few songs come close to the 1973 classic tune “Jolene”. This song about a woman who begs another to not steal her man away has been covered by everyone from Beyonce to Miley Cyrus. It’s a timeless tune; kids who are getting into music now still experience butterflies when they first hear it.
3. “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” by Willie Nelson
Few songs from concept albums gain massive notoriety on their own without the context of their albums. “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” is one of Willie Nelson’s most notable successes. That says a lot, considering the man wrote and recorded over 100 albums.
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4. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
Today, it’s a karaoke classic known far and wide by people who love country and folk, as well as those who aren’t the biggest fans of the genre. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is John Denver’s most well-known song. It’s a homage to the places we grew up in the broad, beautiful landscapes of the continental United States, and even those not from humble country towns can still appreciate it.
5. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams
This 1949 track was ahead of its time; and it also influenced countless country music acts that followed in the decades since its release. It’s top-notch storytelling that you would expect from country music’s first mainstream star, Hank Williams. Elvis Presley even said “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” was the saddest song in the world. Williams’ songwriting talent was on full display with this song, and his emotional depth is still unmatched in the industry today. They don’t make them like Hank Williams anymore.
6. “Crazy” by Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline would have been a certified superstar if we didn’t lose her so young. “Crazy” is just one of her biggest hits, but we’d say it’s the most memorable. The track itself was actually written by Willie Nelson (who also made this list) and Cline’s vocal prowess really made it shine. It’s a jukebox classic, and many fans of country would love to hear it again for the very first time.
Photo via The John Denver Estate
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