Tim McGraw made his country music debut in 1991 with his self-titled album. Since then, he has launched 26 songs to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He has also amassed 17 No. 1 entries on the publication’s Top Country Albums Chart. His stardom expands outside the country music as well. He has starred in hit movies and TV shows like The Blind Side, Friday Night Lights, and 1883. More than that, he was a cornerstone of country music in the ’90s.
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While McGraw’s star is still shining brightly, there’s no denying that he was at the height of his fame in the 90s. Today, we’re looking back at four of his massive hits from the era that are guaranteed to transport listeners back in time.
1. “Don’t Take the Girl”
Written by Byron Gallimore and James Stroud, Tim McGraw released “Don’t Take the Girl” as the second single from his sophomore album Not a Moment Too Soon. The track spent two weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, giving McGraw his first No. 1 and kicking off a string of hits that lasted until the end of the decade.
It’s nearly impossible to assemble a list of McGraw’s hits without this song. This song helped him gain the ears of listeners across the nation. At the same time, this tear-jerking love story has stood the test of time better than most songs of its era. It’s just as impactful today as it was upon its initial release more than 30 years ago.
2. “Just to See You Smile”
Mark Nesler and Tony Martin co-wrote “Just to See You Smile” and Tim McGraw released it as the third single from his album Everywhere in 1997. To say this song was a big hit would be an understatement. It spent six weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart and earned Platinum certification from the RIAA.
“Just to See You Smile” helped make McGraw a record-breaking artist. It spent a total of 42 weeks on the chart, making it the longest-running single at the time. It was also the longest-running country single of the ’90s. Additionally, it was the No. 1 country song of the year. More importantly, it helped solidify McGraw’s place among the heavy hitters of the era.
3. “Please Remember Me”
Rodney Crowell co-wrote “Please Remember Me” with Will Jennings and released it as the sole single from his 1995 album Jewel of the South. His version peaked at No. 69. Then, Tim McGraw recorded it for his 1999 album A Place in the Sun with Patty Loveless singing harmony. It shot to the top of the country chart and stayed there for five weeks.
“Please Remember Me” was also a crossover hit for McGraw. It peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him his highest-charting single on the all-genre chart at the time. The song remains among McGraw’s most popular and currently has nearly 200 million streams on Spotify.
4. “My Best Friend”
Written by Aimee Mayo and Bill Luther, Tim McGraw released “My Best Friend” as the third single from A Place in the Sun in 1999. It was his final single of the ’90s and allowed him to end the decade by adding one more No. 1 song to his resume.
“My Best Friend” is solid country gold. Packed with pedal steel and fiddle, it is an example of the right singer finding the right song and the perfect arrangement to make something truly special.
Featured Image by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
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