3 Throwback Country Tracks That Deserve a Comeback Moment

Everyone loves a good comeback hit. Listeners love the shot of nostalgia they get from listening to something from a time gone by. Whether it reminds them of their childhood or offers a glimpse of a different era, fans will always rely on throwback hits. The three country songs below are strong candidates for a comeback track. These songs have just the right level of relatability and timelessness to survive for decades.

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“Guitars, Cadillacs” (Dwight Yoakam)

Country music has always loved a strong, commiserating breakup song. While there is no shortage of songs still around today that fall into this category, what’s one more? The first song on this list of comeback hit nominees is Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars, Cadillacs.”

Yoakam found something to fill the hole his ex left within him when she said goodbye: Now it’s guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly music / Lonely, lonely streets that I call home / Yeah, my guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly music / Is the only thing that keeps me hanging on. This is the kind of song modern country artists are attempting to replicate these days. Why not revisit the source material?

“Is There Life Out There” (Reba McEntire)

Reba McEntire’s “Is There Life Out There” resonates with many of her listeners. This country song follows McEntire as she tells the story of a woman who married young and lost her sense of self as a result. Though that’s not a universal experience, it’s prevalent enough to have made this song a hit back in its day.

Is there life out there? So much she hasn’t done / Is there life beyond her family and her home? / She’s done what she should, should she do what she dares, she sings. This sentiment is as relatable now as it was several decades ago. It’s so relatable, in fact, that it could easily become a country comeback hit.

“Mountain Music” (Alabama)

Alabama’s “Mountain Music” is infectious. It’s impossible not to clap along to this country classic when it comes on. This song hasn’t really gone anywhere over the years, but it could be more prevalent than it is.

Country music, like much of today’s culture, has a nostalgic element. This song leans heavily into nostalgia, making it an obvious choice for a comeback hit.

(photo by Beth Gwinn/Getty Images)