Five of my Favorite Country Songs

The good thing about Star Trek being over is…I can start posting a couple of music things on Saturday and Sunday.

I grew up near Nashville so it did leave its imprint on me but I don’t listen to modern country music. I do include some songs that are more country/rock but they fit what I like. They are in no particular order…well my favorite admittedly is the top one.

Hope you enjoy the small sample platter of country songs.

This song is my favorite of the Flying Burrito Brothers. It came off their great  album The Gilded Palace of Sin.  It didn’t chart at the time. Parsons wrote this song with Burrito bass player Chris Ethridge while the band was living in their San Fernando Valley house that was dubbed “Burrito Manor.”

Merle Haggard was a constant on the radio here with my parents. He wrote so many classic songs and this is one of them…Mama Tried.

Merle Haggard wrote this song while serving time in San Quentin prison for robbery. The song is based on his life, and how his mother tried to help him but couldn’t… Mama Tried came out in 1968 and peaked at #1 on the Country Charts and #1 in the Canada Country Charts in 1968.

The man had 38 number-one hits, 71 top-ten hits, and 101 songs in the top 100 in the country charts. Merle is one of my favorite country artists. If only the new ones would listen and learn.

Hank Williams is one of my favorite country artists. He could write songs of great quality but the ironic thing is…this one is one of the few he didn’t write. His nickname…The Hillbilly Shakespeare is true to form. Hank Williams released this song in 1949 and it peaked at #12 on the Country Charts. It was written by Leon Payne.

Loretta Lynn is my favorite female country singer with apologies to Dolly Parton. This is a song that she did with Jack White called Portland Oregon. If the modern country was like this…I would listen. Their voices go really well with each other.  Country radio would not play it but the album still peaked at #2 on the Country Charts and #24 on the Billboard Album Charts and #1 on the UK Country Charts in 2004.

They didn’t win any country music awards but came away with two Grammys.

I love the build-up to this song…Jack White builds this up and Loretta starts singing around 1:40.

Now to finish it out with 5 songs…I thought I would add Dwight Yoakam who was inspired by Buck Owen’s Bakersville Sound. The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Country Charts and at #3 in Canada in 1993. It was written by Yoakam and produced by Pete Anderson.

The song was on Dwight’s album This Time. The album peaked at #4 in the Billboard Country Album Charts, #1 in the Canada RPM Album Charts, and #25 in the Billboard Album Charts.

…

Unknown's avatar

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

85 thoughts on “Five of my Favorite Country Songs”

  1. That’s an eclectic list. I agree with you that there is a lot to be learned from Merle and his style. I love his songs, and Mama Tried is a favorite of mine as well. I have tried to like the collaborations between Lynn and White, and haven’t been able to warm up to any of them. But it was a worthy collaboration, imo.

    I’ve attempted my own list, rapid fire style:
    Porter & Dolly ‘Last Thing on my Mind’
    Carlene Carter ‘Every Little Thing’
    Barbara Mandrell ‘Midnight Oil’
    Tommy Overstreet ‘Gwen Congratulations’
    Glen Campbell ‘Try a Little Kindness’
    That’s off the top of my head. Next week after thinking it over, I’d come up with a whole different list.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Oh wow…. Barbara Mandrell ‘Midnight Oil…it’s been a long time since I heard that one…thats a good list. The Porter and Dolly stuff is good also and I like Glen Campbell a lot…he is also one of the best guitarists ever.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. I was talking to Ron about them the other day. I was in love with the youngest one back then… Arlene I believe. They were so talented… but no… you don’t hear anything anymore.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Ok here’s six of the best from me –

    Rose Garden – Lynn Anderson
    Hopeless Romantic – Suzy Bogguss
    Real Live Woman – Trisha Yearwood
    Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
    Destiny’s Gate – Tish Hinojosa
    Family Hands – Mary Chapin Carpenter

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I love the Lynn Anderson song and I like Mary Chapin Carpenter. I’ve met Gretchen Wilson before through a friend…she liked one of my songs.
      Great list…and if I had to pick more modern…I would pick the female artists like you did.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  4. Great choices. One of the main difference between the modern UK and US singles chart is the popularity of country music… And I have to say thank God all that Bro-country hasn’t cracked the UK… yet. Country used to be very popular in the UK, in the 60s and 70s, and I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline from my parents. And, I admit, I bought ‘Come On Over’ by Shania Twain when I was fifteen (hey, it’s still a good album…)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Shania Twain and her husband Mutt Lange took over Nashville for a while…it pissed the old guard off bad! I loved it! I’m not a fan or anything but the first thing they said…and yes I talked to some execs and studio musicians… “what is a Mutt Lange?” Well the assholes found out quick what a Mutt Lange was lol. It changed Nashville.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Mutt Lange is great name, and always fun to hear it… I wonder though, if bringing a rock producer in for a country album, and that album being such a massive seller, started country music down the slippery slope to where it is now…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Oh yes! It most certainly did…personally I think it started with Garth Brooks…he was a failed rock musican that turned country. He brought that with him. It could have went better ways though like the Jack White – Loretta Lynn album…that would have been a great way to go but it didn’t…it turned into country-pop with a major twang.

        Like

  6. Pretty good list. It would take me awhile to try & come up with my list & figure out what did or did not qualify. But ‘A thousand miles to nowhere’ might easily be on it…loved that song since it came out (and even got played at times on rock radio). ‘Mama Tried’ I’ve only heard maybe in last 5,6 years…I had it in my head it was originally Johnny Cash. Guess not!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. If today’s country was this…I would listen to it. My mom and dad listened to Merle and all of those early ones like Loretta and Dolly also.

      Like

      Reply

    1. All of those are winners! I grew up on those artists…and I remember the King of the Road hotel in Nashville that Roger Miller owned…when we would drive by it as a kid I thought he wrote the song about that place…not the other way around.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  8. These are all nice picks. I guess if I could only take one, I’d go with The Flying Burrito Brothers as well. I really need to further explore their music. I’ve been meaning to do that for a long time.

    The only country artist I would listen to for many years was Johnny Cash who I always considered to be cool. At least I picked a good one! That said, pretty much all other country was “hillbilly music”, in my opinion.

    Fortunately, some 6-8 years ago, I came to realize that taking such a broad-stroke stance was pretty ignorant. What changed my attitude was the realization that some of my favorite artists like John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow had a good deal of country in their music. “Dead Flowers”, one of my absolute favorites by The Rolling Stones, is a country tune, for crying out loud!

    Nowadays, I like a good deal of country music. In general, I prefer when it has a good dose of rock or blues in it, but I also like some traditional country.

    With all the crossover action, country has grown into a ginormous genre. Sometimes, this makes it even hard to define what country really is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. My big problem with modern country is what Jeff says…the “bro country” stuff I can’t take…the male’s voice now…have a sound thats hard for me to take.
      This stuff doesn’t have that. They sound like regular people…it’s hard for me to say what I want…
      This stuff I love…and Dwight Yoakam is super cool to me….he reminds me of a country Tom Petty.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      7. Oh yes…that is getting down to down to earth music…I’m not sure how to describe it…I tried with CB…but rootsy…if radio country was like that…yes I would listen.

        Liked by 2 people

      1. I guess once again this just proves how music is such an individual listening experience.

        I used to be way more vocal about music I don’t like. Nowadays, for the most part, I no longer do this.

        After all, who am I to say what’s good and bad. If I don’t like it, I simply don’t listen to or comment on it. I really don’t want to add to the negativity that surrounds us in the news and especially on social media.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. I know what you mean Christian. I try to only review stuff on my blog if I have something positive to say on it, somewhere, and that even includes the ludicrous amount of prog rock I have reviewed (I don’t really like prog!).

        Like

  9. Some great choices! Hank Williams is a no-brainer, just hard to pick which song. “Mama Tried” might be my favorite Merle Haggard song (“Sing Me Back Home” is up there). I got to see Merle in Gilroy, California many years ago, and Dwight Yoakum (wish I’d discovered him 30 years earlier) for my birthday a few years ago. I would rank Patsy Cline as my favorite above Loretta Lynn or Dolly Parton, but we don’t have to agree on everything 😉 Too bad you couldn’t fit Bob Wills (with the great Leon McAuliffe and Eldon Shamblin) in there.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Well Loretta Lynn…we didn’t know each other when I posted the story…but when I was 8 I had breakfast with her at her ranch…such a lovely woman and that has connected me to her forever….and I do love her songwriting and the subjects she tackled in country…like The Pill and other things. I LOVE the ones you mentioned though of course.
      Oh there are a lot of older ones I really like…I like more than this of course…but these are my first go to ones.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. It wasn’t preplanned either. My mom was divorced and she took me to her ranch…and Loretta was there and saw us and signaled us to come here…we went into her place and she invited us to breakfast…a nicer person I’ve never met.

        Liked by 3 people

  10. A great list Max, that FBB song is one of their best. You and I are about to have some crossover with my upcoming series! I like a lot of different music including country. It’s always good to hear other people’s opinions.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I do like country…it took a while Randy…it was shoved down my throat from an early age but I started to appreciate it more and more. Cool…I’m looking forward to it!

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      2. No you are completely right I was weaned on it. Why do you think an eight year old would buy his first Beatle album in 1975. Country was thrown at me everywhere and I found the Monkees on TV and then my cousin played me Meet The Beatles…that was it…case closed…it sounded perfect to me.

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Ok here’s the deal Max. Stop me before I get going. This post has grabbed me. That label “country” is a polarizing one. Some of these songs (and artists) you posted are among my favorites in all the music I listen to. We’ve discussed the GP song. Off the charts with me. Merle is on another level in my listening. Hank is not only someone who has inspired just about everyone in music (catch the Blasters Long White Cadillac) but has gave me a lot of hours of enjoyment.
    I was listening to a ‘Songwriters Tribute To Merle” yesterday. Check it out. One of my favorite compilations. I just listened to a GP one and I have another waiting today (while I chuff on a cigar and soak up some vite d). That Jack/ Loretta tune is killer.
    Ill wrap up with the “country” thing. Most of the music I listen to is touched by “country”. The Band, Allmans, Fogerty, Bruce……… Great post fella. “Dont pet that dog he just rolled in shit”. Isnt that a Neil Young lyric? Very cool post Max. You got me out of hiding. Looks like you posted another one that’ll get me yappin.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Glad you liked it CB!
      You are right about the term Country. It’s like the term power pop… it depends on who is saying.

      On all of those you mentioned… yes they have that::. Damn it’s hard to describe but I’ll would say roots music… down to earth… all of those worn out phrases I’ve used… or music that sounds good even played on a back porch…

      I love that phrase concerning the dog! I’ll check the Merle thing out. I like to see how people interpret other artists music.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Just heading outside for that cigar and tunes. It all comes under music we like and that moves us. Yup the “earth” word works. “Earth Music”. I like it.
        ‘Dont Spook The Horse” is that Neil tune. Its a bit of a jam but the lyrics get me every time because I’ve patted a lot of dogs that rolled in shit. That Merle tribute has a lot of fine folks involved which I know you’ll dig. Dave Alvin does a great version of ‘Kern River’ a Merle story song that I love. Im going to listen to ‘Retun Of The Grievous Angel’ a very good tribute to GP wit the Mavericks covering the song you posted . Raul Malo has the pipes and emotion. The other one I just listened to is ‘Conmemorativo – A Tribute To Gram Parsons’ Fantastic post Max. You moved me wit it. Adios Amigo.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I just checked out the Dave Alvin version of Kern River…fantastic…and Don’t Spook the Horse…what a line!
        You also got me to listen to Retun Of The Grievous Angel again…not a bad thing. I’m listening to the Gram and Emmylou version…what a great song.
        Glad you liked it CB.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. We talked about ‘4TH Of July’ when we first started to exchange comments. Yeah, Alvin originally did it on his first solo album then later on the album Panther mentioned . Also X covered it as you know.. Alvin and Doe are good buddies. They are both on that Haggard tribute.

  12. Can’t argue with any of these, this is a Grrrreat list of country tunes. I love Jack convincing Loretta to make an album with him. Gram is too pretty to be a man but I like that tune. Hank is one of *the* country singers in my book. Dwight is at a level with Buck Owens and committed to the music.

    Now you know I have to list some in my favorites category for country, but these are just the tip of the iceberg. I’m a big old style country fan:
    1) Streets of Laredo by Buck Owens and The Buckaroos;
    2) Stand By Your Man by Tammy Wynette (and also the Lyle Lovett version!);
    3) Goodbye by Steve Earle (can’t hear it without crying);
    4) Pancho & Lefty by Townes VanZandt;
    5) He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones;
    6) Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys by Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

    One thing I notice: neither you nor I included Johnny Cash or The Carter Family. That’s a real oversight.

    Hurt by Johnny Cash
    The Tennessee Stud by Johnny Cash
    Jackson by June Carter and Johnny Cash
    Keep on The Sunny Side by The Carter Family

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    2. Glad you liked them! Sorry we were in Kentucky.
      I cannot argue with your list at all! Great list and I if mine would have been longer…all of those and Johnny Cash would be in it.
      Cash covers so many genres Lisa…sometimes I don’t really consider him country….he’s just…well he is just…CASH.

      Hurt would be in there no doubt. That is one time a singer made a song his…even the writer said said so.

      I have to admit…I’ve missed doing things like this but Star Trek kept me on a schedule…if I do another TV series…I will leave myself some wiggle room to post other things.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      5. Cool! I’ll be watching. It’s harder to keep up with the school year underway, but I keep trying. I thought of Charley Pride, too. If I’d spent more time on my list he might have been on it.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Did you get some good deals in Kentucky? I just got back from a 2-mile walk with my older son. He’s been bugging me to get exercise and has volunteered to walk with me once a week. Perfect day for a walk with a nice breeze along the lake. I know about needing a longer list it’s like trying to pick favorite 5 R&R songs. I’m glad you had a starting point though and the post has gotten some really good discussion going. I agree about CASH. Did I tell you I bought Live at Folsom Prison awhile back? I listened to it that day I canned the salsa. It was like being there. I think (iirc) it was the first time Johnny performed A Boy Named Sue in public.

        Liked by 2 people

      8. Yes we did… $197 enough for around 3-4 weeks. Not counting picking up eggs and milk abut that isn’t bad over all.
        Today here is a super day to get out…it’s so clear and cool…it’s in the mid 80s with a breeze blowing. I know that had to feel good out there.

        I’ve listened to that album a few times…I love it. It IS like being there. That is so cool that you got it.

        Liked by 1 person

      9. That’s big savings, Max! Johnny had a way about him. He knew how to navigate people. Bless his heart. Now you made me think of that time Nixon tried to force him to sing a particular song but he wouldn’t have any of that.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Enjoyed your list. George’s song certainly belongs on a list, and the old Buck Owens and his band didn’t do a bad song I don’t think. My favorite of theirs is the instrumental Buckaroo. Initially I had Johnny Cash in my list, but there were 7 and two had to be eliminated. His stepdaughter Carlene Carter is on my list though, and if I could have done a longer list, June’s Tall Lover Man would have made it.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  14. Here’s deKe’s Honky Tonk Five Pack…. not in any order…..but 5……The Other Kind- Steve Earle…Guitars/Cadillac’s-Dwight…..On The Road Again-Willie……Dead Flowers-Stones ….Fearless Heart- Steve Earle

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  15. Sorry, been out all damned day! Country ain’t my cuppa tea but there is always some bleedover from other genres so I’ll try these ones. First, old school, but I like this despite it being SO country60s. Ned Miller ‘From A Jack To A King,’ Emmy Lou, ‘Calling My Children Home’ Joe South ‘Don’t It Make You Want To Go Home,’ ‘Kris Kristofferson ‘Silver Tonged Devil And Me’ and ‘Tennessee Bird Walk’ Jack Blanchard And Misty Morgan- on second thought, NOT the last one. Please.
    Also, happy sails to Jimmy Buffet. Sadly missed already.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I know how that is!
      Good list obbverse!
      Jimmy Buffett…yea that is sad. He pretty much made his own genre of music. Not country or pop exactly…and sprinkle some tropical instruments in.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. I learned about Tom T. Hall long ago. Great songwriter.

    Billy Joe Shaver has written a couple of great songs and there’s so much by him I haven’t explored yet.

    Merle Haggard, for sure, thanks to the Dave Alvin Tom Russell Peter Case tribute to him as an introduction.

    Roger Miller. Even that song, if you can call it that, he did for the Disney Robin Hood movie, Whistlestop. It is a great tune.

    Suzy Bogguss, under the wing of Chet Atkins, did some amazing records of songs that I wouldn’t otherwise consider country. But then, I don’t think the term really means much.

    Mind if I group Bob Wills, The Light Crust Doughboys and Asleep at the Wheel together in one thought.

    Bluegrass and new grass are totally different, but I’ve loved John Hartford’s stuff since the early ’70s.

    I loved the songs of Kinky Friedman. Never learned very much about him as a politician.

    Emmylou Harris. Oh yes, particularly the Luxury Liner and Quarter Moon albums.

    Does Guy Clark belong on this list? And Lyle Lovett? And Dwight?

    and so many more

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to nostalgicitalian Cancel reply