We break down our top 19 country music songs of 2019. Find the full playlist here along with all our other favourite tracks from the year.
19. ‘Mary,’ Fairground Saints
Fairground Saints made a huge impact at this year’s C2C Festival, debuting this track in the UK for the first time. With gorgeous tight harmonies and a unique Californian touch to their music, this trio are going to be a tour de force in the years to come.
18. ‘Remember You Young,’ Thomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett may just be one of the most lovable guys in country music and this track tugs the heartstrings, particularly accompanied by its poignant music video. An ode to his wife and babies, this is Rhett at his best.
17. ‘Jersey on The Wall (I’m Just Askin’),’ Tenille Townes
Tenille Townes has fast become the UK country darling and stormed Country Music Week this year. The beautiful ‘Jersey on the Wall’ perfectly sums up her stunning songwriting, the ability to see the magic in the everyday and turn it into a heart-wrenching ballad.
16. ‘Bra Off’ Rae Lynn
The ultimate feel-good track of the year – we were so excited to hear this track from Rae Lynn after hearing it live at C2C and supporting Maren Morris at the Royal Albert Hall – ‘Bra Off’ is an empowering, fun track about the relief of a break-up, up-beat and joyous, we love everything about this track.
15. ‘Dirty Looks,’ Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson has been well and truly adopted by the UK and we have been waiting with baited breath for new music since last year’s ‘High on Something.’ The entire ‘Redneck Hollywood’ EP is a masterpiece in astute production and clever songwriting, ‘Dirty Looks’ is the perfect track from the EP – if this is a taste of what’s to come from Lainey’s entire record, then we’re in for something special.
14. ‘I Hope,’ Gabby Barrett
There is no doubt that Gabby Barrett possesses one of the biggest voices in country music right now. This single proves just that, giving the range of her voice a chance to ring out. This is one we’re listening to on repeat and we can’t wait to hear it live at C2C next year.
13. ‘Bachelorettes on Broadway,’ Willie Jones
Willie Jones is an incredible enigma in the country music scene, offering something totally fresh and new to the genre. This track did just that – a funky, swaggering ode to Nashville, this is one for the Friday night playlist.
12. ‘Household,’ Madison Kozak
When Nicolle Galyon announced her new venture ‘Songs and Daughters’ with flagship artist Madison Kozak, we couldn’t wait to see what this artist would produce, given the support from one of the most prolific songwriters in the genre. Kozak never disappoints. Having heard this live at CMT’s Next Women of Country, we were blown away… It’s a special songwriter who can put work ‘Samsonite’ into a lyric, and Kozak is just that – something special.
11. ‘Some People Do’, Old Dominion
Our favourite track from Old Dominion‘s self-titled album, ‘Some People Do’ is a poignant, lyrically sound track that feels like their most intimate and personal track yet. Love.
10. ‘Beer Never Broke My Heart,’ Luke Combs
A humongous track, Luke Combs returned this year with this bellowing party track designed for road trips and party playlists alike. Combs is one of the most solid songwriters we’ve heard in recent years and he pulls it out of the bag yet again with this one.
9. ‘Midnight Cowboy,’ Jenna Paulette
If you haven’t yet heard the name Jenna Paulette, then go away and listen to everything she’s got. Blending classic country, poignant songwriting with a modern, tender twist, Paulette is a raw talent. This is our favourite track of hers about a wayward cowboy and we’re in love.
8. ‘Family Tree,’ Caylee Hammack
Ok yep we know, we’re a little obsessed with Caylee Hammack, but one listen to her debut track and you will be too. Blending her traditional country twang with modern, pop-infused production, she is one to keep a firm eye on in the years to come and this love song to her family is our gateway drug.
7. ‘Redesigning Women,’ The Highwomen
When we first heard tell of the supergroup ‘The Highwomen,’ we were blown away by the mere whisper of a band featuring Carlile and Morris. With the release of their debut album, The Highwomen were ricocheted into the spotlight. The entire project was a testament to empowering women and no track summed up the ethos of the band or their musicianship more than ‘Redesigning Women.’
6. ‘The Bones,’ Maren Morris
It’s incredibly difficult to choose just one track from Morris’ CMA winning ‘GIRL’ album, but ‘The Bones’ just pipped the title for our favourite song from the album. To write about a relationship as you would a house – built on good bones – was a stroke of genius and makes for this phenomenally tender track that has already been remixed with Hozier.
5. ‘Prayed For You,’ Matt Stell
The ultimate wedding song, this track pushed Stell deservedly into the country spotlight. A gorgeous track about belief in true love – if this isn’t a gateway drug to Stell’s music, we don’t know what is.
4. ‘More Hearts than Mine,’ Ingrid Andress
This track ricocheted Ingrid Andress into the country consciousness. Thoughtfully and tenderly written, this piano ballad tells of fear to introduce a lover to her family and is incredibly poignant and relatable – a stunning track from a newcomer to the scene and one that earned a legion of fans to her cause.
3. ‘Bluebird,’ Miranda Lambert
Miranda’s ‘Wildcard’ album was one of our favourite albums of this year and this track is the perfect blend of pop elements, traditional country, rock and modern country – an enigma of a single.
2.’God’s Country,’ Blake Shelton
The winner of the Country Music Award for Single of the Year, this track has got so much staying power. Written by a formidable task force of songwriters including Devin Dawson and Jordan Rager, this is a powerful, epic and meaty song, bringing Shelton back to his best.
1. ‘What If I Never Get Over You,’ Lady Antebellum
We fell in love with this song when Lady Antebellum played it live at C2C. The studio version is an epic, heart aching ballad that was the perfect introduction to ‘Ocean.’ We just can’t get enough of the gorgeous lyrics, swelling builds or the perfect production – this track is sheer magic.
