The best 90s Country songs: The 1990s were a chaotic time in country music, with singers exploring a range of career paths. Pop sensations such as Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain crossed over to large audiences.
The best 90s Country songs
1. Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take the Girl”
90s country songs Tim McGraw’s first big success came released in 1994 and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top 100. This song is appealing and realistic, telling the tale of the challenges a couple of experiences at various stages of their love. Johnny does everything in his power to make sure that other men “don’t take the girl” despite all the challenges the relationship encounters.
2. Leanne Rimes’ How Do I Live
90s song for country This Leanne Rimes mega song premiered in 1997 and spent seven consecutive weeks at the number two position on the charts. This love song, the lead single from Rimes’ second album, spent an astounding 69 weeks on the charts. The narrator of the song claims that she is unable to exist without the subject of her passion. Those are unrealistic thoughts for a teenager to sing about, yet they are nevertheless poetic and compelling.
3. Tracy Byrd’s “Watermelon Crawl”
90s country songs the second single from Tracy Byrd’s sophomore album, this song later inspired a famous line dance of the same name. The lyrics are catchy and entertaining, and the dance is funny and easy for beginners. The song tells the story of a man who stops his car on a Georgia highway when he sees a sign for a nearby watermelon festival. The festival includes spirited drinks in addition to all the excitement one would anticipate finding in the south. The mayor of the town enjoys watching the locals have a good time but advises them to avoid driving after drinking by participating in the “Watermelon Crawl,” a safe line dance.
4. “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw
90s country songs This upbeat song, which was first released in 1995 and peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs list, also served as the Nashville Predators’ official NHL sports anthem and was frequently used during NFL coverage. One of McGraw’s most well-known songs, the upbeat song declares that the singer both appreciates and loves the effort he does to keep his girl happy (dressing up and washing the truck to sit on the couch and watch tv).
5. Astonished by Lonestar
90s country songs This power ballad, which was first released in early 1999, is still Lonestar’s top hit. Since its release, “Amazed” has been covered by several artists due to its widespread popularity and appeal to fans of both country and pop music. An infatuated pair who drew inspiration from their own love for one another wrote this beautiful tune. The lyric “Every little thing that you do, darling, I’m amazed by you” sums up the song’s main point.
6. Faith Hill’s This Kiss
90s country songs When it made it debut in 1998, “This Kiss,” from Faith Hill’s third album “Faith,” topped the charts in both the US and Canada. This song, which was nominated for two Grammy Awards, epitomizes the kind of budding romance that 90s women fantasized of. This song encourages listeners to think that fairytales can indeed come true by equating her personal love story with those of princesses like Cinderella and Snowhite.
7. Martina McBride’s “Independence Day”
90s country songs When this song first came out in 1994, many immediately thought it was a patriotic song, however the real message behind “Emancipation Day” is about a woman’s independence from domestic abuse. Francine Hughes, the only woman to ever be exonerated of a crime due to temporary insanity brought on by Battered-Woman Syndrome, served as the inspiration for the song’s lyrics. This hymnal from the 1990s is still relevant today as a national anthem for victims of domestic violence.
8. Billy Ray Cyrus’ Achy Breaky Heart
90s country songs Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart,” which was included on his debut album “Some Give All,” went viral in 1992. This song, a crossover pop-country success, was played loudly on dance floors all around the world as listeners shouted the catchy lyrics along with the beat. This song, which has a line dance and an upbeat beat, is unquestionably the most recognizable by Cyrus.
9. Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s “I See a Darkness”
90s country songs This upbeat country song by Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s real name, Will Oldham, is just as sinister and turbulent. This ominous song has undertones of warmth, yet it is unmistakably Oldham. The song “I See a Darkness” was initially released in 1999, and it is raw and melodious. The song’s lyrics refer to “my best unbeaten brother,” saluting the fun times they’ve had together and declaring their love for everyone they know.
10. Steve Earle’s I Ain’t Ever Satisfied
90s country song “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied,” a song by San Antonio, Texas, native Steve Earle, was released in 1996. Lyrically and musically, it is as truthful as any other Steve Earle song. The cliché that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side is bemoaned in the song. Even when he is happy, Earle sings about never being satisfied.
11. Shania Twain’s song “You’re Still the One”
90s country songs This Shania Twain single, which is among the best country songs from the 1990s, peaked at number two on the Billboard Top 100. It should come as no surprise that this song continues to enjoy a high level of popularity. This popular ballad, which was nominated for four Grammy Awards and took home two of them in 1999, proclaims that “we’ve made it” and “you’re still the one” despite the challenges.
12. “What Part of No (Don’t You Understand)” by Lorrie Morgan
90s country songs in this Lorrie Morgan song, sexual harassment is strongly condemned. This 1992 hit song has a lady who, after being repeatedly rejected by a man, asks, “What part of no don’t you understand that song’s rousing chorus would be cited in sexual harassment court documents years later.
13. Travis Tritt, “Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”
Anyone who has ever been played with or dumped by a partner can identify with this 1991 hit as their anthem of redemption. It doesn’t get much more 90s than this when the song’s narrator confronts an ex who wants to sneak back into his life and scornfully advises her to “call someone who cares,” even offering her the quarter to make the call.
14. Emmylou Harris’ “Wrecking Ball”
This Emmylou Harris song, which was released in 1995, was a break from her usual acoustic style. “Wrecking Ball,” like a lot of her songs, is unmistakably Americana. Despite never reaching the top of the charts, her peers hold the song in high respect. The song is about a girl who is aware she cannot go back to where she came from but is unsure of what to do next. “Wrecking Ball” is one of the best country songs to come out of the 1990s and a meaningful song for so many Harris fans.
15. Mark Chestnutt’s It’s a Little Late
Mark Chestnutt’s “It’s a Little Too Late,” a popular country song in both the US and Canada, had its premiere in 1996. This sorrowful ballad bemoans the universal sentiment of wishing one could go back and change things. When the narrator’s lady departs, he considers all the things he may have done differently but ultimately decides that “it’s a bit too late.”
16. Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochie”
With the release of this number-one hit in 1993, Alan Jackson was honored with the Country Music Award for Song of the Year. Both performers in the country music and pop genres liked this likable song. Living life to the fullest and growing up in a small town in the United States are timeless sentiments. The catchy lyrics and brisk beat of “Chattahoochee” make it a beloved 90s song.
17. Collin Raye’s “Love, Me”
Released in 1991, this song quickly rose to the top of the charts and became Collin Raye’s first number-one hit. This calm country ballad has a couple who swear to love one another, get married, keep their promises, and spend their golden years together. He makes a pledge to love her even though the lady ultimately prevails over him.
18. Dwight Yoakam’s “Fast as You”
Dwight Yoakam’s album “This Time,” “Fast as You,” was made available in 1993. The song, a crossover country/rock tune, was a tremendous hit in both the US and Canada. The narrator of the song wonders if one day he’ll be as swift as the person who crushed his heart. When it’s her turn to hurt, he also worries if she’ll slow down.
19. Rodney Crowell’s “Please Remember Me”
Crowell’s “Please Remember Me,” which was written and published in 1995, barely reached number 69 on the Billboard Top 100. But afterward, the song was redistributed by several well-known performers, including Aaron Neville, Linda Ronstadt, and Tim McGraw. This melancholy song of tragic grief bids a loved one farewell and reassures them that everything will be well in the end.
20. Toby Keith, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”
This song, which Toby Keith, a country music legend, released in 1993, peaked at the top of numerous music charts. The song “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which was frequently played at collegiate sporting events, glamorized the cowboy lifestyle, and paid homage to well-known old Westerns. The song romanticized cowboy life in several ways, such as by mentioning famous cowboys by name, slinging guns, and engaging in playboy behavior.
21. Blue Clear Sky by George Strait
This song cemented its position in the annals of 90s country music after rocketing to the top of the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1996. The well-known “Blue Clear Sky,” which was recorded in Nashville, the cradle of so many amazing country hits, was inspired by the “Forest Gump” film. The song’s lyrics, which describe the singer’s long-awaited lover appearing out of the “blue clear sky,” are certainly sympathetic and have a timeless sound.
22. “I Try to Think About Elvis” by Patty Loveless
This charming song, which was published in 1994, spent 20 weeks on the country’s top charts. Finding diversions when you’re down the theme of the song. The singer attempts to “think about Elvis Presley” to distract herself from the pain because she can’t focus on anything else, including her obligations or her ex-lover.
23. Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s in Love with The Boy”
This iconic, twangy ballad from 1991 is about a young couple whose parents don’t approve of their love. It is impossible to ignore the underlying “Romeo and Juliet” theme of opposing authority to be with the one you love. Fortunately, one of the parents realizes that she and her husband were the same in-love teenage couple and that everything worked out for them.
24.”Is There Life Out There?” by Reba McEntire
This Reba McEntire song made its debut in 1992 and peaked at the top of the US and Canadian charts. This lively song tells the tale of a woman who was married at the age of 20 and, as she gets older, fantasizes about what life would be like if she weren’t tied down to her family and home. This song is still a favorite country tune because it is empathetic to homemakers and stay-at-home mothers equally.
25. Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks
This iconic country song made its debut in August of 1990 and has since gained enduring popularity. The humorous lyrics and catchy music have it belted out in bars all throughout the country. The awful feeling of finding you’ve forgotten your wallet when the bar bill comes was the inspiration for the song. I’ve Got Friends in Low Places, the friend complains as he realizes he will have to pay his friend’s tab.
Conclusion
Massive hits from the 1990s included many of the numerous country songs that still elicit strong feelings of nostalgia today. The top country songs of the 1990s included Americana slogans, emotional wedding ballads, blockbuster movie soundtracks, and tunes for high school dances.
