Greatest Country Music Songs
The greatest country music songs are more than hits; they are the soundtrack of rural American life. At Iowa Gravel Roads Country, we spin classic country songs from 1960 through 2010, from honky-tonk heartbreakers and outlaw anthems to the chart-topping country hits of the nineties. These timeless tracks told honest stories of family, faith, and hard work, and defined the sound of country radio. Tune in to our free internet radio stream and rediscover the legendary artists behind the best country songs ever recorded.
The Greatest Country Music Songs, Decade by Decade
TL;DR
These old country music songs shaped five decades of classic country tunes. Every pick below spins regularly on Iowa Gravel Roads Country.
- 1960s: Honky-tonk and the Nashville Sound
- 1970s: Outlaw country hits
- 1980s: Neo-traditional favorites
- 1990s: Country classics go mainstream
- 2000s: Modern standards of the genre
1960s
Crazy
Patsy Cline
- Released: 1961
- Written by Willie Nelson; a timeless torch ballad
Ring of Fire
Johnny Cash
- Released: 1963
- Mariachi horns made it an instant country classic
1970s
He Stopped Loving Her Today
George Jones
- Released: 1980 (recorded late '70s)
- Often named the saddest country song ever
Jolene
Dolly Parton
- Released: 1973
- A plea that became one of the best country songs ever written
1980s
On the Road Again
Willie Nelson
- Released: 1980
- The ultimate gravel-road traveling anthem
1990s
Friends in Low Places
Garth Brooks
- Released: 1990, album No Fences
- A sing-along staple of every country bar
2000s
Live Like You Were Dying
Tim McGraw
- Released: 2004
- A heartfelt modern entry among the greatest country music songs
Common Questions
What are the greatest country music songs of all time?
Lists vary, but classics like "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "Stand By Your Man," and "Friends in Low Places" appear on nearly every ranking of the best country songs.
Where can I listen to classic country hits online?
Tune in to Iowa Gravel Roads Country, an internet radio station streaming classic country music from your browser or phone.
What years of country music does the station play?
Our playlist spans 1960 through 2010, from Nashville sound and outlaw country to '90s country hits and early 2000s favorites.
What makes a country song one of the greatest?
Honest storytelling, memorable melodies, standout vocals, and lasting influence on other artists turn a song into a timeless country classic.