Comments on: Discussion: Greatest Country Songs

By: J.R. Journey

J.R. Journey — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:48:02 +0000

First off, I think it’s a crime that ‘Seven Year Ache’ is all the way up there at #90.

I think ‘Is There Life Out There’, ‘Coat of Many Colors’, and ‘Always On My Mind’ should have been a lot higher.

Songs that ranked too high: ‘The Chair’ – personally, I don’t even like that song. And it’s allegedly the 23rd best country song ever. No. It’s not even the 23rd best George Strait song. Also, ‘Breathe’, ‘I Hope You Dance’, and ‘Wide Open Spaces’ didn’t belong anywhere near the top 40 either.

By: Erik North

Erik North — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:39:53 +0000

I think the greatest country songs are the ones that keep getting performed and recorded over not just the years but the decades, and Hank Sr.’s have had a lot of performances and recordings in cover versions–maybe more than anybody else, because his material is universal, and goes beyond the confines of country.

To continue this thread:

“I’m Movin’ On”–no, not the Rascal Flatts one, but the Hank Snow classic (covered by, among others, Emmylou Harris and, on his landmark 1969 Memphis sessions, Elvis himself).

“Break My Mind”–the John D. Loudermilk standard that I mentioned in my Favorite Artists thread on Linda, who did the song in 1969. People like George Hamilton IV, Jerry Lee Lewis, Vern Gosdin, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, to name just a few, have recorded it.

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:25:32 +0000

Definitely, Erik. You could make a case for putting a dozen of Hank’s tunes on there.

By: Erik North

Erik North — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:18:19 +0000

Another country standard that springs to mind is the immortal Hank Williams favorite “I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You”, which has seen its share of covers throughout the years, both from the country and the pop spectrum (Elvis Presley; B.J. Thomas; Linda Ronstadt; Al Martino, etc.).

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:57:56 +0000

I could never name just one all time favorite because it depends on my mood. But these are near the top.

“Unanswered Prayers”
“After All This time”
“Im no Stranger to the Rain”
“The three Bells”
“An American Girl”
“Rocky Top”
“Forever and Ever Amen”
“Travelin Soldier”
“18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses”
“Tennesee Flat Top Box”

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:18:13 +0000

“Once A Day” by Connie Smith. Still the longest charting female #1 single (8 weeks).

By: Blake Boldt

Blake Boldt — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:05:20 +0000

McRib all the way. Not that I eat a whole lot of Mickey D’s or BK.

“All the Good Ones Are Gone” is one of the best Tillis songs—torchy, twangy fireball of a vocal, shot-for-the-heart subject matter, sociological reflection (?).

“Seven Year Ache”—top ten might be a stretch, but it’s a perfect example of a song growing in stature through the years. Cash called it a “gift” to have the inspiration to create “Ache” at just age 24. (Believe me, I’m 24 now and I haven’t had that kind of bright idea yet.) I’d definitely place it much higher than CMT (#81). There’s a cool, aloof bitterness at work in her voice and it’s just a sharply-written little number.

“Don’t Toss Us Away” isn’t the Loveless song I would include, though I understand its charms. I think having even one song on the list would be an achievement. Some artists have terrific catalogs, but maybe not one standout single. (Emmylou Harris is one that springs to mind.) Loveless guested on “Go Rest,” “When I Call Your Name” and “Please Remember Me,” all of which made the list, btw.

I’d take “Grandpa” or “Why Not Me” over “Mama, He’s Crazy.” I’d nix “You’re Still the One” and toss in “Any Man of Mine.” No “Breathe.” No “Amazed.”

By: Chris N.

Chris N. — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:02:16 +0000

Whopper in a pinch, but I’d really prefer a BK Broiler.

By: Gavin

Gavin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:45:14 +0000

I don’t think you can consider this a serious list. Didn’t CMT create a bunch of Greatest lists like love songs, duets, etc. which might take away songs that should be included. Where would you put “Does He Love You”, “Islands In The Stream”, “Golden Ring”, “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man”,”After the Fire is Gone”, and others like, “She thinks I still Care”, “Who’s Going to Fill their Shoes”, “Twenty Years Ago” by Kenny Rogers, “Once a Day” by Connie Smith and many, many more. Where is “Linda on my Mind” and “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” and “Hello Darlin’” needs to be in the top ten at the very least. Cmt’s list is awful.

By: Hard Times

Hard Times — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:16:29 +0000

“She Thinks All the Good Ones are Gone” by Pam Tillis