************************************************** BIG DISCLAIMER!
I really don't care for most Country Music. The only modern Country I occasionally listen to (modern being post-1980's) is Brad Paisely and *only* his instrumentals, nothing with vocals.
These are my all-time favorite Country Music songs, concentrated from an original listing of 132 songs (some of which were tough to cut but I wanted an even 100). If there ever was a case of musical nostalgia forcing my ears to enjoy and appreciate music that I normally wouldn't, and I mean *really* get in to, this is it!
Unlike some sappy Rock I enjoy (which is still Rock...pounding drums, catchy chorus, wicked guitar solos), this nostalgia isn't romantically induced (with the exception of Alabama and a couple of others). This music to me goes just as deep with both happy and sad reflections. And believe it or not, for someone who doesn't like Country, some of my most favorites in this list of favorites are songs that could never have crossed into Rock or any other genre (George Jones tops that list). **************************************************
Most songs were taken from my very small collection of Country Music CDs (minus Alabama which is not shown)...
My Billboard #1s CLASSIC COUNTRY is a double CD with 30 songs which gets good reviews for song selection and quality of remastering... Billboard #1s: Classic Country
Last edited by MarkG; 02/05/2003:57 PM. Reason: Updated
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505714 - 01/31/2007:50 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,383PanzerMeyer
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Not a Country fan but a few songs on there I like. "The Gambler", "I Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire".
I'm pretty sure it can be argued that "Lady" was Pop since it was a big crossover hit that was on the Top 40 for a long time.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
I'm pretty sure it can be argued that "Lady" was Pop since it was a big crossover hit that was on the Top 40 for a long time.
Yeah, even written by Lionel Richie I believe.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505716 - 01/31/2007:58 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505727 - 01/31/2008:52 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
BTW, I didn't include any Southern Rock that occasionally made it on the Country charts. So no Hank Jr., Charlie Daniels and such.
I'm seeing an Eagles tribute a week from tonight, some of their stuff could be considered Country I suppose.
++++++++++
I owe my wife a Loretta Lynn concert on her ranch but now it's too late, she no longer performs.
Gotta get back to Nashville (from first NYC road trip)...
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505752 - 02/01/2003:24 AMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
I'm a very deep sleeper. First thing this morning I hear my wife's voice, "Charlie Daniels is coming to the casino, tickets go on sale next Friday." Must be dreaming, maybe after posting the pic yesterday of me pointing up at Charlie Daniels (funny how the mind works sometimes). The grogginess fades and then I realize it's not a dream. The Devil is Coming Down to the Bayou. Freakin' A! Verified and also nabbed us some Little River Band tickets for Fri. May 29th.
EDIT: So is this Country or something else?
The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down to Georgia...
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505791 - 02/01/2003:11 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
You know this old world is full of singers But just a few are chosen To tear your heart out when they sing Imagine life without them All your, radio heros Like the outlaw that walks through Jesse's dream
No, there will never be another Red-headed stranger A Man in Black and Folsom Prison Blues The Okie from Muskogee Or Hello Darling Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes
[Chorus:] Who's gonna fill their shoes Who's gonna stand that tall Who's gonna play the Opry And the Wabash Cannonball Who's gonna give their heart and soul To get to me and you Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes
God bless the boys from Memphis Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis Much too soon he left this world in tears They tore up the Fifties Old Jerry Lee and Charlie And old Go Cat Go still echoes through the years
You know the heart of country music Still beats in Luke the Drifter You can tell it when he sang I Saw the Light Old Marty, Hank and Lefty Why I can feel them right here with me On this Silver Eagle rolling through the night
[Chorus:] Who's gonna fill their shoes Who's gonna stand that tall Who's gonna play the Opry And the Wabash Cannonball Who's gonna give their heart and soul To get to me and you Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes
Yes I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?...
Last edited by MarkG; 02/01/2009:50 PM. Reason: Fixed lyrics (copied from lyrics site)
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505931 - 02/02/2010:42 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
What a gorgeous day to take some rural highways to nowhere while listening to old-school Country Music! I burned my playlist to CD (no USB in car and input cable is a pain) and we sampled it on a joyride.
In general, I'd say most songs from the 70's and before remind me of someone who, while growing up as a troubled kid, had a positive influence on my life. My aunt (father's sister, a big George Jones and Willie Nelson fan) tops the list, taking me in at times and then letting me move in at 16, becoming my legal guardian so that I could change schools and maybe get a fresh start. I moved in Jan. 1, 1984 to start at my new school after holiday break and within two weeks I found my future wife. There's more to the story as she was long-time best friends with my wife's aunt (I didn't know this at first). She helped me in ways I only found out about after passing in her 50's from bone cancer. She was the best, but there were other good people that I can associate with the music they listened to. I think music was a bigger deal for most people back then, possibly with having such limited entertainment options.
So some of the music in my playlist which might seem to make no sense...
...which unfortunately is not on my Blues Brothers Soundtrack CD, although "Rawhide" is (but more of a studio recording).
EDIT: Found out today that my wife stopped listening to Country Music radio over a year ago. Yay! Also, her last Brad Paisley album was Wheelhouse (2013), thinks the genre is going down the crapper <shrug>. I think Brad should make more albums like "Play" where he mostly just plays without vocals (he has at least 15 instrumentals, most of which sound pretty good to me).
Last edited by MarkG; 02/05/2004:50 PM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505943 - 02/03/2012:46 AMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505983 - 02/03/2001:21 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,383PanzerMeyer
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Originally Posted by MarkG
I'm seeing an Eagles tribute a week from tonight, some of their stuff could be considered Country I suppose.
"Tequila Sunrise" and "Take it Easy" definitely sound Country to my ears. I love both songs of course!!
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Stereo type. Sounds like a person who likes music to me.
I just don't know what Eagles we'll be getting (band named Hotel California), more Country or "Life in the Fast Lane". "Those Shoes" would be nice. Now that I think about it, my Eagles collection is only 3 albums plus 2 singles (not counting "Hell Freezes Over" - more of a live Greatest Hits):
- Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) - Hotel California (1976) - The Long Run (1979)
Plus singles: - Seven Bridges Road - Please Come Home for Christmas
What a concentration of goodness!
++++++++++
I do see where some Kenny Rogers might be considered more Soft Rock than Country. Everybody I knew loved Kenny Rogers, including my wife when we first met (like Alabama, it was something I could work with). The Merle was from an ornery old Coonass who was very kind to me, although his Cajun accent was so thick I didn't always understand him. But really, I think most people that liked any of those artists in my tiny collection also liked the others, although most of my collection is song specific. For example, I know my aunt had the Kenny Rogers album with "Every Time Two Fools Collide" (duet with Dottie West).
++++++++++
Some missing notables to me are:
- I'm a Lonesome Fugitive - Merle Haggard - Branded Man - Merle Haggard - Hello Walls - Faron Young [added] - Hello Darlin' - Conway Twitty [added] - One Piece at a Time - Johnny Cash
...and a few others.
Last edited by MarkG; 02/05/2004:45 PM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4505996 - 02/03/2003:40 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,383PanzerMeyer
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A little bit of trivia in case you didn't know already:
The Eagles Greatest Hits Volume I collection is the all-time highest selling album in the US. Of course, you can argue that it really shouldn't count since it's a greatest hits collection and not a standard album. If it doesn't count then "Thriller" by Michael Jackson still holds the all-time record.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
The Eagles Greatest Hits Volume I collection is the all-time highest selling album in the US. Of course, you can argue that it really shouldn't count since it's a greatest hits collection and not a standard album. If it doesn't count then "Thriller" by Michael Jackson still holds the all-time record.
Personally I don't feel that a Greatest Hits album should qualify, so "Thriller" should get it (which I like, BTW...and not just for the EVH solo in "Beat It"). My #1 album "Dark Side of the Moon" will eventually rule again in any case!
Cool album art though...
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4506039 - 02/03/2008:37 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
I want to say at least one more thing about old-school Country Music (if a bit progressive for the day). I'm going to re-post two Merle Haggard songs from other threads as my example, songs that are not controversial or patriotic (although I like those as well) and songs with two different moods...
Merle Haggard - "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink" [Live from Austin, TX]...
If possible, give these two a listen completely through with decent acoustics. If neither of them move you musically, you're just not a fan of this type of music, I think.
But if they do and you want to try more, I'd suggest "Seven Spanish Angels" and "Highwayman" next. I have no mental connection with these songs as far as I can remember, they're just really excellent songs to me.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4506117 - 02/04/2003:37 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4506257 - 02/05/2004:10 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
Made an update, replaced 3 later-dated George Jones's for a Conway Twitty, Faron Young and Dolly Parton (if just to make up for no "Islands in the Stream" w/Kenny Rogers). Also corrected some internet database misspellings and corrected some credits.
That should do it. I guess I have to agree with the many polls that rank George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" as the all-time greatest Country Music song.
++++++++++
I am going to post one more song because for me, this is about as close as I've ever come to a musical religious experience. Enjoy...
Ray Charles Willie Nelson Seven Spanish Angels(studio version)...
He looked down into her brown eyes And said "Say a prayer for me" She threw her arms around him Whispered, "God will keep us free" They could hear the riders comin' He said, "This is my last fight If they take me back to Texas They won't take me back alive"
[Chorus] There were seven Spanish angels At the altar of the sun They were prayin' for the lovers In the valley of the gun When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared There was thunder from the throne And seven Spanish angels Took another angel home
She reached down and picked the gun up That lay smokin' in his hand She said, "Father, please forgive me I can't make it without my man" And she knew the gun was empty And she knew she couldn't win But her final prayer was answered When the rifles fired again
Chorus X3 [increases emotion with each one]
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4506591 - 02/07/2007:23 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4507290 - 02/13/2009:40 PMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 3,748RedOneAlpha
Senior Member
RedOneAlpha
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LEGE
I´ll add this...
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#4507305 - 02/14/2012:12 AMRe: My Top 100 Country Music Songs
[Re: MarkG]
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run