“Top 10 Country Songs … 2013”
2013 was a great year for country
music. It was both a year for new songs
from some favorite artists and a year for break-through artists to establish
their presence in the world of country music.
Some of the songs on this list did not generate much air play; however,
I chose them along with the others for their innate brilliance. Others of these songs are new songs from
established artists that radiantly reflect their reputable career. However, they all exemplify the greatness of
country music.
I, through the past year, have
been taking note on songs that have bid particularly well on the country music
charts, as well as songs that have caught my personal attention for their
intrinsic merit. There were other songs
in this past year that have been excluded from this list. Some of these songs have lasting quality to
be shared with generations to come.
Moreover, within the entire catalogue of country music this past year,
many others reflect the talent of both their performers and of their
writers.
I am very happy to welcome
artists such as Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw to this list for their wonderful
contributions to country music this year.
I also welcome artists such as Kacey Musgrave and Locash to this list
for their emergence into country music this year.
However, among the many great
songs and performances this past year, I chose to compile this Top 10 list on
the preceding criteria. Hopefully some
of your favorite songs will be on this list and hopefully you will enjoy others
that did not catch your attention over the past year.
Number 10: The
best seat in the house by Lo Cash
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This heart-wrenching song captures the familiar love that a father
feels for his son and that a son feels for his father. This love transgresses time from the boy’s
youth to the father’s time in heaven. From
little league games to the son’s marriage, the strong vocals and moving lyrics accentuate
the sentiment of a father’s bond with his son.
Number 9: I don’t want this night to end by Luke Bryan
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This song, featuring the exceptional vocals of Luke Bryan, captures,
with integrity, the heart of country music.
It fuses contemporary country with a strong back-beat, appealing
feelings of youth with those of mature enthusiasm. The song represents another entry to the
broad base of music by Luke Bryan in the country music library.
Number 8: Everybody’s got somebody but me by Hunter Hayes
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This song reflects the influence of a traditional country sound
infused with a melodic muse reflecting the nearly forgotten standards of the
first half of the twentieth century.
Hunter Haze’s voice and lyrical styling, however, creates a sound that
is pure country. The song highlights a
casual wander through an evening or day, whichever you prefer, reflecting the
loneliness felt in the song in a trifling manner.
Number 7: The
boys around here by Blake Shelton (with the Pistol Annie’s)
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This song couples the sensual
background vocals of the Pistol Annie’s with the classic country singing of
Blake Shelton. The song, released early
last year, was Blake Shelton’s ninth number one in a row followed by “Mine would be you” which was to become
his tenth straight number one hit on country music radio. This song has lasting quality with the purist
sounds of country that is its essence.
Number 6: Blowin’
smoke by Kacey Musgrave
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Although Kacey Musgraves has been recording country music for over ten
years, she first emerged as a force in country music this past year. The song,”Blowin’
Smoke,” did not fare well on the charts; however, it received critical
acclaim by critics. The album from which it was released, “Same trailer different park” received the Grammy for 2014 Country Music Album of the Year Award. Hopefully, there will be more music from this
talented artist brought our way.
Number 5: I
drive your truck by Lee Brice
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Lee Brice has been an artist that has been persistently on the country
music charts for the past few years. He
has brought us all a great deal of exceptional music. However, once in a while an artist such as
this will bring us a particularly memorable song. This song is an example of just that. This song masterfully captures the loss of a
family member poignantly with powerful lyrics and the powerful vocals of Lee
Brice.
Number 4: One
of those nights by Tim McGraw
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Number 3: Not
my mama’s broken heart by Miranada Lambert
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From the first time that I heard this song, it became one of my
favorite country songs; not only of this year, but of the many songs released
in the many years that I have been listening to country music. The song brought to me a new level of
appreciation to this singer whose music I have always enjoyed. The song is true to the folk-rock nature of
most of her songs. Take a listen to this
song to see if you agree.
Number 2: Downtown
by Lady Antebellum
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Lady Antebellum is best known for her cross-over hit, “Need you now,” which helped her earn
Grammy’s in 2011 for Best Country Album, Record of the Year, and Best Country
Song. Lady Antebellum’s earlier
signature song was “Looking for a goodtime.” In early 2013 Lady Antebellum
released the song, “Downtown” as a
return to their country roots. Although
the song did not have cross-over appeal, it was warmly received by country
music listeners reaching number one on the country charts.
Number 1: Begin
again by Taylor Swift
The video to this song is almost as compelling as the song. The understated beauty of Taylor Swift
accents the song which discusses new love after a difficult relationship. In the video, the artist is adorned in
classical attire with the background of classical Paris. The song, perfectly captured in this video, entreats
its listeners to these images every time the song plays.
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In 2006, Taylor Swift released her first single, “Tim McGraw.” The song,
although not reaching number one on the country charts, instantly brought fame
to this young singer with the listening public eagerly awaiting her follow up
song. The listening public was graced
not only by her immediate follow up releases, but also to the rest of her music
catalogue to this point in her career.
Taylor Swift has also become a pop icon with her music as successful
on pop radio as it has been on country radio.
However, she has stayed true to her country heritage with songs such as
“You should have said no,” and her
release at the beginning of this past year, “Begin Again.”
In her career, which has spanned eight years, she has received
overwhelming commercial success as well as critical acclaim from critics and
award giving bodies. She has sold over
twenty million albums nationally with three number one albums on the billboard
album chart. In addition, she has won
seven Grammy Awards, six Academy of Country Music Awards, as well
as dozens upon dozens of other awards.
The song, “Begin again”,
with its emotive lyrics and passionate allure, struck a chord with fans as deep
as any of her previous releases. The
sentimental love story is pronounced with the lyrics, “I’ve been spending the last eight months thinking all love ever does isbreak, and burn, and end. But on aWednesday, in a café, I watched it begin again.” The sentimental nature of these lyrics, as
well as the brilliant vocal interpretation of Taylor Swift, establishes this
song as a country classic for all time.
I hope you have enjoyed this “Top
10 Country Music … 2013” list of songs.
Hopefully I have listed a few of your favorites as well as uncovered
additional songs you may enjoy. The vast
library of country music is a treasure for us all. I look forward to another great year in
country music.
You are most welcome to leave comments and to share
this list with friends. Keep an eye open
for new “Top 10 Country Music Songs …”
in the future.
Thank you.
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