Top 10 Best Country Songs of 2024

To say this song captured the internet over the summer would be a massive understatement. I've talked about this song before, but to recap what I previously wrote: this song is simply fun. The instrumentals and lyrics combined make it a catchy song that is very radio-friendly.

This song is almost a perfect blend of both Post Malone and Morgan Wallen's vocal styles. It's definitely very smooth and goes down easy. There's this vibe that the song captures, and it does so perfectly. It is more country mixed with pop elements than anything - this is a Post Malone song, after all, so what did you expect? Even then, there are definitely country elements present here, such as a little mandolin and steel guitar action.

The song is very uptempo. Its lyrics are actually describing a heartbreak situation, which is nothing new, especially for Morgan Wallen. But this is more of them calling out their ex, basically saying it wasn't just their fault that they're broken up - that the ex definitely played a role in it as well. There's this feeling of it being a toxic relationship and mutual feelings from both sides, as it's revealed early that the ex-girlfriend is making him out to be the villain when, in reality, he's saying, "It's not like I can make this mess all by myself, and don't act like you didn't help me pull that bottle off the shelf."

Later, he mentions, "It takes two to break a heart in two," so it's almost like a celebration of finally being set free from a toxic relationship. Overall, it's a very fun song, and it's no wonder why it went viral the way that it did.

Something interesting that happened over the summer wasn't just the Shaboozey song and Post Malone song taking the internet by storm but also the Twisters album. This album was featured alongside the sequel to the 1996 movie, which came out this summer. It was kind of cool to see some of the biggest names coming together, including Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Warren Zeiders, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, and Jelly Roll, among others.

The most notable song from this collaboration project by far was Luke Combs' "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma." This song was definitely made for Luke Combs. It follows in the same footsteps as "Beer Never Broke My Heart" and "Cold as You," with Luke's signature loud, booming voice and electric guitar.

The song has a dark, gritty vibe oddly reminiscent of "God's Country" by Blake Shelton. It perfectly encapsulates the storm-chasing story the movie is about. We get imagery of driving down a highway chasing a big tornado. The song captures the intensity and adrenaline rush of wanting to keep chasing the storm, despite the obvious danger and warning signs.

There are also a lot of interesting juxtapositions in the lyrics, capturing both the thrilling and scary feelings, like "I keep running but I'm standing still," "Scared of nothing but I'm scared to death," and "I can't breathe but I catch my breath."

It's impressive how this song and his Fathers and Sons album were released fairly close to each other. This is a testament to Luke's abilities - how he can switch between softer, more acoustic tracks and loud, booming ones. Simply put, this is a signature Luke Combs song.

Zach Bryan has had a phenomenal year. If American Heartbreak put him on the radar and his self-titled album last year launched him to superstar status, this is really his first album as a superstar. The general consensus from the public seems to be that this song is the favorite.

In this song, Zach describes the feeling of being at home and in love with a lady in his life, basically being in her hometown - which we know is Boston from the lyrics - and meeting her parents. He's essentially saying that life may be hard, but with her, he feels at home both emotionally and physically.

This song features a lot of acoustic elements from the guitar and violin, especially present throughout the chorus, which builds up to the climax of "How lucky are we, it's been a hell of a week." This lyric perfectly sums up the vibe of the song. It feels like a signature Zach Bryan song - very poetic and heartfelt.

I don't know if anyone had a bigger year in country music than Zach Top. His style has truly captured the hearts and minds of both the traditional "90's" country crowd and the modern country crowd. He's forged this kind of Neo-Traditional movement that's really taken off over the past year or so.

"Sounds Like the Radio" was his big hit song, but the other song that has raised its hand as his second big hit is this song called "I Never Lie." This song has blown up like wildfire across social media and is so far my favorite song of his. Part of what makes this song stand out is that we get a display of Zach's vocal style and a very prominent instrumental in the song as well. Yet, it doesn't feel like there's a ton of bells and whistles to it either. He isn't even reinventing the wheel. He sounds most similar to Tracy Lawrence's style.

This song is like having a conversation with an ex-girlfriend who he hasn't spoken to in a while. He notices that she's doing well and has a new boyfriend. He then assures her that he's doing fine and tries to hide the pain by saying things like, "I sleep like a baby, I never show up late for work, and I don't drink whiskey," basically using these statements to mask his pain and feelings. Later on, he says he met someone too and tells us she's a "model out in LA" and she's "begging him to move," but he hasn't decided if he's going or not.

Then he kind of goes into denial about his pain, saying lines like, "I ain't been lonely since you said goodbye. Wish I could say I miss you, but you know I never lie." Honestly, the genius of this song is the play on the phrase "I Never Lie" and the witty lyrics almost humorously downplaying the heartbreak the man is feeling in the song's lyrics. I'm curious to see what's next for the rising superstar Zach Top.

This song was a long time coming. A Carrie Underwood collaboration was first revealed in March 2023, but it wasn't released until September 2024.

It's a classic country duet with a stripped-back, intimate composition that perfectly matches the theme. Both of their voices sound smooth and blend together beautifully. The lyrics are simple, focusing on inevitable things in life like stars shining at night and the sun burning on the 4th of July. The song is an ode to a powerful and timeless love that remains strong through thick and thin.

It hits in the feels - wholesome and emotional. While Cody Johnson released "The Painter" last year, this song feels more laid-back in comparison. It's the kind of track destined to become a wedding classic.

Talk about perhaps the single biggest smash hit song and biggest viral sensation in 2024 - "A Bar Song" makes a very strong argument for those claims. This song was a home run both in the world of country and pop.

Shaboozey has been around for a couple of years in the music industry. His music is sort of genre-less, a blend of multiple styles, but "A Bar Song" specifically most closely feels like Country Pop more than anything. I know people are going to be quick to dismiss this song as "Not Real Country." To that, I say give it a chance. There are definitely country elements present, such as the fiddle heard throughout the chorus, and it definitely has a boot-stomping, hollering vibe to it.

While this song isn't necessarily "true country," it's a lot more country than you might expect. The lyrics are basically saying, "Let's go to the bar to escape the problems of day-to-day life." This song definitely takes inspiration from the J-Kwon song "Tipsy." In fact, at first, I thought this song was just a remixed version of that one. Both have the "1 to the 2 to the 3 to the 4" in the lyrics, and the writers for J-Kwon's song are all credited on "A Bar Song."

So while it's not your father's country song, it's definitely got a lot going for it, and it's overall a very fun song with the boot-stomp-and-holler feel to it. It definitely feels relatable, and it's no wonder why it became so popular the way that it did.

Zach Bryan's songwriting is definitely poetic, and he's obsessed with these nostalgic feelings. This song talks about walking into his father's house after he's recently passed away and cleaning it up to look like nobody has ever lived there. Bryan says, "clean the house, clear the drawers, and mop the floors."

It's got this interesting juxtaposition between feeling sad and grieving over the loss of a loved one, but also celebrating the nostalgic memories of the past, like the marks on the doorframe. He also uses the phrase "yuppies," which is a term that describes young urban professionals, suggesting that the kids have all done well for themselves.

Instrumentally, it sounds like a Zach Bryan song - more acoustic sounding and not super flashy or over the top. I do love the harmonica featured throughout the song.

Overall, it's no surprise to see a song like this becoming a big hit for Zach. It's a very touching song that covers the bittersweet emotions of losing a loved one, while also celebrating the nostalgia and memories made.

Megan Moroney has arguably made it to the superstar level in the country music scene. This song is very cleverly crafted. Essentially, we find Megan falling in love with a special someone, and she goes on to describe him as this "heaven-sent" man who seemingly checks all the boxes. He's different from the other guys she's dated, who have left her "crying and dying," as the lyrics suggest.

She's basically asking herself, "Am I okay?" It's almost like she's saying, "Is this really happening?" There's a sense of doubt, as if she's wondering, "Is this too good to be true because I don't deserve it?" It's a song that a lot of people can relate to, so it's no surprise that it's blown up across social media.

It's hard to name a bigger female artist in the genre right now than Lainey Wilson. Ever since her cameo on Yellowstone and her collaboration with HARDY on "Wait in the Truck," she's skyrocketed in popularity and has officially emerged into superstar status.

This song perfectly fits her aesthetic style, blending country with a little flare of spice. It's a pretty fun song, especially with the "Oooh" in the beginning and the drums in the instrumental, which feel unique compared to anything else in the genre at the moment. The song captures that energy of wanting to move fast, evoking the feeling of "I'm trying to make it home to you as fast as I can," and it does so perfectly.

We get Lainey's signature drawl here, along with some clever lyrics that you might miss at first, like the opening lines: "I got a bus before I got a house because that's what dreams make you do" and "playing one-night stands for crowds going sideways." This song is interesting because it's both about her being on tour, making a pocket full of money traveling town to town, and also missing and longing for the moment she can return to her lover.

It's definitely got a different vibe than "Watermelon Moonshine" or "4X4XU," and I think it stands out in a good way. The song packs a lot of energy and flavor, almost having a retro feel as well.