Since the turn of the new decade, country music has already gone through a lot of changes and evolutions. Country music songs are ever-pushing the envelope as to what can be considered country or country pop, but there are still a lot of artists embracing more traditional sounds as well. Country is also experiencing a resurgence, engaging Gen Z listeners and even younger audiences with new artists’ talent at creating music that appeals to modern audiences the same way country in the 80s appealed to audiences then.
Let’s dive in and find out about some of the new most popular country songs driving country music in this decade thus far.
| Song | Artist | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Over | Chris Stapleton | 2020 |
| Pretty Heart | Parker McCollum | 2020 |
| Classic | Cam | 2020 |
| Bluebird | Miranda Lambert | 2020 |
| Black Like Me | Mickey Guyton | 2020 |
| Younger Me | Brothers Osborne | 2021 |
| Wilder Days | Morgan Wade | 2021 |
| Never Wanted To Be That Girl | Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde | 2021 |
| The Kind of Love We Make | Luke Combs | 2022 |
| Something In The Orange | Zach Bryan | 2022 |
| Russell County Line | 49 Winchester | 2022 |
| Wait in the Truck | HARDY ft Lainey Wilson | 2022 |
| Last Night | Morgan Wallen | 2023 |
| Tennessee Orange | Megan Moroney | 2023 |
| Space and Time | S.G. Goodman | 2023 |
| Next Thing You Know | Jordan Davis | 2023 |
| I Remember Everything | Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves | 2023 |
| You Look Like You Love Me | Elle Langley ft. Riley Green | 2024 |
| Dirt Cheap | Cody Johnson | 2024 |
| Country's Cool Again | Lainey Wilson | 2024 |
Top 20 Country Songs Since 2020 So Far
The world of country music has been developing a lot in the new decade, especially since 2022/2023 when it experienced a noticeable resurgence. And while country music was still pretty popular in the 2000s and 2010s, it lost some traction as it seemed like the evolution of some styles of country pop had lost the magic for some listeners.
It appears now that a new stride has been hit that again resonates with audiences, allowing country music to pick up new fans and reinvigorate the love in past and present ones as well. Another new element to modern country is the ever-expanding stage which embraces artists with diverse backgrounds, reflecting the modern-day climate.
Of course, musical taste is subjective and it’s impossible to list every notable song in a short article. So, here we are focusing on just a few of the best country songs that have graced the music sphere since 2020.
"Starting Over" - Chris Stapleton (2020)
Already a modern-day country star, Stapleton’s album won the Grammy for Best Country Album in 2022 due to its critical acclaim for its honest storytelling. “Starting Over” is just one of the songs on the winning album. The heartfelt ballad about finding new beginnings amidst life’s uncertainties really hit home for many audiences… especially considering it debuted during the pandemic. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and went 4× Platinum in the U.S.
"Pretty Heart" - Parker McCollum (2020)
This debut single catapulted McCollum into the country spotlight with its introspective lyrics about heartbreak and regret. The song climbed to number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. McCollum’s knack for raw, relatable storytelling and applying classic country themes with a modern sound made the song a huge hit.
"Black Like Me" - Mickey Guyton (2020)
Guyton’s powerful track addresses racial inequality through the lens of her personal experiences.
Released during a critical moment in U.S. history, it earned widespread acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance—a groundbreaking achievement for a Black woman in country music.
It will surely go down as one of the top country songs with a cultural impact in history.
"Classic" - Cam (2020)
Also taking a page from classic country, Cam’s joyful, upbeat homage to timeless love evokes a sense of nostalgia. Its retro-inspired sound and clever lyrics made it a standout track on her album The Otherside. Though not a major award winner, the song was a fresh sound in the country music landscape, comfortably straddling the line between country and pop.
"Bluebird" - Miranda Lambert (2020)
Lambert is already known for her wildly popular country songs, but this empowering anthem of resilience has become one of her biggest hits. The song reached the number-one spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and won the CMA Music Video of the Year award. The poetic and soothing track also earned a Grammy nomination.
"Wilder Days" - Morgan Wade (2021)
This breakout single introduced Morgan Wade’s raw, emotive voice and was the noticeable instigator for country music’s rekindling popularity. With its nostalgic lyrics and stripped-down production, "Wilder Days" struck a chord with fans. It earned critical acclaim for its “Sheryl Crow-like” vocals in a new era and made it to numerous "Best of the Year" lists in country and Americana.
"Younger Me" - Brothers Osborne (2021)
A deeply personal song reflecting TJ Osborne’s journey as a gay man in country music, "Younger Me" became a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ listeners. The song won Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys. As far as ground-breaking music goes, this is definitely one of the most famous country songs for daring to speak out and break the status quo.
"Never Wanted To Be That Girl" - Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde (2021)
Subverting the typical script expected in country music songs about heartbreak and affairs, this poignant duet explores the complex emotions of infidelity from two women’s perspectives. Rather than hate the other woman, both lament about feeling tricked by the cheating man. The song won the ACM Award for Music Event of the Year and charted highly on Billboard’s Country Airplay.
"The Kind of Love We Make" - Luke Combs (2022)
Quickly becoming one of the top country songs 2022, this flirty track portrays a passionate romance between a hard-working couple that can resonate with lots of listeners. It became a chart-topping hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and earned nominations for both the CMA and ACM Awards. It captures the classic country sound with a bold story suiting contemporary audiences.
"Russell County Line" - 49 Winchester (2022)
A nostalgic ode to small-town life, this song invokes a feeling many country fans can relate to, which is the sentiment that comes from being from a small hometown and leaving. It has gained traction in the Americana and country scenes, demonstrating both the band’s rising influence and the lean modern audiences are taking towards favoring Americana country. The band is also well-known for their engaging live performances, connecting even more with fans.
"Something In The Orange" - Zach Bryan (2022)
This breakout hit from Zach Bryan tells a hauntingly depressing tale of love, longing, and the one-sided end of a relationship in a track with country and Americana elements. It became a viral success among new country songs 2022, streaming millions of times, and garnered critical acclaim for Bryan’s poetic lyrics; the “orange” being the all-encompassing glow of sunrise or sunset. The song is a great example of the rise of independent artists in country music, as Bryan’s grassroots following helped it gain widespread popularity.
“Wait in the Truck” - HARDY ft Lainey Wilson (2022)
Another track that takes a new twist from what you’d expect in a country song, this dramatic ballad tackles the heavy topic of domestic abuse. In previous popular country songs that touched on this topic, the female singer and protagonist of the story is usually on her own to deal with the problem. But in this modern country song, the man takes matters into his own hands, trading his freedom to end the life of a domestic abuser. The duet between HARDY and Lainey Wilson received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards, including CMA Musical Event of the Year.
“Last Night” - Morgan Wallen (2023)
A reflective song about love and heartbreak, "Last Night" quickly became a fan favorite, topping country charts and reinvigorating modern country. Wallen’s raspy vocals tell the story of his disbelief that his relationship could be over, even though it was tumultuous. The solo male country hit was the first one to make the number one spot in the Hot 100 in over 42 years, showing the uptick in interest in country music.
"Tennessee Orange" - Megan Moroney (2023)
With clever football-inspired metaphors, this romantic track explores love across rivalries. Moroney’s unique voice combined with relatable themes made the song a fun and genuinely enjoyable tune for audiences. It became a viral hit because of its regional references, gaining millions of streams.
"I Remember Everything" - Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves (2023)
A swingy beat paces through this country-pop Americana blend as two halves of a couple lament their failed relationship.
Bryan’s raw voice combined with Musgraves’ ethereal sound both come together for a smoky-sounding retelling of bittersweet memories.
The collaboration debuted at the top of the charts and won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
"Space and Time" - S.G. Goodman (2023)
A unique and introspective track, “Space and Time” blends haunting melodies with raw, emotional lyrics. It describes the complex emotions that come along with losing someone in your life, especially someone you love, but also the realization that everyone you have ever met is only on earth for a short time, just like everyone is.
S.G. Goodman’s unique style has earned her a growing fanbase, and this song is another great addition to modern country crossover music as it migrates away from pop and more towards Americana and folk. This track, along with her to-date two released albums, earned Goodman the Emerging Act of the Year Award at the Americana Honors & Awards event.
"Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis (2023)
This heartfelt song captures life’s transitions, from falling in love to starting a family, and beyond. The track resonates with audiences the same way classic country did by telling the simple story of the major milestones in many people’s lives that, although common, are always a big step for each individual. Davis’ simple reminder to savor life’s fleeting moments has performed well on country music charts and even won Song of the Year at the ACM Awards.
"You Look Like You Love Me" - Elle Langley ft. Riley Green (2024)
A fun and catchy track about finding romance with pickup lines, the song quickly rose to the top of Billboard's Country Airplay chart to become one of the top country songs 2024. Audiences like the song’s easy demeanor, twangy vocals, entertaining story, and honky-tonk sound. It even became a trending sound on TikTok! The song won Musical Event of the Year at the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
"Dirt Cheap" - Cody Johnson (2024)
With a poignant play-on-words, Johnson’s traditional style country song warms hearts with its story about a family’s history on a plot of land. The song was inspired by Johnson’s own family’s experience with making memories in a house and then facing the decision of whether or not to sell. Many audiences can relate to the feeling of home that is simply irreplaceable.
"Country's Cool Again" - Lainey Wilson (2024)
Wilson’s upbeat anthem celebrates the resurgence of traditional country music while taking some inspiration from modern influences. Listeners have likened her singing voice and style to a mixture of Dolly and Reba, with some others thrown in, but with a personal, unique spin. The music styling manages to sound both classic and contemporary at the same time. Such a fun and interesting song easily manages to be among the top 100 country songs 2024!
The Future of Country Music
In the early days, between 1950 and 1980, country music had a straightforward and understandable trajectory. The core sound remained mostly intact with some sprinklings of other elements like folk, rock, and glam (known as countrypolitan back in the day).
But since the 90s, it seems like country, like most everything else in this world, has started to change rapidly. Many country fans in the 2000s and 2010s lamented the perceived “loss” or “destruction” of country music as they knew it with the industry turning heavily to country pop, with emphasis on the “pop.”
We aren’t here to debate whether country pop, bro-country, or any other similar genre counts as “real” country music. Instead, we are just acknowledging that there was a period of a few years where much of the country music that was hitting mainstream outlets sounded very different than the country that most fans grew up with, loved hearing, and wanted more of.
Since the late 2010s, it seems that there has been a resurgence in more classic and traditional country sounds. Many of the top country songs right now either have a more balanced country + pop sound or simply an enhanced classic style. More and more common, it seems like folk and Americana influences are bleeding into popular country songs. They’ve always been intertwined, but only more recently are general audiences appreciating them on a larger scale.
Perhaps this is a natural progression after the indie folk pop music craze back in the 2000s!
It’ll be interesting to see how country music progresses from here. Will there be even more Americana-infused albums taking top positions in the charts? Will country music start incorporating other styles of music as well? What will the number one country song sound like in 2030? We can’t wait to find out!
New Country Artists to Watch
If you’re also interested in the future of country music, it’s a good idea to check out the up-and-coming and popular names in many a country music playlist today.
Here are some of the new country music artists, and a few who have been around for a few years but are firmly in the current musical zeitgeist, to listen to so you can stay on top of the pulse of country music’s development.
- Ashley McBryde
- Autumn Brooke
- Bailey Zimmerman
- Benjy Davis
- Brit Taylor
- Carter Lybrand
- Catie Offerman
- Clay Hollis
- Colter Wall
- Dillon Carmichael
- Fancy Hagood
- Gabby Barrett
- Ingrid Andress
- Jackson Dean
- Jade Eagleson
- Jake Bush
- Jason Benoit
- Jason Isbell
- Jordan Davis
- Kalie Shorr
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Kip Moore
- Lainey Wilson
- Lily Rose
- Old Dominion
- Oliver Anthony
- Ryan Larkins
- Scotty McCreery
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
- Sturgill Simpson
- The Castellows
- Tyler Childers
- Vinnie Paolizzi
- Walker Montgomery
- Waylon Hanel
- Wyatt Flores
- Zach Top
- Zandi Holup
Country music is a genre in the middle of an evolution. You can see the changes over time when you compare different eras and decades to one another. While there will always be contemporary artists who love the traditional sound and keep making new music with a classic concept, there are also many artists ready to push boundaries and discover something new. Whether you like your country classic or with a dash of neo-sound, there will always be a song and an artist out there waiting for you to hear them!
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