The Best of 2016 in Country Music
Looking for a way to catch up on the best country music of 2016? Look no further than our list of the top 10 country songs of the year!
Best Albums of 2016
2016 was a great year for country music, with many talented artists releasing new albums. It can be hard to keep up with all the new music, but luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best albums of 2016, according to us.
Chris Stapleton – Traveller
Chris Stapleton’s album Traveller is one of the best albums of 2016. The album has a mix of country, rock, and blues influences. This is evident in songs like “Fire Away” and “Nobody to Blame”. The album is also very personal to Chris Stapleton, as it deals with themes of heartbreak and redemption.
Carrie Underwood – Storyteller
Carrie Underwood’s latest album, Storyteller, is one of the best of 2016. It is a perfect example of her songwriting and vocal abilities, and it showcases her talent for creating music that is both personal and relatable. The album’s lead single, “Smoke Break,” is a moving ballad about blue-collar workers, and it quickly rose to the top of the country charts. Other standout tracks include the heartwarming “Heartbeat,” the catchy “Choctaw County Affair,” and the anthemic “Relentless.” Storyteller is an essential addition to any country music fan’s collection.
Keith Urban – Ripcord
Ripcord is the ninth studio album by Australian country music singer Keith Urban. It was released on 6 May 2016 via Hit Red and Capitol Records Nashville. The album includes the singles “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”, “Break on Me”, “Wasted Time”, “Blue Ain’t Your Color”, and “The Fighter”.
Best Songs of 2016
The past year was an eventful one in country music. Many new artists emerged and made their mark on the genre, while established artists continued to produce great music. Let’s take a look at some of the best songs of 2016 in country music.
“Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
This song, co-written by Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur and Thomas Rhett, was released in September 2015 as the lead single from Thomas Rhett’s sophomore album Tangled Up. The ballad spent six weeks at Number One on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in early 2016.
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
“Humble and Kind” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in February 2016 as the lead single from his album Damn Country Music. The song was written by Lori McKenna, with production handled by McGraw and Byron Gallimore. Prior to release, the song debuted at number 37 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and number 30 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated January 30, 2016. It became McGraw’s 23rd career number one hit on the Country Airplay chart dated April 16, 2016.
A mid-tempo ballad in 6/8 meter time signature, its lyrics center around a father’s advice to his child as he sets out into the world. Critical reception to the song was positive, with many praising its lyrics and messaging. Commercially, “Humble and Kind” was a huge success in both the United States and Canada. In the US, it peaked at number one on both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Hot Country Songs chart, while also reaching number 26 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. In Canada, it became his eleventh number one hit on the Canadian Hot 100 chart. The song received Single of the Year honors at both the Academy of Country Music Awards and CMT Music Awards, while also winning Song of the Year at both ceremonies as well as atthe Grammy Awards.
In January 2017, reader polls conducted by magazines such as Taste of Country and Roughstock named “Humble and Kind” their Song of the Year for 2016
“My Church” – Maren Morris
Maren Morris’ “My Church” is one of the best songs of 2016. The song is a country anthem about finding your own personal religion in music. The song has a simple, yet catchy melody that will stick in your head for days. The lyrics are powerful and relatable, making “My Church” a song that everyone can enjoy.
Best Collaborations of 2016
In 2016, country music artists stepped outside of the box and collaborated with artists from other genres. These collaborations led to some of the best music of the year. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best collaborations of 2016.
“Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
“Different for Girls” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Dierks Bentley. It was released to radio on June 6, 2016 as the third single from his 2016 album, Black. The song features American singer and songwriter Elle King. It became Bentley’s twelfth Number One hit on the Country Airplay chart in October 2016.
“Different for Girls” was co-written by Bentley, Jeff Bohling and Jon Randall. In an interview with The Boot, Bohling said that the idea for the song came about during a conversation he had with Bentley about the differences between men’s and women’s perspectives on relationships. Bohling had recently gone through a divorce himself, and he said that Bentley was one of the first people he talked to about it. He explained that “the more we talked about it, the more we realized how differently men and women process breakups.” Bohling said that they decided to write a song from a woman’s perspective, with King singing the female character’s part.
King told Taste of Country that she was “blown away” when she first heard the demo for “Different for Girls.” She explained, “It was so good, I listened to it like 50 times in a row… I just couldn’t believe how perfect it was for me.” She said that she related to the song because she had also gone through a divorce herself.
The song has been described as a “account of post-divorce male privilege from a female perspective” and as a “feminist anthem.” In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, King explained that she wanted to write something that would make people think about double standards between men and women. She said, “A lot of times in music — not just country music — you have these very one-sided songs where it’s just like ‘Yeahhh, screw her!'”
She explained that she wanted to write something that would make people think about how both men and women are affected by divorce. She said, “We’re both going through something really hard right now … Let’s acknowledge what he’s going through too.'”
“May We All” – Florida Georgia Line feat. Tim McGraw
This was one of the most highly-anticipated collaborations of the year, and it did not disappoint. The three artists meshed perfectly on this track, with each one bringing their own unique style to the table. The result was a song that resonated with both country and pop fans alike, and it quickly rose to the top of the charts.
“Setting the World on Fire” – Kenny Chesney feat. P!nk
“Setting the World on Fire” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney as a duet with Pink. It was released to radio on July 25, 2016 as the first single from Chesney’s album Cosmic Hallelujah. The song topped both the US and Canadian Country charts.
” Setting the World on Fire” is an up-tempo country song with an electric guitar and steel drum-backed melody. The lyrics center around two lovers “setting the world on fire”.
Critical reception for “Setting the World on Fire” was positive. Taste of Country praised both artists for their vocal performance, writing that “Chesney’s most distinct quality is how natural he sounds with any partner, no matter how disparate their styles.” The Boot also praised the song, saying that it is “an infectiously fun summer jam”.
Best New Artists of 2016
Every year, country music sees a number of new artists making a name for themselves. 2016 was no different, with a number of talented newcomers making their mark on the genre. From traditional country to more pop-influenced sounds, there was something for everyone in 2016. Here are some of the best new artists of 2016.
Maren Morris
Maren Morris is a 26-year-old singer/songwriter from Arlington, Texas. Morris has been turning heads ever since she released her debut album, My Church, in early 2016. The album’s lead single, “My Church,” topped the Country Digital Songs chart and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. Morris has also been nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.
Jon Pardi
Jon Pardi is an American country music singer and songwriter. His musical style is traditional honky tonk and neotraditional country. In 2013, he released his first album, Write You a Song. The album’s second single, “Up All Night”, was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and launched Pardi’s career. He won the award for New Artist of the Year at the 2016 ACM Awards.
Brett Young
From his debut single “Sleep Without You” to his follow-up hit “In Case You Didn’t Know,” Brett Young has been one of the hottest new artists in country music in 2016. The California native’s relaxed, soulful delivery has drawn comparisons to artists like Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks, and his songs have struck a chord with listeners thanks to their relatable lyrical themes. With a debut album set to be released in early 2017, Brett Young is an artist to keep an eye on in the coming year.
