The Best Country Music of 2015
Looking for the best country music of 2015? Look no further! Here are our top picks for the best country songs of the year.
Best Country Songs of 2015
It’s been a great year for country music, with a wide range of artists releasing new music. From the more traditional sounds of George Strait and Alan Jackson, to the more modern sounds of Sam Hunt and Kacey Musgraves, there’s something for everyone. Here are our picks for the best country songs of 2015.
“Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
“Die a Happy Man” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Thomas Rhett. It was released on September 28, 2015, as the lead single from his second studio album, Tangled Up. The song was written by Rhett and Sean Douglas. Jared Hale produced the track with Dann Huff. It is a mid-tempo ballad in which the male narrator lists off various things he would do to make his significant other happy, including working two jobs and buying her a wedding ring, concluding that he would “die a happy man”.
The song received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its quality and cuteness, while others criticized its blandness and lack of originality. Commercially, the song peaked at number six on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Country Airplay charts. It also topped the Hot Country Songs chart for seven weeks, becoming his first number one hit on that chart. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Peter Zavadil and premiered in October 2015. In it, Rhett plays multiple roles including a groom at two different weddings.
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
“Girl Crush” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music group Little Big Town. It was released on February 18, 2015, as the fourth single from their sixth studio album Pain Killer. The song peaked at number one on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts in May 2015, giving the group their sixth consecutive number one on the former and seventh on the latter. It also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first single to top that chart. It achieved similar chart success in Canada, giving them their first number-one hit on the Canadian Hot 100. The song sold over two million copies in the United States as of September 2015.
“I See You” – Luke Bryan
“I See You” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Luke Bryan. It was released in October 2015 as the fourth and final single from his fourth studio album, Kill the Lights (2015). The song reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in February 2016. Bryan wrote this song with Jody Stevens and Jon Nite.
“Raise ‘Em Up” – Keith Urban ft. Eric Church
“Raise ’em Up” is a song co-written and recorded by Australian country music singer Keith Urban. It was released in June 2014 as the fourth single from his eighth studio album, Fuse. The song features a guest vocal from American country music singer Eric Church. “Raise ’em Up” was written by Urban, Church, and Jaren Johnston.
“Something in the Water” – Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water” is a feel-good anthem about the power of baptism that spent seven weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. The track, produced by Mark Bright, was the first single from Underwood’s Greatest Hits: Decade #1 album, which was released in December 2014. “Something in the Water” also won a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance.
Best Country Albums of 2015
It was a great year for country music, and these are the albums that made the biggest splash in 2015. From classic country sounds to modern interpretations, there was something for everyone this year. These are the best country albums of 2015.
Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt’s debut album, Montevallo, was released in October of 2014, but it reached its peak popularity in 2015. The album is named after the small town in Alabama where Hunt spent much of his time writing the songs. The album is a mix of country and R&B, and it features the hit single “Take Your Time.”
Pain Killer – Little Big Town
One of the best country albums of 2015 was Pain Killer by Little Big Town. This album featured the singles “Girl Crush” and “Shut Up Train,” both of which were massive hits. Pain Killer was a critical and commercial success, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Country charts and #4 on the Billboard 200. It was nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album. If you’re a fan of country music, this album is a must-listen.
Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett’s “Tangled Up” is one of the best country albums of 2015. This album is a perfect example of contemporary country music done right with its mix of emotional ballads and uptempo party songs. Highlights on the album include the hits “Die a Happy Man” and “Crash and Burn,” as well as the more personal and introspective tracks like “South Side” and “Vacation.” If you’re looking for a country album that showcases both the playful and serious sides of love, “Tangled Up” is the perfect choice.
The Big Revival – Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival — his 14th studio album and first since 2010’s Hemingway’s Whiskey — was his second album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and it quickly racked up sales of over a million copies. The project found the veteran country star revisiting his musical roots, singing about small-town life, love and loss against a backdrop of fiddle and steel guitar. It also produced the hit single “Save It for a Rainy Day,” which gave Chesney his 28th No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton’s debut album Traveller is our pick for the best country album of 2015. The album was released in May of this year to critical and commercial acclaim, and it is easy to see why.
Traveller is a masterful work of country music, with Stapleton’s rich baritone voice leading the way through a collection of heartfelt songs about love, loss, and life on the road. The production is stripped-down and honest, allowing Stapleton’s voice and lyrics to shine through.
This is an album that will stand the test of time, and we believe it is one of the best country albums released in recent years.
Best Country Artists of 2015
It was a great year for country music, and there were a lot of great artists that released some great music. One of the best things about country music is that it is always evolving and changing. This year was no different, and there were a lot of great new artists that released some great music. In this article, we will take a look at the best country music of 2015.
Carrie Underwood
One of the biggest names in country music, Carrie Underwood is also one of the genre’s most successful artists. She’s won five Grammy Awards, 15 Billboard Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, and 10 American Music Awards. Her hits include “Before He Cheats,” “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and “Blown Away.”
Chris Stapleton
If you’re a fan of country music, then you’re probably familiar with the name Chris Stapleton. He’s been making music for over a decade, but he really burst onto the scene in 2015 with his breakout album Traveller. The album was a huge success, and it quickly propelled Chris Stapleton into the spotlight as one of the best country artists of the year.
Chris Stapleton’s music is a unique blend of country, rock, and blues, and his soulful voice is perfect for singing about life’s ups and downs. On Traveller, Chris Stapleton explores themes of heartbreak, betrayal, and redemption, and he does it in a way that is both moving and relatable. If you’re looking for an artist who can make you laugh, cry, and think all at the same time, then Chris Stapleton is definitely worth checking out.
Eric Church
Eric Church is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has released six studio albums through Capitol Nashville since 2005. His debut album, Sinners Like Me, produced three singles on the Billboard country charts including the top 20 hit “How ‘Bout You”, as well as the number 1 hit “Two Pink Lines”.
Church’s second album, Carolina, produced three singles: “Smoke a Little Smoke” and his first top 10 hits, “Homeboy” and “Love Your Love the Most”. 2011’s Chief, his first No. 1 album, gave Church his first two No. 1 singles, “Drink in My Hand” and “Like Jesus Does”, and the hits “Creepin'”, “Springsteen” and “The Outsiders”. The latter two marked another platinum certification for Chief. 2014’s The Outsiders was led by another No. 1 in its title track along with two more Top 5 hits with its second single/”Talladega” and fourth single/”Give Me Back My Hometown”. Since 2005, Church has sold over 5 million albums and 13 million singles worldwide
Keith Urban
Keith Urban is a New Zealand-born country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 1991, he released a self-titled debut album and charted four singles in Australia before moving to the United States the following year. He found work as a session guitarist before starting a solo career in 1999. His breakthrough album was titled Golden Road, which produced his first number one hit, “Somebody Like You”.
Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt has been one of the most popular country artists of 2015. His debut album, Montevallo, was released in October 2014 and includes the singles “Leave the Night On”, “Take Your Time”, and “Body Like a Back Road”. Hunt’s music combines elements of country, hip-hop, and pop, and he has been praised for his unique sound and approach to songwriting. In December 2015, Hunt was named the Billboard Country Artist of the Year.
