The Top Country Music Hits of 2002

2002 was a big year for country music. Hits like “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” and “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” topped the charts and had everyone singing along. If you’re a fan of country music, then you’ll love this list of the top country music hits of 2002.

“A Good Day” by Rodney Atkins

“A Good Day” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Rodney Atkins. It was released in March 2002 as the second single from his album Honesty. The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in August 2002. Atkins wrote this song with Ted Hewitt and Johnny Parker.

Atkins told The Boot that he wanted to write a “really, really simple” song with a “deceptively easy hook.” He said that he wanted to write something that would be easy for his young daughter to sing along with.

The narrator describes various things that happen during “a good day.” These include fishing with his father, having his car start properly, and seeing an old friend. At the end of the day, the narrator goes to bed content, knowing that he has had “a good day.”

“Beer for My Horses” by Toby Keith

“Beer for My Horses” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released in March 2003 as the lead single from his August 2003 album Shock’n Y’all. The song, whose narration is delivered in the first person, is a mid-tempo ballad with country and western elements in which the narrator describes how he and his friends will “kick back a cold Brewsky” and spend time horseback riding.

The song became Keith’s ninth Number One hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in August 2003. In Canada, it peaked at number two on the RPM Country Tracks chart in July 2003. “Beer for My Horses” won Single of the Year at both the 2003 Country Music Association Awards and the 2003 Academy of Country Music Awards. The song also won Keith a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards.

The accompanying music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered in early April 2003. It features appearances from various country music stars, including Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Cash, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Floyd Tillman, Billie Jo Spears, Mel Tillis, Neal McCoy and src=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Allan”>Gary Allan.

“Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts

“Bless the Broken Road” is a song recorded by American country music group Rascal Flatts. It was released in February 2004 as the first single from their album Feels Like Today. The song was written in 1994 by Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna, and originally recorded that year by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This version charted at number 53 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1995. Hummon’s recording of the song appeared on hisself-titled album in 2002. The song became a crossover hit, reaching a peak of number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 2005. internation acclaim. The song won Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2005 Country Music Association Awards, as well as Single of the Year at the 2004 Academy of Country Music Awards

“Chasing Amy” by Dierks Bentley

“Chasing Amy” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Dierks Bentley. It was released in October 2002 as his debut single and the lead-off single to his self-titled debut album. “Chasing Amy” was Bentley’s first Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in early 2003. The song was co-written by Bentley with Brett Beavers and Tim Nichols.

According to Bentley, the song is about “a guy who’s trying to figure out how to tell a girl that he likes her.” He wrote it with Tim Nichols and Brett Beavers after meeting them at a writers’ night in Nashville, Tennessee; all three were relatively new to the Nashville songwriting scene at the time.

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” by Toby Keith

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released in May 2002 as the lead single from his album Unleashed.

The song’s title comes from its chorus: “And I’m proud to be an American / Where at least I know I’m free / And I won’t forget the men who died / Who gave that right to me / And I’d gladly stand up next to you / And defend her still today / ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land / God Bless the USA.”

The song received mixed reviews from music critics. Some praised its patriotic lyrics and tone, while others criticized it for being jingoistic and insensitive in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Nonetheless, the song was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and becoming Keith’s fourth single to do so. It also peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his highest-peaking single on that chart until 2005’s “As Good as I Once Was”. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over two million copies in the United States.

A music video was directed by Fred HELMS and released for the song in June 2002. In it, Keith sings atop various American landmarks including Mount Rushmore National Monument, Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty.

“Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis

“Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis was released in 1987 as the fourth single from his album Always & Forever. The song was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and became a hit single, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in May 1987. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1988.

“I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” by Shania Twain

“I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Shania Twain. It was released in September 2002 as the first single from her album, Up!. “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2003 Academy of Country Music Awards. The song peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in December 2002, becoming Twain’s ninth Number One hit on that chart. It ultimately spent five weeks at Number One, and as of February 2015, it has sold 1.8 million copies in the United States. The song was written by Twain and Mutt Lange.

“In a Real Love” by Phil Vassar

In a Real Love is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Phil Vassar. It was released in March 2002 as the lead-off single to his album American Child. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in June 2002, becoming Vassar’s second Number One hit on that chart.

“Living and Living Well” by George Strait

Released in 2002, “Living and Living Well” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was the second single from his album The Road Less Traveled. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart in November 2002.

In May 2003, the song received a coveted Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

“My List” by Toby Keith

“My List” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released in September 2002 as the lead-off single to his album Unleashed. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in December 2002, becoming Keith’s sixth Number One hit on that chart. It was written by Keith, Scotty Emerick, and Chuck Cannon.

The song is a ballad in which the narrator tells of all the things he would do differently if he had only known that his lover was going to leave him.

The music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered in September 2002.

“No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” by Kenny Chesney

“No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in May 2002 as the lead single from his album No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems. The song became Chesney’s eighth Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart in August 2002. Chesney wrote this song with Casey Beathard and Chris Leonard.

The three writers were sitting on Beathard’s back porch during May 2001, drinking beers and talking about life. Chesney commented to Beathard and Leonard that he wished he could have a life with “no shoes, no shirt, and no problems.” The next day, the three writers got together again to write a song based on that phrase. Chesney said that he initially did not think that the song would be a single because he did not think radio stations would play a song with such “non-traditional country subject matter.” However, he decided to record it anyway because he liked the way it sounded.

“She’s My Kind of Rain” by Tim McGraw

“She’s My Kind of Rain” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released on February 11, 2002 as the fourth single from his album Set This Circus Down. The song became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in May 2002. The song was written by McGraw, Tony Lane and Mark D. Sanders.

“She’s My Kind of Rain” is an uptempo song with a length of three minutes and forty-three seconds. The song’s verses alternately use metaphors of a thunderstorm and lovemaking to describe a passionate relationship. The song’s chorus features the metaphor of “she’s my kind of rain”.

Critical reception for “She’s My Kind of Rain” was positive. Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the song “a likable, breezy cut.” Billboard magazine reviewer Ken Tucker described it as “a sure winner with radio.” Music critic Robert Christgau wrote that the song was “another one [“Live like You Were Dying”] in which the joke is on anyone who bought into this fraud in the first place.”

The song was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2003 Academy of Country Music Awards, as well as for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 45th Grammy Awards.

“Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban

“Somebody Like You” is a song co-written and recorded by Australian country music singer Keith Urban. It was released in June 2002 as the fourth single from his self-titled debut album. In October of the same year, it became his first Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song spent six weeks at Number One and, as of March 2015, is Urban’s latest single to achieve that feat. It has been certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and Canada’s Music Canada.

“Who Says You Can’t Go Home” by Bon Jovi

“Who Says You Can’t Go Home” is a song co-written and recorded by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released in March 2006 as the lead single from their ninth studio album, Have a Nice Day. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became the band’s first and only number-one hit on that chart. It also reached number one in Canada, making it their fifth consecutive chart-topping single in that country. The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and John Shanks.

“Wrapped Around” by Brad Paisley

“Wrapped Around” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Brad Paisley. It was released in February 2002 as the lead-off single from his album Part II. The song became his second Number One hit on the Billboard country charts in May 2002. Paisley wrote this song with Kelley Lovelace and Bill Anderson.

Conclusion

In 2002, the top country music hits were a mix of feel-good anthems and tear-jerkers. Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” was a patriotic ode to the men and women serving in the armed forces, while Brooks & Dunn’s “Only in America” celebrated the beauty and opportunities that abound in the United States. Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” was a moving tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, while George Strait’s “Living and Living Well” was a more light-hearted tune about enjoying life to its fullest. Tim McGraw’s “She’s My Kind of Rain” and Brad Paisley’s “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” were both romantic ballads that struck a chord with listeners, and Dixie Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier” was a heart-wrenching song about two star-crossed lovers separated by war. These are just a few of the top country music hits of 2002 – a year that will be remembered for its great songs, its tragic events, and its enduring spirit.

The Top Country Music Hits of 2002

Introduction