Top Country Pop Songs of 2013

It’s been a great year for country pop music, and we’ve rounded up our favorite songs of the year! From catchy toe-tappers to heart-wrenching ballads, these are the songs that we just couldn’t get enough of in 2013.

We Belong- Pat Benatar

“We Belong” is a song co-written and performed by American rock singer Pat Benatar. It was released in September 1983 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Live from Earth. The song was written by Benatar, Neil Giraldo and Roger Capps. It was produced by Giraldo and published by Hard 8 Working Songs/Almo Irving (ASCAP). “We Belong” peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1983, spending 20 weeks on the chart. Internationally, the song topped the charts in Canada and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In 1984, the song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

The song is an uptempo rock track with a built-in singalong chorus of “oooh ooohs.” The guitars are restrained during the verses to highlight Benatar’s vocals before opening up for the chorus. In a 1984 interview with Guitar Player magazine, Giraldo explained that he used an MXR Micro Amp to get a “jangly rhythm sound.” He also used a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier for his solos.

I Will Always Love You- Whitney Houston

“I Will Always Love You” is a song originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1974. The song was written by Parton and is one of her best-known songs. Whitney Houston’s version of the song was released in 1992 as a single from the soundtrack to the film The Bodyguard.

The song received positive reviews from music critics and became one of Houston’s signature songs. The song also won numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female at the 36th Grammy Awards. “I Will Always Love You” was later certified diamond in the United States and other countries.

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it number on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. In 2013, Billboard ranked it as the fourth biggest country pop crossover hit of all time.

I Will Always Love You- Dolly Parton

“I Will Always Love You” is a song written and originally performed by American country music artist Dolly Parton. Parton’s version of the song, a ballad with country elements, was released in June 1974 as a single from her thirteenth studio album, Jolene. The song was written as a farewell to Parton’s former business partner and mentor of seven years, Porter Wagoner, following Parton’s decision to pursue a solo career.

Upon its release, “I Will Always Love You” reached number one on the Country Singles chart, becoming Parton’s fourth and final number-one solo single on that chart. The song also peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1974, making it only the second country song to ever top the Hot 100 (after “One Tin Soldier” by Coven). “I Will Always Love You” was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying shipments of two million copies in the United States.

I Will Always Love You- Vince Gill

This song was released in late 1992 as a tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton. Vince Gill’s version of the song quickly rose to the top of the country charts and stayed there for several weeks. The song is a reminder that even though times and people change, some things will always remain the same.

I Will Always Love You- Reba McEntire

“I Will Always Love You” is a song written and originally performed by American country artist Dolly Parton. The song was first released on Parton’s album Jolene in 1974. In 1992, the song was recorded by Whitney Houston for the film The Bodyguard, which served as its lead single. The song was written by Parton and produced by David Foster. Upon its release, “I Will Always Love You” received mixed reviews from critics but was a massive commercial success. The song also won several awards, including the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance – Female at the 36th Grammy Awards.

I Will Always Love You- Keith Urban

Keith Urban’s “I Will Always Love You” is a sweet, sentimental ballad that topped the country charts in 2013. The song is a cover of the classic Whitney Houston hit, and Urban’s version is both respectful and modern. This is a perfect example of how country music can appeal to a pop audience without sacrificing its roots.

I Will Always Love You- Lady Antebellum

“I Will Always Love You” is a song originally written and performed by American singer-songwriter Whitney Houston. The song was released as a single in 1992, and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. It has been covered by numerous artists, including country group Lady Antebellum.

Lady Antebellum’s cover was released as a single in 2013, and quickly rose to the top of the country charts. The song was produced by Dann Huff, and features lead vocals from Hillary Scott. The track received positive reviews from critics, who praised Scott’s vocal performance and the production values.

I Will Always Love You- Carrie Underwood

“I Will Always Love You” is a song originally written and performed by American singer-songwriter Whitney Houston. It was released as a single from the soundtrack album to the 1992 film The Bodyguard. The song was later covered by country music artist Carrie Underwood, whose version topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in late 2012 and became her first number-one on that chart.

I Will Always Love You- Miranda Lambert

“I Will Always Love You” is a song originally written and recorded in 1973 by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Her country version of the track was released in 1974 as a single and was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on both the country and pop charts in the United States and becoming one of her signature songs. In 2012, Parton’s original recording was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

In 2013, Miranda Lambert covered the song as part of her fourth studio album, “Four the Record”. Lambert’s version was released as a single in 2013 and debuted at number 59 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The song peaked at number 2 on the chart, making it Lambert’s highest-peaking single on that chart at the time.

I Will Always Love You- Kenny Chesney

“I Will Always Love You” is a song written and performed by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in October 2013 as the second single from his album Life on a Rock. The song became Chesney’s seventeenth number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2013.

The song is a cover of the 1974 hit of the same name by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Chesney heard Parton’s version while he was filming the movie Blue Smoke and immediately fell in love with it. He decided to record his own version, which he co-produced with Buddy Cannon. The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised Chesney’s vocals and the production.

“I Will Always Love You” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number two on the Country Airplay chart. It also reached number one on both the Canadian Country Songs chart and the Canadian Radio & Records Country Singles chart. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over two million copies in 2013.