The Best Country Music of 1991

A look at the best country music of 1991. From new artists to breakout hits, 1991 was a great year for country music.

George Strait – “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” is widely considered one of the best country songs of all time. The song is a playful ode to an ex-lover, and it’s one of the many great songs that Strait has released throughout his career. The song reached the top of the country charts and has become a staple of country music radio.

Alan Jackson – “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”

Alan Jackson’s career-defining hit “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” was released in 1991. The song is about a man going to a honky-tonk to forget his troubles, and he just wants to listen to country music, not rock. The song struck a chord with country music fans and Jackson quickly became one of the biggest stars in the genre.

Brooks & Dunn – “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”

“Boot Scootin’ Boogie” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in September 1991 as the third single from their debut album Brand New Man. The song became their first number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart in early 1992.

The song was written by Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks, and Mark Chesnutt. In an interview with American Songwriter, Chesnutt said that he had come up with the title and asked Dunn and Brooks to write the song with him. Chesnutt came up with the title while he was living in Wisconsin. He got the idea from a sign he saw that read “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”.

The song is an up-tempo honky tonk tune with a distinctive line dance beat. The lyrics describe how to do the Boot Scootin’ Boogie line dance step. In the chorus, the narrator states that he or she just wants to “Boot scootin’ boogie all night long”.

Garth Brooks – “The Thunder Rolls”

“The Thunder Rolls” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Garth Brooks. It was released in March 1991 as the third single from his album No Fences. The song was his sixth Number One on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in August 1991. A moderate critical success, it won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1992 CMA Awards.

Clint Black – “A Better Man”

As the lead single from his second album, Put Yourself in My Shoes, “A Better Man” made Clint Black a household name. The song spent six weeks at the top of the country charts and helped propel the album to multi-platinum status. “A Better Man” is a timeless country ballad that speaks to the heart of what it means to be in love.

Travis Tritt – “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”

Travis Tritt’s “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” might be the most perfect country song of the ’90s. It’s a little bit country, a little bit rock & roll, and a whole lot of gloomy badassery. The chorus is an anthem for the lovelorn and bitter: “Here’s a quarter / Call someone who cares / I’m just too busy workin’ on feelin’ sorry for me.” But it’s the verses that really sell the song, with Tritt painting a picture of a man who’s been pushed too far and is ready to snap. “I’m thinkin’ ’bout takin’ my truck down to Memphis / Find that no-good woman that done me wrong / And shootin’ out the tires of every truck she ever rides in.” It’s not exactly “I Shot the Sheriff,” but it’ll do.

Dwight Yoakam – “Pocket of a Clown”

Dwight Yoakam’s “Pocket of a Clown” is one of the best country songs of 1991. Released as a single in February 1991, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remained there for three weeks. “Pocket of a Clown” was written by Yoakam, Pete Anderson and Al Anderson and was produced by Pete Anderson.

Billy Ray Cyrus – “Achy Breaky Heart”

“Achy Breaky Heart” is a song written by country music artist Billy Ray Cyrus. It was his debut single and released in 1992 as the first single from his album Some Gave All. It became the signature song of the 1990s and one of the most popular country songs of all time. The single topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for five weeks and also peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song was written in response to a line dancing craze that was sweeping the nation at the time. Cyrus was initially reluctant to record it, but his producer convinced him that the song would be a hit. The song’s popularity helped launch Cyrus’ career and he would go on to become one of the most successful country artists of all time.

Mark Chesnutt – “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You”

Chesnutt’s version, which he co-wrote with his wife, Emily Ervin, and co-producer, Randy Scruggs, was released in January 1991 as the third single from his album Almost Goodbye. “Old Flames” became Chesnutt’s fourth No. 1 hit on the Billboard country singles chart in May 1991.

Vince Gill – “I Still Believe in You”

Before he was a member of the supergroup The Eagles, Vince Gill was one of country music’s most successful solo artists. “I Still Believe in You” was released in early 1992 as the lead single from his album Pocket Full of Gold and it quickly became one of his most popular songs. The song is a beautiful ballad with a simple message – even when times are tough, we should never give up on love.