Country Music Hits of 2009
Contents
2009 was a big year for country music. Here are the top 10 hits of the year, according to Billboard magazine.
The Year in Review
2009 was a big year for country music, with several crossover hits and a few surprising chart-toppers. There were a few breakout artists, and a few veteran artists made comebacks. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest country music hits of 2009.
Top Albums
The Year in Review – (Country Music Hits of 2009)
The following is a list of the top albums of 2009, as well as a description of each album.
1. “Fearless” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s second album, “Fearless,” was released in November 2008 and quickly became one of the year’s bestselling albums. The album features the hit singles “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.”
2. “Here We Go Again” by Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire’s 29th studio album, “Here We Go Again,” was released in July 2009 and debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album includes the hit single “Consider Me Gone.”
3. “Revolution” by Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert’s second album, “Revolution,” was released in September 2009 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The album includes the hit singles “The House That Built Me” and “White Liar.”
4. “Defying Gravity” by Keith Urban
Keith Urban’s seventh studio album, “Defying Gravity,” was released in March 2009 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album features the hit singles “Sweet Thing” and “Only You Can Love Me This Way.”
Top Songs
“A Good Year for the Roses” – George Strait
“All My Life” – Kacey Musgraves
“American Honey” – Lady Antebellum
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” – Thompson Square
“Baby, I’m Back” – Baylee Littrell
“Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga
“Better Dig Two” – The Band Perry
“‘Cause I See You in Everything” – Sunny Sweeney
“Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band
“Do I Make You Wanna?” – Billy Currington
“Does He Love You Anymore?” – Brad Paisley featuring Carrie Underwood
“Don’t You Wanna Stay?” – Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
“Downtown” – Lady Antebellum
“Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” – Gary Allan
” Gandhi, Bottle Me a Beer?”- Dustin Lynch
“Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”- Chris Young
“God Gave Me You”- Blake Shelton
“Good Girl”- Carrie Underwood
“(If I Die) I’m Goin’ Out with a Bang”- Dustin Lynch
“I Ain’t Living Long Like This”- Brantley Gilbert featuring Lindsay Ell
“I Drive Your Truck”- Lee Brice
Top Artists
It was a great year for country music, with plenty of new hits and familiar faces topping the charts. Here are some of the year’s biggest stars:
1. Taylor Swift – The teenaged Swift had a breakout year with her debut album, which produced several top-ten singles and won her multiple awards.
2. Lady Antebellum – This trio had a huge year, winning multiple Grammy Awards and taking home the prestigious award for Best Country Album.
3. Keith Urban – Urban continued his string of hits with several top ten singles, including “Sweet Thing” and “Only You Can Love Me This Way.”
4. Brad Paisley – Paisley had another great year, highlighted by his collaborations with Carrie Underwood on the hit single “Remind Me.”
5. Jason Aldean – Aldean wrapped up an incredible year with a bang, winning the covetedEntertainer of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards.
The Year Ahead
As we move into 2009, country music is poised to take over the airwaves with a new crop of hits. From established artists like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban to newcomers like Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryan, there is a little something for everyone in country music this year. So what can we expect from country music in 2009? Let’s take a look.
Up-and-Coming Artists
The year 2009 is already shaping up to be an exciting one for country music. Many newcomers are making their mark on the genre, and established artists are poised to have a breakout year. Here are some of the up-and-coming country music artists to watch in 2009.
Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott make up Lady Antebellum, a trio that is quickly making a name for themselves in the country music world. Their debut album, “Lady A,” was released in April 2008 and has already produced three hit singles. “I Run to You,” the album’s first single, reached #1 on the Billboard Country charts, making Lady A the first new act to have a #1 single on that chart since 2005.Their second single, “Lookin’ for a Good Time,” was also a huge hit, reaching #5 on the Country charts. They are currently working on their second album, which is set to be released in 2009.
Another artist to watch in 2009 is Jamey Johnson. Johnson’s debut album, “The Dollar,” was released in 2006 to critical acclaim. His follow-up album, “That Lonesome Song,” was released in 2008 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country charts. Johnson’s traditional country sound is winning him fans among both country purists and newcomers to the genre alike. He is currently working on his third album, which is set for release in 2009.
Finally, keep an eye out for Ashley Monroe in 2009. Monroe is a member of the trio Pistol Annies, which also includes Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley. The group released their debut album, “Hell On Heels,” in August 2011 and it has been met with positive reviews from both fans and critics alike. Ashley Monroe is also working on her solo debut album, which is set for release in 2009. So far, she has released two singles from the album: “Satisfied” and “I Don’t Want To.”
New Albums to Look Forward To
As the chilly weather sets in and the holidays approach, thoughts turn to family, friends…and new music. Here is a rundown of some of the albums country fans can look forward to in the coming months.
George Strait – Troubadour
The legendary George Strait returns with his first album of new material in three years. The album is a tribute to the classic country music that Strait grew up listening to, and he even enlisted the help of Merle Haggard on one track. Look for Troubadour in stores on April 1.
Alan Jackson – Good Time
Alan Jackson’s first album in three years features 16 brand-new songs, all written or co-written by Jackson himself. The highly anticipated release will be available on March 4.
Dolly Parton – Backwoods Barbie
Dolly Parton’s first solo album since 2003 will be released on February 26. The album includes 11 new songs written by Parton, as well as her versions of hits by U2, Kris Kristofferson and more.
Festivals and Events
There are several big country music festivals and events happening in 2009. Check out some of the highlights below.
-The CMA Music Festival is held in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 11-14. This event features four days of live music from over 150 artists, as well as autograph signings, fan club parties, and more.
-The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will be held in Manchester, Tennessee, from June 11-14. This event features four days of live music on 12 stages, as well as craftsmen, artists, and more. More than 80 bands will perform, including Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Phish, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Bon Iver, Nine Inch Nails, and many more.
-The Stagecoach Festival is held in Indio, California, from April 24-26. This event features three days of live music on two stages with over 40 artists performing. Some of the artists scheduled to perform include Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Steve Earle & The Dukes (and Duchesses), and more.
