The Best of Country Music in the 80s

Looking for a blast from the past? Check out our list of the best country music from the 1980s! You’ll find all your favorite artists, from George Strait to Dolly Parton.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s

The 80s were a great decade for country music. Some of the best artists in the genre released some of their most iconic songs during this time. If you’re a fan of country music, then you need to check out these songs from the 80s.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- Introduction

The 1980s was a great decade for country music. Some of the genre’s most iconic artists and songs came from this era. From George Strait to Dolly Parton, there were many great country music stars in the 80s.

If you’re a fan of country music, then you’ll definitely want to check out this list of the bestcountry songs from the 80s. From heartwarming ballads to upbeat classics, there’s something for everyone on this list. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the best that country music had to offer in the 1980s.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Early 80s

The early 80s was a great time for country music. Some of the biggest names in the genre, such as Hank Williams Jr., George Strait, and Reba McEntire, were at their peak and producing some of the best music of their careers. Here are some of the best country songs from the early 80s.

-Hank Williams Jr. – “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight”
-George Strait – “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”
-Reba McEntire – “Can’t Even Get the Blues”
-Kenny Rogers – “Coward of the County”
-Willie Nelson – “On the Road Again”
-Ronnie Milsap – “Smoky Mountain Rain”

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Mid 80s

The mid-80s were a great time for country music. There were a number of artists who were really starting to make a name for themselves, and the genre was beginning to gain a lot of popularity. This was also a time when country music was starting to experiment with different sounds and styles, which resulted in some truly classic tracks. Here are some of the best country songs from the mid-80s.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Late 80s

In the late 80s, country music began to move away from its traditional sound and into a more pop-oriented direction. This shift was led by artists such as George Strait, Randy Travis, and Reba McEntire, who all had massive crossover hits with their respective singles “Ocean Front Property,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” and “Fancy.” Country music in the late 80s was also defined by the emergence of the “new traditionalist” movement, which was spearheaded by artists like Alan Jackson and Clint Black. This movement sought to bring country music back to its roots after it had strayed too far into pop territory.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Early 80s

The early 80s were a great time for country music. There were a lot of great artists making great music. Some of the best country music of the 80s came from artists like George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Dwight Yoakam. These artists and many others helped to make the 80s a great decade for country music.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Early 80s- George Strait

George Strait was one of the first artists to bring country music back to its roots in the early 1980s. His traditional style and basic themes resonated with fans who were tired of the synthesized sounds and pop sensibilities of the previous decade. With hits like “Unwound,” “Fool Hearted Memory,” and “Amarillo By Morning,” Strait helped restore country music’s connection to its loyal fanbase.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Early 80s- Alabama

Few bands exemplify the sound and style of country music in the 1980s better than Alabama. The group, which was formed in Fort Payne, Alabama, in 1969, helped to define the genre with their unique blend of country, pop, and rock. They achieved widespread success in the early 1980s with a string of hits that included “Old Flame,” “Feels So Right,” and “Mountain Music.” Alabama went on to win multiple Grammy Awards and be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Early 80s- Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson was one of the most popular country music artists of the early 80s. His album, “Shotgun Willie” was a huge success, and his duet with Waylon Jennings, “Good Hearted Woman”, became a country music classic. Nelson’s laid-back style and cool persona made him a favorite among country music fans, and he remained one of the most popular artists throughout the decade.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Early 80s- Dolly Parton

One of the most popular and greatest female country singers of all time, Dolly Parton, came to prominence in the early 80s. She had a number of hits in the 80s, such as “9 to 5”, “I Will Always Love You”, and “Here You Come Again”.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Mid 80s

The mid-80s was an incredible time for country music. Some of the best country songs were released during this time. Artists like George Strait, Randy Travis, and Alan Jackson were at the top of their game and releasing some of the best country music ever. If you’re a fan of country music, then you need to check out this list of the best country songs from the mid-80s.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Mid 80s- George Jones

George Jones was one of the most popular and influential country music artists of the 1980s. His string of number one hits began in the early 1980s with the song “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and continued through the decade. Other notable hits include “Too Young to Die,” “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” and “I Always Get Lucky with You.”

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Mid 80s- Randy Travis

The “King of Country Music” in the 80s was undoubtedly Randy Travis. With his think black cowboy hat and good ol’ boy image, Randy Travis ruled the country charts in the mid 80s with a string of number one hits including “On the Other Hand”, “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “Forever and Ever, Amen”. But it was his signature song, “I Told You So” that solidified Randy Travis as a country music legend.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Mid 80s- Merle Haggard

By the mid ‘80s, country music was evolving. The “outlaw” movement had come and gone, and a new generation of artists was beginning to make its mark on the genre. Merle Haggard was one of the old guard, but he continued to be a relevant force in country music with his album “Down Every Road”. This album contained some of his most famous songs, like “Okie from Muskogee” and “Ramblin’ Fever”. Haggard’s traditional country sound was a refreshing change of pace in an era where country was becoming more pop-oriented.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Mid 80s- Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris is one of the most influential and popular country singers of all time. She began her career in the early 1970s, and her impact on the genre is still felt today. In the 1980s, Harris had some of her most successful albums and singles. Here are five of her best songs from that decade.

“One of These Days” – This song was originally released on Harris’ 1980 album, Cimarron. It was re-recorded for her 1984 album, Last Date, with slightly different lyrics. The new version became a Top 10 hit on the country charts.

“To Daddy” – This song was co-written by Harris and country legend Dolly Parton. It was released on Harris’ 1981 album, Elite Hotel. The song peaked at #2 on the country charts and won Harris a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

“Mister Sandman” – This cover of the classic pop song was originally released on Harris’ 1982 album, White Shoes. It was later included on her 1987 compilation album, Greatest Hits Volume 2: Reflections in Music.

“Till I Gain Control Again” – This song was originally written and recorded by Rodney Crowell in 1975. Harris recorded her own version for her 1983 album, Making Peace with the Past. Her version peaked at #3 on the country charts and won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

“Born to Run” – This cover of Bruce Springsteen’s classic rock song was originally released on Harris’ 1985 album, The Ballad of Sally Rose. It was re-recorded for her 1989 album, Bluebird, with slightly different lyrics.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Late 80s

The late 80s were a great time for country music. The genre was really starting to take off, and there were some great artists making some great music. Some of the best country music of the 80s came from the likes of George Strait, Alabama, and Reba McEntire. Let’s take a look at some of the best country music of the late 80s.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Late 80s- Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is one of the most successful country music artists of all time. His career began in the late 1980s, and he quickly rose to stardom. His debut album, Garth Brooks, was released in 1989 and reached number three on the Billboard country charts. It was followed by his second album, No Fences, which was even more successful. It topped the country charts and reached number seventeen on the Billboard 200. No Fences would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, selling more than 26 million copies worldwide.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Late 80s- Clint Black

Clint Black is one of the most successful country artists of all time. His debut album, `Killin’ Time`, was released in 1989 and went on to sell more than three million copies. The album’s lead single, “A Better Man”, was a huge hit, spending four weeks at the top of the country charts. Black’s follow-up album, `Put Yourself in My Shoes`, was released in 1990 and was another huge success, selling more than two million copies. Black continued to have success in the early 1990s with his albums `The Hard Way` and `No Time to Kill`.

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Late 80s- Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own songs. Jackson has recorded 16 studio albums, three greatest hits albums, two Christmas albums, and two gospel albums as of 2017. His first album was Here in the Real World (1990), followed by Don’t Rock the Jukebox (1991), A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love) (1992), who’s Cheatin’ Who (1993). Pretty much every album release since 1990 has been a commercial success. Jackson has sold over 80 million records worldwide

The Best of Country Music in the 80s- The Late 80s- Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. Active from 1991 to 2011, the duo enjoyed great commercial success throughout their 20-year career, releasing 22 hit singles and selling over 30 million records.

The duo’s first album, Brand New Man, was released in 1991 and certified 6× Platinum by the RIAA for shipments of six million copies. It included four chart topping singles: “My Next Broken Heart”, “Neon Moon”, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “Brand New Man”.

The album was followed by Hard Workin’ Man (1992), which produced three more Number One singles with its title track, “We’ll Burn That Bridge” and ” Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You”, as well as the Top Five hit “She Used to Be Mine”. A fifth album, Waitin’ on Sundown (1994), produced three more Number One singles with its title track, If You See Her and She’s Not Mine. The latter was also co-written by lead singer Ronnie Dunn. The duo’s sixth studio album, Red Dirt Road (2003), was their first album certified 5× Platinum by the RIAA; it is also their highest selling overall, having been certified 6× Platinum in 2007. Its title track gave them their twelfth and final Number One hit; two other songs were Top Ten hits: that album’s lead-off single “We’re Gonna Hold On” (a duet with Reba McEntire) and “(No Place) Like Home”, which won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Brooks & Dunn released a greatest hits collection in 2003 which included two new tracks: a cover of Del Shannon’s 1961 single “Runaway” and the song “That’s What It’s All About”. This was followed in 2005 by Hillbilly Deluxe – Brooks & Dunn greatest hits collection – which featured another new track: a cover of Wild Cherry’s 1976 hit song “(I Love) Somebody Else”. Then in 2007 Brooks & Dunn recorded a full length album of all new material titled Cowboy Town featuring four chart singles: “Put A Girl In It,” “Honky Tonk Stomp,” “Proud of the House We Built,” and their last top ten hit -“God Must Be Busy.” But it would be another three years before Brooks & Dunn would release any more new material when they released #1s…and then some containing all their number one hits plus eight additional tracks including three brand new songs.

Following his departure from Brooks & Dunn, Ronnie Dunn debuted his solo career with the single bleedin’ red released to radio on June 7, 2011.