The Top Country Music Lists of 2018
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Find out which country songs made the top of the charts in 2018. You might be surprised by some of the results!
The Best Country Songs of 2018
It’s been a great year for country music, with a lot of artists putting out great songs. Here are our picks for the best country songs of 2018. We’ve got a mix of old and new, fast and slow, happy and sad songs. So whether you’re in the mood to dance or just need a good cry, these songs will definitely do the trick.
“Heaven” by Kane Brown
“Heaven” is a song recorded by American country music singer Kane Brown. It was released to country radio on September 18, 2017 as the third single from his eponymous debut album. The song was written by Shy Carter, Josh Hoge and Matthew McGinn.
“Heaven” is a mid-tempo country pop ballad in which the male narrator describes his ideal partner and the happiness he experiences when he is with her. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its message and Brown’s vocal performance.
The song peaked at number one on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts, becoming Brown’s third consecutive number-one single on the former and fourth overall. It also reached number one on the Adult Contemporary chart, making it his first entry on that chart. The song was certified quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and double-platinum by the Music Canada (MC). It also attained gold certifications in Denmark and Sweden.
“Meant to Be” by Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line
This song was released in October of 2017, but it exploded in popularity in early 2018 and spent a whopping 50 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s a cross-over hit that appeals to country and pop fans alike, with an infectious beat and Rexha’s sultry vocals.
“Most People Are Good” by Luke Bryan
This heartwarming tune is all about the good in people and how we should strive to be kind to one another. It’s a simple, yet powerful message that resonated with a lot of people in 2018.
“Drowns the Whiskey” by Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
“Drowns the Whiskey” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Jason Aldean. It was released to radio on April 16, 2018 as the third single from his ninth studio album, Rearview Town. The song features a duet with American singer Miranda Lambert. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in August 2018.
Aldean told iHeartRadio of the track, “‘Drowns the Whiskey’ is a song that I think a lot of people can relate to. It’s one of those songs that everybody’s probably had that experience in their life, whether it be an old girlfriend or whatever it might be, where somebody pops back into your head out of nowhere and kind of throws you for a loop.”
“Tequila” by Dan + Shay
“Tequila” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music duo Dan + Shay for their self-titled third studio album (2018). It was released to radio on January 22, 2018, as the album’s lead single. The song reached number one on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts. “Tequila” also peaked at number 11 on the Hot 100 chart, making it their first entry outside of the country genre.
The Best Country Albums of 2018
#1- “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves- Musgraves’ third album is a dreamy, meandering listen that’s well worth your time. It’s one of those records that gets better with each spin, as the subtle production details and Musgraves’ outstanding songwriting begin to shine through.
“Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves is one of the most original and exciting country artists to emerge in recent years, and her third album “Golden Hour” is a masterful distillation of her many strengths. It’s a warm, intimate album full of smart, relaxed songwriting that captures the small moments of love and life with perfect clarity. It’s also an impeccably crafted record, featuring some of the most gorgeous melodies and lush production you’ll hear all year. In short, it’s one of the best country albums in recent memory, and one that should have a lasting impact on the genre for years to come.
“From A Room: Volume 2” by Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton’s “From A Room: Volume 2” is one of the best country albums of 2018. Released in December of 2017, the album is a follow-up to the immensely successful “From A Room: Volume 1.”
“From A Room: Volume 2” was met with critical acclaim, with many praising Stapleton’s songwriting and vocal performance. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart and peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200.
The album’s lead single, “Broken Halos,” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Country Airplay chart. The album’s second single, “Millionaire,” was also a success, reaching number four on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
If you’re a fan of country music, then you need to check out Chris Stapleton’s “From A Room: Volume 2.”
“The Mountain” by Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley’s ninth studio album, “The Mountain” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart (dated June 30), earning 117,000 equivalent album units in the week ending June 21, according to Nielsen Music. Of that sum, 104,000 were in traditional album sales.
“Graffiti U” by Keith Urban
Keith Urban’s last album, “Ripcord,” was released in 2016 to critical acclaim andGraffiti U is his ninth studio album. The album is a return to Urban’s southern roots with a mix of country, rock, and pop. “Graffiti U” was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2018 Country Music Association Awards and features the singles “Coming Home,” “Drop Top,” and “We Were.”
“Carrie Underwood” by Cry Pretty
Carrie Underwood, who first found fame as the winner of American Idol in 2005, returns with her sixth studio album, Cry Pretty. It’s her first album since 2016’s Storyteller and her first with Capitol Records Nashville. Cry Pretty finds Underwood teaming up with co-producer David Garcia, who has previously worked with such artists as Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, and Thomas Rhett. The result is a collection of songs that find the country star exploring new musical territory while still staying true to her roots.
Lead single “Cry Pretty” is a defiant anthem about staying strong in the face of adversity, while other standouts include the emotional ballad “Ghosts on the Stereo” and the uptempo love song “Love Wins.” With its mix of personal and universal themes, Cry Pretty is sure to resonate with fans old and new.
The Best Country Artists of 2018
There are a lot of great country artists out there, and it can be hard to keep up with all of them. Here are some of the best of 2018. These are the artists that you should be listening to, whether you’re a country music fan or not.
Kane Brown
Kane Brown is an American country music singer and songwriter. He first gained attention in 2015, when he released the song “Used to Love You Sober” on social media platforms. In 2016, he released his debut album, which included the platinum-certified singles “What Ifs” and “Heaven.” He has since released a second album, 2018’s “Experiment,” which includes the hit singles “Lose It” and “Good as You.”
Luke Combs
Luke Combs is an American singer and songwriter from Asheville, North Carolina. He released his debut album, This One’s for You, in June 2017. Combs has since released two additional albums, What You See Is What You Get and Here’s to You. He has also released several singles, including “Hurricane”, “When It Rains It Pours”, and “Beautiful Crazy”.
Dan + Shay
This year’s top country artists offer a bit of something for everyone. From the experimental sounds of Kacey Musgraves to the old-school country vibes of Chris Stapleton, there’s a little bit of something for everyone on this list. And, of course, we can’t forget the charismatic duo known as Dan + Shay.
With a sound that is uniquely their own, Dan + Shay have quickly become one of the most popular country groups in recent years. Their latest album, “Dan + Shay,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album’s lead single, “Tequila,” was also a massive success, spending four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and becoming the duo’s first Platinum-certified single.
Dan + Shay is composed of members Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney. Smyers is originally from Wexford, Pennsylvania, and Mooney is from Natural Dam, Arkansas. The two met in Nashville in 2012 and began writing songs together shortly thereafter. After signing with Warner Bros. Records Nashville in 2014, they released their debut album “Where It All Began,” which included the hit single “19 You + Me.”
The duo has won numerous awards throughout their career, including two Grammy Awards (for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Song), five ACM Awards (for Vocal Duo of the Year and Single Record of the Year), and five CMA Awards (for Vocal Duo of the Year). They have also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, ACM Awards, and CMA Awards.
Midland
Midland is a country music trio consisting of Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, and Jess Carson. Their debut album, On the Rocks, was released on September 22, 2017. The album includes the singles “Drinkin’ Problem” and “Make a Little”, which both reached number one on Country Airplay. Midland was nominated for Vocal Group of the Year at the 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. She is best known for her collaborations with other artists, such as “Meant to Be” with Florida Georgia Line and “In the Name of Love” with Martin Garrix. Rexha has also released several solo singles, such as “I Got You” and “Me, Myself & I”. In 2018, Rexha was nominated for two Grammy Awards, Best New Artist and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
