The Best of 1997 Country Music

The Best of 1997 Country Music was a great year for country music. Here are some of the best songs of the year.

The Year in Review

As the world turned its attention to a new millennium, country music looked back at the past year and celebrated the best of 1997. Garth Brooks took home the top honor of Entertainer of the Year, while Vince Gill earned recognition as Male Vocalist of the Year. Favorite albums included Brooks’ Sevens, Gill’s High Lonesome Sound, and Shania Twain’s Come On Over.

In terms of singles, Twain continued her domination with “You’re Still the One,” while Brooks & Dunn finally broke through with “My Maria.” The following list looks at the top country songs, albums, and artists of 1997.

Top Country Songs of 1997
“You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
“My Maria” – Brooks & Dunn
“How Do I Live” – LeAnn Rimes
“One More Day” – Diamond Rio
“It’s Your Love” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Top Country Albums of 1997
Sevens – Garth Brooks
High Lonesome Sound – Vince Gill
Come On Over – Shania Twain
The Hits – George Strait
If I Don’t Stay the Night – Alan Jackson

The Best Albums of 1997

It was a banner year for country music in 1997, with many great albums being released by a wide variety of artists. Here are our picks for the best country albums of 1997.

-Garth Brooks, Sevens
This album was a return to form for Brooks, who had taken a bit of a break from the country music scene in the mid-1990s. Sevens featured some of Brooks’ best songwriting to date, along with his trademark winning way with a hook. The album was also notable for its experiments with other genres, including blues and rock.

-Shania Twain, Come On Over
Shania Twain’s second album was an even bigger success than her debut, cementing her status as one of the biggest stars in country music. Come On Over featured a mix of up-tempo tunes and ballads, all of which showcased Twain’s amazing vocal abilities. The album would go on to become the best-selling country album of all time.

-Dixie Chicks, Wide Open Spaces
The Dixie Chicks’ debut album became one of the biggest hits of the year, thanks in large part to the popularity of the lead single “I Can Love You Better.” The rest of the album was just as good, with the Chicks’ harmonies and down-home style providing a perfect counterpoint to the more contemporary sound of much ofcountry music at the time.

The Best Songs of 1997

Country music in 1997 was a mix of traditional sounds and more modern influences. The year saw the release of many great songs, including some that would go on to become classics. Here are some of the best country songs of 1997.

-“Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter
-“She’s in Love with the Boy” by Trisha Yearwood
-“How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes
-“You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain
-“It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
-“I Can Love You Like That” by John Michael Montgomery
-“One More Day” by Diamond Rio

The Best New Artists of 1997

There were a lot of great country music artists that emerged in 1997, but these are the ones that really made waves and left a lasting impression.

Brooks & Dunn – This duo quickly shot to stardom with their debut album “Brand New Man”. It was full of catchy hooks and toe-tapping tunes that resonated with country fans. They went on to win the ACM award for Top New Vocal Duo or Group in 1998.

Sara Evans – Evans released her debut album “Three Chords and the Truth” in 1997 and it was met with critical acclaim. She was praised for her traditional country sound and her strong songwriting ability. She went on to have a very successful career, earning multiple Grammy nominations and releasing hits like “No Place That Far” and “A Real Fine Place to Start”.

Dixie Chicks – The Dixie Chicks burst onto the scene in 1997 with their debut album “Wide Open Spaces”. The album was a massive success, selling over 10 million copies and earning them a Grammy for Best Country Album. They continued to find success with future albums, becoming one of the most popular groups in country music history.

The Best Country Music Videos of 1997

The year 1997 was a big one for country music. Garth Brooks continued to dominate the charts with hits like “Friends in Low Places” and “The Thunder Rolls.” Meanwhile, newer artists like LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain were beginning to make their mark on the genre.

When it comes to music videos, 1997 was also a banner year. Country music videos began to get more creative and experimental, while still staying true to the genre’s roots. Here are some of the best country music videos of 1997:

-Garth Brooks, “The Thunder Rolls”
-Lee Ann Womack, “I’ll Think of a Reason Later”
-Shania Twain, “You’re Still the One”
-Trisha Yearwood, “How Do I Live”
-Martina McBride, “A Broken Wing”
-Faith Hill, “It Matters to Me”
-Alan Jackson, “Here in the Real World”
-George Strait, “One Night at a Time”
-Lonestar, “No News”