The Best of 2011: A List of Country Music Songs

2011 was a great year for country music. Some of the best songs of the year were released, and many of them are still popular today. If you’re a fan of country music, then you’ll love this list of the best songs of 2011.

“Dirt Road Anthem” by Jason Aldean

“Dirt Road Anthem” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Jason Aldean. It was released in March 2011 as the fourth single from his album My Kinda Party. The song became Aldean’s sixth number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in August 2011. Internationally, the song has also charted in Canada and the United Kingdom.

“Take a Back Road” by Rodney Atkins

“Take a Back Road” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Rodney Atkins. It was released in June 2011 as the lead single from his album Take a Back Road. The song became Atkins’ sixth Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in October 2011.

The song was written by Atkins, Dallas Davidson and Jeffrey Steele.

“Country Must Be Country Wide” by Brantley Gilbert

“Country Must Be Country Wide” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Brantley Gilbert. It was released in October 2011 as the second single from his album Halfway to Heaven. The song became Gilbert’s first number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in May 2012.

Brantley Gilbert co-wrote this song with Colt Ford and Fellow crusader Michael Nelson. The idea for the song came to them while they were out on the road touring. They were trying to come up with a new twist on country music, and they wanted to write a song that would be fun to play live. “Country Must Be Country Wide” is an up-tempo song with influences of southern rock and rap. The lyrics are about Gilbert’s love for country music and how it can be found everywhere.

The song received positive reviews from critics who praised its lyrics and Gilbert’s vocal performance. “Country Must Be Country Wide” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Gilbert’s first number one hit on that chart. The song also peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Gilbert’s highest-charting single on that chart. “Country Must Be Country Wide” was certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of over two million copies in the United States. An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Derick Murray, features Gilbert performing in various locations throughout the United States.

“You and Tequila” by Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

“You and Tequila” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in April 2011 as the second single from his album Hemingway’s Whiskey. Chesney co-wrote the song with Matraca Berg and Deana Carter. It is a ballad in 6/8 time with an approximate tempo of 84 beats per minute, and features slide guitar throughout.

In the song, the male narrator explains how tequila can make him think of and miss a former lover. Critical reception of “You and Tequila” was positive, with many praising its traditional country sound while others called it one of Chesney’s best singles. The song became Chesney’s twenty-first number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in July 2011, his second consecutive number one from Hemingway’s Whiskey. It also peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it his highest-peaking single on that chart since “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” in 2003.

An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Shaun Silva and premiered in June 2011. It features Chesney performing at various beach locations while interspersed with footage of him interacting with different people at these locations.

“God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton

“God Gave Me You” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Blake Shelton. It was released in October 2011 as the fourth single from Shelton’s album Red River Blue. The song became Shelton’s sixth number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 2012.

The song was written by Shelton, Dave Haywood and Jessi Alexander. It isBuilt around a mid-tempo ballad arrangement, “God Gave Me You” received positive reviews from critics who praised Shelton’s performance andProduction staff’s decision to include the track on Red River Blue.

“Honey Bee” by Blake Shelton

“Honey Bee” is a song recorded by American country music artist Blake Shelton. It was released on January 24, 2011, as the lead single from his album Red River Blue. The song was written by Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip and Dallas Davidson.

“Honey Bee” is a mid-tempo country pop ballad in which Shelton compares his love interest to a honey bee. Upon its release, the song received positive reviews from critics who praised Shelton’s vocal performance and the song’s production.

“Honey Bee” peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and three-times platinum by Music Canada.

“I Don’t Want This Night to End” by Luke Bryan

“I Don’t Want This Night to End” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan. It was released in October 2011 as the fourth single from his album Tailgates & Tanlines. The song became his fourth consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in March 2012. It was written by Bryan, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

“Sangria” by Blake Shelton

“Sangria” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Blake Shelton. It was released in July 2014 as the second single from his eighth studio album, Bringing Back the Sunshine. The song was written by Shelton, Eric Dixon and Ash Bowers.

“Sangria” is a mid-tempo song backed mainly by acoustic guitar. In it, the male narrator invites a female love interest to have a drink with him.

The song has received positive reviews from critics, who praised Shelton’s vocal performance and the song’s production. It has also been a commercial success, reaching number one on both the US Billboard Country Airplay chart and the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In addition, it peaked at number 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

“Pontoon” by Little Big Town

“Pontoon” is a song recorded by American country music group Little Big Town. It was released in June 2012 as the lead single to their fifth studio album, Tornado. The song was written by group members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, and Wayne Kirkpatrick. It peaked at number 2 on both the US Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts.

The song is about a group of friends relaxing on a pontoon boat on a lake. It is set in G major with a moderate tempo of 102 beats per minute and Fairchild’s vocals span from G3 to D5.

“Drunk on You” by Luke Bryan

It’s easy to fall in love with this heart-pounding, fast-paced song by newcomer Luke Bryan. The narration tells the story of a wild night out with friends where the only thing on the mind is a specific girl. This song shot to the top of the charts and is one of the most popular country songs of 2011.

“Tattoos on This Town” by Jason Aldean

“Tattoos on This Town” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Jason Aldean. It was released in September 2011 as the second single from his 2011 album My Kinda Party. The song became Aldean’s ninth number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in December 2011.

“Over You” by Miranda Lambert

“Over You” is a song co-written and recorded by Miranda Lambert. It was released in July 2011 as the lead single from Lambert’s album Four the Record. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song at the 55th Grammy Awards. The song is about the death of Lambert’s brother-in-law, who died in a highway accident.

“My Kinda Party” by Jason Aldean

“My Kinda Party” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Jason Aldean. It was released in September 2010 as the second single from his album My Kinda Party. The song became Aldean’s sixth Number One hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 2011.

Aldean co-wrote the song with Brett James and Brantley Gilbert. Aldean told CMT that he wanted to write a “party anthem”, something that would be fun to play live. The song is set in the key of A major with a main chord pattern of A-E-D. It is in moderate Rock & Roll tempo of 96 beats per minute, and Aldean’s vocals span from C#4 to F#5.

When asked about the lyrical content of the song, Aldean said:

“‘My Kinda Party’ is about tailgates and bonfires, cold beer and good friends. It’s about kicking back and enjoying life.”

Critical reception for “My Kinda Party” was generally positive. Steve Leggett of Allmusic called it a “crunchy, ingratiating singalong”. Giving it 4 out of 5 stars, Matt Bjorke of Roughstock wrote that for fans of country rap, “this may be one of those perfect storm type songs where everything just comes together”. Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave it an A grade, calling it an “excellent followup single” which “doesn’t stray too far from what worked on its predecessor”. In 2017, Taste of Country ranked it as the greatest party song in country music history.

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Wes Edwards and premiered on October 7, 2010.

“Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett

“Die a Happy Man” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Thomas Rhett. It was released on September 28, 2015, as the fourth single from his second studio album, Tangled Up. The song peaked at number one on both the US Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts in early 2016. It also won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt

“Body Like a Back Road” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Sam Hunt. It was released to radio on February 1, 2017 as the lead single to his forthcoming second studio album. The song became Hunt’s sixth consecutive number one, and seventh overall on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

The song is about a summer fling. In an interview with iHeartRadio, Hunt said: “For me, this song is about those summertime activities, drives down country back roads, being outside and taking advantage of the warmer months.”

The Best of 2011: A List of Country Music Songs