The Top 100 Country Music Songs of All Time

Country music is a genre of music that originates from the Southern United States. It is a blend of American folk music and blues. The top 100 country music songs of all time is a list of the most popular country songs of all time. These songs have been chosen based on their popularity, critical acclaim, and impact on the genre.

“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

“I Will Always Love You” is a song by American singer Whitney Houston, originally released on her 1992 album I’m Your Baby Tonight. The song was written by Houston and produced by David Foster. It is a pop ballad that Bound for glory finished at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, tying with “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men as the longest-running number-one single of all time. “I Will Always Love You” was certified quad-platinum in 1993 and has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.

The music video for “I Will Always Love You” was directed by Kevin Bray and features Houston singing the song in front of a backdrop of photographs from her career. The video received criticism for its lack of originality, but won three NAACP Image Awards, including Video of the Year.

“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King

“Stand by Me” is a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written byJerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1961. The song has been covered by many artists and has been popular in film and television. In 2012, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton

“I Will Always Love You” is a song written and performed by American country singer Dolly Parton. It was released on June 6, 1974, as the second single from her thirteenth solo studio album, Jolene. The song was written as a good-bye and thank you to her former partner and mentor of seven years, Porter Wagoner, following Parton’s decision to pursue a solo career.

Parton’s recording of the song topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart twice: in June 1974, and again in October 1982, in spite of stiff competition from Willie Nelson’s cover version. On the latter occasion, it set a then-record for the longest run at number one on that chart (since tied by “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men). The song also spent three weeks atop the adult contemporary chart in 1974, and was Parton’s only pop hit until the 1980s, when she scored her first top-ten single with “9 to 5”.

In 1988, “I Will Always Love You” was featured in the film The Bodyguard (starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner), serving as both its theme song and lead single from its accompanying soundtrack album. Houston’s version of the song remains the best-selling single by a woman in music history. In 2003, “I Will Always Love You” was ranked number 73 on CMT’s 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music.

“I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Don Gibson

“I Can’t Stop Loving You” is a song written and recorded by country music artist Don Gibson. Released in 1958, the song reached number one on both the Country and Pop charts. The song has been recorded by numerous artists, including Ray Charles, who had a hit with the song in 1962.

“I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline

“I Fall to Pieces” is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard and recorded first by Patsy Cline in 1961. The song is considered one of Cline’s signature tunes and helped propel her to stardom. The song is ranked No. 164 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Cline’s version of “I Fall to Pieces” was released on February 12, 1961, as the lead single from her second studio album, Patsy Cline Showcase (1961). The single became one of Cline’s biggest hits, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. In 2004, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“I Cross My Heart” by George Strait

I Cross My Heart is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in September 1992 as the lead-off single from his album Pure Country. The song was his eighteenth No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart. The song spent two weeks at the top spot and a total of 21 weeks on the country chart. In 2003, “I Cross My Heart” was voted number 12 in CMT’s 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music. The narrator pledges his eternal love and devotion to his significant other: “I cross my heart / And promise to / Give all I’ve got to give / To make all your dreams come true.”

“I Believe in You” by Don Williams

Don Williams included “I Believe in You” on his 1974 self-titled album, which was his second solo LP. The song was written by Roger Cook and Sam Hogin, and it went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1975. “I Believe in You” is a ballad with a simple, but powerful message about the strength of love and commitment. It has been covered by many artists over the years, including Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton.

“I Still Believe in You” by Vince Gill

“I Still Believe in You” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Vince Gill. It was released in October 1992 as the lead single from his album I Still Believe in You. The song reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in December 1992, his fourth Number One on that chart. It also peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Gill’s only top ten hit on that chart to date. The song was written by Gill and John Barlow Jarvis.

In 2002, British country music singer Peter Andre covered the song for his album Rise & Shine. Andre’s version peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and number 24 on the Irish Singles Chart.

“I Swear” by John Michael Montgomery

“I Swear” is a country music song written by Frank J. Myers and Mark Alan Springer, and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in October 1993 as the third single from his album Kickin’ It Up. The song reached the top of the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and won Montgomery the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Country Song. “I Swear” became a crossover hit, also peaking at number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it topped the charts in Australia and Canada while also reaching number eight in Denmark and number 11 in the United Kingdom. A Spanish-language version of the song was recorded by Mexican group Alto Voltaje. This version peaked at number 35 on the US Latin Songs chart.

The music video for “I Swear” was directed by Deaton-Flanigen Productions.

“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

“I Will Always Love You” is a song written and originally performed by American country music artist Dolly Parton. It was released on June 6, 1974, as a single from the soundtrack album to the film The Bodyguard. Parton’s version of the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart twice. It first topped the chart in June 1974, and again in October 1982, giving her the record for most weeks at number one for a female artist (since tied by Reba McEntire).

Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” was released on November 17, 1992, as the lead single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album. It became Houston’s fourth number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and makes her one of only two female artists to ever have four number-one singles from one album (the other being Mariah Carey with her album Daydream). The single spent 14 weeks at number one on the Hot 100, which at that time tied an all-time record set previously by Boyz II Men with their track “End of the Road”. Additionally, it became Houston’s second single after “Saving All My Love for You” to be certified diamond in Canada.

The Top 100 Country Music Songs of All Time

Introduction