What In Your Opinion Is The Greatest Ever Country Song

John A. Russell · Post by **John A. Russell** » 30 Jun 2010 3:04 am

Here in the UK, not much "Country Music" is played on the BBC, on a daily basis.

Dunne Eddy was just picking songs on the BBC Radio 2 Morning Programme. One of the songs he picked was: -
"He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones.

A few years ago there was a live show in Nashville, where the top 100 Country Songs were played, as voted by folks.

"He Stopped Loving Here Today" was No2 and George was there to sing it.

No1 was "Stand By Your Man", by Tammy Wynett.

What is you favourite country song of all time?

JR

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 30 Jun 2010 3:38 am

That is a tough one to answer. One of my favorites is a Steve Wariner song "It's Not What I Did, It's What I Didn't Do". I always loved the words and the music is good as well. There will be some interesting titles on this topic for sure.

David Biggers · Post by **David Biggers** » 30 Jun 2010 4:58 am

I have so many but these 3 jump right in my head.

Older songs
I never go around mirrors -Keith Whitleys steel version with Hags vocal version

Old Violin -Paycheck

Don't Touch Me. Tammy..I think. I don't remember if she did it 1st!

Newer song
But for the Grace of God - Keith Urban's version

When I think of great songs it is those songs that make through different generations. Lasting songs.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 30 Jun 2010 5:45 am

I'd have to say for pure beauty and poetry it is hard to beat "I'm so Lonesome I Could cry"

Stephen Gregory · Post by **Stephen Gregory** » 30 Jun 2010 6:46 am

These kinds of debates are futile, at best. I hate when the media, for instance, Rolling Stone Magazine CMT, or MTV start telling us what the Greatest "Country" song is. This question is too subjective to yield a definitive answer. What criteria should be used? Should it be based upon sales, airplay, performance,arrangement, melody, or lyrics, etc. For the most part these "Best" debates are based upon popularity which is a "poor gauge" for quality.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 30 Jun 2010 7:04 am

I was thinkin Highway Patrol cuz I can do the siren part purdy good.

John A. Russell · Post by **John A. Russell** » 30 Jun 2010 7:24 am

Reason For Asking
I had opened the question based on the human heart,
not on Radio Stations, Airplay or any other sales orientated reason.

Special Song
I know many of us have a special song, for many reasons.

Maybe because of a special memory.
Maybe because it reminds us of a special time in our lives.
Maybe because the song is, (to us),outstanding.

A Reminder
Also, if many folks reply to the thread, we may be reminded of songs we have forgotten.

Passionate
I get passionate about my favourite "Kinda" music and had hoped to stir up memories for many of you.

Sincerely

JA

Chuck Huffman · Post by **Chuck Huffman** » 30 Jun 2010 10:34 am

I have so many favorites, but the one that touches me every time I hear it is by Merle Haggard, " I'm Always On A Mountain When I Fall". I guess it speaks to life as we sometimes experience it for ourselves.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 30 Jun 2010 6:21 pm

La Marseillaise. You didn't specify which country.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 30 Jun 2010 7:15 pm

Many of Merle Haggard's songs, even one's where there is no Steel on the record. Merle's songs often told stories from his Life Experienses. My favorite Songs also must have great musicians and great arrangements. I don't think there is the "Greatest Coountry Song" as we all hear Music differen't and it touches our senses differently depending what kind of Mood we're in. IMHO !

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 30 Jun 2010 7:18 pm

Hey Biggers we got a lot in common except you forgot Lillie's White Lies and Dreams of a Dreamer.
BD

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 30 Jun 2010 7:19 pm

It's gotta be "My Wife Thinks You're Dead" by Junior Brown! LOL!

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 1 Jul 2010 4:20 am

I thought Steve Goodman already settled this.

"You've Never Even Called Me by My Name"

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 1 Jul 2010 4:31 am

Speaking of which, back in 1972 Steve Goodman wore my cowboy hat to sing You've Never Even Called My by My name at club in Boulder.

What a great memory.

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 1 Jul 2010 4:39 am

You do have a great memory, Bill. I don't even remember 1972, let alone who wore my hat.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 1 Jul 2010 4:45 am

"I Saw God Today" by George Straight

Michael Robertson · Post by **Michael Robertson** » 1 Jul 2010 5:28 am

Steve Hitsman wrote:I thought Steve Goodman already settled this.

"You've Never Even Called Me by My Name"

You’re absolutely correct.

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 1 Jul 2010 5:57 am

IMHO we would first have to define "country" music, and there's an endless debate..While I like some of the newer stuff,my idea of "country" wold be Hank Sr."I Just Told Mama Goodbye" wold be one."I'm so Lonesome I Could cry" is another.We can even go back farther to the Carter Family.
The definition of "country" has become huge blur...

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 1 Jul 2010 6:49 am

IMHO we would first have to define "country" music, and there's an endless debate..

You're right, P,J. As has been very well said before, at this level, it's about difference rather than perfection or quality or representation or "best."

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 1 Jul 2010 7:44 am

If it moves and touches me, it's country! "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is one of those songs!

Jim Hartley · Post by **Jim Hartley** » 1 Jul 2010 8:48 am

Hey John,

As Stephen mentioned, these debates, if you want to call them that, are somewhat futile, but they sure do remind us of alot of old favorites, don't they? One of my favorites is one of Del Reeves' early hits, "The only girl I can't forget".

By the way, for what it's worth, the big hit on "Don't touch me" was by Jeanie Seeley. Tammy probably recorded it at one time or another though.

Tell "cousin" David I said hey.

Jim

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 1 Jul 2010 8:56 am

This moves and touches me as much as any country song, and I love and play country.
This from a man[me] who has nearly zero knowledge of clasical music, but this is fantastic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vz_1lC5 ... re=related
And this nearly puts me in a trance..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJPDTrCkLzg&NR=1
This steeler is one great player..

Talon Ross · Post by **Talon Ross** » 1 Jul 2010 10:43 am

The three that stand out to me are He Stopped Loving Her Today, I Never Go Around Mirrors, and For the Good Times.

I have so many but these 3 jump right in my head.

Older songs
I never go around mirrors -Keith Whitleys steel version with Hags vocal version

Old Violin -Paycheck

Don't Touch Me. Tammy..I think. I don't remember if she did it 1st!

Newer song
But for the Grace of God - Keith Urban's version

When I think of great songs it is those songs that make through different generations. Lasting songs.

Did Tammy ever record Don't Touch Me? Jeannie Seely did the original I thought.

John A. Russell · Post by **John A. Russell** » 1 Jul 2010 12:33 pm

Tammy sang, "Don't Touch Me" on a 1970 CD Called "The World Of Tammy Wynette" EPIC EGP-503 It Had ---Walk Through This World With Me, Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde, Don't Come Home A Drinkin', Where Could I Go, I Stayed Long Enough, It Is No Secret, I Believe, My Arms Stay Open Late, There Goes My Everything, Crying In The Chapel, Don't Touch Me, Good, Cry, Ode To Billie Joe, Honey, Cry Cry Again, It's My Way, Joey, Kiss Away, Yesterday.sampler Also "First Songs Of The First Lady" 1971 Epic KEG-30358 And same year "It's Just A Matter Of Time"

I loved her Duet with George Jones "One"

Thanks to you all for your interesting replies.

Kind Regards

JR

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 1 Jul 2010 1:10 pm

John Wesley Ryles "Kay" has always been ONE of my favorites.

The Steel Guitar Forum

What In Your Opinion Is The Greatest Ever Country Song

What In Your Opinion Is The Greatest Ever Country Song

Based On?

Darn Right

Don't Touch Me, Tammy Wynette