Country Songs That Exemplify America and Its People Music
Our Songs for America
Want to understand our country and its people Start with these selections
Public domain images, The Gambler : Alamy; “Jolene”: Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty; Ray Charles’ “You Don't Know Me”: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Gambler
Don Schlitz wrote this hit for Kenny Rogers. “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em / Know when to fold ’em” has become life advice. Old Dogs Children and Watermelon Wine
Tom T. Hall wrote this after he met a man cleaning up in a Miami airport lounge. The man told him that only these three things held true in the world. artisteer/Getty Images Celebrating Country Music
Amarillo by Morning
Cowboy culture is a major part of America. Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser wrote this song, and George Strait made it a hit. Here, the cowboy is broken, but his spirit is indomitable. Will the Circle Be Unbroken
In the 1930s country music’s first family — the Carter Family — recorded this song of eternal renewal as “Can the Circle Be Unbroken.” It’s now country music’s anthem. Sunday Mornin Comin Down
A down-and-outer’s tale of a lonely Sunday morning in Nashville, written by down-and-outer (at the time) Kris Kristofferson. America
Waylon Jennings is known as an outlaw, but this song, written by Sammy Johns, is a call for inclusion and an acknowledgment of the U.S.’s multicultural roots. The House That Built Me
Miranda Lambert heard this song, by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, and was determined to record it. It’s about how we all are molded by our childhoods. Fox Chase br
In 1927, Black harmonica player DeFord Bailey became a star of the Grand Ole Opry in a time of Southern segregation and rancor. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. Jolene br
wrote this song in a moment of emotional frailty, wondering if another woman might take her husband. He Stopped Loving Her Today
The world’s saddest love song was a hit for George Jones. Written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, it is considered by many to be the greatest country song of all time. You Don t Know Me
Cindy Walker, one of the first prominent female country songwriters, wrote this with Eddy Arnold. Ray Charles recorded the most famous version for his 1962 album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. Friends in Low Places
A celebration of tavern life over the black-tie scene. Written by Earl Bud Lee and Dewayne Blackwell, the song went to number 1 for in 1990. Peter Cooper is a former music journalist for The Tennessean who now works for the Country Music Hall of Fame. Listen to these songs on . More on Music
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