Country Music Herald

Happy New Year’s Eve! In the grand tradition of counting down everything from the past 365 days, I am bringing you my assessment of what I feel should be the top ten country music songs of 2007 based on things like airplay, accolades, and of course, what I like the best. I expect you to disagree with me, so tell me all about it in the comments section! So, without further ado, here are my picks for the top eleven songs of 2007 (I couldn’t pick just 10!).

11. Rodney Atkins–I’ve Been Watching You

I’ll be honest. This song wasn’t even on my radar until I started listening to the countdown shows on the radio this weekend. It ended up being the number one song on both CMT’s Country Countdown USA and the other countdown I heard and can’t recall the name of. I then realized it was on the top of the singles charts for 5 weeks and was played constantly, so there was really no way I could argue that it should be in the top ten somewhere. I put it at number 10 just because it didn’t even cross my mind until someone else told me it should have.

10. Billy Currington–Good Directions

What can I say? I like turnip greens. Okay, so it’s just a catchy little tune and one I knew the words to by the third time I had heard it on the radio. It’s got a nice little story that I think most of us can at least partially relate to (the part about not getting someone’s name you’re attracted to–not the crunching on pork rinds part), and it has a happy ending some of us probably wish our story did, too. It did well on the charts and will stay at number 9 on mine.

9. Big & Rich–Lost In This Moment

How can I deny a song that I heard over and over and over again at the plethora of weddings I attended this year? Although I’m not sure how the Musik Mafia Midget fits into such a sweet love song, it was out of character and a nice change for Big & Rich. They now have a monopoly on wedding music, whether it’s traditional, or not so traditional (Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy makes a great wedding tune, don’t you think?)

8. Taylor Swift–Our Song

This one should actually be higher than number 7, but it’s just too new to move it up my countdown any farther. Taylor Swift has absolutely blown up this year and obviously had to be somewhere on the countdown. Our Song currently sits at the top of the singles chart, so that’s why I picked this one. She has a bright future ahead of her, that’s for sure.

7. Rascal Flatts–My Wish

Need an inspiring country music song? This could be the one for you. I imagine it will prove to be one of those timeless graduation songs or something like that. I know there are scenes of friends and events that flash through my head every time I hear the lyrics. Rascal Flatts keeps churning out the hits and racking up the platinum records.

To see the rest of my list, keep reading after the jump…

country music, country music 2007

6. Sugarland–Want To

What an amazing year it was for Sugarland! They seemed to come out of nowhere to take the CMA award for Best Duo this year. The song that I feel really put them on the map was Want To which went all the way to number one and got some serious airplay near the beginning of the year. It once again has a story that pretty much everyone can relate to with trying to decide whether or not to move a friendship to a romantic relationship. After this song went to the top, it seemed like there was no stopping Sugarland.

5. Kenny Chesney–Don’t Blink

Was there any doubt that Kenny Chesney had to fall somewhere on the list? He keeps topping the charts, and no other song was on top of the singles charts longer than Don’t Blink this year. However, it’s only number five on my list because man I’m sick of hearing that song. When it was at the top, I could have sworn it was played every third song. Burnt it out for me really quickly.

4. Tracey Lawrence–Find Out Who Your Friends Are

The most celebrated vocal event of the year deserves a top ten spot, don’t you think? Tracey Lawrence found out friends like Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney can get you a number one single (his first in ten years) and CMA awards. What a way to revive a career! I guess if all else fails, ask some of country music’s biggest superstars who can do nothing but churn out number one songs to help you out.

3. Garth Brooks–More than a Memory

He’s back! Garth Brooks came out of retirement to release an Ultimate Hits album, perform 10 live shows in one city, and crank out yet another number one single to add to his collection. I’ve never really been a huge Garth Brooks fan, but he deserves to be on the top ten list just for breaking the radio silence and seemingly picking up where he left off.

2. Carrie Underwood–Before He Cheats

This song was all over the radio - pop stations, country stations, easy listening stations…you just couldn’t get away from it! I wouldn’t want to anyway because it’s a fun song to belt out in your car and not care if people are staring at you at the stoplight. It ruled the charts and one numerous awards for Carrie and the song writers, so number two it is!

1. Brad Paisley–Online

Everyone should already know my love of Brad Paisley, but how could you NOT enjoy the song Online? Not only is it hilarious, it’s accurate and the video is outstanding. The countdown shows just didn’t show enough love for this song for my liking (except CMT’s video countdown where it was #1) and so Brad Paisley and his ode to internet geeks everywhere gets my number one spot.

Okay, so now it’s time for you to tell me how wrong I am! Leave some comments.