JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Best Country Song Ever

There are too many to choose but I think at least right now for me it is Hank Williams doing Love Sick Blues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xu71i89xvs

What do you think is your favorite,
Rules:

none :-)
Dan

Hey Dan:

Not a big fan of country, but there are some I like - including the one you posted. One of my favorites is Dylan's "Tonight I'll be staying here with you":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL4TadBqCzU

Scott

To beat the devil. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTC26gcFSlo

I forgot the best. I just remember the rest.

My favorite is So Afraid of Losing You Again by Dallas Frasier and Doodle Owen. Here it is sung by the great Charley Pride:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPKcpleM8ps

By the way, Love Sick Blues was not written to be a country song. It was a Tin Pan Alley show tune. Funny old world, eh?

Coat of many Colors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2ymf0ln0Xw


Coat of many Colors
(c) Dolly Parton

Back through the years
I go wonderin once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors

Every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of

As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldnt wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss

Chorus:
My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

So with patches on my britches
Holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And oh I couldnt understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes

But they didn't understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me

Oh my goodness, here we go again. I'VE FORGOTTEN MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW. The Davis Sisters. No, that's not it. HEARTS OF STONE. Red Foley. No that's not it. THERE STANDS THE GLASS. Webb Pierce. Maybe. RELEASE ME. Ray Price. Uh, maybe. I'M MOVING ON, Hank Snow. Aw, who knows. Oh. I've got it. HOWLING AT THE MOON, Hank Williams. Humm, ROSE MARIE, Slim Whitman. No, It's I'LL GO ON ALONE, Marty Robbins. No, it's, IF I COULD HOLD BACK THE DAWN, Carl Smith. Wait, it's I'F YOU AIN'T LIVING, Faron Young. Aww, I give up!

He Stopped Loving Her Today by ... who else ... George Jones. He did not want to sing the song and had to be persuaded to record it.


Tom

/ and just about any song by Patsy Cline.

Tom

/ and Wednesday Girl by Kevin --- I think that could be considered a country song.....

Tom

Some awesome songs posted here ... and Patsy ... Oh Yea Tom ... OH yes !!

Actually the best country song ever is, Are you ready! It is: THE LORD KNOWS I'M DRINKING BY Cal Smith! You heard it here first! Set your VCR's.

Does anyone on the planet except me still listen to Gene Autry ?
I still like the old cowboy .. however that is western and not country

Mornin' Dan and fellow JPFrs:

Gosh Dan, you coulda gone all day without bringin' this topic up. Sorta like waving a red flag in front of a herd of bulls... LOL!

Ya know, Gene Autry did a pretty good job for that era. As a matter of fact, he did Blueberry Hill long before Chubby and did an admirable job. That was the first recording I ever heard being played on an old Victrola player. (Now I'm divulging my ancientness!)

If I could only pick one of the hundreds of great country songs... I'd probably go with Hank Williams' "I Can't Help it if I'm Still in Love with You!" Then, of course, there's that other Williams guy, Don... who put out a string of great songs a mile long. I wonder where he's holed up these days... just sitting there counting his chips and enjoying life... I hope!

Great topic, thanks pal!

Dave

[color:#FF0000] DIDN'T YOU GET THE MEMO???!!!![/color]

Forgive them Ronnie for they know not what they do..

Best country song, no question!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfUYXdvnbO4

Turn it up loud, close your eyes and listen to the last note!!!!

LOL

That's a nice one, Lynn. I like his Smoky Mountain Rain too...

Just thought of another I really like. Recording here is poor but it's a great song. Randy Travis singing "Dig Two Graves":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPhlPumBzv0&playnext=1&list=PLEF9B4C738212DD80

Scott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OEZ9nAeFok

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMR4ZU1noI4&feature=related

This is a REALLY tough question but you know what, Lynn, you may be on to something. That is a friggin masterpiece, my, my! WOW, what a song. Think of the songwriting, alone, in that song, much less the masterful performance.

It is quite impressive of a song ain't it ... wow I do like that song

Super! I think the first recording is HORRIBLE and the second one is a masterpiece.

well Willy - i think - wrote the song

well the numbers say it's

Paper Doll by the Mills Brothers
Followed by Roy Acuff's Wabash Cannonball

But that's only if you believe the rest of the world.

Yeah, and I didn't like it AT ALL. Just all over the place. Emmy Lou's is great. She did way better than the writer, haha.

Many people think Roy wrote "wabash Cannonball" but that folk song dates back to 1880's. He did a wonderful job on that song for sure and it was a smash hit for him.

One time Roy was talking to Hank Williams about his extreme drinking and Roy said "My friend you have a million dollar voice and a 10 cent brain" .. Even as close a friend as Roy was to Hank he could not reach him and it cost us probably the best country music writer and performer in the history of the craft. Hank died at 29 .. so sad

My current favourite country song is "Don't Laugh At Me" by Peter, Paul & Mary, although it was written by another country artist. I like this version the best.
http://www.youtube.com/user/russy67#p/f/10/c9xyIGCp7ss

Russ
that song ... OMG ... can anyone watch that without shedding a tear ? Thanks for posting ... sniff sniff ...

Here's on of my fav's !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og1QRtcWdEY

PS... I went searching for the music to "don't laugh at me" and lo and behold ... written by Steve Seskin/Allen Shamblin ... what's Alen done ? click here, the click discography ! ! WOWZER !
http://www.allenshamblin.com/

Surely it's 'Take This Job And Shove It' by Johnny Paycheck?

Dan

One of my personal all time favourites is Merle Haggard's "I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXFkmTbIYo

It might no be country in the way we see it today, maybe not even then, but it put into words some deep emotions in me, because I lost my dad in an early age.

I listened a lot to Haggard in my formative years, as well as Don Williams.

One of his would be "You're my best friend": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdKx7CC-9RM

The first one that comes to my mind is also a Merle Haggard song:
"Mama Tried"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbc8dntrlNA&feature=fvst

The first thing I remember knowing,
Was a lonesome whistle blowing,
And a young un's dream of growing up to ride;
On a freight train leaving town,
Not knowing where I'm bound,
No-one could change my mind but Mama tried.
One and only rebel child,
From a family, meek and mild:
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store.
Despite all my Sunday learning,
Towards the bad, I kept on turning.
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore.

And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole.
No-one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried.
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied.
That leaves only me to blame 'cos Mama tried.

Dear old Daddy, rest his soul,
Left my Mom a heavy load;
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes.
Working hours without rest,
Wanted me to have the best.
She tried to raise me right but I refused.

And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole.
No-one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried.
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied.
That leaves only me to blame 'cos Mama tried.

Then again...it might be this!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfBdHfg1Gpg

No,no,
Here is the best country song.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EDP_W6JnFKO

I hope this works!

Just to represent the younger generation some - Jason Aldean's "She's Country" is a song that always makes me roll the widows down and turn the stereo up.

Leeann Womacks "I Hope You Dance" is another great song from the last 10ish years (okay, a little more for that one!).

Final note - another great song written recently - Zac Brown's "Colder Weather." If you haven't heard that one its a great song. Unfortunately not the best video but still a great song in the vein of all classic rambling songs :-)

She's Country:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AZLUohDCGo

I Hope You Dance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-Z1YwaOiw

Colder Weather:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myp59s-X3C4

Hahahaha! That is it, the best country song of all time. By golly, we have a winner. If the 3 Stooges like it, I like it.

For What's On The Radio

I love JESUS TAKEs THE WHEEL....writers are great!!!!

For every situation there is in life just say out loud, Jesus Take The Wheel...surrendering your problem over to him and see what happens.

One of my faves!
Also his version of "I Just Came Home To Count The Memories".
And, of course "Country Bumpkin".

Gosh, how do I pick one?
HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE
MAKE THE WORLD GO AWAY
ALMOST HOME
INDEPENCE DAY
I HOPE YOU DANCE
MOMENTS
I'M SO LONESOME, I COULD DIE
OLD FOLKS, and CHILDREN, and WATERMELON WINE
DIGGIN' UP BONES
BLUE EYES CRYING IN THE RAIN
NEON RAINBOW
GOOD 'OL BOYS LIKE ME
and on and on...

Mine's a toss up between Seven Bridges Road - The Eagles (awesome, flawless live performance here): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knbqBAuEphw

And Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts (another flawless live performance): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a47fEuB9vo&feature=related

Gee, Polly...I wouldn't call either one of those a country song.

Well then what would you call them, Kurt?

for my 2 cents it's Fishin in The Dark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh3ml8gzrd4

John

The Eagles song was a rock song.
The Rascal Flatts is a schlock song. Rascal Flatts is a pop group. There is nothing remotely "country" about them, unless it's the middle-aged men fascinated with underaged girls aspect of their marketing.
IMHO (The "H" is for honest, not humble...LOL)

Of course, then there's the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead".

Yes, I forgot about CASH ON THE BARRELHEAD. But, you would be wrong, my fine feathered friend! I have re-geared, are you ready! It is MOVE IT ON OVER by Hank himself! But, if you don't like those apples!, You can go with, A BOY NAMED SUE! Johnny Cash. Ah ha!

"A Boy Named Sue" was written by Shel Silverstein. Yeah, the same guy that wrote The Giving Tree and all of those kiddie poems. But, yes, Johnny's version is the classic.

And, if I'm gonna go with a Hank tune, I'm gonna go with "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)".

But still, despite all that, I keep coming back to Merle and "Mama Tried".

"Act Naturally"....Naturally!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_Naturally

Talk of movies, being a big star, winning an Oscar, etc. and all the guy has to do is "act naturally". THEE hardest thing to do when in the stagelight, studio lights, or the limelight!
Clever, good imagery without having to be too specific!

Always loved that song that I first thought Ringo wrote! Ha! Then, that Buck Owens wrote. Another Ha! But Buck had his first number one with this song. And it gave a down-home feel to a Beatles album, with a nice fit for Ringo, as he had always just acted naturally,,,being Ringo! How cool does a song have to be to not just fit Buck Owens,, BUT also The Beatles? And Loretta Lynn!

My all time fav Country song! I was going to pick that one with the Ford pickup truck in it, a front porch, a few beers over some tears, and a lost girl and dog. But I opted for "Act Naturally", with that subject not having to act like a sorrowful dumb ass.

Read all about it!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_Naturally

Act Naturally. Yes a good song. But I think it was written, or co-written by Johnny Russell not Buck Owens. Buck had an early song that I may say is my favorite Buck Owens song is, DOWN ON THE CORNER OF LOVE. It may be posted.

My favorite country song is probably "Sunday morning coming down" sung by Johnny Cash and written by Kris Kristofferson.

Let's get real though- there is no way you will ever answer the question: What is the best country song? We will never agree. Someone here thought it was "Coat of many colors". I think not only is it not the best country song but it isn't even Dolly Parton's best song. To me it is so sappy that it puts me in a sugar coma. On the other hand, I do understand how personal the song is for Dolly and how the story is really 'her' story. But for pure songwriting craft, Parton's song "I will always love you" is brilliant writing and could easily make my to 10 list of best songs of all time. They lyrics are sparse and poignant. Not a syllable is wasted. The melody soars. She means it and it shows.

If I should stay
Well, I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, and yet I know
That I'll think of you each step of my way
And I will always love you
I will always love you

Bitter-sweet memories
That's all I have, and all I'm taking with me
Good-bye, oh, please don't cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need

But I will always love you
I will always love you

And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love

I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you

Sunday morning coming down KK

Well I woke up Sunday morning,
With no way to hold my head that didn't hurt.
And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad,
So I had one more for dessert.
Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes,
And found my cleanest dirty shirt.
An' I shaved my face and combed my hair,
An' stumbled down the stairs to meet the day.

I'd smoked my brain the night before,
On cigarettes and songs I'd been pickin'.
But I lit my first and watched a small kid,
Cussin' at a can that he was kicking.
Then I crossed the empty street,
'n caught the Sunday smell of someone fryin' chicken.
And it took me back to somethin',
That I'd lost somehow, somewhere along the way.

On the Sunday morning sidewalk,
Wishing, Lord, that I was stoned.
'Cos there's something in a Sunday,
Makes a body feel alone.
And there's nothin' short of dyin',
Half as lonesome as the sound,
On the sleepin' city sidewalks:
Sunday mornin' comin' down.

In the park I saw a daddy,
With a laughin' little girl who he was swingin'.
And I stopped beside a Sunday school,
And listened to the song they were singin'.
Then I headed back for home,
And somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringin'.
And it echoed through the canyons,
Like the disappearing dreams of yesterday.

On the Sunday morning sidewalk,
Wishing, Lord, that I was stoned.
'Cos there's something in a Sunday,
Makes a body feel alone.
And there's nothin' short of dyin',
Half as lonesome as the sound,
On the sleepin' city sidewalks:
Sunday mornin' comin' down.

Anything by George Jones or Merle Haggard.
In particular, George...He Stopped Loving Her Today, Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes{my fave} If Drinking Don't Kill Me {Her Memory Will}, The Grand Tour ect.

Merle..Mama Tried, The Bottle Let Me Down, Sing Me Back Home, If We Make It Through December ect.

I always liked these:

HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT and SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN

Mackie

Yes, as listed in the site I read and gave but forgot to mention the writers: Johnny Russell and Voni Morrison.

It was Buck Owens first hit "record".

Bad on me to not mention the writers!
"I Should Have Known Better"! (being a writer)!
In the corner I go.