The Top 10 Country Songs on Spotify…I’m Shocked

[@murphygraham4724]

Rick - I hope this stuff never becomes boring for you. You have done some really cool things lately, but this format, you in front of the camera, listening to music, is probably the main reason I dig your channel. Keep on doing you.

[@SounderAU]

These are some of my favourite Beato videos.

[@TheMrCC21]

He has done a lot of these. The ones on pop music are not always complimentary. I can't blame him. It all blends together.

[@thesuncollective1475]

He grew a beard for it..!

[@lou.yorke.x]

​@@thesuncollective1475 ha, yes!

[@johncook30284]

Agreed. Rick in front of the camera. Yes .

[@johnnyvaughn8391]

One thing I like about Rick Beato is he is a lover of music doesn't matter the genre. Good music is good music. He can be critical, but he can be supportive of music he doesn't necessarily like, but recognizes the greatness of it

[@alanmusicman3385]

Exactly right. To me, somebody who likes onlly one genre of music is not a true music lover - more likely they are using music as a prop to their lifestyle choices. I count myself lucky to have grown up in the 1960s when there were far fewer outlets for music and therefore each outlet played a fairly wide variety of music - and this was reflected in the music that got into the charts. Although, at the time, I had little time for the Frank Sinatras and Andy Williams types of artists I had had to listen to them and so I was aware of those styles and genres. Far too often now you hear of people who grew up on one genre only (say heavy metal, hip-hop or dance music) and have been able to screen out everything else. For me, that is the downside of the musicopia of the modern world - you can listen to whatever you want whenever you want - but that also allows you to limit yourself to very few musical colours.

[@MajorInjuries]

Totally agree, I love music and seeing his passion is great.

[@kmik4466]

Just saw Chris Stapleton in concert. He’s the real deal. Sounds exactly the same and his voice can shake the arena.

[@codychickadee5095]

That guy is fantastic

[@JakeLovesSteak]

I've never been much of country music fan, but Chris is excellent. One of the few country artists I love listening to.

[@edjackson4389]

I can't think of a single modern country artist who even comes close to Chris. His stuff can easily hang with the old stuff too. He's one of the all time greats!

[@thrasherthetic]

Generational talent. See him when you can.

[@jeffbrooks8024]

​@@edjackson4389I just love Tennessee Whiskey

[@codydonovan7356]

Any "non-country fan" should definitely give Chris Stapleton a listen. He never dissapoints!!!

[@ConstantCreator2000]

He’s one of the best male vocalists of all time. Top 3 imo

[@rickyparrish2570]

Except he's a blues musician.

[@jesseoreilly1792]

His voice is very Blues and R&B, but he 100% has a legitimate Country/Bluegrass pedigree as well. Listen to his original band, STEEL DRIVERS. He rocks at every genre he plays.

[@realtruenorth]

​@@rickyparrish2570na, country rock, but he can do blues, R&B, pop, etc...

[@JamesSwanson-l9r]

He sings like he is constipated and trying to sing through a bowel movement.

[@ronwarnick5248]

That Zach Bryan song is extraordinary. It shot up to No. 1 on the country singles chart months ago, and here it is, still on the Spotify top 10, all this time later.

[@suzanneemerson2625]

I’m not a country fan, and rarely listen to country music, but I swear I’ve heard that Zach Bryan song before years ago. It’s very familiar. Not the lyrics, but the melody. I’m absolutely sure I haven’t heard this exact version, since I’ve been immersed in classical guitar and lute music for the past year.

[@Crazydrumguy7]

​@@suzanneemerson2625it could be "something in the orange. It sounds similar to me

[@tomcat8662]

@@suzanneemerson2625I’m on Fire by Bruce Springsteen. I never much cared for him. But I do like the vocals in that song with the reverb.

[@mrrogerscartigan]

​@@suzanneemerson2625stable song, Gregory Allen Isakov

[@pilsplease7561]

I am pretty broad in my music tastes but usually I dont like country but damn I liked that song. @@suzanneemerson2625

[@thestevenjaywaymusic7775]

I haven’t been a country fan, ever, but those tracks were so much better than the top ten pop charts by far. Really enjoyed listening and it was a pleasure hearing these songs. I am a bit blown away.

[@SleepBeforeYouThink]

This is what I’ve been saying, but people keep saying that these songs are “pop country” or “rap country”. I’m not hearing it.

[@robertevans00]

This is how you learn that country isn’t the same as you remember from your childhood. Country has diversified a lot and it’s pop, rock, even rap, and some old school country mixed together with everything have a touch of twang to it!

[@shanegrush]

I couldn’t agree more with you. Growing up, I was heavily into rock, and while I still listen to rock, I have been taking in country much more. Part of that is also working in music. The writing, production, mixing, etc. is very inspiring. I’m trying to bring some of that into all my projects.

[@suitestheband]

Someone put me on to Zach Bryan because I'm a fan of songwriting even though I don't like country music. I thought it was pretty alright. That George Harrison slide song is so good all though I think the lyrics are awful lol.

[@teytarik]

​Huh😊 FYI group 😊 0:30 y🎉

[@sinocte]

Chris Stapleton is freaking amazing. I've loved his stuff since back in the SteelDrivers days. Huge amount of talent.

[@or9481]

The albums with SteelDrivers are sooooo good.

[@ludabam241]

A man of culture I see

[@phil9593]

Yes! Came across Parachute while surfing 'round the dial, blown away.

[@carlwhitley4314]

Check out the Jompson Brothers

[@mistermac56]

The Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs tunes are fantastic and knock it out of the ballpark. The others, for me, are the same old, and formulaic, Nashville productions.

[@stephendoherty533]

Born in ‘59, I am a rocker through and through. I can’t listen to any top 40 music. I started listening to country music a lot recently, and I have to say, I am hooked. Like you said Rick, good song writing, beautiful melodies and great production are the norm.

[@theodoreritola7641]

60 and 70s Country Is REAL Country Music, This is NEW so called Country ONLY

[@jeffreyes6236]

And more guitars than you can hear in any other form of music these days!!! I was born in '62 and am also a rocker, but sadly, like Roger Daltry once sung: "Rock is dead".

[@Wildboy.]

@@stephendoherty533 Negative. Maybe 1% of what they call country music is any good. Bland and all sounds the same. Real country music isn’t played anymore.

[@thomasmeyer8798]

The funny thing is that almost none of these songs sound anything like 'country' to my ears. They sound more like well produced and sophisticated pop songs. Great!

[@leafbelly]

It's all just vocal inflection now. Unfortunately, that's the only thing that seems to define a country song now. It's kind of all over the place from rock to pop to even elements of hip hop.

[@mohitrahaman]

pop rock with pedalsteel and occasional violin/fiddle and banjo plucks

[@eleo1484]

Real country is called Americana now

[@JJDon5150]

@@leafbelly Don't forget about excessive references to whiskey, beer, pickup trucks, tractors, 4 wheeling or mudding, saluting the flag, how tough you are, the military, or drowning out your feelings with whiskey after your girl's left you.

[@brandonproctor3639]

I’ve been saying this, it’s essentially pop music with traditionally used country chord progressions with lap steel and banjos and such.. but yeah, it’s just pop, with a country flare i guess. It’s hard for me to put it into words i guess but i hope you understand my point

[@jvieceli]

Chris Stapleton’s new album is amazing, beautiful and mostly unexpected. He is once in a decade, maybe once in a generation artist. His vocals on this are off the chart. In popular music, there’s no one even in the same building as this guy and he is a first class song crafter as well. Wonderful.

[@acason4]

As a minimal country fan, CS is a monster!!!

[@tys5650]

Generic

[@jaylee8542]

Chris is a badass singer that's for sure. But I can tell you Eastern Kentucky, where he is from, is full of singers, and musicians that would blow your mind.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

Remember that Chris was an overnight success after years of working Nashville and writing a bunch of hits for other artists. In addition, Chris can write and play in multiple genres. From bluegrass, traditional country, blues, soul, and Southern rock. He’s a star in all of them.

[@southloopsoxfan]

I've seen Chris say a few times in interviews that his favorite artist/band is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. You can hear Mike Campbell's influence in a few spots in Wild Horse. I'm so in his music today. So into it

[@mrwasatch]

As a lifelong rock/metal guy who hasn't paid a lot of attention to country this was very impressive... the guitar is more prominent than a lot of current pop/rock stuff, I will be going out to listen to these more - great video!

[@listentosilverfish]

Lots of metal/rock guys playing in country bands to make money these days

[@TheMrCC21]

"Guitar is more prominent than a lot of current pop/rock." Pop, yes. Saying more than rock is a bit of stretch.

[@Augrills]

Country never stopped with the guitars. For a long time it got really Gibson and PRSy and cringe, but it’s getting a lot cooler

[@SlinkyT82]

Fellow metalhead here recommending Jessie Daniels, Dan Tyminski, Sierra Ferrell, Billy Strings, Flatland Cavalry, Tyler Childers & Sturgill Simpson. EDIT: Charley Crockett too, start with his latest The Man From Waco.

[@HasturT]

As a fellow rock/metal aficionado and recent modern country convert, I recommend giving the album SOUND & FURY by Sturgill Simpson a try 🤠🎸

[@joeblough261]

I love how Rick, Palmisano, and others can just listen to a song for the 1st time and play it within a few seconds. They know all the chord progressions, and just so much about music that is just second nature to them.

[@garethpearce5255]

So talented. Blows my mind

[@scottm.9335]

Very talented for sure. That said, popular country music is so disappointingly formulaic that predicting which four chords are being used is just so simple.

[@thomasmorrismusic]

We can listen to a song and figure it quickly by having that sound memorized in advance by playing along with stacks of records - playing in bands - 10 years of piano lessons - before you tube -Thomas-[ also playing along with the radio - Morris/Roberts group ]- google@@garethpearce5255

[@joeblough261]

@@scottm.9335 yes, but they do the same thing for complex songs from the 70s

[@baneverything5580]

Drumming is intuitive that way....a language.

[@Jason.Brayshaw]

Please make this a regular thing, Rick. Great episode.

[@JohnKuhles1966]

yes ... at least once a month

[@rodrigosalinascid7534]

I'm not a Country music listener, and I'm glad to see that there's still a kind of music that just works with good musicians and great voices. The world need to go back in that direction.

[@MrVvulf]

Agreed. However...there's still FAR too much pitch correction and autotune in the music industry making everyone sound ridiculously generic. There is now an entire generation of Americans (anyone born after 2000) who do not know what a real human singing voice sounds like. True talent cannot stand out when everyone's voice is processed through computers to "snap the tone" onto graphs.

[@bloozedaddy]

if you're listening to these songs you're STILL not a Country Music Listener....these are just pop songs. They just happened to be played on radio station networks that used to carry Country music with fiddles and steel guitars and story songs outside of "you're so awesome , girl....I love you so much..."

[@RolandSpecialSauce]

​@@MrVvulftrue but this stuff goes back and forth. Every other decade you'll have electronic music taking over and then real music comes back full blast. We are in a decade right now that is getting back to real bands making real music.

[@MrVvulf]

@@RolandSpecialSauce I don't think you're referring to the same phenomenon as I am. I think I know the type of fad you mean, like back when even Rush's Neil Peart used synthesized percussion in the mid 80s, or when Cher started the auto-tune craze in the late 90s. As you say, overly "electronic" sounds come and go into vogue. What I'm talking about is "snapping" vocals to the exact note where the written music sheet says it's "supposed to be". Pitch correction (and/or autotune) is what gives modern voices that slight buzzing sound because it's not oscillating like a natural voice. It's subtle when the artist is already talented, but still unmistakable if you grew up listening to music before the 90s. You might not realize how many artists are now using pitch correction and/or autotune. An article I read a couple years ago went over the history of it's usage. Around 2003 approximately 30% of artists used pitch correction (completely different than auto-tune). By 2010 it had doubled to 60%. Today over 90% of all released music with vocals has pitch correction - sometimes over the objections of the artists themselves. Even artists who absolutely do NOT need pitch correction because they are amazing talent are still subjected to it by the record companies. It's gotten so bad that record/production companies are talking about pitch correcting re-releases of music from artists like Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald... There's a very interesting discussion of it during episode 2 of "This Is Pop" on Netflix. Alternatively, check out the Wings of Pegasus channel here on YT where he analyzes new and old music.

[@baneverything5580]

Listen to We Tell Ourselves by Clint Black.

[@jimbubbatube]

Rick, this was your best top 10 all year! I’m not really a country fan, but it was nice to hear your input on songs with actual chords and melodies.

[@JDShellnut39]

My thoughts as well!

[@christopherbenjamin7820]

@jimbubbatube i disagree with you

[@willmunro611]

As someone who doesn't actively and intentionally listen to country music this was really eye opening to watch and listen to. Great musicianship!

[@benjaminfitzgerald7011]

Most of it doesn't sound like country though. I'm a lot more old school.

[@CrisSelene]

Same here

[@donnycanup1327]

I haven't listened to too much of the modern country songs in the last 10 years but I can see why some of these artists are really popular right now. Wow! Great segment Mr. Beato.

[@lak1294]

I knew the country top songs would blow away current pop. The country musicians still believe in actual melodies, instruments and sometimes lyrics, even with ubiquitous, robotic voice autotuning. Now, if we could only make natural, unenhanced singing cool again! 🎶

[@HenryMPerez]

@@lak1294i m not great but do have content, if somebody knew what they were doing, my music could enfluence...

[@frommatorav1]

​@lak1294 I totally agree with doing away with auto tune. I think #9 would have been better without it. A lot better. As it was, this top 10 blew away the pop top 10. I really liked #5,1 and 2, in that order. Not, liked it for a country song, but with no caveats. I'm more of a rock fan but it was damn good. Not like there were any good rock tunes in the Pop top 10.

[@suprchickn7745]

Glad to see most of the bro country sound is over. That was super annoying!

[@authentichealthcoach4142]

White Horse is one of the coolest songs i have heard in a long time- in any genre- i cant get sick of it- his guitar sound is beautiful

[@klmbuilders5385]

When the music drops right before the vocals it sounds like "Hey Joe" to me.

[@MicheleFarnese]

My favorite song that introduced me to this amazing artist!

[@realtruenorth]

​@@klmbuilders5385 not really, I mean two chords?

[@PatriotsNFL1]

Please continue with the "What makes this song great" series. They all are incredible!!

[@jonnuanez7183]

Just so long as the artist doesn't block his video for copyright, a battle he and other KZbinrs have fought many many many times

[@JoeJokes-l8j]

What Makes This Song Stink

[@palmera62820]

Yeah, I'm still waiting for the Dream Theater song.

[@kcmet79]

Da, da da da!

[@milehighed52801]

I second the opinion on getting back on doing the “What Makes This Song Great” series. Maybe it’s time for a country song, specifically one from Toby Keith being he’s won the Songwriter Hall of Fame award and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I nominate Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine on You or bookends to his career Should’ve Been A Cowboy and Don’t Let The Old Man In. He wrote them all.

[@geninehayden7825]

Country is saving the guitar. Not a huge country fan but support that one thing and am grateful! There’s pop country that can sound a bit canned as well, but on a whole they are keeping real music alive

[@defman70]

I think modern country has almost taken the place of where most people wanted pop/rock to go… still played for the most part by humans, but complimented by modern tech. I’m not sure if it sounds country at all but it sure beats anything on mainstream pop/rock radio.

[@robertevans00]

It’s pop and rock music we all loved growing up with a little twang to it.

[@1975lap]

Click tracks and autotune paired with lyrics so cliche that they could be written by AI fed a few key words. Not all, but certainly it is just pop with a country theme. To me, no different than pop music. It is unimaginative and boring. If you like country, but not the pop of it, check out some of the Alt Country music that is out there not making the charts. You will be pleasantly surprised.

[@sinocte]

A lot of this top 10 sounded to me like 2010-ish alt rock with a twang. And, being a big fan of 2010-ish alt rock, I enjoyed it far more than I expected to.

[@joycerichardson1810]

I agree!

[@Tylerjamesalford]

Exactly

[@martinfinlayson4135]

I love how the number one song has an intro that's longer than most pop songs :) Pop music these days is in such a rush to get to the hook and stay there, no build, no light and dark, and defintely don't go beyond 3 minutes. Such formulaic dross! It's so refreshing to hear real songs, real instruments and real performances.

[@rotaxtwin]

True story. This was so refreshing.

[@scottkidwell3601]

Years ago I read a book on successful songwriting. It was pretty focused on pop music. About the only thing I remember from it was "Don't bore us, get to the chorus." Not the kind of writing I'm interested in doing. But it makes sense for pop music

[@AndrewAMartin]

While it was nice to hear actual instruments and singers who can carry a tune without needing a bucket, I find country music to be just as formulaic as Top 40 Pop. Granted, it's a different formula, but it's a formula just the same, especially lyrically -- how many stories about meeting in a bar or sitting on a tailgate drinking beer or the inevitable breakup because "we just weren't right" can you cram into a top 10 list? Melodically too -- and perhaps that's part of the appeal, the songs sound vaguely familiar to other stuff you kind of remember, so you're ready to hum along by the second verse... Quality production aside, I can't listen to this stuff for long -- I can feel the braincells dying. I was thinking about getting a part time job at Tractor Supply Co. until I actually went in one and heard them playing country all day -- I couldn't take it for that long without resorting to lots of hard liquor, LOL...

[@patfornies776]

Chris Stapleton is such a breath of fresh air. And I think he's helping steer top 40 Country towards more authentic sounds and songs.

[@oklahomahank2378]

If the chorus is the strongest part, start with it.

[@charlienelson2395]

We went to a Chris Stapleton concert a few weeks ago. He sounded even better than I imagined he would. He is so extremely talented.

[@dennisholland649]

Saw Chris Stapleton at the Hollywood Bowl and he opened with White Horse…no frills, no extra musicians, just him and his small band and stunning music…great artistry doesn’t need distractions, but it’s a brave singer who puts it all out there - amazing night….

[@luigiscazzari4724]

I am not a huge county fan myself, but I am happy to see Rick finally enjoying himself on a countdown video.

[@jayrunner62]

Could not agree more, Rick. To me as a German listener, this is more like the kind of Rock music I am so dearly missing in our shitty German radio programs. This kind of music you'll never hear on German radio; That's why I am very glad and thankful that I get to know it through your channel. Thank you very much with greetings from Germany

[@heinzpo]

The reason why for example, "Andone" is top 1 there jay is because it has public. However there are good rock radio stations over there for sure. Grüsse aus Chile.

[@Mao_722]

Radio Bob... um Internetstationen wirst du leider nicht rumkommen

[@timprescott4634]

I left Germany in 1988. Returned in 2021 and still live here. My wife and I joke that it’s like we never left…same songs EVERY day…🥱😖

[@fk-hi6gs]

​@@timprescott4634As an Austrian, I totally agree. It's like they are stuck in the past, not really keeping up with the Zeitgeist :)

[@whatabouttheearth]

This is all pop country.

[@burkelong4376]

I'm not a big country fan but you just taught me to have some serious respect for these artists. This is one of the reasons that I enjoy your channel so much. I learn.

[@seancollins3106]

I have a lot more respect for the writers and producers, than the singer/performers. they can plug'n'play a hundred singers trying to make it in Nashville.

[@Pushing_Pixels]

@@seancollins3106 Some of the artists write their own stuff you know. Not every hit comes out of a factory.

[@seancollins3106]

@@Pushing_Pixels of course *some* of them do. I said that there are exceptions; it's not controversial to say that country artists are notorious for not writing their own music.

[@rickgoddard6793]

Just watched and listened to this after watching the Keith Jarrett interview, the Dick Cavett with Oscar Peterson segment, the top 10 of 2023 (the good set with Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, etc) and the one from four months ago. I'm am so pleased somebody out there looks at the whole musical world as a palette of art rather than being stuck in one genre and listens to nothing else. Rick's analytical breakdowns brings context to why we like this music and still leaves room for savoring the emotional impact the music provides. Thank you. I'm now going to be regularly checking for each and every new program.

[@philiptoner8719]

"It sounds like Phil Collins with Banjos" is most hilarious apt description of modern country I have heard

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Or accurate, says it all sadly , rip Hank / Maybelle

[@squarebackjedi]

The lyrics were also reminiscent of Phil Collins, no?

[@amandagilmore4618]

There’s a story to this song- Kane Brown interview said there’s a Phil tie in. Can’t remember the story now but I’m sure Rick can find it

[@Z3n05p4c3]

Was coming here to say that line made me laugh so hard for some reason.

[@kathyborthwick6738LakotaEmoji]

Perfect response!😅

[@ilovex1981]

I love this. I'm in the UK and this is not mainstream stuff for us, but having grown up listening to my parents' love of Country from the 70s and beyond, I still have a soft spot for this genre and this is a beautiful Top 10. I really enjoyed your summary; I too was blown away by the talent and quality of this lineup.

[@JS-oi5jt]

tbh, mainstream in the US is mumble rap and songs like WAP... Rock is dead, and country is hiding behind a pop music mask.

[@EDFThompson]

"White Horse" is like "Wanted Dead or Alive" with traces of "Free Bird" in the sped up solo sections. Chris' voice is so powerful and iconic - you instantly believe him.

[@61hink]

I didn't hear those but heard about three different ones, primarily "In My Hands."

[@joshski85]

For me it was more Thunder Road and Wanted Dead or Alive, at the start, then a bit of Pink Floyyd mixed in.

[@bangosdemangos416]

And a hint of Gavin DeGraw maybe . . .

[@JoeySparks]

Garth’s Thunder Rolls in the intro

[@JazGalaxy]

I heard a lot of stuff that seemed very borrowed up and down the list. It’s like sampling without sampling.

[@RobsterInEdmonds]

Rick, if you listen to the #10 song by Kane Brown, you commented it sounds like Phil Collins. Listen at the end to the outro: they cover "In the air tonight," so the sound is intentional, the lyrics are a riff from Phil's song. Very nicely done.

[@barrypfoley]

Its just hip hop marketed as country.

[@erichnunya]

Chris Stapelton has such a great mix of Country, Rock & R&B/Motown in his music. Capped off with his amazing vocal dynamic and range, a person can't go wrong listening to him. Also, check Chris out in The Jompson Brothers. Excellent musician!

[@geoffschuller4875]

Yes! I totally agree! The songs in THIS Top 10 are actually all well-written and produced. I'm not a huge fan of the vocal stylings in Country music, but I did enjoy these songs quite a lot. And I'm a *big* Chris Stapleton fan. He is outstanding.

[@davidbyers1151]

Stapleton has the most distinctive, amazing voice. Go back and listen to some Steeldrivers, back when he was doing bluegrass-ish music. Just as good.

[@colinswartz6022]

I'm not into modern country, but Chris Stapleton is on a whole other level, extraordinary songwriter, singer, musician.

[@markbhoward]

That's modern country

[@gebrazer]

Just became a country fan a few years ago. Can’t deny the pure talent in the genre. Real vocals, real musicians, memorable lyrics.

[@Andy-ln6oe]

Yeah those new drum machines and a lot of guys who all sound the same is a lot of talent.

[@jessegonzalez926]

@@Andy-ln6oethere are plenty of amazingly talented current artists, in country and other genres. Zach Bryan being the first to come to mind.

[@DynamiteProd]

Memorable lyrics??? The one bad thing about country is the boring tired ass lyrics.

[@terri6854]

Fake gloomy "gritty" vocals are corny.

[@J.D.Ghushin]

name a country song with boring lyrics i wanna know what you think is boring@@DynamiteProd

[@dukeofearl4117]

I never liked country until I was in my late 20’s. I was on a military exercise and the 4 other soldiers I was with all loved country. So for almost 24-7 for 15 days I was blasted with country. I thank those young soldiers, I was their LT. I’m glad you decided to do this. My favorite is Watermelon Moonshine and Lainey Wilson.

[@Southeast_Asian_Devil]

The Republican boys always outnumbered the North 3 to 1 in the military. What made the Leftists think they could win in the next Civil War?

[@ZacharyWyatt]

That Chris Stapleton album is fantastic. "White Horse" was co-written by Dan Wilson of Semisonic of "Closing Time" fame!

[@pst_uk]

Suprised me just how much of that set of songs reminded me of a lot of American rock from the 70s and early 80s - especially the songs without the slide/steel guitar, of course there were a lot of crossover artiists (country rock) back then but much of those songs definitely had a more mainstream rock feel than I expected.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Lots of this sounded like 90's rock to me, country twang voicing notwithstanding.

[@sixter4157]

The drum intro of the #10 song made me think we were getting Rick Rolled.

[@staceyn2541]

I was thinking the same thing. If they lost the country accents, it would be hard to distinguish it from the older stuff.

[@ichirofakename]

Only distinguished by better story telling and comprehensible singing. Otherwise I can't distinguish half of this stuff from poprock.

[@mateusbez2669]

@@OMGWTFLOLSMHI felt the same thing - 90s alt pop, more specifically. I kept waiting to hear Torn by Nathalie Imbruglia

[@fajitas4every1]

I used to listen to country in the late 00s and got tired of it turning into bro country and the same kind of girl boss songs over and over. Hearing these makes me want to listen again! True song writing and story telling

[@OldCowboySongs525]

Gotta hand it to you Rick, your videos are always a suprise to me, you review every kind of music, even the kinds I dont always care for, and you do it tastefully and professionally!

[@robertovillamar2535]

Rick, thank you for including Country songs to this format in your channel. Many people don’t get the professionalism behind it, and why so many people love it, but you explain it as clear as water. Thank you for the chords as well 🎸

[@slartibartfast1268]

There's nothing professional about it. It's regurgitated crap. It's the same themes, the same licks, the same drawl, over and over.

[@estefanello]

@@slartibartfast1268compared to pop music it's still miles away in quality thoug

[@slartibartfast1268]

@@ChoweyPlown stapleton good for sure

[@heinzpo]

this one hooked me actually @@ChoweyPlown

[@Dimebag_Darrell420]

@@slartibartfast1268wrong, that’s rap music

[@MentalS6k]

There is sooo much good music in country that ppl miss. It’s so often derided & passed by so easily. My life & culture is so different from so much of the more rural themes, but I can never stop listening. It’s an amazing genre with incredible vivid imagery. Love it 🙏🏾

[@allanharris970]

Your ear for immediately picking up chords and odd voicings of those chords is incredible. Thank you for taking a look at the Country charts. Your comments were really eye opening to me for what good arrangement is.

[@AxGrinder]

I’m not a big country fan but compared to the pop charts, this stuff rocks! There’s just something about REAL instruments.

[@dougcronkhite2113]

Agree. Though not commonplace, you're more likely to find songs with one songwriter too, unlike Pop where it seems like every song has 20 people credited. I still don't care for Country music though. Way too formulaic.

[@ElMundoDuro]

Some have suggested that new rock music has actually been coming out under the country label. Some country artists like Jelly Roll, Hardy, Aaron Lewis, Cory Marks, and Darius Rucker have all done rock songs.

[@danielweissel2366]

Real instruments to me don’t matter when the songs are still average…

[@samulihirsi]

are they really real ones, some of them sound like samples and lots of autotune on vocals

[@matthewdennis1739]

@@dougcronkhite2113 Check out stuff like Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell, Charley Crockett and Charles Wesley Godwin. Artists who actually write their own music and produce it independently of what the major record labels want.

[@TheTobesOfHades]

What's happening in country is much more interesting than what's happening in pop today. The songs are everything Rick said and they rock. I like "Americana" and Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, Little Big Town, Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell

[@markbranch682]

And Nashville has hated that kind of music for 25 years. It's too real. Too legit.

[@connyjohnson855]

I don't listen to country music but what a relief to hear real instruments and great song writing! There's hope for humankind still! Thank you! 👍

[@BernieVinther]

Yea! thats the main reason i listen to it, so good to hear real instruments and real pros playing them

[@markbranch682]

And drum machines. And studio musicians instead of the band!

[@gsmojo17]

Great breakdown! It's always good to see someone like yourself who is truly passionate about music. Especially enjoyed you pointing out the nuances of each song. Often people can't put their finger on why they love a song, but you highlighted those nicely!

[@griffgames9538]

I like older country, with a lot of barebones instrumentation, great plucking and harmonizing, and raw soul. Modern 'chart' country is pop-country, borrowing from contemporary pop genres and production styles to sneak into the cross-over mindspace/streamspace. A lot of it sounds very... assembled.

[@michaelbell75]

So go listen to Oliver Anthony, Colter Wall, Tyler Childers. Billy Strings or any of the other dozens of artists creating that kind of music. Country has expanded to many sub genres, just like "rock" music.

[@Tsak112]

@@michaelbell75 Add Charley Crockett to that list as well

[@Doowopsid]

Well said

[@lubormrazek5545]

you're spitting some facts

[@henrikcarmel1]

It sounds like pop to me

[@mickymalibu]

I’m a rock/blues guy and I got into modern country/americana during the lockdown period. Absolutely love this stuff. Proper songs, playing and writing ,,,,just great, there’s hope for real players yet

[@RafaelPernia]

Same story same time period.

[@srt4b]

what was the lockdown period?

[@mickymalibu]

@@srt4b during COVID when we were told to stay at home by Law here in the UK

[@RafaelPernia]

@@srt4b here in Alberta we didn't have cocid lockdowns but I was laid off and landed a much better job. On that job I got to hear country music radio stations and started liking it

[@JeremyVMusic]

The chorus in the Lainey Wilson song "Watermelon Moonshine" sounds just like "Paint Me A Birmingham" by Tracy Lawrence and Craig Morgan's "That's What I Love About Sunday." But still a great song.

[@thecoolkid297]

woah.. never realized that. Sounds like the same exactly melody to me.

[@westpacific52]

All three....great songs. Today, I'm listening to the new album by Tracy Lawrence. I'm a fan.

[@chicanodefresnothiestheexa8888]

brother i just love that you loved most of the songs, honestly i was scared of what you were going to critic about them

[@adamhowardschneider357]

What a pleasure to see and hear your reaction to these! As a songwriter-only, I've drifted into country-only. The bar is just so high in every category as you pointed out. It's hard to be disappointed by most popular country.

[@duwop544]

I listen to Sirius XM Country Outlaw radio and these songs floored me. Soo good, but only one or two featured there. Do you know of heard of another Sirius channel for this great stuff?

[@adamhowardschneider357]

@@duwop544’The Highway’ on Sirius.

[@adamhowardschneider357]

@@duwop544 the country stations are bunched together there, but the Highway is the standard for the modern stuff as far as I know

[@glynnwadeson5605]

Never seen myself as a ‘country music fan’ but latterly I’ve been listening to more, old and new, and I’ve come to appreciate the talent, great lyrics, and superb musical talent . Always good to extend your musical tastes!

[@ayandey137]

*lately

[@glynnwadeson5605]

@@ayandey137 No, it’s ‘latterly’. I’m English and know the language pretty well. Look up ‘latterly’ in the Oxford English Dictionary or any decent alternative.

[@ayandey137]

@@glynnwadeson5605 my bad

[@glynnwadeson5605]

@@ayandey137 sorry to be so nitpicky🤓

[@SoloAdvocate]

​@@glynnwadeson5605 They are synonyms so either works. No reason to be so smug, you could confirm this in any "decent" dictionary source. It's just a word that fell out of favor after the 1800s and so sounds weird to modern English speakers due to it hardly being used.

[@chaddamewood9840]

I never used to like country but it’s really like a lot of 70s rock and so much better than anything else out there. Chris Stapleton is amazing.

[@bloozedaddy]

outside of people like Stapleton it's really more like 90s Boy Band music....talking acts like Dan & Shay and Old Dominion....that's what's driving the genre these days....Stapleton is just a gem who happened to sneak into the mix. If Stapleton ever starts rapping in his songs you'll know the end is nigh.

[@dspatchin]

You could see Stapleton fronting Lynyrd Skynard or 38 special...EASY.

[@bloozedaddy]

@@dspatchin I've seen him twice... pretty laid back show. His voice is aggressive but his songs aren't.

[@stewartwhitney9187]

Gave me some Bon Scott vibes at times. Bloody good.

yep - exactly what I thought. Top 10 of all other charts are just crap. This one has surprised me.

[@wokedragon3211]

I see you found where rock musicians have been hiding for the last decade.

[@SharonMacVicar-o9g]

Today's country is mostly common pop or rock music sung with a U.S southern accent. It's too derivative, and to my ears is boring. ~

[@alexandermarchus1328]

Country at its best ain't pure. I love me some country with soul, bluegrass, folk, and yeah even rock.🤘😊 Rock and roll hoss.

[@ginger7044]

Truth!

[@karin0963]

I can't figure out how people dance to this pop country. Where's the two-step, waltz and polka?

[@stormymunday9836]

Sir; I have about 10 years on you and have been playing since the mid-60s and have watched several of your videos (Greatest solo never heard/Using tracks/et al). I'm very impressed with your love of guitar/music - giving everything its due. Thank you and keep it up.

[@passionforguns]

Rick should do a deep dive into old school country/swing guitar players. Eldon Shamblin, Grady Martin, Leon Rhodes, Junior Brown, Jimmy Bryant, Hank Garland, Thumbs Carlisle, Roy Nichols, Clint Strong, Tiny Moore, Roy Lanham, on and on and on…the list is endless. A musical world of it’s own.

[@Admiral_Grufus]

Glenn Campbell, Johnny Cash, John Denver

[@nancy9478]

Ricky Scaggs can pick some bluegrass!

[@daveshort7371]

Don Rich. Scotty Anderson (!!!!!!!!!!) Pete Anderson. Jimmy Olander.

[@liveinchicago1999]

Dickey Betts album Highway Call would be a great one to run through. Brilliant country swing-esque music during his break from the Allman brothers

[@passionforguns]

@@liveinchicago1999 Agreed!!

[@alexposilkin9683]

Awesome to finally see Rick look at current country. Love to see him do it again. I’m surprised he hasn’t looked at country shredders like Brad Paisley.

[@andreabradley5837]

Scott H Biram

[@craigosborne3260]

Country music is so good over the past 5-6 years. These new artists coming through are huge

[@Chrsly]

"Phil Collins...with a banjo" LOL, that's gold.

[@branch1559]

Makes even more sense with the line, "I can feel it in the air"

[@AllanGKato]

@@branch1559 Thought about this too!

[@DavidSmith-sy2bp]

I’m not really a fan of Country music but appreciate how skilled most of the musicians have to be in comparison to pop music . Also appreciate that it’s acoustic guitar in many of the songs .

[@brianlaughlin8974]

I've never been much of a fan of either kind (country or western 😉), but the production quality, musicianship and talent are much more evident here than on pop chart.

[@warren52nz]

Totally agree!

[@henrikcarmel1]

Yes - even if we are not fans we can appreciate the high level

[@MateoMarine]

...because it's all just straight pop songs- with a few country noises layered in. Take any bubblegum pop song, add some twang to the singer's voice and some steel guitar undertones, and it's suddenly "country." Not hatin, but it's very much a blurred genre.

[@warren52nz]

@MateoMarine I completely agree. You used to be able to spot a country song easily but now the stuff they're calling country is actually listenable (some of it).

[@matthewdennis1739]

Even if half of it is just pop music with a twang.

[@tonyszambor3755]

Love this so much Rick. Great job. Gonna share with Bailey and Nate - my they are friends...my wife is part of the team that manages them. Love all your stuff. Congrats.

[@catmamameowsdewdropinn]

Rick, I really appreciate that you present and discuss a variety of music. I have a broad palette for music, and I really enjoy learning. I love both of your channels. 😊😊😊

[@brockjennings]

I really miss the country music of my parent's generation. Conway, Twitty, George Jones, Charlie Pride echoed throughout the house in my youth.

[@threalharrydubois]

You might really enjoy Colter Walls recent record. Also check out Charley Crockett, John R. Miller, Sierra Ferrell and Dean Johnson.

[@blemons5]

@@threalharryduboisTyler Childers, Turnpike Troubadours, Flatland Cavalry, & Charles Wesley Godwin too

[@matthewdennis1739]

Yes to everything the others have said. Especially Charley Crockett, Colter Wall, and Sierra Ferrell....some of their stuff sounds like a time capsule.

[@Blakelysworld358]

Not the biggest fan of country but I must say the musicianship, vocals and feel are head and shoulders above the pop charts.

[@bentrovato3082]

I like how Rick finds the best in each song. What an intellect.

[@joemonroe1106]

Glad there's a place to go to these days for enjoyable & emotive songs. Country. Quality all around. Songs with interesting lyrics, melodies, & harmonies, using instruments played by actual musicians, and sung by actual singers. Enjoyed this video.

[@6StringMasterBuilder]

Rick, Please do more Country. There's a lot of gold in the classic era as well.

[@davidpitts7432]

This is actually a good list of music. I've recently become a bit of a country music fan simply because it sounds more like rock music to me than almost any new rock music.

[@mackemagnusson]

Same here

[@DirtyD07]

Ehh...then you've discovered country rock, or outlaw country, which is basically a sub-genre. The more raw Americana/traditional country isn't much near these songs

[@dirtkongor]

​@DirtyD07 very true

[@okprophet5984]

The production on White Horse is just astounding honestly

[@musiciansanonymous]

I love this... Even for a person like me who's not into country, the songs sound so well written as compared to the other playlists. You can see the hard work that went into it.

[@eldondaetweiler58]

Amen! What a pleasure to hear people who can actually sing and play.

[@f1jones544]

If only they could drop the silly accents instead of accentuating them. If the Beatles could do it, so can these guys.

[@mattarseneault]

The production country music is always bang on. I’m guessing it’s because they’ve been doing it a long, long time. If you’re an engineer, looking at how to make great sounding tracks, follow the country guys in Nashville.

[@gregfisher216]

Rick, this video made me a subscriber! Seeing you grooving over these country songs was really cool. The way you picked up the melody and the cords .I was sitting there with my jaw to the floor.

[@AlbertNorris]

I agree with all you've said here, Rick. Country music is setting the bar for popular music... in the quality of writing, performance and production. ...

[@tangogrrl]

Rick, could you tell us the difference between Rock production and Country production? You know, that would be an awesome topic for a whole episode

[@evangilchrist981]

Here here. Most of the top 10 categories all just sound like pop to me.

[@AbrahamdeLacy-xm8sb]

Great suggestion! Cheers 🍺

[@timbowden1680]

@@evangilchrist981 I'm not sure what makes that Alana Springsteen song country. It sounds like any other pop song out there.

[@bloozedaddy]

there is no "rock" production.....just pop/hip hop which is what "country" music now is....there's NOTHING country about these songs as you can hear....most of the guy songs are just rehashed Boy Band songs from the 90s and the women are all singing like British indie inbreeders.

[@tona12]

Are these country songs?

[@RafaelVargas-gg5wx]

Fantastic description. Although I am not from that country, I have always loved country music, and Rick's description is amazing, it further increases my interest in this type of music, thank you, Rick. Your channel is amazing.

[@graymouser5609]

Really enjoyed how you picked those up so quickly and seemingly easily. I am impressed

[@chilledpenguins8381]

I think the genius of Chris Stapleton is his background. From Steeldrivers, to Jompson Brothers, to years writing songs in Nashville, he has a history that has melded amazingly with his butter smooth voice and killer guitar ability. All of his current success is built on his own long foundation and ability.

[@juliusnepos6013]

Indeed. White Horse is among my top favourite hit songs of 2023

[@misterwombat]

Country-rap. Bro Country. Everything sounds way too slick.

[@jaym8027]

Hick-hop.

[@markbranch682]

​@@jaym8027 Exactly!

[@powisallgood9199]

I cant say that I love every new country song, but you are right in that a lot of the songs are well produced and I always appreciate the lyrics. Most are so well written. Chris Stapleton is so talented. Just love everything he does. He's awesome.

[@Exotic3000]

Rick! Your channel just keeps getting …. better and better! ❤❤❤❤

[@jlapp]

The thing I love about country writing is how clever the story telling has gotten especially in a song like Man made a bar.

[@Brett-e4p]

Pick up trucks, alcohol, god, America and love/break up songs. It’s formulaic trash.

[@Perkshire]

I'm more into the alt-country stuff like Tyler Childers, Sturgill, etc, so I was very happy to hear you liked the Zach Bryan tune! Not a massive fan of the Nashville stuff, but as you say, it's hard to deny the production quality and writing.

[@angelomartinez9039]

Alt country/bluegrass is where it’s at.

[@MrZacharyMc]

Americana and alt country are so much better than Nashville.

[@matthewdennis1739]

Yes, ironically Zach Bryan is one of my lesser loved Alt-Country artists but at least someone from the group is out there performing well. Still blows my mind artists like Childers, Sierra Ferrell, and Colter Wall aren't more widely known.

[@Perkshire]

@@matthewdennis1739 I thought the Oliver Anthony hype might shed the light on that world a bit more, but not sure it did really. I'm from the UK, so listening to the likes of Colter is pretty niche over here haha

[@matthewdennis1739]

@@Perkshire I feel like Oliver Anthony showed that people are hungry for raw, real, unpolished music (however you feel about the actual quality of his song(s)), but it feels like a lot of the great artists remain pretty niche.

[@nosurfenougheddie]

Finally! After all these years watching you, avoiding country like it was the second covid, you gave it a listen. And you discovered great production, real musicians, playing real instruments, killer lyrics and cool grooves. Finally!!

[@Williamottelucas]

Second Covid LOL Here in NZ they are trying to warn us about a 6th wave. (Yawn)

[@brianfoster7486]

Love it. The songwriting in Nashville is so strong. Although I think the genre is somewhat more what I would call rock country in a lot of cases. I tend to lean more towards the traditional country sound. But some of the new guys are great too like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs - and anything Chris Stapleton touches is gold. His voice old soul, grit, power - all combined. So good.

[@cyberius7042]

A lot of people complain that modern country doesn't sound like country with too much rock, pop and hip hop elements. That's completely true, it doesn't sound like classic country. But if your tastes are broader, modern country is most of the best current mainstream / pop music out there. As Rick says several times, the level of the production, writing and performances is much higher and more consistent.

[@CRE8TIVE82]

I’m happy to finally see some country on your channel! Do more please!

[@morgothbauglirmelkar]

Country has never done it for me but I certainly can appreciate real musicians

[@Rob-fd6si]

I like you Rick. So knowledgeable and forever seeking more. And really? Just a very likable man. I don't dig country but how decent of you to pick it apart and make me understand what's good about it.

[@ninomanci3742]

I’m shocked too! Not been a traditional Country fan, but this was a great top ten! Real people singing real songs! Like! 😊

[@axonathan]

My old man was a country music fanatic and was adamant that no real country music had been produced since the eighties. He left me with over 4000 vinyl LPs of which 80% was classic country and I love to throw one on every week which brings back memories of my childhood and him.

[@Freempg]

The Rosanne Cash and Rodney Crowell era.

[@alrivers8458]

Congrats on that. God blessed you with your Father. Enjoy.!

[@jimkangas4176]

I've been mostly a jazz guitar guy since the 60's but I had my times in Chicago Blues and Country (as well as pop). The 70's was a great time for Country. I think it's largely become non-authentic, politicial and over produced since then. This stuff isn't bad but it does seem to be cloned.

[@davidbyers1151]

Your old man was mostly right, but he was talking about country music in the vein of George Jones, Charlie Pride, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, etc. That stuff is GREAT and I love to listen to it, but modern country is doing things that are so much superior to modern pop -- in terms of melody, lyrics, and just pure quality of musicianship (I'm looking at your guitar, Brad Paisley) -- that it just may save the day. Some of these country guys just blow me away with how well they play.

[@dougjaeger9882]

@@davidbyers1151Brad Paisley can flat out play guitar!

[@mxvega1097]

I think country is where rock goes while in recovery. And that Chris Stapleton track is a great example - a bit 70s, a bit desert rock, a bit Dead Man. Great run-down, as ever.

[@Pete.Franco]

This comment is more true than most would know! Signed, -Rock/Metal Musician Playing in a Country Band.

[@georgeaslanidis4789]

It reminds me alot of "Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi in a really good way.

[@studiomapleguy]

Excellent Rick ... I've always been a Rock guy ... started listening to Country when I was on the road for work .. big fan now especially the Rock based tunes!

[@helenbargmann997]

i was always more into rock/indie, then i started writing my own music and i realised just how genius country musicians are. chris stapleton is a phenomenal talent! more of these vids please

[@andreabradley5837]

I was a teen in the 80's way into metal. My dad was "two kinds of music, country and western". I'm loving hearing the genres collaborate and collide. Most of the outlaw country musicians I know have a pretty big punk influence as well.

[@stephen9302]

New country is decent. Better than the stereotypical "by Chevy broke down and my wife's cheating on me with the neighbors dog " . I'm just going to drink whiskey all night, etc". Not bad today actually

[@artheriford]

Real country musicians writing their own music and playing the songs, yes. People playing what some professional song writer sitting in a sweat shop in Nashville.....no.

[@JTONDINI]

What a relief !!! music with melodies, real instruments.. You gotta do this with metal singles.

[@michaellennington1866]

Rick, I absolutely love what you do. Great channel and sustained consistency over time. I always come away feeling like I learned something and I am in a better mood. Your ability to hear something new and start to play along - then dissecting whats going on - it seems like alchemy to me. You even got me to enjoy some new country music. I love the old stuff but have not liked the new - until today :)

[@timmcgrath9708]

Just the way you play that I remember everything chord sequence sounds so good!! What a great talent to possess.