The Worst Country Music of 2020

Wasn't gonna do a "Worst" vid, but I'll be honest, it was actually pretty fun looking back on some of my least favorite country music this year. It's all meant to be lighthearted. Go watch my "Best" vids if you want something upbeat!
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[@GradySmith]

Happy new year, folks!

[@sa1994kimo]

Dear Grady, a very happy new year to you and your loved ones!

[@brandigabriel6921]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

[@channeycash2609]

Happy New Year Grady 😍

[@HT-yy4tv]

Grady, I need to know, did *YOU* go to HomeGoods to get that footage?

[@BCMoney1995]

Great video by the way

[@ideale3183]

Calling boyfriend country songs “simp anthems” that’s so great.

[@faithpair6494]

It's what I didn't know I needed to hear

[@Vincenza8907]

Boyfriend country ironically has nothing to do with the realities of being in a relationship, even the best parts. If my husband started singing that Kane Brown song or HOLY to me, I’d get a restraining order.

[@richhayner1208]

I died laughing when he said that.

[@paulperlock8949]

Savage!

[@caribou2636]

came to the comments to say the same

[@matthewlabbe8395]

Maybe Dustin Lynch is secretly a werewolf and that’s why he’s singing about the moon so much lol.

[@peternystrom921]

I realy realy liked Dustin Lynch untill The new album. I thought ok this time maybe better lyrics haha nope. Haha this is horribel

[@dragonkfg]

I'll believe it.

[@teebeaux8274]

Tbh I could see it

[@shelbystephenson94]

Lol

[@sabellabreeze8960]

lol

[@aaronarmstrong6701]

“it’s beer--30.... and i’m-- thirsty” absolute masterpiece

[@auggielogan9385]

😂😂😂

[@TheSweatyYeti]

That's up there with my favorite cringe lyric: "Girl I know your favorite beer, cuz you told me, and I bought it."

[@mossygotk.879]

@@TheSweatyYeti I’m Glad I’m not the only one that finds that very particular verse... just... cringy

[@codeman99-dev]

This is a tribute / throw-back to "5 o'clock somewhere"... right?

[@lunahetfield]

XDDDD

[@Omohon69]

I love how Grady called out the awkwardness of dancing in the headlights on Dustin Lynchs track😂😂😂

[@NickJongejanMusic]

I Kinda feel honoured that he mentioned dancing in the headlights by my band The Young River 😂

[@mikerivera373]

You remember that scene in The Office where Gabe yells at Andy to shut up about Sun? That’s how I feel about Dustin Lynch and the Moon

[@beccag2758]

Shut up about the moon! *SHUT UP ABOUT THE MOON!!!* 😂

[@troyt6864]

I'm creating a conspiracy theory that he's a werewolf.

[@pamelaparker7032]

His career started off strong but man he hit the skids. I have to turn him off if his music comes on now. Saw him at CMA Fest one year. Had to go potty when he performed. Did the same for Florida Georgia Line. I peed a lot that night 🙄

[@mrcodyhall]

Hilarious

[@tobyflenderson6972]

Well Dustin Lynch is the Andy of country music. He started off strong, had his ups and downs over the years, and then was completely fucked in season 9 (season 9 being 95% of Dustin's career)

[@marineladimitrova4758]

Dustin Lynch and Walker Hayes should do a duet, where the girl just blows the roof of the hotel room, so one gets the moonlight fetish and the other gets his hotel theme. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

[@michaelstein7510]

That has amazing music video potential.

[@marineladimitrova4758]

@@michaelstein7510 Who knows, maybe they'll do it one day.

[@glizzylizzie195]

they need you for ideas, lots of potential

[@marineladimitrova4758]

@@glizzylizzie195 Haha, thanks! It was just a random thought, but still, I kind of want to see that music video.

[@turtles10]

Walker Hayes: We'll love until the roof blows off this hotel Dustin Lynch: and we end up lovin in the moonlight

[@erinsoucy1798]

The lyrics of that Kane Brown song made me physically do this face 🥴

[@ajkimball3978]

ur wacked

[@MrEvldreamr]

I laughed, you're funny

[@adam12732]

Every song of his gives me a headache except Used to Love You Sober.

[@thepackattack4941]

No taste

[@BizInTheFrontPartyInTheBack]

“They’re also the type of songs that your friends that only listen to pop music would say are their favorite country songs.” My gosh, if that ain’t the truth...

[@alankohn6709]

Maybe Dustin Lynch has invented a new Genre vampire country I mean everything takes place at night.

[@shamus248]

FBI wants to know your location

[@Justin_Gonsalves]

Vampire country lol

[@MrLegendish1]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL i feel this , he kinda looks like a vampire tho

[@samanthamattson5872]

Or werewolf country cause half his songs are about moonlight

[@Linkedblade]

Vampires? Werewolves? Twilight Boyfriend Country?

[@swanglade3763]

“More pronouns than a college application” this line is iconic and deserves more attention

[@justinwong4203]

I felt that personally

[@Kameliius]

So basically "boyfriend country" is just *"simp country"*

[@ronnickels5193]

Since the singer has a girlfriend, at least in the song, it technically can't be simp country 😂

[@harmonicresonance182]

@@ronnickels5193 simp

[@luke_the_baptist4015]

A simp lawd?

[@susanmicko33]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who couldn’t stand “Be A Light” lol like I feel bad cause it’s wholesome, but I just thought it was too sappy and cliche

[@HeatherLynseyMusic]

I even listened twice to see if I was missing something but nope, it’s just bad 🤣

[@andrewpersac897]

Does anyone know Chris Tomlin from that song? Worship artist who actually did a WHOLE album of collaborations with country artists this year. Thought Be a Light was part of it but I was wrong. Yes it was a bit cliched & generalized, but it did have a few good points to make.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

I enjoyed its message just not the delivery. Some artists sang like 2 lines the rest sang harmony lol....

[@nsulabr5893]

I actually kinda liked be a light, the message was what some people needed to hear, it helped me overcome some stuff this year. Plus, I’m not gonna lie, Reba can do no wrong, wasn’t her strongest song or strongest outing, but was nice to hear her on the radio again.

[@cobyseaver930]

Grady Smiths worst enemy: Dustin Lynch

[@Cdyoung15]

“Be a light” is country’s version of all those celebrities having that cringe worthy moment covering “Imagine”

[@jfisch]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates this song. It plays on the radio way too much.

[@scottdaniels8129]

Be a Light was definitely cringeworthy but it still didn't touch a communist song written by a famous millionaire being sung by more famous millionaires to poor people to pick their spirits up. On top of being schmaltzy pandering it was also completely tone-deaf.

[@dragonkfg]

Glad I ain't alone on hating that song.

[@Tractors101]

They really overplayed be a light, it got real annoying real fast.

[@dragonkfg]

@@Tractors101 Yep

[@justinberg9903]

At least Chevy Spaceship because it was a risk that failed - everything else that’s bad in country music is usually bad because it doesn’t take any creative risks

[@hhill3727]

Sounds more like a cheap attempt to be like Sturgill Simpson to me.

[@Kylee_Meera]

I'm listening to "Riding with Private Malone" on the way home and got to thinking. You should do a video of the forgotten gems from your childhood, or nostalgia country. What was the country that takes you back every time.

[@estherl3902]

that is the best song for long drives

[@nononono4006]

That’s why I really like the song hero by Chris Lane it’s a very direct song

[@nathanielclark9789]

“I feel like the writers of this song went to home goods.” That line made me laugh so hard!

[@mustangtrish09]

Me too! Feels patronizing

[@brandigabriel6921]

As a Christian girl, I can't stand most boyfriend country. The worshipfulness of the genre is pretty sacrilegious and super cringey.

[@beccag2758]

Same!! But even if I wasn’t, a lot of the songs are just so unhealthy. I feel like they’re something ‘nice’ guys like Ross or Ted Mosby would write😂

[@Hopeofmen]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[@HeatherLynseyMusic]

The way he words his songs (other artists too) is so degrading feeling..that whole album seems like he just took notes from “Girl in a Country Song”. CRINGE.

[@betogray9765]

As a Christian guy, I totally agree!!!

[@Vincenza8907]

@@HeatherLynseyMusic who are you talking about?

[@scotrobertson9094]

You forgot that stupid Little Big Town song, Beer, Wine , Whiskey, absolutely god awful .

[@trinitymoore339]

Me who plays that song on repeat 👁👄👁

[@calebreams7456]

Surprised Luke Bryan one margarita didn’t make it

[@stevenmich7640]

That song is such cringe

[@dj.birdsall]

5:55 I never get sick of the Kacey meme. Please never get rid of it.

[@marissamullins8318]

Does anyone else's mind immediately go to domestic dispute when they imagine a television flying out of a window? Or did you have a normal, non-traumatic childhood?

[@chrisucl]

Exactly!

[@thisoneguy8659]

I just imagine the tv not working

[@amor2874]

Have you heard Redneck Crazy? That one aged horribly and sounds like a horribly abusive boyfriend.

[@xxdrewxx6]

Been there, done that. Learned lessons, moved on.😜

[@ddcs0s]

Honestly the first thing I think of is someone watching their college football team lose ... I've never actually heard of someone doing it but I've thought about it a bunch of times in the past couple of years I'm a FSU fan and we suck

[@JonathanCarone]

I didn’t expect Theological Grady but I’m here for it.

[@alexandercope4049]

New to the channel, but it's always cool to see a casual topic KZbinr making intelligent references instead of randomly screaming, being intentionally dumb, or making anime noises/voices

[@jagsfan923]

I didn’t expect to be reading the comments and see you commenting lol

[@cleareyedsky]

Grady, I’m a mom and I can’t stand boyfriend country. It causes extreme eye rolling while repeatedly mumbling “oh, give me a break.” Love your channel!

[@licoreen]

Amen! I love Grady, but I am not fond of his assumptions about moms’ taste in music.

[@LexiJ0405]

Yes. It's a guaranteed station-changer.

[@phoenix5054]

Well, "boyfriend country" is booming so somebody is enjoying being patronized and pandered out there.

[@lpburke86]

When he says moms he's not talking about yall. Hes talking about the mid 40s, divorced, normally bitter, middle management level office worker, fantasy novel reading, soap opera watching moms that use the simp anthems to feed the fantasy that that's the kind of dude they should have had a kid with.... Not yall that live in the real world.

[@i.dont.read.replies]

It's truly harmless music, nothing to be so pressed about. I would take that anytime over misogynistic rap lyrics.

[@davescott6455]

“Simp anthems” best line in the whole video

[@scottdaniels8129]

Boyfriend country watched that South Park episode where Cartmen churned-out gospel hits by just making love songs but to Jesus/God. and figured-out they could reverse that formula to equal success.

[@ferocious97beast7]

Dustin Lynch: *sings bro country about the moon* The moon: *sings "I Don't Know A Thing About Love" by Conway Twitty*

[@AamanPatel]

"More pronouns than a college application" hit so close as I'm watching this while writing a college essay

[@ArkRanjer73003]

“More pronouns than a college application” love it

[@icesk8ergal1123]

Was not expecting the 10 Commandments clip and I feel like this is now my favorite Grady Smith video of all time.

[@jgmcmahon1]

I can't express how glad I am that I have not heard of one single song in this video! My stereo stays on playlists, and this video is why.

[@johnkaratka1975]

Those shots of pillows while talking about the lyrics had me dying 😂

[@CSWrecker]

For a man that doesn’t want to make this video you sure had a lot to say. Lol, great video as always.

[@Im_Ish]

If Grady's going to air his grievances, he's gonna be thorough 😂

[@keepitdirty14]

Grady: “Gosh I really hate doing these videos, but let me go ahead and roast these folks.”

[@CasSpell]

My type of contry music is Alan Jackson and Kenny Rogers, anyone else??

[@amor2874]

Alan Jackson 💕💕💕

[@xxdrewxx6]

Waylon, Merle, the Possum, that's my kind of music.

[@cltracy2921]

George Strait, Marty Robbins, Mel McDaniel

[@awsomecfstc4845]

Can’t forget Bocephus

[@rileyo6676]

Same with some George strait✨

[@MoltoRubato88]

So, basically, this is all "I Heart Radio Country." 👎 👎

[@travisburton164]

“Makes me feel like a douchebag”

[@lukebenko278]

I personally look at Niko Moon as a pop singer with "country" themes. That being said, Good Time slaps with some subs

[@SmokeyFromThe715]

10/10 agree. He’s a great guy too! Super fun. I don’t think he’s trying to change country music, but rather do his own thing. You said it perfect with pop music with a country theme. Love his music and generally I 100% agree with Grady, but this is one where I’m willing to respectfully oppose to his opinion.

[@doublew959]

I like some of his songs

[@thomasherrington7237]

I see walker hayes the Same way. From a country standpoint it sucks, but from a pop rap pov his stuff works better than the average bryce vine song. Also fancy like slaps harder than holy smokes

[@rosegroshek1218]

I am so proud to say I didn’t hear of any of these songs before I saw this video because I don’t listen to mainstream radio at all. Texas and red dirt country is where it’s at!

[@xxdrewxx6]

Yes Rose! Thank you💯👍

[@lrmiller4408]

You said it, I hadn’t heard any of these songs either😂😂😂

[@amandaaliciaxo]

When you put the Zenon clip, I just about died lol 😂

[@dustonmelton3009]

This is probably the best “worst country music” list so far. Every single one of the songs on this video made my skin craw. Like you said in this video, you really have to ask “what the hell are they doing?!?”

[@tatesones7755]

I couldn’t have said it better than “made my skin crawl” good shit Duston.

[@matilda6851]

Literally tho. I’m so glad none of the country I listen to made it on this list or was mentioned

[@clamcrewcarclub6017]

Luckily I have Apple Music and Bluetooth in my car so I don’t have to listen to the radio, so when I heard that walker hayes song for the first time here, I said “oh...god” out loud hahahaha it was just......shit. There are so many independent/small country singers who would be extremely palatable to country radio listeners. Brent Cobb, Casey Donahew, Zach Bryan to name a few. Luckily Tyler Childers is gaining some traction. However im not sure if the mainstream audience is ready for the likes of Sturgill Simpson, Whitey Morgan, and Colter wall hahahahaha

[@TheJrockfreak]

lol I liked quite a few songs on this list but thats why I enjoy his video because his taste is almost the complete opposite of mine

[@TheJrockfreak]

@@matilda6851 lol a few of my favorite songs made the list

[@nickhoeppel4200]

“Niko moon makes me feel like a douchebag” - best thing I’ve heard this year

[@kruseward9405]

Not trying to start anything but, I completely disagree, just saying.

[@bry10101]

The problem with a lot of these songs is that they all sound like some spoon fed high fructose corn syrup bullshit.

[@nicolegurley628]

The blunt sarcasm is exactly what we needed to end 2020

[@zealanddavis8396]

“More pronouns than I college application” 😂😂😂 lmfao

[@JimmyCricket61258]

Your commentary just keeps getting better and better. Happy New Year Grady!

[@swamprocket6378]

OMG! I Love this guy!!! What the HELL has happened to Country MUSIC?!?!?!?

[@mbrownie22]

Grady with more one liners than a Schwarzenegger 80’s movie lol

[@lucasaccount573]

10:37 Grady sounds like every high school English teacher. THIS IS TOO VAGUE I NEED DETAIL 0/5 REDO!

[@alexledford4747]

@@thegoodoldboyz1787 spam.

[@garysprengel5963]

I need MORE of nasty Grady! I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Laughed out loud at Keith's "descent into madness," soooooooo glad you included the Home Goods-inspired "Be a Light," and I also feel like a douchebag listening to "Good Time."

[@shondaellzey3682]

This video gave so many laughs. "What IS she doing to him so that the TV goes out the window?" 😂 Coming from a Christian, thank you for pointing out the growing trend of applying religious concepts to lustful ("love") songs. It is not only terrible from a songwriting standpoint, but wrong from a spiritual standpoint. (And I know there is sinful content in country music generally... I just wish it would still at least not cross this line to where God's name is used in these ways).

[@daltonnunamaker113]

Strong theology here Grady, love it! 😂

[@kaylibookman172]

The Pillow section at Hobby Lobby just called me out so much. To be fair that song was sooooo cheesy

[@caydoncoleman7695]

Beer 30 has to be the most unintentional funny writing of this year. Like they way he says thirsty.

[@RepoManInIndy]

Growing up in the 90s, born in 80s, I love real country. I've argued how 85-95 country music is the best. Because of that, I am and have been a Tim McGraw fan but, he needs to retire..

[@LuckyisEvil-qf6ek]

I got a Chevy ad right after you finished talking about Chevy Spaceship.

[@SC-ge3ol]

😂😂😂

[@agb07]

Me too. 😆

[@jamesludwig6743]

What we’ve been waiting for

[@kennynield7062]

I think your right on the nose with all of these songs, I literally have to shut off my radio, because I'm so annoyed by all the crap that they call county these days. I grew up listening to the 70s 80s & 90s, much better when it was about story telling and about real life.

[@hydraulichydra8363]

"Trash My Heart" - there's a hint as to the quality of the song hidden in the first word of the title.

[@isaachoseney9705]

When he said "simp anthems" I died laughing 😂😂😂😂so true

[@rickdixontn]

You knocked it out of the park with this video. Great choices for worst songs and your commentary was smart, original and entertaining. Serious compliment.

[@jacobriley4601]

“I’m a guy who likes to get introspective and I’m my feelings” Me: “no your not

[@kennytherealg1752]

I love that you put In Spite of Ourselves clip in when you were talking about how love songs don’t have to be so grand and it can just be simple keep up the amazing work.

[@toniwolfe4333]

Yummy is the funniest song ever. I literally never have laughed harder during a song before. Its absolute trash but its funny trash 🗑.

[@meagan6864]

Me: Yummy is one of the worst songs this year" Record label: "Hold my beer" .. Then we get this remix. 😂

[@michaelstein7510]

I never thought Chick-fil-A waffle fries and references to oral sex would find themselves in the same song, but they made it work. Inspired songwriting.

[@sabellabreeze8960]

I hate that song

[@toniwolfe4333]

@@sabellabreeze8960 you should. Its trash

[@suegibson3393]

Thank you for throwing in a 'Zenon, girl of the 21st Century' reference.

[@edogg2832]

Grady breaking out the theology? Hello epic department!

[@zachcarson6377]

Favorite comment: "Just listening to it makes me feel like a d-bag." Finally, a phrase that sums up how I feel when I listen to the current country radio. This makes me all the more thankful for artists like my newfound favorite, "Ward Davis."

[@futureprez19]

SIMP ANTHEMS!!! That's gotta be the greatest thing you or anyone has ever said! LMAO!!!

[@megannrobinaugh7508]

I totally agree Grady, but I love a good simp anthem. Its the pendulum swinging from songs about our bodies. Like I'd rather hear about how I'm a goddess instead of how my jeans look painted on. It's admittedly lasting longer than I expected and sometimes is lowkey insincere. 💀

[@GradySmith]

Had to give this a heart for your honesty

[@daveyarmstrong86]

You nail it ever time bro! Thanks for always saying what we all feel about Country!!

[@GunsAndGrenache]

Hahahaha this was so good, so hilarious. I laughed my way out of my chair. Thank you Grady Smith and please have a happy and prosperous New Year !! :)

[@TheKatherine1958]

None of this is country music. It can barely be called “music” at all - horrible. ...and I’m 62 (old) and I’m saying this music sucks.

[@xxdrewxx6]

I'm 35, and I'm agreeing with you 💯

[@alexwillmon3097]

A select few of us started dancing and singing "Supernova Girl" and we are the cool ones in the crowd! 🤣

[@Utoober67]

Happy New Year, Grady. Take care of you. Nice platypus, by the way.

[@JeffreytaylorICT]

Grady Smith is everything I didn't know I needed. I love this channel because I've always loved country music up until the past few years.

[@strangeradios]

that tim mcgraw album was so tremendously awful as to be risible.

[@jacobmartin7481]

I don't know; as much as I enjoy music, sometimes it's fun to make fun of the bad stuff. As much as Kane Brown has had some decent songs in the past, nothing tops total garbage cringe in 2020 than "Worship You".

[@brittneyhahn9905]

Yesss! The Zenon reference!! Also would love to see you do a similar video for the best/worst country of the 90s. I personally love anything by John Michael Montgomery, even though it came out when I was a little kid.

[@GummyBear556677]

5:07 IDK if this cut was intended but the artists arms starting to drop into your motion was very clever

[@eringobragh85]

100% agree with this list, but when you put that Zenon/Supernova Girl clip I DIED!!!

[@nealm6764]

Wow! Strong right out of the gate with the idolatry and false gods references! Have an upvote!

[@katiegeyer1187]

Can’t agree more with these choices! Love the videos and outside of this video I love checking out your content for new country music recommendations!

[@FrostyIceman]

Great reviews and great channel keep it up

[@MonsterJam7839]

“Good time” is a total vibe on the lake

[@mich8050]

2013 bro-country was my way into country music. I listened to Blake Shelton's 'Based on a true story' Album on a trip to the states east coast in late 2014 and that was so my kind of thing that I looked up other country. I found bro country and that kept me interested in country and pushed me towards the more accepted country of geniuses like George Strait and Hank

[@TheJrockfreak]

I also got into country threw bro country and while I do like some songs by George I find that style of country to old school for me

[@derekhayner7984]

I got into country through bro country too and honestly still enjoy some of the songs from the 2012-2014 era of bro country. But goddamn does dustin lynches album suuuuck. If your gonna make bro country that’s fine just stop singing about getting laid under the moon

[@brynmcdougald2418]

This was how I got into it too

[@saratalkscountrymusic]

The use of that kacey meme during the walker hayes song was so on point, I burst out laughing!

[@jaimehernandez3104]

You're so good at being snarky! 😆 That's why I love these types of vids from you. And you're edits are amazing.

[@Knight_Stories]

HOW THE HELL IS THE TV OUT THE WINDOW WHEN YOUR HOOKING UP LIKE JESUS CHRIST IS THERE A EARTHQUAKE IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM LIKE WHAT?!?!?! sry rant over lol

[@mattaffrunti7400]

"Its got more pronouns then a college application" Grady my jaw DROPPED after that line 😂 what a quick subtle joke

[@SRiley77]

Watching this before work while my husband is still asleep. I’m honestly shocked I haven’t woken him up. I don’t think a Grady video has ever made me laugh so hard.

[@chels1542]

I was going to make a video like this exactly but I’m so glad you already did so I can just watch it 😍

[@colkuskey8657]

So agree with you about Keith. He hasn’t made a country album in over a decade and that is sad. We love him here in Oz but it’s getting harder to buy a ticket to his shows. I’ve seen a lot of these simps at country festivals and they clearly don’t belong. Love the guys who are making deliberate unmistakable country albums right now, there is hope. Happy new year. Cheers from Oz

[@13Mizzou]

Fuse is still mostly country and Ripcord was about 50/50 once you got past the singles. Graffiti U is a complete mess minus Gemini ( has a great ZZ Top sounding outro) but at least Speed Of Now is a small step in the right direction. It's got a few songs that brings back the Defying Gravity days

[@madelynb12]

I laughed my ass off when Grady got to "Be a light," lmaoo it took me out 💀💀🤣

[@mommad9863]

I cannot believe that you even knew the movie Zenon existed! That's amazing haha!

[@garyrobinson2270]

Love video, big on Country,Classic, Rock. Nothing untouched. Changing life around 2021, so bad list's? Sucked it up , still learning.

[@NicholasVarelas]

Confession time...sometimes I listen to “Trash My Heart” on purpose...it’s a guilty pleasure.

[@dylanspurlock6150]

"It makes me feel like a douche bag listening to it" same Grady.... same

[@tall-ef2rd]

Love the "worst of" video's, always fun to watch---and as usual, you're pretty much spot on! : ) Keep it up!

[@lukejones5327]

Grady, I loved hearing you roast these bad songs so well it was very entertaining