The Worst Country Music of 2022

Welcome to the year-end videos! (And they're on-time this year.) We're kicking things off with the Worst of 2022, and then there are three best-of videos coming next! On the whole, country music had a good year, but between "Rolex on a Redneck" and "Pesos" and the inevitable entry from Walker Hayes, there's definitely stuff to mention here.
And hey -- this isn't that serious. Just have fun!
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[@rockpaperscissors82]

As a proud North Carolinian, I want to apologize on behalf of the Old North State for Parmalee. We're truly sorry. Please remember that we gave you Earl Scruggs, Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Eric Church, Scotty McCreery, and Luke Combs.

[@Matthiaskyriakidis]

As a proud Tennessean y’all made more than enough greats to make up for a some bad ones, no apology is needed.

[@theeellebee]

As an Okie that is known for a certain artist everyone worships but me and isn't Garth Brooks. No apology needed

[@NikkiCox81]

I feel like as an Alabamian I need to also apologize for Walker Hayes. Please remember we are home of one of the first country stars, Hank Williams. (Of course the band Alabama too)

[@alanmench7832]

As a wyomingite you’re welcome for Chancey Williams. I’d like to claim Chris Ledoux as well, but he wasn’t born here.

[@ryanmiech2380]

And Emily Scott Robinson!!! :)

[@mominmasood]

With Shania, just to give some background: she got Lyme's disease which heavily damaged her vocal chords (which is unfortunate since other singers like Avril Lavigne had it too but didn't get severely affected by it) and she had to go through intensive treatments for it - she now has a vocal chord transplant kinda thingy which has a shelf life so soon she won't be able to sing possibly. And even when she talks she has a strange auto-tuney effect on her voice and in the studio I think they use it even more to make her vocals steady since they're not very solid now. So all in all it ends up making her sound very mechanical. Anyway, this is not a "how dare you bash her", I'm not a fan of her new song either and I agree her voice is distracting. But I also feel bad for her and understand that she has no control over a lot of it now. She just wants to sing for as long as she can.

[@claireboyle7151]

I was going to mention it, too.

[@kimc555]

Ya. I give her a pass since her voice has gone through hell & back. And I’m Canadian so there’s that lol 🇨🇦

[@GradySmith]

She’ll be fine. But I know all that! Still a bad song.

[@kimc555]

@@GradySmith come on Grady - it’s Christmas lol

[@DennisBohannan]

Shania's documentary was garbage. Never knew I feel like a women was for drag queens.

[@brockpifer9929]

The promo picture with Jason and Brantley is so hilarious cause they’re clearly stock photos of them just edited together in one. It’s so mediocre

[@blugreen123]

The best country & hip hop Collab was Tim McGraw and Nelly's "Over and Over." No question. 😊

[@MidnightL2008]

That song is amazing!

[@kimberlyaker4330]

That song is the gold standard, oh my God 😍😍😭😭😭

[@sherripatterson3487]

I had to turn off EVERY SINGLE SONG by Walker Hayes when they came on the radio this year. Just can't

[@Mr.Eaglesfan9795]

Hes one of the reasons I switch to the classic country station.

[@alecnilson6530]

This is the first year in which I don't know the vast majority of songs you cover in this video, and I'm extremely happy about that. Also, definitely check out Morgan Evans' live version of "Over for You" - it's much better and more like how it ought to be.

[@luiscruz7343]

Literally was thinking the same thing!

[@Lizzie-ve7kt]

You should definitely release merch that says “I contain multitudes” lol

[@josephtafur]

Come on, Grady Serously Deep Down You like doing this list

[@CCBP1216]

I absolutely love how I've resorted to listening to SiriusXM Y2Kountry & Prime Country rather than normal country radio, and I don't know hardly any of these new songs or artists 😂

[@sharpasapistol]

whoa, never wanna hear these "songs" again.

[@christianlarson731]

100% agree with the Chris Stapleton part. Both "Maggie's Song" and "Cold" could potentially be career-defining hits for him. They most definitely deserve their own moment to shine although I'm not sure how much longer this album cycle is going to run. One song that I find to be one of the worst of the year is "Country On" by Luke Bryan. It deserved to underperform like "Up".

[@nates5703]

The fact that "Country On" earnestly uses "thoughts and prayers" as a lyric is a perfect representation of how lazy and uninspired that entire song is.

[@StevenCrowtown]

one line from Beers On Me i hated was the Breland breakdown where he says "I like my drinks like my roof, on the house" like wtf is that even supposed to mean?

[@TheWolfeDen]

I think it's a poorly executed pun where he's trying to say that he likes when his drinks are comped by the bar/restaurant/whatever he's in due to his fame and/or status

[@derekhayner7984]

If someone gives you something and says “it’s on the house” it means it’s free. This makes little since tho because dierks is singing about how he will be paying for everyone’s beers so clearly they aren’t on the house they are just covered by dierks. I’m more confused about wtf he means by “I could be your sponsor if you like how that sounds” like I don’t even know where to start it just doesn’t make sense to me

[@HaleyMaeCampbellMusic]

My toxic trait is that I’d love for Grady to hear my music but it would break my heart if he didn’t like it 😂❤ love your videos!!

[@smoov22_sonic]

Finally, Grady gets to talk about The Worst Country Song of All Time

[@Felixman128]

Didn't expect to see a fellow *GAMER* here

[@dickey1331]

@@Felixman128 We exist

[@rubes1688]

He didn't even mention it though!

[@Felixman128]

@@rubes1688 Fancy Like 🤢

[@johntarver5684]

Whomever writes walker Hayes songs must be the king of the bro country fandom!

[@jack-heights]

That's a great point. A gritty, open-hearted song about a heart break shouldn't sound like a track that Dan and Shay would make just to fill up space on an album. A slower, raw acoustic version would sound great and would really let him put that emotion out there. Have a good one Grady!

[@ryancampbell9269]

I've added the "Live In Melbourne" version to my library rather than the album version for that exact reason

[@TaterQ104]

Seaforth has good music. “Breakups” was a good single that didn’t get enough attention. “What I Get For Loving You” is also a quality song that appears on their latest EP.

[@boilingandspinninggrapefruit]

“I think that’s how I think” is not better than “doing what we’re doing”, Grady 😭

[@Iivforevermore]

Paused this video to go listen to Maggie’s Song and now I’m recovering from sobbing and bawling my eyes out. 😅😭😭😭 I was not expecting to cry that much with this song.

[@jennarussell1537]

Grady, you were already my celebrity crush before, for your intellect & humor & good taste in music, and now you’re dropping Walt Whitman references?! 💛 I love your channel & hearing your thoughts!

[@Nini-hd7pd]

Shania has been battling lyme disease since the 2000s and has had a couple throat surgeries that's why her voice sounds that way. Production wise it's similar to Kaching and That don't impress me much. Very popy and auto-tuned

[@marissamullins8318]

Throwing shade at your old doppelgänger? Bruh. Let him steal his own stuff 😩

[@thesuperjac16]

Hey Grady, I’d like to suggest an artist from Canada. The reklaws are a brother sister duo, and I’m digging their new album. They’re pretty successful on Canadian country radio (11 beers feat Jake Owen hit no. 1) and though the production is at times more « radio friendly », I think there are some gems in there that are worth a try!

[@danieljackett4193]

Sarah Walker needs to sing lead sometimes

[@tyorkshirelass]

Morgan Evans suffered from the Chris Young 'Drowning' treatment - the live from Melbourne version where it's just him and the piano is great, but the production utterly killed it

[@naomifishpool2680]

Thankyou!! 💯 per cent!!

[@davidderiso8691]

I wanted to love the song , and there are a couple of lines that really soar in it, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was rushed to production to capitalize on the relevancy. (Still better than anything I could ever do)

[@sfletcher10]

I was at that concert in Melbourne and it HIT EVERYONE there… it’s the only version I listen to!!

[@saturnblues]

Love you Grady! My fiancee and I are genuinely loving the unapologetic attitude in this video.

[@TheScovin720]

Putting myself through this video with the song clips as difficult. great video again Grady, oh and I hate you for putting me through this.

[@shawnmccafferty7010]

There was a stretch of time where you could not get away from Maggie's Song on Sirius's The Highway. They played it to death (almost). So I'm not sure if it was considered a "single" while they were doing that...or what ;-)

[@rachellytle1467]

I had this thought too! I mostly listen to The Highway and I was confused by his comment about Maggie's Song not being a single.

[@Tia-0009]

tbh wouldn't consider half of those country and I would have added at least "drunk and I don't wanna go home"

[@davidderiso8691]

You’ve introduced me to so many great pieces of art, but as of today, you’re now only correct 99.9% of the time! Haha. Stapleton’s “Joy of my Life” is so simple and beautiful that it feels classic and timeless. Thanks for another great video!

[@brittanynorman7361]

I felt the same! Love Stapleton’s “Joy of My Life”. Thanks for the comment!

[@blakebreedlove3867]

*John Fogerty’s

[@Cdyoung15]

Favorite annual event: Grady’s worst music of the year

[@annamd422]

ugh morgan evans’s “over for you” would probably be something i play on repeat during sad girl hour™️ if the production wasn’t so generic

[@matbla109]

The real winner of this is ME! I've only heard one of these songs at all before and it's Joy of My Life.

[@yiyithewuster]

Ill be honest i watch these videos to find my new favorite pop country guilty pleasures lol

[@GradySmith]

HahHa I respect that

[@JohnnyReb2000]

While the music industry has persisted with their typical shenanigans, the last few years have definitely trended in the right direction for country music with the independent artists gaining traction in popularity.

[@spencerbelcher9688]

I can't listen to Dierks Bentley anymore. I can't.

[@Geblawi]

Shania should just retire. She ain’t Dolly.

[@jr.leininger4109]

My, those are all the worst. No wonder I turned off country radio 10 years ago. Glad I did and didn't have to hear those in real time along with the past 9 other years

[@isaacamartinez]

Any and all of Walker Hayes

[@skyrushyesminderaserno1150]

That dude ain’t even country

[@maleahfrances277]

What is a Grady video without Luke Bryan grinding? 😂

[@Sethbon]

I used to think Luke Bryan was absolutely terrible but honestly now I can’t get enough of him!!! I stopped taking myself and country music so seriously!! Walker Hayes is still the worst though can’t stand him

[@guimondgabriel]

So glad I’d never heard one song out of your list. Love your channel ✌🏼

[@TravisRenegade]

Brantley is so under appreciated every is so distracted by songs like bottoms up, weekend, Rolex. They often don't even notice songs like heaven by then, three feet of water, you promised.

[@basedrooster]

Your take on Joy of My Life is so cold. Goodness Grady

[@Turtlesbekool]

Another year, another video where I don’t know a single damn song on Grady’s hit list lol (except for the last one, but only because of TikTok). Can’t wait to see the other ones, Grady!!!

[@723taylorjharris]

The Overton Window has definitely not moved in the direction of quality country when one of the biggest names is face tat guy named Jelly Roll.

[@MusicOrLoseItTV]

Wheeler Walker Jr.'s blasphemous song is the only country song on my Top 20 Worst Songs Of 2022 vid. It's #2

[@NikkiCox81]

I just have to let you know that I picked your video over a video of a puppy. You’re welcome. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@nataliegundrum4230]

Soul by Lee brices, I di t known if it came out this year but I hate how he says toeses

[@LTProductions335]

I think that songs a fun jame but yeah the that line is cringy.

[@WVmomma82]

Hate that song also

[@connorgiesbrecht9595]

YES! I change the station every time that song comes on!

[@teachergirl41]

Grateful to have remained unscathed by most of these songs: 3 cheers for Spotify!

[@lizzystrom2132]

I decided to listen to Maggie’s Song after watching this video and that’s how I found myself uncontrollably crying while driving to church! Warn a girl next time!

[@J.DavenportMusic]

As always, thanks for keeping it real Grady 👍🏼

[@RandyBadour]

Allow me to humiliate myself in saying...I dig "Where The Country Girls At" lol. Real talk, sometime I just like a very mindless jam that sounds fun. I apologize Grady...there goes that coveted country cred...lol

[@benwright9238]

You like what you like fam. You still got your country cred lol

[@RandyBadour]

@@benwright9238 I appreciate your willingness to forgive!! 👊🤣

[@texanlongboy1246]

Me too, Where the Country Girls At is a good song

[@mitchellb4551]

same tho as a nascar fan I enjoy the track house reference and it just generally is a jam even if its dumb.

[@connorgiesbrecht9595]

At least there's some fiddle on it... more than you can say for lots of other country songs!

[@nicholasi3535]

So if you want another song that uses the lyric “when was it over for you” but has good production check out When Was It Over by Sasha Sloan and Sam Hunt from 2021. Same idea and I give them credit for using the “over for you” line first

[@blackhillsrider2626]

Man you hit the nail on the head with this video. Thanks. Happy Holidays .

[@nasanoir310]

One of the most disappointing tracks for me must have been Way Down Yonder, by Chase Rice. Coming on the heels of Key West and Colorado, which was a really good song, Chase had my expectations high. And at first, the song was pretty great. The spooky, slightly out of tune guitars gave me almost Colter Wall vibes (or at least the Dead South). But then the refrain kicked in, and it was just like any other outlaw, God's Country rip off of the past few years. It sacrificed its originality to be another sports-game sounding country song. And, much like Kane Brown's 'Riot' (an ok song), Way Down Yonder never covered any new ground after the first verse. It had so much potential, but in the end it sounded like a cheap trick to get some streams from different types of country fans. But I do like the direction Chase seems to be going, and I'm hoping for some more good stuff in the future.

[@josephesquivel4066]

You know I just hear so many in a year that I don't even turn on the radio station anymore. When you can't really tell the difference between the Country station and the Pop station is there even a point?

[@mac7133]

Way to keep doing what you do, Grady! Just keep doing your thing, we like it like that 😂

[@gerardlover1313]

Don't normally comment on your videos but have to say this... "Queen of Daytona Beach" is a jam that's lighthearted and fun and I can't help but sing along when it comes on, don't think it's anywhere near as bad as any of the others on this video

[@tylerkeggan718]

I actully kinda dig high heels on a beach lol

[@PlaySomeGoodCountry]

Hahaha the 2 “entertainers of the year” years ago, do a collaboration and it’s trash! Who would have thought 😂

[@thetruthaboutfacts224]

I’m in agreement with what you said, so much of the music on the radio is insultingly basic and just makes me switch it off. So much just sounds the same and seems like garbage when you listen to music from the 70s and 80s.

[@kangagaming1949]

favorite time of year thanks for keeping it going grady and yeah i agree with luke combs its been very more country year then normal very thankful for that

[@faystewart7016]

Great work Grady. Loved the transitions from song to song in this video!! 👏🏻

[@futuremarine9056]

Still waiting for the country in this video

[@SethODucks]

I just tried double tapping my phone to like it when you said “I’d rather you take a swing and miss big versus playing it safe and being bad.” Song I had to turn off on the radio this year was Soul by Lee Brice. I’m not a connoisseur like you. Just grew up on a constant rotation of Merle, Buck Owens, Creedence, Patsy Cline, and country radio. It’s a part of my life. Something about Soul by Lee Brice just made me want to pull my hair out. Country radio is improving but this song is enough for me to not put country radio on at all in my personal vehicle.

[@tedwilliams5420]

I was a huge fan of Shania growing up but she has had one of the worst comebacks ever. It is embarrassing at this point.

[@annmarie3573]

It's so cringey!

[@HezzyEastside]

I didn't know almost any of these songs and I listen to country everyday. Hell yeah 😂🔥🔥

[@TheIgnoramus]

I don’t even listen to country really, but as a musician, I stay for the taste.

[@rachescakes]

Love Dierks, hate Beers on Me!

[@CorbinOutdoors]

Anyone else hear the Need A Boat cameo in the beginning

[@dillonlankford7594]

The version of Over for You with just the piano is awesome though

[@colttexan0720]

Your last video on the BEST country music of the year helped me find CHARLES WESLEY GODWIN! So I can’t thank you enough dude I love these vids

[@moyahm8569]

I really hoped David Morris' carrying your love song would've made this video but, not in the way it did.

[@jennifergoetz4716]

So many hilarious zingers in this one, "pop artists love wearing a denim dress to get a photo at the CMAs" 😂

[@brittanyfehlings6838]

My country station in SC plays "real country" that's their words not mine haha. I've never heard a single song you talked about in this video🤣

[@samg8580]

Not me writing a satire piece about radio country and coming back to this video for inspiration

[@cardinalsbb7149]

I love your vids. This is my favorite series on KZbin

[@nathandelaney2027]

I disagree with Beers on Me and Joy of my Life I love those songs. Other than that great list.

[@emilydinan533]

I have to agree with over for you, the live performance with just a piano was how the production should have been made

[@jazzjasmin]

Yes. On the Morgan Evans. The lines are so damn good, but then …. Yeah.

[@jeffhext]

I didn't think it would continue getting worse. I've been proven wrong year after year

[@janboomsma9954]

Chance the Wilder Blue gets best song again? Picket Fences is a jam. Especially the harmonies in the end.

[@bdalton0295]

I'm so glad I've never heard the majority of these songs...gonna go rinse my ears out with bleach now.

[@ashleyholbird4287]

Finally, my favorite video of the year

[@emmaella7163]

I unironically love Queen of Daytona Beach 🫣, but I love seeing how much of the worst I’ve avoided 😅

[@miranda.lebron]

Grady, we are in a fight and it’s because of what you said about Joy Of My Life. It did not deserve that slander. Are you right about Maggie’s song? yea, but Joy of My Life did not deserve that. 😂

[@davegarber]

Unpopular opinion: Joy of my Life cover is better than Maggie’s Song. There, I said it.

[@teeman8999]

Totally agree. I would choose this over Maggie Song.

[@sarahpaepke9860]

This video cracked me up 😂😂 the negativity was hilarious. Fun for a once each year video🤣 Grady letting loose

[@ionamic]

Just did an interview with Paul Brandt who founded an organization in 2017 entitled #NotInMyCity to fight the horrors of sex-trafficking. I applaud Paul for what he does. He has already made an impact. I bring this up because I see the Nashville contradiction to what Paul represents and what people like Florida Georgia Line did and others, and the latest, "Pesos" where they sing about hiring strippers. Time for Nashville to step up. Today's Country music reaches and much younger audience, many of them teens. Who will speak for the teens in captivity who were seduced by, as one sex-trafficking survivor described as, "romeo pimps."?

[@raveoreynolds6049]

I'm always confused by your hate of Jake Owen's Senorita. It's an out of left field collaboration sure, but it works. After all, Jake's always had the image of being beach/island song guy.

[@RonJOlsonJr]

Agree on Maggies song. Chris does not have to sing it. Just release it as a single and watch it climb the charts.

[@kellyowen8630]

"I contain Multitudes." meaning "LAYERS PEOPLE!" hahaha

[@thatSteveSmith]

I'm probably in the minority but I don't see the appeal in Breland. I really do like Jimmy Allen's new album but yeah, Pessos is so random.

[@jonnybrick7473]

Makin me SWERVE!

[@dylanlowers5236]

Damn Strait by Scotty McCreary is quite literally Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney, I noticed this as soon as I heard it the first time and it’s been driving me crazy that nobody else has heard this as well

[@gerardlover1313]

Totally agree, I always just sing Kenny Chesney's lyrics over the top as the start of the chorus is the exact same! Spent ages googling it to see if anyone else noticed when the song first came out, ended up thinking I was going insane as no one else seemed to have picked up on it!

[@angelinajolie3476]

Thank God by Kane Brown and his woman better be on here. It's so corny

[@drewkern1222]

I totally can relate with when you said, “I think that’s how I think”.

[@gracelenehanvaughn1816]

I never realized that about the two Dierks songs and the fact that the writers of Gone are now credited on Beers. I feel like that's a story I want to find out.

[@alexlanemusic]

YES OMG hahahaha when it hit December I was thinking GRADYS END OF YEAR VIDS A COMIN’

[@Adonis_Quinn]

“Off The Deep End by Priscilla Block is one I always tend to start, but change as it just grates on me. It’s a boring empty song that sounds decent enough, but I can’t physically get through it.

[@emilydinan533]

I love all of your positive content and where your channel has gotten, with all of that said I still love my guilty pleasure of this video! Thanks Grady for still doing this for us when we know you don’t like it as much!

[@josephtafur]

Walker Hayes continues to be the "High Guardian Spice" Of Country Music

[@NickMcClainTheory]

I was wondering what you thought about Cooper Alan. As well as Chase McDaniel

[@GradySmith]

I’m sorta morbidly curious and intrigued, more than I dislike. Like they GO FOR IT, which is better than just like kinda going for it.