What are the best & worst country album covers?

[@GradySmith]

Thanks for all your comments that helped me make this video!! If I were the only voice in the world, I think every album cover would be tealish green, so it's probably good that there are more perspectives than mine. Love y'all.

[@CyrusWaugh]

THERE I AM GARY 12:19

[@LuckyFullmetal]

im definitely first

[@cletust.darrell8363]

Whiskey Myers' Firewater was cool, and very unique.

[@ginoassenmacher30]

I made it! Thanks for using mine lol

[@cactusmikesplayground6151]

This is not trying to be offensive or anything I am just interested. Is your shirt on backwards in this video

[@ejn8982]

luke combs album covers look like the cover of a diary of a wimpy kid book

[@peacock0328]

Now that you said that, I can’t unsee it...

[@calebheuertz3159]

@@peacock0328 same lol 😂

[@awesomeperson7782]

The only album cover I respect *Suburban patriots by Grady Smith*

[@e0e1e3e2]

grady did not just call an album cover “bussin” 👁👄👁

[@aprilharwig]

Haha....first glance of the title i thought this was about song covers... not literally album covers 😄

[@NewtBannner]

This would be a good video ... like the best cover song of all time, Amarillo By Morning, to a really bad one like when Justin Moore covered Home Sweet Home.

[@ce3772]

Same! 😸

[@KittenScrapbooking]

Same! 😂

[@justleahdegraw]

SAME

[@seanjones6798]

@@NewtBannner Hurt by Johnny Cash is the best cover IMO.

[@jacobhatton2759]

Midland could go down as one of the great legacy bands of this generation with their combination of aesthetic and great songs they really have filled that Brooks and Dunn hole in the genre for me.

[@ajsmalley7180]

The best country artists of the last decade it's a shame there not on country radio all that much

[@meredithhoneycutt2634]

Taylor Swift does a fantastic job at picking color schemes and using album art as a "billboard" for the era. All her covers are very distinct with aesthetics that match the sound of the album

[@NewtBannner]

I like Tyler Childers, not my favorite, but the COUNTRY SQUIRE ALBUM COVER made me want to listen to the whole album right away. It was just so crazy, weird, and interesting and it made me feel a little rowdy haha

[@aleki7639]

Are you talking about his album “Long Violent History”? If yes, it’s just fabulous...

[@jqc0990]

Really? I hated it, thought it was too all over the place, no focus and trying to be a little too bohemian with the Indian god aesthetic for a guy that makes pretty traditional Appalachian music. Honestly made me not want to listen to it, that is until I heard it.

[@hunterwildes3646]

THATS WHAT IM SAYING

[@yadnom8509]

A cover that I find very, very underrated is Jon Pardi's California Sunrise, it's like a top tier simple portrait, with such a vibe to it, great contrast between the orange and black and so representative of the dream like, nostalgic sunrise he sings about in the title track

[@jacoblangguth5125]

The starting over cover reminds me of a Christmas door decorating contest my high school had and my home room forgot so we just put a sticky note on the door that said “bah hum bug” and we hoped that the judges would give us points for cleverness. They didn’t.

[@GradySmith]

They didn't see your vision, Jacob. Shame on those judges.

[@Knight_Stories]

Honestly this video is a great idea 👌🏻😂

[@percycardona]

Agreed. I was about to comment this. What a fun video!

[@learningtolollygag7826]

I remember when Kendal Jenner blurred out Kasey Musgraves billboard with the golden hour cover, then Kasey blurred out Kendal Jenner. Iconic 😆

[@slothbro2740]

was not expecting him to call something "bussin" or mention RTJ. I think the cohesiveness they have going on with their covers is nice.

[@songsandsunsets-jaronpike4900]

"Literally Bussin" lmao

[@jayded5860]

it do be bussin tho 😳😳

[@Nickyy64]

Imaginary Appalachia and Gunfighters and Trial songs are my two favorite album covers.

[@bradleysullivan1334]

Best country album cover is "Ocean Front Property". You've got a simple photo of George, but his body language and expression just says "the fuck is this?" makes me laugh every time

[@BigCountryKracker]

That’s what I was thinking

[@zionpope9491]

No doubt hahah

[@ashleyanderson9581]

I just want to say thank you, Grady. I grew up in the 90s and had such awesome country music surrounding me. Still listen to all that music on an almost daily basis. Then country music lost me around 2010 with bro county. It was like this genre I grew up with and loved was all of a sudden dead to me. Now, watching your channel, it's like I'm rediscovering country again and it makes me so happy! So, thank you for bringing me back into the fold.

[@guslukens9101]

I have watched about 20 videos in the last week and I am a huge fan of your channel! Thanks for doing what you do and you being you! With that said, I can’t believe I haven’t heard you say the name Cody jinks yet.

[@GradySmith]

I reviewed both his last albums. And he's in the Avengers of Independent Country video

[@guslukens9101]

@@GradySmith awesome! I will check it out!

[@josiahwise6160]

This is a topic I really hadn’t considered much. But holy shit, now that I’m scrolling through my music looking at the covers I have so many thoughts

[@brettdabear]

As a Graphic Designer and a huge country music lover, I absolutely loved this video. I couldn't agree more with the idea that the album cover should give a "hint" of what the audience is about to listen to. I like the trend of bringing back calligraphy older 70s vibes like Granger Smith - country things and Midland - Let it Roll. My all time fav country album covers are Zac Brown Band - Foundation and Welcome Home. Luke Combs - This ones for you. Alan Jackson Lot about livin a little bout love. Miranda Lambert - Wildcard. Chris Stapleton - Traveller. Charles Wesley Godwin - Seneca. HARDY - A Rock. Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special and finally, Jake Owen - Greetings from Jake. Thanks for reading!

[@scorpionic3599]

Dolly Parton’s “Dolly” with her silhouette is iconic, because she knows everybody will know who it is before even reading the name. The Marfa Tapes by Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall is so western, yet simple. The sunset they’re looking at with the silhouette of the cowboys (and cowgirl lol) is like a movie. Blown Away by Carrie Underwood is very dramatic, dark and stormy, much like her album. Storyteller by her is also a great one too. Very western looking and her most country looking cover. Coyote Cry by Ian Munsick is a western mountainous favorite of mine. The little boy in the cover reminds me of another time. Imaginary Appalachia by Colter Wall is one of my favorites too. Country State of Mind by Josh Turner has all his songs listed as he leans on an old truck. Timeless.

[@landonsanchey6751]

Some of my favorites: Miranda Lambert's The Weight of These Wings Kalie Shorr's Open Book Jess Jocoy's Such A Long Way Ashley Monroe's The Blade Pistol Annies' Interstate Gospel Logan Brill's Shuteye Lainey Wilson's Tougher Ruthie Collins' Cold Comfort Caitlyn Smith's Supernova Erin Enderlin's I Let Her Talk

[@dylanschnurr3928]

I know you’re not a huge Old Dominion guy, but their two first albums, Meat & Candy and Happy Endings have amazing album covers that surely stand out!

[@ashleyjustice3008]

While I agree with you that the "Meat & Candy" album cover is distinct, I actually hate it and it actually dissuades me from wanting to listen to it.

[@racingwildcat]

Glad you mentioned Cody Jinks painting covers, I think “I’m not the devil” is his best. I also really liked brooks and Dunn “wait in’ on sundown”. “Time well wasted” by brad paisley is my favorite paisley cover with him seemingly trapped in a painting that goes through the booklet. Tyler Childers “country squire” is wild too.

[@annmarie3573]

I'm glad you mentioned Flatland Cavalry's covers. They immediately popped to mind when I saw your video title.

[@edgeofadventuregc4085]

My favorite album cover is Jason Michael Carroll's What Color is Your Sky... That dark portrait against the colorful sky is mesmerizing

[@123rockfan]

Pageant Material is my favorite recent country album cover, surprised you didn’t bring this one up

[@cornbread6529]

William Clark Green always brings it with his album covers. Each one is incredible and distinguishable but they still fit together

[@notastrawhat2574]

It’s nice to see one of my favorite you tubers be inspired by another one of my favorites

[@ResidentWiseacre]

I have always thought of it as how it would look on vinyl versus CD or cassette and now on a phone screen. I think it has to do more with who their demographic is. More detail and design is typically going to be put into albums that are physical purchases rather than streams and downloads.

[@ashleyjustice3008]

I would like a part 2, please! I think there are several that deserve at least an honorable mention such as Garth Brooks "In Pieces" album and it is a checkerboard. This video, especially when you talk about colors, reminds me of an enjoyable extra credit assignment I did in an art appreciation class in college. We had to compare and contrast two album covers of any genre using the elements of art and principles of design. I did not use a country album for that, but it was a fun assignment. Grady, you have done it here and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on album covers and that of my fellow country music fans! Thank you. Also, I share your dislike for the "Bigger" album cover. It is very unappealing.

[@annemariemueller6079]

I love the Panhandlers album cover. It's such a simple picture but it really captures their vibe and the font is perfect :)

[@jacksonroberts4128]

Hank JR- the pressure is on. That cover is awesome, the steam from the train and the lights behind it just draw you in.

[@thomasanderson6508]

I had told my wife Family Tradition is the best album cover right before I turned the video in and I went crazy when you said it !

[@valeriusyciox1234]

Marty Robbins Gunfighter ballads and Trail songs is also an iconic cover, even besides all the memes

[@josephdriesenga2730]

then there's "Wanted: The Outlaws" and "Red Headed Stranger"

[@Elijah-ki8vo]

Or live At Folsom Prison

[@thomashuelsman4400]

I’m an older dude - kid of the 80s and remember the thrill of buying a new album and seeing the cover and reading all the liner notes, etc. one that jumps out me is the “Surprise” album cover by Sylvia. May not seem like much but she debuted her new haircut on this cover, and the black and white with just the blue in her eyes was stunning. Plus she’s beautiful. Also I feel like the album covers from the rock bands of the 70s and 80s (Journey, REO Speedwagon, 38 Soecial)all had a similar look but were really cool. I miss those days

[@savannahsayles7536]

The best (in my opinion): Guy Clark holding up a Polaroid of Susanna on “My Favorite Picture of You” Sunny Sweeney’s “Provoked” also does a good job of saying a lot with a simple portrait.

[@MartinHCollection]

Wow! Not talking about Dixie Chicks - Home?? That cover and the whole artwork for this album is stunning! Taking The Long Way is really good too. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw The Rest Of Our Live have pretty cool cover. Also Tim´s Set This Circus Down. Lee Ann Womack´s The Lonely, the Lonesome & the Gone. Pistol Annies Interstate Gospel.

[@liamashwoodofficial2578]

Dude this video is rad. I Watch all of your vids but your energy seems so up beat and engaging in this one, i follow your story but whatever you're doing right now in life seems to be working bro 👌 much love from the UK country fans 😊

[@MLaker221]

This was a good one, I was able to soak up a lot of info in a little amount of time. I'm half new to country.. but I just love the history. My aunt worked for The Nashville Network and then CMT. My mom reminded me that I interviewed her for school. And so this channel is like an outlet to tap into the things I missed. I could have made an R&B channel bc I'm an expert at that!!-- I've got a documentary on my channel about Phyllis Hyman that racked up over 100,000.. and I found the grave of Jermaine stewart. so I also enjoy watching you be the expert. I'm good at soaking in catalogs quickly and you really give clear overlooks to these artists. 1987 here.

[@denvergraham8892]

You should definitely check out all of Chris Ledoux’s old album covers

[@thejakebuchanan]

I remember thinking Jamey Johnson's The Guitar Song album cover was super interesting. Really making it look like light and dark with the inverse photo on one side of the album.

[@Mark2756042]

Two of the most iconic old-time album covers are Rosanne Cash's "Rhythm and Romance" and Tanya Tucker's "TNT". Both eyebrow-raising in their time for country.

[@heather.marie97]

my favorite’s are both Tim McGraw albums: -Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors -Everywhere i think it’s the simplicity of the picture that i love. 🥰

[@emjayemjayhawk]

After learning about it on the Cocaine and Rhinestones podcast, I'd have to nominate "Satan is Real" by the Louvin Brothers. Actually, they were so earnest about their creation of that cover that knocks it into the "so bad it's good" category for me.

[@dust086]

The Steel Woods album covers on all 3 albums tell a perfect story of each album. If you listen to the albums, or on some just look at the track list you will find bits and pieces of the songs on the album covers.

[@chadbrown8688]

The Steel Woods' album covers contain some of the most creative artistry across all genres. They incorporate key imagery from the majority of the songs from the respective record. After listening to the album in its entirety, you can visualize each song by taking a closer glance at the album art, which makes us as listeners feel more connected to songs. In addition, Hardy's Hixtape was ingenious. When the singles were released, all of the characters on the album became silhouettes which left only Hardy and that particular song's featured artist. This also left fans guessing/hoping what other artists would be included on the album leading up to its release.

[@zachstenzel8634]

Koe Wetzel's Noise Complaint and Sellout have great art

[@justinkool2843]

I know it ain’t country but one of my favorite covers is U2’s rattle and hum. Simple but really cool in my opinion.

[@randybobandyscheeseburgerp4387]

Joshua tree, boy, war, they had some good covers

[@robertvickerman1711]

One really awesome one I found recently is Good at Being Lonely from Hank and Ella... It has such a cool aesthetic and color set

[@mthrofwntr]

Had a 90s country night at home last night. Much needed :)

[@ericwyatt5007]

On my favorite album covers and albums of all time is Alan Jackson little about living little bout love. Just iconic

[@sr7312]

I think my favorite is Alabama's "Feels So Right" cover. When I was a kid I saw that album at a lot of different houses. I can't recall a relative who listened to country who didn't have a copy. Probably how it stayed on the charts for 3 years.

[@karynmaddox9397]

I know you haven't really been about The Steel Woods but I had to name drop them again. Their covers are so cool too. I just 🥰🤩

[@sgtplaya7]

don't know if its recenctcy bias but that new alan jackson cover is one my favorites of all time fits the mood of the album and just a great looking picture as well

[@MultiGabbyG]

pure prairie league!! all their covers have the same cowboy character on the front and it fits the sound and feel of the music so well

[@songsandsunsets-jaronpike4900]

I was thinking about my favorite album covers, and Magnolia by Randy Houser kept popping into my head. But that could just be bias because magnolias are my favorite flower.

[@NFGrAcing]

Enjoyed the video and agree with alot of it. I'd like to mention the kenny Chesney songs for the saints album cover. It's one of my tops, ties in great with the music and a great way to describe his music

[@jennifersimmons3674]

From an outdoor graphic design background it's definitely better to have high contrast album art to pull from for ad campaigns. Digital billboards works best with high contrast colors. Also when scrolling the apps to pick songs you want memorable art that evokes a feel of what you're looking for and stands out from all the others. Some people are more visual learners so rather than actually reading the title, they're going for a look that appeals to their mood.

[@patconnelly3244]

Some of my favorites: Crystal Gayle's Miss the Mississippi, Tanya Tucker's TNT & The Judd's Greatest Hits

[@ashleyalfermann5249]

My favorites are Wild Blue by Hunter Hayes and Dark Horse by Devin Dawson! Such cool references to the songs on the album!

[@joeybreezy_]

I think the females of country music has some of the best album covers peridot!! Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material, Golden Hour Maren Morris - HERO & GIRL plus Maren has said she likes 4 letter words and on her new album most likely it’s gonna be another 4 letter word. Ingrid Andress - Lady Like that whole album has such a cool aesthetic and she’s so talented! 💚 Kelsea Ballerini - Kelsea, Unapologetically really sums up the feelings on the album artwork Kassi Ashton - Hopeless, Pretty Shiny Things, Field Party, California Missouri Cam - The Otherside , Untamed There’s so many!! But just to name a few I hope y’all agree 💯🤍✨

[@chicknurch]

On The Rocks by Midland is a great cover, and honestly all their artwork is pretty awesome especially their tour/show posters. Country Squire by Tyler Childers is another great one

[@tendraftsdeep]

I haven't really listened to the album, but Little Big Town "Nightfall" has a beautiful cover. Great video Grady!

[@JDHeller0909]

So I thought this was country covers. Like, rereleased songs by a new artist. Is there a video of yours with something like that? I would really love that, I am huge fan of cover songs, and country has such a rich history of songs being covered live, but not as much in the studio. I really would like your take on that. As someone raised on rock who has found a home in country music, rock seems to have a firm monopoly on classic, influential, groundbreaking covers. Thoughts? As always, great stuff, you're the man

[@JohnBiddleMusic]

I’ve always said that country album covers all just look like the artist redid their senior portraits 😂 I’m glad someone else gets it

[@garnettleithart6713]

i wake up every day thinking about flatland cavalry's album covers

[@charlescowart1931]

I kinda like the portraits of the artist. It is something that is somewhat unique to country (though other genres use it too) because country has a history of being simple.

[@austinterry2343]

The thirty seconds of black and white was the best random editing choice I have seen on youtube.

[@leafygreenspice6684]

I think Brad Paisley has some really good album covers. Mud on the Tires and Wheelhouse are definitely two of my favorite album covers. And I can’t decide if I love or hate the cover of American Saturday Night.

[@Hawther]

The Chicks' Home album cover was good - 20 years later I can still picture it. It was an album about roots and getting really into some painful parts of life and the Stark dirt road and the styling of their black dresses really showed that. It's also their most underrated album

[@Columbus_E]

Are you gonna make a video on Blake Sheltons new album? I would really love to see that

[@nicolefromfinance]

Your video about BK got me absolutely hooked on beach cowboy and now I’m addicted. Help

[@jackson7421]

This is a great topic, and neat. But as someone who exclusively buys music on iTunes I never even see or notice the album art.

[@samc4201]

I gotta agree with most of your points. One that you didn't mention though that I love is Jon Pardi's California Sunrise.

[@GradySmith]

I love that one too!!

[@keltenchyz4299]

Gonna have to make a list of classic country album covers next

[@annikajohnson2100]

Love this video idea would love more along the lines of album cover art

[@barrynangle1319]

goddammit i’ve never paid attention to what album covers look like but now every song i listen to imma have to look at the cover and see if i like it or not

[@GradySmith]

Hahha part of the fun!!

[@angelinacurtis2129]

I love the HickTape by Hardy Album cover

[@sportyhorse058]

Yeeeeeesss it’s so good

[@maximotorres4100]

Same here.

[@charlotteallen1801]

The Chicks’ Home, Pistol Annie’s Interstate Gospel, Little Big Towns The Road To Here, Brothers Osborne Pawn Shop, Jo Dee Messina Delicious Surprise - all covers that I think “match” the songs on the album

[@lilspnce49]

The Steel Woods album covers I feel should be in the topic of conversation. They use great art and they incorporate their track listings for the first two albums on their covers

[@supernorry3847]

I love the Flatland Cavalry album covers, they are so good IMO the best in the country industry

[@michaelchestnut7876]

Killer new haircut and beard trim. Looking fresh sir.

[@wpflesh6510]

My top 5 in no order Alabama-Feels So Right Garth Brooks-Ropin The Wind Willie Nelson-Red Headed Stranger Randy Travis-Storms of Life Merle Haggard-Mama Tried

[@smaguler6176]

Oh no I missed the chance to appear in a video.Ok so here you go hope Grady looks at my ist of my fave album covers,not in any specific order. "Southeastern" by Jason Isbell is so ominous,dark and such a nice cover to my favorite album of all time. "Goddamn Lonely Love" and every album of The Drive-by Truckers I love the style of them "The Highwaymen Essentials" you know the album which has the portraits of J. Cash W.NelsonW Jennings and K.Kristofferson. "The American" all the albums by Johnny Cash cause they are so dark and so beautiful and last by not lest "Out mother the mountain" by Townes Van Zandt,its so haunting and yet so...welcoming

[@GradySmith]

Both are awesome!

[@nick_adams]

I think you should do a similar video to this one, but with country singles artwork/covers.

[@bridgetcatherinemuse]

Luke Combs cover art I think speaks volumes of him, it's simple but the big font kinda talks about the cacophony it's going to create. I like it and it's suiting, he's a simple guy putting out music that's getting a ton of hype

[@scottmoxie]

LeAnn Rimes Twisted Angel album was beautiful as well as This Woman

[@oliviasetlak3172]

Sturgill Simpson's album "Cuttin' Grass" album cover is just iconic. Literally cutting grass with a pair of Vans on says it all. Who else would do that? I just love it.

[@dexlee09]

I know this is pretty old but I thought this was gonna be covers of songs as deep cuts on albums! If you haven’t done that you definitely should!

[@sunbern3d]

Sara Evans did a nod to Dwight on Slow me Down. Also loved the surrealism on Brad Paisleys Time Well Wasted

[@bencollinge1]

first time i ever saw kip moore was on the run up to wild ones, that cover gave me a flavour of what was to come and he was sick

[@maximotorres4100]

Let It Roll, The Big Revival, Hixtape, Letters From Home, and the black and white Cash albums all had something unique to them, or at least to me lol.

[@natalie4973]

I’ve always like turnpike troubadours albums art. There’s something interesting in each one

[@AshleyReinhard]

So did anyone mention Reckless Kelly and their Grammy wins for best album art? Long Night Moon and Sunset Motel both won if I believe. They’ve been putting gimmicks into their albums for a while now to entice their audience to purchase the physical album. Good luck and true love had a slide show esque element to it. Wicked twisted road has a board game built in, and the two mentioned above feature black light glow in the dark and a hidden message reveal schtick. They’re all pretty cool and their music is awesome too!

[@GeneralPJ]

You should review some Craig Campbell, specifically his older album Craig Campbell, I think its got some great songs and kind of a great reminder of quality country music

[@landonfanning5076]

I honestly love Tanya Tucker’s “What Do I Do With Me” album cover. It looks like it’s straight out of a 60’s spaghetti western.

[@zacharyhardin426]

I really like the new Midland: The Sonic Ranch album cover. Also, William Clark Green has some cool covers

[@SavannahSP]

Eric Church's Desperate Man album cover looks like it was made by a desperate man who only had access to MS paint and only three fonts to choose from

[@ChefPleasure]

I like “Wild Ones” and “Slowheart”, also anything from Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard when they made albums together.