Last Updated on January 28, 2024 by J.SCALCO
Top Country Songs Lighting Up the Charts
The country music scene is booming with exciting new talent and catchy tunes topping the charts.
From party anthems to vulnerable ballads, the these top country hits feature something for all fans of the genre.
Read on for the top country songs ruling the airwaves.
Top Country Songs
- Morgan Wallen – Thought You Should Know
- Carrie Underwood – Hate My Heart
- Luke Combs – Going, Going, Gone
- Johnny Scalco – Nine to Five
- Hardy – Here Lies Country Music
- Ingrid Andress – Wishful Drinking
- Jordan Davis – What My World Spins Around
- Lainey Wilson – Watermelon Moonshine
- Codey Johnson – Til You Can’t
- Elvie Shane – My Boy
- Priscilla Block – Just About Over You
- Parker McCollum – Handle On You
1. Morgan Wallen – Thought You Should Know
After taking time away from music following a controversy, Morgan Wallen stormed back onto the charts in 2023 with “Thought You Should Know.”
The introspective track finds Wallen apologizing to those he let down.
Fans welcomed the singer’s return with open arms, sending “Thought You Should Know” straight to #1.
Wallen’s emotional delivery and dynamic production show he entered his comeback wiser.
The clever lyricism examining regret and growth contributes to the song’s popularity.
“Thought You Should Know” proves Wallen remains one of country music’s most talented stars.
2. Carrie Underwood – Hate My Heart
Carrie Underwood embraced a feistier side with her single “Hate My Heart.”
The upbeat track finds Underwood cursing her tendencies to fall hard and fast in relationships.
She vows not to repeat past mistakes over the song’s driving percussion and guitars.
Underwood’s commanding vocals give the empowering lyrics added bite.
Fans praise “Hate My Heart” for bringing a bold, relatable confidence to radio.
The superstar sings of taking control of one’s romantic destiny, making it an anthem of resilience.
3. Luke Combs – Going, Going, Gone
Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs unleashed another winner with “Going, Going, Gone.”
The easygoing song of the year describes the end of a relationship where the lovers cling to the final moments.
Combs’ earnest vocals shine over gentle acoustics accentuated with pedal steel.
His skill for detailed storytelling shines through on the bittersweet lyrics.
The relatable songwriting combined with Combs’ signature sound made “Going, Going Gone” an instant hit staying in the top 50.
It further cements Combs’ status as the leader of today’s hitmakers.
4. Johnny Scalco – Nine to Five
Rising newcomer Johnny Scalco produced an early 2024 modern country classic with “Nine to Five.”
The heartfelt tune reflects on struggling to nurture a relationship due to working overtime.
Scalco’s warm baritone glides over rootsy acoustic guitars and fiddle as he conveys exasperation with long hours. Yet he balances the frustration with tenderness as he expresses missing his lover’s company.
Johnny’s ability to capture modern anxieties around balancing careers, personal lives and romance has earned raves.
His organic style, earworm melodies and dynamic vocals have even earned comparisons to Chris Stapleton as a talent to watch.
“Nine to Five” is quickly connecting at country radio as Johnny Scalco becomes the next promising artist blending old-school sounds and contemporary perspectives.
5. Hardy – Here Lies Country Music
Singer-songwriter HARDY confronted the ache of lost love with his vulnerable single “here lies country music.”
He sings of numbing sadness with whiskey, friends and his favorite records.
HARDY’s raw vocals deliver each line with emotional punch. Meanwhile, the stripped-down acoustics spotlight his evocative words.
He transforms the specific story into a universal music experience.
HARDY simultaneously mourns a failed romance and the state of the genre itself. The clever concept earned praise for its bold authenticity.
“here lies country music” further displayed HARDY’s artistic growth into one of Nashville’s top tunesmiths.
6. Ingrid Andress – Wishful Drinking
Ingrid Andress brought clever songwriting and killer vocals to her Top 30 hit “Wishful Drinking.”
The breakup bop finds Andress numbing her sorrows after a split.
Yet she acknowledges alcohol won’t mend her broken heart.
Andress’ honest lyrics examine dealing with rejection in a healthy way.
Her vocal runs add emotional depth while the production mixes pop and country.
Andress displays insight beyond her years on the catchy track.
“Wishful Drinking” highlights her artistic evolution through vulnerability and strength.
7. Jordan Davis – What My World Spins Around
Jordan Davis knows heartbreak but brought optimism with his 2023 radio success and is looking forward to 2024 with “What My World Spins Around.”
He emphasizes finding fulfillment outside of romance.
Davis’ smooth vocals glide over a laidback beat and guitar licks.
His level-headed lyrics provide reassurance during tough emotional times.
The tracks central message to seek inner joy resonated widely.
“What My World Spins Around” became Davis’ fifth career #1 showing off his knack for relatable storytelling.
The anthem uplifted fans when they needed it most and made it on several hot 100 playlists.
8. Lainey Wilson – Watermelon Moonshine
Louisiana native Lainey Wilson paid homage to her rural roots with the playful track “Watermelon Moonshine.”
Her distinctive twang soars over fiddle and banjo as she sings of southern pastimes.
Lyrics about four-wheel drives down dirt roads and homegrown summer fun tap into country culture.
Yet Wilson also acknowledges the ups and downs of small-town living.
Her authentic perspective connected with listeners nationwide.
They sent “Watermelon Moonshine” into the Top of the country charts proving Wilson as music’s freshest voice.
She brings renewed appreciation for country ways of life.
9. Cody Johnson – Til You Can’t
After over a decade as a regional powerhouse, Cody Johnson broke onto the national scene in 2022 with his hot country album “Human.”
He continued his success with the nostalgic single “’Til You Can’t.”
Johnson reminisces on a lost first love over acoustic guitar and fiddle.
His unique vocal tone gives added edge to the lovelorn lyrics. Meanwhile, the production spotlights his raw emotive delivery.
“‘Til You Can’t” dominated charts for over 30 weeks showcasing Johnson’s outlier talent.
His traditional sound feels freshly urgent through vulnerable songwriting.
The bittersweet track cements Johnson as an unstoppable emergent star.
10. Elvie Shane – My Boy
Rising artist Elvie Shane scored his second straight hit with “My Boy” in early 2023.
The powerful piano ballad depicts a father promising to enjoy life’s simple gifts with his young son following his wife’s death.
Shane’s evocative writing reveals the quiet adaption people show through tragedy.
His vocal emotion gives the bittersweet lyrics added weight.
Meanwhile, the cinematic strings and gentle acoustics build a hymn-like wall of sound behind Shane’s words.
“My Boy” connected due to its difficult but inspiring message about resilience.
Listeners agreed crowning it a multi-week chart-topper with non stop airplay.
11. Priscilla Block – Just About Over You
Singer-songwriter Priscilla Block built a grassroots following through TikTok before breaking through with her 2022 radio single “Just About Over You.”
The clever track finds Block admitting she incorrectly plays tough about a breakup.
Behind the mascarade, her bruised feelings remain.
Block’s self-aware lyrics and bubbly vocals made the song a smash.
“Just About Over You” merges traditional and contemporary country through her organic style.
Block’s honesty about heartbreak’s stages turned the song into an anthem.
Her unique blend of strength and vulnerability excites fans as the next superstar storyteller.
12. Parker McCollum – Handle On You
Texas troubadour Parker McCollum wondered if a relationship is too good to last on his brooding ballad “Handle On You.”
He fears losing his partner’s affections despite current bliss.
McCollum’s smooth vocals ride an acoustic guitar as he admits his tendency to self-sabotage.
His ability to question happiness through raw lyrics brought depth to the track. Meanwhile, the stripped-down production avoided overshadowing his writing.
“Handle On You” extended McCollum’s chart-topping streak at country radio.
This great country song of all time confirms his artistic rise shows no signs of slowing thanks to unrelenting authenticity.
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